The Bronx is a hub of American culture, home to the New York Yankees and some of the most prominent Americans in pop culture, from Hollywood icon Lindsay Lohan to music superstar Jennifer Lopez.
The borough has been a part of New York City since 1874. It’s located north of Manhattan and separated by the world-famous Harlem River. The Bronx provides a sprawling 109 square kilometers of exploration, nearly double the size of its southern neighbour.
Though it holds fewer residents than Manhattan, the Bronx bursts with cultural diversity and globally known attractions, including the Bronx Zoo, the New York Botanical Garden, and the legendary Yankee Stadium.
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History of The Bronx
Did you know the Bronx traces its name back to a Swedish-born Dutchman, Jonas Bronck? In 1639, he founded the first European settlement in the area, leaving a lasting mark on its identity. But long before his arrival, the land was home to the Siwanoy, a band of the Lenape Native Americans who thrived along its rivers and forests. Their deep-rooted history remains an essential part of the Bronx’s rich past.
Once a quiet, rural landscape, the Bronx transformed in the late 19th century as new transportation routes and New York City’s rapid expansion brought waves of change. The early 20th century saw a population boom, with immigrants arriving in search of opportunity and new housing developments reshaping the borough.
NYC wouldn’t be what it is today without the hard work and dreams of immigrants, who from the 19th century onwards arrived in New York seeking a better life. They laid the bricks of the city’s iconic buildings, laboured in factories and built the subway system that keeps NYC moving. They also brought different foods, traditions and music, adding to the rich multiculture of America. The immigrants in NYC not only shaped the skyline but also fueled the city’s economy, politics and identity.
But the Bronx has faced its share of struggles—by the 1970s, economic hardship, high unemployment, and rising crime cast a shadow over its streets. Yet from this adversity came resilience, creativity, and revolution—hip-hop was born here, forever changing global culture.
In recent decades, the Bronx has experienced a remarkable revival, reclaiming its place as a vibrant, thriving borough with a rich history and an unstoppable spirit.
Historic neighborhoods in the Bronx
- Arthur Avenue/Belmont (Little Italy)
- Mott Haven (South Bronx)
- Riverdale
- City Island
- Fordham/University Heights
Little Italy Bronx
The Bronx has a handful of iconic neighbourhoods to explore, from the real Little Italy, where you’ll see no tourists, just an authentic Italian vibe – including Italian food, coffee and shops. You’ll find family-owned shops here, food tours and tasting – incredible for food lovers wanting to try a different type of American food.
Mott Haven
Mott Haven in the South Bronx is of great historical significance, particularly in the development of hip-hop. Here, you’ll find incredible street art and murals, arts and entertainment, culture and even more to explore.
Riverdale
Riverdale is a neighbourhood to explore if you’re a keen outdoors person. It’s an affluent area with scenic views of the Hudson River and plenty of places for hiking nearby. It has some of America’s most historic homes and architecture, including grand estates and villas from the 19th century.
Things to do in the Bronx
Outdoor activities in the Bronx
For all of New York City’s buildings and busyness, it has a surprising amount of green spaces to explore – and the Bronx is home to several of the biggest and best, connecting urban and nature together.
We’ve all heard of Central Park, but there are a few other famous NYC parks that are worth a visit.
The Van Cortlandt Park
The Van Cortlandt Park in Riverdale has playing fields and parks scattered around the park’s edges, surrounding a richly forested heartland fed by Tibbets Brook. The park carries a lot of history, being the home to the country’s first public golf course, the oldest house in the Bronx and the borough’s largest freshwater lake.
Bronx Park
Bronx Park is home to the world-renowned New York Botanical Gardens and the Bronx Zoo. The park is approximately 718 acres, making it one of NYC’s biggest green spaces. Here is perfect for long (and short) walks, exploration or just a relaxing afternoon spent on the grass. There are plenty of hiking and walking trails along the Bronx River as well as sports fields, playgrounds and other outdoorsy activities for nature lovers.
New York Botanical Gardens
At the New York Botanical Garden, you’ll find plants from every corner of the world, beautiful gardens, conservatories, and natural areas to explore.
The Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is the world’s biggest metropolitan zoo and accommodates a large selection of animals. There are animals from different parts of the world, areas dedicated to animals native to the United States and an area for endangered species.
Pelham Bay Park
The largest public park in New York City, Pelham Bay Park, offers a range of natural environments, including forests, beaches and wetlands. It’s another great spot for those looking for an outdoor adventure (and not as touristy), including hiking, fishing, boating and more.
Yankees Stadium
The Bronx has become a centre of artistic and cultural importance. Here, you’ll find the Yankee Stadium – home to the baseball team the New York Yankees. The club are one of the biggest sporting exports from the United States – you probably have one of their hats in your closet. The stadium is located in the South Bronx and holds almost 50,000 seats.
The Joker staircase
The 2019 movie Joker has added another famous location to The Bronx. The stairs – which the Joker dances down in one of the film’s most iconic scenes – are located between Shakespeare Avenue and Anderson Avenue in the Highbridge neighbourhood.
How to get to the stairs: Take subway line 4 and get off at the first stop after Yankee Stadium. Leave the metro station on the left and cross the street at the end. If you walk a bit further to the left, you’ll find the stairs in the street behind it.
Bay Plaza Shopping Center
Bay Plaza is the biggest shopping centre in New York, with more than 150 stores. The mall has three stories and a mixture of big brand classics and department stores like Macy’s, Forever 21, Sephora and Nike, as well as boutique shops. Away from fashion, there are electronic stores, home goods, jewellry stores and bookshops.
There’s an AMC movie theatre and plenty of eateries to enjoy after a long day of spending big bucks!
Where to eat in the Bronx
There are a million different eatery options in the Bronx – one of America’s most multicultural areas – so you won’t be short of options.
For a slice of real New York pizza, buy yourself a slice at Louie & Ernie’s. The best coffee and cake options come via DeLillo Pastry Shop.
Best places to eat (our top picks)
Italian Cuisine: Mario’s Restaurant, Roberto’s.
Seafood & Waterfront Dining: Sammy’s Fish Box, The Original Crab Shanty.
American & BBQ: Hudson Smokehouse, Charlies Bar & Kitchen & Beatstro.
FAQs about the Bronx
Why is the Bronx famous?
It’s predominantly known for being the birthplace of rap and hip-hop music and as the home of the famous professional baseball team, the New York Yankees. Despite these defining features, few visitors to New York make it to the Bronx.
Is the Bronx a good place to live?
There are poor and high crime areas in the Bronx, but the borough as a whole is one of the best values for housing in New York. It is home to the largest amount of parkland in the city.
Why does the Bronx have a bad reputation?
Despite significant investment compared to the post-war period, many exacerbated social problems remain, including high rates of violent crime, substance abuse, overcrowding, and substandard housing conditions.