Bronx: Wildlife, Nature and Culture

The Bronx combines impressive wildlife, green landscapes, water-based experiences and important cultural sites.

Wildlife and Green Landscapes

The Bronx Zoo is home to more than 11,000 animals. The seasonal Children's Zoo allows children to have close encounters with prairie dogs, North American porcupines and fennec foxes. At JungleWorld, visitors can get up close to animals such as tree kangaroos and Indian gharials. These different areas each have their own focus and make the zoo a distinctive experience for a trip centered on observing animals.

The New York Botanical Garden also combines nature and wildlife. The Bronx River runs through the garden and provides a habitat for numerous wild animals, including the occasional river otter or beaver. Thain Family Forest is the largest remaining section of the primeval forest that once covered most of New York City. In Bronx River Forest, recent projects have improved paths and nature trails and added boardwalks and viewpoints. There is also an opportunity there to observe birds and other wildlife.

For orientation at the Botanical Garden, the Metro-North stop Botanical Garden Station is a specific point of reference: It is located directly opposite the Mosholu entrance to the New York Botanical Garden. The Bronx Museum of the Arts is easily accessible by public transportation and can be included in travel planning as a cultural destination in its own right.

Active on the Bronx River

The Bronx River Greenway offers opportunities for cyclists and walkers to be active. On the 23-mile-long Bronx River, visitors can canoe or kayak through the wooded northern areas to the industrial Bronx and the tidal sections. Many paddling tours on the river are also suitable for participants with no prior experience in paddling or swimming. This allows you to choose between exercise on land and an experience on the water when planning your trip.

Another special feature is the Bronx River Foodway in Concrete Plant Park, which is described as New York City's first “edible forest.” The site complements the nature and water-based experiences with an unusual perspective on the connection between landscape and food.

Art and History in the Bronx

The Bronx Museum of the Arts is a contemporary art museum with a permanent collection, special exhibitions and educational programs. The Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, built approximately between 1810 and 1830, is considered a landmark of New York City and New York State and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. A permanent exhibition presents multimedia content on Edgar Allan Poe's life and literary work during his time at the cottage from 1846 to 1849.

The Hall of Fame for Great Americans is the first hall of fame in the United States. Since the early 20th century, 98 bronze busts have been installed there to honor important American figures. Those wishing to combine days in nature with art, literature and American commemorative culture can view these sites as different focal points of their trip.

The Right Accommodation for Your Travel Plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Bronx, it is worth first deciding what kind of days you want to have. Wildlife observation, the Botanical Garden and the forests favor a nature-oriented itinerary; cycling, walks and paddling provide different focal points. If you also plan to visit museums and historic sites, it may make sense to choose accommodation that allows you to organize your days flexibly. You should check the specific transportation options to individual destinations against your own travel plans before booking.

Other Destinations in the Area

As additional destinations, you can also include Brooklyn, Brighton Beach, New York City, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island in your further travel planning.

For the overarching travel overview: New York City.