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Top 10 Hidden Gems in the Bronx

Top 10 Hidden Gems in the Bronx

Unique experiences and places you never expected in the Bronx.

Thain Family Forest
#1

Thain Family Forest

Bronx Park Rd, Bronx, NY 10458, United States

Wandering through the Bronx River Forest feels like stumbling into a secret world. You’re suddenly surrounded by towering trees, the sound of birds and rushing water, and not a single skyscraper in sight. It’s hard to believe this quiet, wooded escape is tucked inside NYC.
The Bronx Museum
#2

The Bronx Museum

E 165th St and Grand Concourse

Tucked into the Grand Concourse, the Bronx Museum is a vibrant space that champions contemporary art and the diverse voices of the Bronx community. Admission is always free, and the exhibitions are bold, relevant, and often rooted in social justice and identity. It’s not just a museum—it feels like a conversation with the city. Whether you’re a lifelong New Yorker or a first-time visitor, you’ll walk out seeing the Bronx, and maybe yourself, a little differently.
Edgar Allan Poe Cottage
#3

Edgar Allan Poe Cottage

2640 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10458, United States

In the heart of the Bronx, this tiny, creaky cottage holds big stories. It’s where Poe wrote some of his darkest and most beautiful work. The space feels frozen in time—humble furniture, dim light, and a ghost of melancholy in the air. It’s not just a house, it’s a window into his haunted genius.
Bug Carousel
#4

Bug Carousel

Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10460, United States

This isn’t your average merry-go-round. The Bug Carousel at the Bronx Zoo trades in horses for giant ladybugs, grasshoppers, and beetles—and somehow, it works perfectly. It’s whimsical, weird, and a total surprise. Whether you’re a kid or just young at heart, it’s impossible not to smile here.
Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center
#5

Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center

4900 Independence Ave, Bronx, NY 10471, United States

Wave Hill feels like the Bronx whispering, “Bet you didn’t know I could be this peaceful.” Perched above the Hudson, the gardens here are breathtaking, but it’s the quiet—broken only by birdsong—that stays with you. It’s where artists, nature lovers, and daydreamers all find a soft place to land.
The Bronx Walk of Fame
#6

The Bronx Walk of Fame

851 Grand Concourse, Ste. 123, Bronx, NY 10451

You’ve probably walked past it without noticing—but once you do, you’ll start spotting the names of Bronx legends under your feet. From hip-hop pioneers to Supreme Court justices, the Bronx Walk of Fame runs down the Grand Concourse like a quiet tribute to the borough’s impact on the world. It’s humble, but powerful.
Sherman Creek
#7

Sherman Creek

10th Ave, New York, NY 10034, United States

You have to know where to look. Sherman Creek is tucked away in the upper Bronx, a sliver of marshland and river that feels almost secret. Kayakers glide past reeds while herons perch nearby. It’s a raw patch of wild that reminds you New York still has corners untouched by concrete.
North Brother Island
#8

North Brother Island

Bronx, NY 10454, United States

Abandoned and mysterious, North Brother Island is off-limits to most but legendary to all. It’s home to haunting ruins and ghost stories—like that of Typhoid Mary. Peeking at it from afar, you feel the pull of a place frozen in time, wrapped in vines and silence. It’s the Bronx’s own forbidden island.
New York Botanical Garden
#9

New York Botanical Garden

2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458, United States

Sure, it’s well known—but it’s also easy to forget how massive and magical it is. With over 250 acres, NYBG has hidden trails, secret gardens, and the kind of peaceful spots you stumble into and never want to leave. Every visit feels like discovering a new part of the Bronx in bloom.
Holiday Train Show, NYBG
#10

Holiday Train Show, NYBG

2900 Southern Blvd, Bronx, NY 10458, United States

A miniature New York built out of bark, leaves, and twigs? Yes, and it’s even more charming than it sounds. The Holiday Train Show at NYBG is pure joy—tiny trains zipping past tiny landmarks, all surrounded by tropical plants and holiday magic. It’s a tradition that feels like a secret celebration.