Bronx: Wildlife, River Landscapes and Culture

The Bronx brings together a variety of reasons to visit: wildlife and river landscapes sit alongside art, literary history and places of remembrance. When planning a stay, you can first decide whether nature watching, activities on the water or culture should shape your trip.

Wildlife at the Bronx Zoo

The Bronx Zoo is home to more than 11,000 animals. The seasonal Children's Zoo gives children the chance to encounter prairie dogs, North American porcupines and fennec foxes up close. Since this area is seasonal, check visitor information before your trip. At JungleWorld, visitors encounter animals such as tree kangaroos and Indian gharials. The two areas offer different experiences: the Children's Zoo focuses on children's encounters with specific animal groups, while JungleWorld features a different selection of animals.

River, forest and outdoor activities

The Bronx River runs through the New York Botanical Garden and provides a habitat for many kinds of wildlife, occasionally including otters or beavers. The garden is also home to the Thain Family Forest, the largest remaining section of the original forest that once covered most of New York City. In the Bronx River Forest, you can watch birds and other wildlife. Recent projects there have included improvements to paths and nature trails, as well as additional boardwalks and viewing points.

For exercise on foot or by bike, the Bronx River Greenway offers opportunities for walking and cycling. On the 23-mile-long Bronx River, visitors can travel by canoe or kayak through wooded northern areas and on to the industrial Bronx and its tidal areas. Many paddling trips are also suitable for participants with no previous paddling or swimming experience. This means there are different ways to get active: trails on foot or by bike along the Greenway, and trips on the water. At Concrete Plant Park, the Bronx River Foodway is described as “New York City's first edible forest.”

Art and history

The Bronx Museum of the Arts is dedicated to contemporary art. Its offerings include a permanent collection, special exhibitions and educational programs. The museum is easy to reach by public transportation. You can explore literary history at the Edgar Allan Poe Cottage: the building was constructed sometime between about 1810 and 1830, is a landmark of New York City and New York State, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A permanent exhibition presents multimedia content about 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 notable Americans. Together with the Poe Cottage and the art museum, it offers another cultural and historical focus for planning your trip.

Getting around during your visit

The Botanical Garden Station on Metro-North is directly across from the Mosholu entrance to the New York Botanical Garden. Check transit conditions and station access before your trip. Public transportation is also an option for visiting the Bronx Museum; be sure to check transit conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Manhattan, Brooklyn, New York City, Queens, Staten Island, Brighton Beach.

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