Bronx Neighborhoods: Where to Go and What to See

The neighborhoods of the Bronx have plenty of major attractions. Don't skip them because of the bad reputation TV shows and a few of its neighborhoods have given the borough.

The Bronx is huge, a mix of residential areas, working-class neighborhoods and some very poor ones too. But there are some really important places in the Bronx. Take a look at this small sample:

🏟️ Yankee Stadium is in the Bronx.

🐒 The Bronx Zoo is the largest urban zoo in the world.

🍝🍕🍷 New York's real Little Italy is in the Bronx!

🤡 The Joker Stairs are in the Bronx.

What to see in the neighborhoods of the Bronx

More and more travelers are making their way to this authentic corner of New York, the birthplace of salsa and hip hop, covered in famous graffiti.

It took me a while to make up my mind, not so much because of the reputation but because its points of interest are farther out and you have to spend a lot of time riding the New York subway or buses.

But once I decided and hopped on the 1 train, there hasn't been a trip to New York since where I don't swing through the Bronx (on my last one I visited the Joker Stairs during the New York Contrasts Tour 🤡.

I always tell you there's a lot of New York beyond Manhattan, and the Bronx is no exception.

Don't miss these outings, perfect for anyone coming back to New York for a second, third or umpteenth time!

Is it safe to visit the neighborhoods of the Bronx?

The Bronx is the borough of New York least set up for tourism, for the reasons I mentioned: it's farther from the classic tourist sights, most of it is residential and it has some areas that aren't very safe.

But all the places to visit in the Bronx that I recommend are close to subway stations and in safe areas.

As long as you stay near any of the attractions I mention, you won't have any problems.

Generally speaking, the middle-class neighborhoods are in the northern part of the borough (Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Woodlawn), along with Belmont, the Little Italy of the Bronx, around which several of the sights are clustered.

You should avoid the neighborhoods in the South Bronx, among the poorest in New York, which aren't a good idea to explore on your own (Morrisania, Mott Haven, Morris Heights).

Belmont in the Bronx: the real Little Italy

Belmont is one neighborhood where wandering the streets really is worth it.

This is where the owners of New York's most famous Italian restaurants come to buy their ingredients. That alone should tell you how important this neighborhood is when it comes to food.

What to see in the Bronx

Another of the Bronx spots I highly recommend is the Bronx Zoo, especially if you're traveling with kids.

It's the largest urban zoo in the world, with more than 10,000 animals. On Wednesdays you can visit the Bronx Zoo for free; I explain how at that link.

Another wonderful place in the northern part of New York City is the New York Botanical Garden. It looks different in every season.

As Christmas in NYC approaches, the famous model train show opens, with little trains winding past miniatures of the city's iconic buildings built from leaves, twigs and seeds from the garden. Worth it!

If you like baseball, you'll enjoy a guided tour of Yankee Stadium or catching a Yankees game if your trip lines up with the MLB season.

The Bronx also has some unexpected places, like Edgar Allan Poe's cottage and the Fordham University Church, New York's Jesuit university.

To see this beautiful church, which many say looks like something out of Harry Potter, you have to ask permission at the security booth at the campus entrance. It isn't a public attraction.

Tips for exploring the Bronx

The most important tip is to head straight to the sights rather than wandering the neighborhoods freely the way I suggest in other parts of the city (with the exception of the Little Italy of the Bronx).

The key thing is that every place of interest I mention here is in a safe area.

Remember that if you're short on time or you'd rather go with a Spanish-speaking guide, you can get a look at some of the Bronx's iconic spots on the New York Contrasts Tour.

Other New York attractions

I'm sure these other guides will help you round out your experience exploring all the neighborhoods across New York's 5 boroughs:

🗽 What to see in Manhattan

🌉 What to see in Brooklyn

👑 What to see in Queens

🚢🌊 What to see in Staten Island