Edgar Allan Poe Cottage
Off the Grand Concourse (near Kingsbridge Road) lies a humble, circa 1812 farmhouse where literary master Edgar Allan Poe lived with his wife and mother-in-law in the latter years of his life. The Edgar Allan Poe Cottage—originally located in the Fordham section of The Bronx—was saved from demolition in 1913 and moved to its current site at “Poe Park.”
Old Fordham was a picturesque and rural area. Poe moved his wife Virginia to this cottage in “the country” to help her battle tuberculosis. Poe spent his days there caring for Virginia (although she died three years later) while penning some of his most memorable pieces, including “Annabelle Lee,” “Ulalume,” “The Cask of Amontillado,” and “The Bells.” It is believed the cottage-inspired Poe’s last published work, “Landor’s Cottage.”
This national historical landmark cottage is furnished with period antiques to recreate how it was appointed when Poe and his family resided there. Visitors can take a guided or audio tour of the residence, and view many of Poe’s personal effects, including his rocking chair, a broken mirror, and the “rope bed” in which Virginia passed away.
The Bronx Zoo
The Bronx Zoo is America’s largest urban zoo. It features 265 acres of attractions, botanical gardens, aquariums, exhibits, and wildlife habitats. The Bronx Zoo has been open to the public since 1899. Being operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society, the zoo has cared for many endangered and extinct-in-the-wild species/sub-species, including the Thylacine, Barbary Lions, James’s Flamingo, Proboscis Monkeys, and the Sumatran Rhinoceros, among others. Today, the zoo is home to over 4,000 animals—from aardvarks to zebras—from 650+ species.
Some of the most popular features of the Bronx Zoo include the Congo Gorilla Forest, Tiger Mountain, the Butterfly Garden, Nature Trek, Treetop Adventure, Aquatic Bird House and Sea Bird Aviary, Madagascar! and so much more. Observe animals in their natural habitat, ride the Wild Asia Monorail, witness feedings with sea lions and penguins, pet your favorite farmyard animal, take a spin on an all-insect carousel, and even ride a camel. There’s something for everyone!
New York Botanical Garden
Right next door to the Bronx Zoo is the New York Botanical Garden. Spread across 250 acres, it is one of the largest of its kind in the world. In America, it is the largest urban botanical garden in America and has been designated as a National Historic Landmark. One million plants and living collections are showcased in its 50 gardens—including an international award-winning rose garden of 650 varieties, a Japanese rock garden, a fragrant herb garden, an Azalea garden with year-long blooms, and more.
Stunning collections of daylilies, daffodils, lilacs, orchids, water lilies, lotuses and more abound—as well as magnificent arboretum displays of crabapple, magnolia, birch, dogwood, winter-hazel, holly, and more. The all-glass, Victorian-style Conservatory is a New York City landmark that features plants and flowers from around the world, themed flower shows, as well as seasonal exhibitions and events.
There are also lots of family-friendly spaces such as Family Garden—where kids of all ages can plant seeds and learn how to grow and take care of a garden plot—and Children’s Adventure Garden, with lots of hands-on activities and opportunities to explore and learn about nature and science.
Arthur Avenue (Little Italy of the Bronx)
Arthur Avenue—a.k.a. Little Italy of the Bronx, a.k.a. Belmont—is an Italian-American neighborhood brimming with traditions, history, and lots of local flavor. The quality butcher shops, markets, bakeries, retail stores, and restaurants that make up the Arthur Avenue neighborhood are highly regarded, with many receiving “Best Buy” rankings in Zagat’s survey.
What makes this neighborhood even more special is the small-town feeling of community and the traditions passed on by generations of Italian families that have owned and operated these establishments since the early 1900s. These people and their establishments celebrate a living legacy of Italian-American food, culture, and history in New York.
This famous neighborhood has its share of star power as well. Celebrities such as Chazz Palmentieri, Anne Bancroft, and members of Dion and The Belmonts hail from Belmont. Robert De Niro helped launch Joe Pesci’s career after meeting him at a neighborhood restaurant where Pesce was working as maître d’. It has always been a destination for entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Clint Eastwood, Liza Minelli, Cher, and…Joe Pesci.
The centerpiece of this famous neighborhood is the Arthur Avenue Retail Market. It offers a dizzying cluster of cafes, fish markets, gourmet coffee shops and delicatessens, butcher shops, pastry and pasta shops, pork stores, gift and housewares stores, and more.
Yankee Stadium
There is nothing more all-American than the New York Yankees. Visit Yankee Stadium, home of the 27-time World Champions. It will take you about 25 minutes on the subway or in a taxi to get to the stadium from Midtown Manhattan. If you are visiting New York City during baseball season, you can buy tickets to a game. This is the best way to experience the fans' energy and see why so many people love baseball. Get to the stadium early and take the pre-game stadium tour. If you visit during the off-season, you can still take the Classic Tour. The tours are about 60 minutes and will give you the history of the baseball team and the stadium. Buy the tour and lunch package, and you can enjoy a meal at the Hard Rock Cafe located at the stadium. Plenty of dining options offer everything from traditional ballpark fare to elevated sushi dishes, vegetarian, and Halal options. Don’t forget to stop by the team store for a souvenir to take home.
Van Cortlandt Park
This 1,146-acre park is the third largest park in New York City and is also home to the country’s first public golf course. It opened in 1895 and features an impressive design that delivers plenty of challenges. The oldest house in the Bronx and the borough’s largest freshwater lake are also located in the park. You can walk through the Van Cortlandt House Museum and Nature Center to learn more about the park's history. Spend the afternoon walking the nature trails or enjoying a picnic in one of the fields. There are five playgrounds for the little ones to get some energy out. The park also has dog runs for those with four-legged family members.
Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center
Visit the 28 acres of woodland and gardens that make up the Wave Hill Public Garden and Cultural Center. Start at the Pergola and enjoy breathtaking views of the Hudson River, Palisades, and beyond. Walk through the Flower Garden and see color blooms of perennials and annuals as they bloom throughout the year. Then, make your way to the Herb & Dry Garden to see ornamental plants and herbs growing in the terraced gardens. The Wild Garden is a change of pace as the path narrows, and you see the wild side of nature. The T. H. Everett Alpine House lets you see plants from the mountain regions. The Marco Polo Stufano Conservatory is home to specialty and rare plants. See the monocots that call the Aquatic & Monocot Gardens home in a shallow pool. The Cultural Center hosts rotating exhibits and performing arts events. Stop by the cafe and enjoy an array of house-made pastries, sandwiches, and soups.
City Island
Experience the small-town charm of this quaint seaside town. Walk down the main street and check out the galleries, shops, and restaurants. Spend a few hours on a sailing, boat, or fishing tour that lets you get out on the water. Walk through the local Nautical Museum and learn about the history of this seaside town. The best time to visit this town is during the summer months. You can go scuba diving, eat fresh seafood in a waterfront restaurant, and enjoy small-town life.
Bartow-Pell Mansion
In 1654, Thomas Pell purchased land from the Siwanoy tribe. He then built a home that the next four generations called the mansion home. Post-Revolutionary War, the estate was divided up. Later, in 1836, Robert Bartow, a descendant of Pell, bought the property with his wife and built a three-story Greek Revival mansion. This stunning home featured a freestanding spiral staircase, ground-floor parlors, and bedrooms on the second floor. The Bartows lived in their mansion for 50 years. Their children eventually sold the estate to the City of New York in 1888. The Bartow-Pell Mansion is the only remaining grand 19th-century mansion remaining on Pelham Bay. You can take a guided tour of the mansion and carriage house. The interior of the mansion has been carefully restored to its original look with furnishings and art. You can then stroll around the grounds and enjoy the formal gardens.
The Marmara Park Avenue: a Must-Stay
From our building’s storied past to our Midtown location, chic style, unique brand of hospitality, and fabulous amenities, the Marmara Park Avenue is New York—inside and out. As a boutique luxury hotel, we like to spoil our guests with elegance, hospitality, and comfort. Our hope is that in a city of must-sees, our guests will classify the Marmara Park Avenue as a must-stay in this storied metropolis.
Book your stay at the Marmara Park Avenue and be centrally located to explore the Bronx and other boroughs of New York City.
