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I am trying to become a more refined New York tourist by making a trip to one of the other five boroughs while I stay in the city. Last time I checked out Williamsburg, Brooklyn, which I was not impressed by, so I have decided to extend my exploring into Queens and the Bronx.
I understand the Bronx has a reputation for being the most dangerous borough but I figured there might be some neighborhoods worth visiting. I've heard decent things about Riverdale and a few others. What is your opinion?
Riverdale, NY is very safe (one of the lowest if the lowest crime rates around), very affluent and separated geographically from the Bronx by the steep hills, so you'll notice the difference immediately in the landscape if you will. It is very suburban in some parts and has a town-like atmosphere with mom and pop shops in the heart of the area. Fieldston, the most expensive part of Riverdale is a private community. In fact Riverdale has the most mansions than any other neighborhood in New York City. Many tourists visit the historical parts of Riverdale such as Wave Hill, historical churches and mansions/estates.
Areas of the Bronx that I hear are safe and quaint are Morris Park, Woodlawn, Pelham Bay, City Island, Country Club, Edgewater, parts of Throggs Neck and Schulyverville and apparently parts of Pelham Parkway. The other parts I would skip. Morris Park and Pelham Bay are probably two of the best neighborhoods in the Bronx.
Riverdale, NY is very safe (one of the lowest if the lowest crime rates around), very affluent and separated geographically from the Bronx by the steep hills, so you'll notice the difference immediately in the landscape if you will.
Most of the West Bronx shares this topography (much of Upper Manhattan too).
I don't think any of them are separated geographically the way Riverdale is from the rest of the Bronx.
I could understand at the park separates Riverdale geographically, but not the hills, since this is a feature not limited to Riverdale. But the hills of Northern Manhattan/West Bronx are lovely. If the OP will be coming up this way, and likes parks, I'd also consider Fort Tryon Park, and the Fort Washington area of Washington Heights.
The Bronx has many interesting,even some fascinating nooks and crannies but it is very difficult to recommend without knowing a) where your interests might lie and b) whether you will have a car or will be completely reliant on public transportation.
Without hesitation I would recommend a tour that combines a trip to The New York Botanical Garden with a walk around and a meal in Little Italy,which is only a 10 minute or so walk from The Botanical Garden.I would go to The Botanical Garden either in the morning or afternoon and then have either lunch or an early dinner in Little Italy.It's the best Botanical Garden in the US and one of the best in the world.....truly spectacular. A tour of Little Italy will provide you with a glimpse of what most of NYC was like before most of it became so corporate and homogenized.It looks like Greenwich Village in the 1960's.Lots of great shops and great restaurants.One could easily spend an entire day in The Botanical Garden and 3 or 4 hours is probably a minimum so the Garden and Little Italy with a meal would really be a day.There is a metro north Botanical Garden stop and as I said,Little Italy is a short walk away so this could be done easily without a car.
Many people who I bring on tours of The Bronx are ,surprisingly to me, somehow fascinated with Fordham Road.They say it is like nothing else in NYC or like nothing else in the country.Well, it's right there near the Botanical Garden and Little Italy if you care to take a stroll.
I wouldn't recommend a tourist to drive around the Bronx considering all these locations have limited parking and many have heavy traffic. Why deal with that BS on a vacation? You also isolate yourself, there's something special about emerging from the subway onto the elevated track. For most the subway is adequate but I would rent a bike and cover more ground.
Quote:
Originally Posted by bluedog2
Many people who I bring on tours of The Bronx are ,surprisingly to me, somehow fascinated with Fordham Road.They say it is like nothing else in NYC or like nothing else in the country.Well, it's right there near the Botanical Garden and Little Italy if you care to take a stroll.
Fordham Road also has some of the highest pedestrian densities in NYC during the day.
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