While the Bronx may not have the best reputation, this borough has some spectacular highlights: The Concourse, Melrose, and Mott Haven neighborhoods in the southern Bronx offer some of New York’s most impressive Art Deco architecture. In particular, the houses on the Grand Concourse – a north-south connection based on the Parisian model of the Champs-Èlysées – were expanded in the 1930s in the Art Deco and Streamline Moderne styles. In addition to public buildings, theatres, hotels and numerous elegant residential buildings were built. The Bronx became famous primarily because of the world-famous baseball team, the New York Yankees, whose home is Yankee Stadium.
Next to the stadium, the source of greatest pride is the Bronx Zoo, which simulates climatic conditions for the benefit of its inhabitants – such as the Himalayan highlands or the rainforest of the Congo. In the zoo, whose full name is International Wildlife Conservation Park, more than 4,000 animals live in natural surroundings. The enclosures were divided up according to geographical aspects. In the park you can find many animal species that have long been extinct in the wild. bronxzoo.com
A curiosity that is unlikely to be noticed as a short-term visitor is the 4,400-strong fishing community of City Island (2.4 km long and 800 m wide), which is connected to the Bronx by a causeway. Once upon a time, the residents lived off their salt pans. Today the small island is known for its excellent seafood restaurants. This is said to be the best lobster in New York. In addition to the established restaurants, there are also a number of cheaper eateries. City Island is home to four yacht clubs.
According to timedictionary, another curiosity is Riverdale: one of the most exclusive and rural districts in all of New York also belongs to the Bronx. Around 48,000 people live here, where the writer Mark Twain and the conductor Arturo Toscanini once lived.
A very interesting story also surrounds the Heinrich Heine Monument ( Lorelei Fountain) at the south end of Joyce Kilmer Park at 161st Street and the Grand Concourse. This white marble monument was originally intended to be erected in Heine’s hometown of Düsseldorf to mark his 100th birthday in 1897. Heine, who was attacked during his lifetime because of his Jewish origins and his political views, did not enjoy the recognition he deserved even after his death (Heine died in Paris in 1856). The anti-Semitic and nationalist agitation in the German Reich also prevented the planned monument. So it was brought to New York and unveiled in July 1899 in the presence of the sculptor Ernst Herter.
Information about the Bronx
Location and size
The Bronx is the northernmost borough of New York City with a land area of 148 km² and a water area of almost 40 km².
Population
Almost 1.4 million people live in the Bronx.
Getting there
The South Bronx is easily accessible from Manhattan on the B, D and 4 trains.
The highlights of the Bronx
Yankee Stadium, shaped like a white wedding cake, is also known as ” the house that Babe Ruth built” (arguably the most legendary baseball player of all time). The living monument plays host to major league baseball games. It offers sightseeing tours year-round and is home to an extensive baseball museum. During game days, fans can enjoy quality steaks at NYY Steak, an exclusive restaurant at the stadium. To commemorate the 27 Yankees World Championships, NYY Steak offers 27 wine pairings.
Baseball fans without tickets can catch the game at the nearby Yankee Tavern, a popular venue with Yankee merchandise and friendly service.
Located at Yankee Stadium, Heritage Field is a 4,000-square-foot baseball field where visitors can play their own games, watch local high schools compete and see artifacts from the original stadium. The Heritage Field houses part of the old Yankee Stadium Frieze, the original diamonds, and outfield and paving stones engraved with dates commemorating historic Yankee moments.
The Bronx Culture Trolley offers visitors a complimentary tour of the South Bronx’s cultural precinct. On the first Wednesday of each month, visitors have the opportunity to take a cultural tour in a replica 20th-century tram, stopping at cultural attractions, restaurants and entertainment venues. Art lovers have permanent free admission to The Bronx Museum of the Arts – a cultural institution specializing in contemporary and local Bronx art.
The Bronx General Post Office has a gallery of 13 murals created by social realist artist Ben Shahn with his wife Bernarda in 1938-1939. The paintings that adorn the walls of the post office lobby depict scenes from working-class America in the 1930s.
A popular lunchtime restaurant, Court Deli is known for its smoked meat sandwiches and all-day breakfast. It offers visitors a true New York taste experience, complemented by traditional pickles.
Visitors looking for authentic Caribbean food will find what they are looking for at The Feeding Tree. The casual and affordable restaurant impresses with its simple dishes with a variety of spices, which come directly from the Caribbean islands. Sam’s Soul Food is recommended for lovers of southern cuisine. In addition to BBQ pork ribs and jerk chicken, seafood is also on the menu here.
The family-run Molino Rojo restaurant offers reasonably priced Latin American dishes. Regulars’ favorites include rice, beans, and plantains with fried pork.
Visitors looking to sample Italian cuisine should visit the G Bar & Lounge. The classic bar invites you to cocktails or an Italian dinner with the whole family. The G Bar and Lounge presents live music on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays and karaoke on Mondays and Saturdays.
Melrose and Mott Haven
The Bronx Documentary Center in Melrose is a facility dedicated to the art of photojournalism. The center offers events, film screenings and courses for documentary projects from around the world.
The Gordon A. Parks Gallery in Mott Haven houses works of art and hosts lectures and musical performances for the enjoyment of visitors.
The artist-led collaboration project Bronx Art Space includes visual art and experimental film as well as dance performances and concerts.
The Pregones Theater offers constantly changing performances, programs and shows with a focus on artists and themes from Puerto Rico and Latin America.
Fresh New American cuisine and innovative cocktails are served at The Clock. Complete with vintage chandeliers and exposed brick walls, the store offers classic American favorites paired with exquisite wines and expertly mixed cocktails.
Open for over 40 years, Casa Amadeo is the oldest Latin music store in the southern Bronx. At Woodstock, visitors can browse their favorite CDs and vinyl records and learn about Latin music from store owner Mike Amadeo.
