5 Fun Things To Do In The Bronx
Although it's only the fourth biggest of New York City's five boroughs, The Bronx is an indispensable part of the metropolis' diverse and vibrant culture. Home to great restaurants, museums, galleries, and performance venues, it's an exciting place to explore with friends or family. If you're in the area, consider checking out the destinations listed here, which range from enriching cultural institutions to a buzzy beer hall. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
5 Exciting Bronx Destinations
| Name | About |
|---|---|
| The Andrew Freedman Home | Historic villa on the Grand Concourse, it houses a Head Start program, senior programs, and serves as a gallery for local artists |
| Bronx Documentary Center | Non-profit gallery and educational space using exhibitions, screenings, and public programming to show the work of internationally-renowned and emerging photographers and filmmakers |
| The Bronx Museum of the Arts | Presents innovative contemporary art exhibitions and education programs, with a commitment to promoting cross-cultural dialogues for diverse audiences |
| An Beal Bocht Cafe | Music, arts, and dining venue with an artist's gallery, theatre space, and a menu featuring Irish specialties and a variety of liquors |
| Clinton Hall | Rustic chic beer hall with state-of-the-art flux capacitor beer system, gourmet eats, and complimentary classic table games |
The Andrew Freedman Home Tour
The Value of the Arts in New York's Economy
According to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Endowment for the Arts, arts and cultural productions accounted for 7.8% of the total gross state product in New York in 2016. The table below compares the value added to the economy by arts to the value added by other sectors.
| Sector | Value Added |
|---|---|
| Arts & Cultural Production | $119,856,783,000 |
| Retail | $69,957,400,000 |
| Construction | $46,845,800,000 |
| Education Services | $33,821,600,000 |
| Transportation | $30,966,900,000 |
| Utilities | $21,117,900,000 |
| Agriculture & Forestry | $2,394,000,000 |
| Mining | $828,100,000 |
Things You Didn't Know About The Bronx
In Depth
The Bronx is New York's first and oldest borough. Known for its diverse culture, delicious food and fascinating history, it is an essential spot to visit on a trip to New York City. So here, listed in no particular order, are some interesting destinations in The Bronx to consider checking out.
Coming in at #1 is The Andrew Freedman Home. This institution has a mission to create a nurturing space where the community can come together to learn, grow, develop and train. The ADF seeks to foster a place where art and culture converge and where the talents and dreams of visitors are encouraged. This organization is interested in building sustainable programs and projects that bring positive transformation to the neighborhood.
The villa, which looks like it belongs in the hills outside Florence, Italy, was built by financier Andrew Freedman in the 1920s to house retired, well-to-do elderly people. Today, it houses community outreach programs, an artist residency program, and serves as a gallery for local artists. The modern day AFH is part of a cultural resurgence in the historic Bronx, and seeks to continue to serve its neighborhood.
Today, it houses community outreach programs, an artist residency program, and serves as a gallery for local artists.
At #2 on our list, The Bronx Documentary Center is a non-profit gallery and educational space. Through exhibitions, screenings, and public programming, this organization exhibits the work of internationally-renowned and emerging photographers and filmmakers who deal with the themes that guide the BDC: justice, education, community-building, and positive social change.
The center's programming is robust, with over 35 major exhibitions and hundreds of public programs, including film screenings, lectures, workshops, free guided exhibition tours, and community-based service projects for South Bronx residents. Over 35,000 people have visited the BDC gallery and participated in its programs. The center is particularly proud that over 70 percent of its visitors and participants come from the Bronx.
Moving onto #3, founded in 1971, The Bronx Museum of the Arts is an internationally recognized cultural destination that presents innovative contemporary art exhibitions and educational programs. This institution connects diverse audiences to the urban experience through its permanent collection, special exhibitions, and initiatives. Reflecting the borough's dynamic communities, the Museum is the crossroads where creators, local residents, and national and international visitors meet.
Reflecting the borough's dynamic communities, the Museum is the crossroads where creators, local residents, and national and international visitors meet.
For over four decades, the Museum has showcased hundreds of exhibitions featuring works by culturally diverse and under-represented creators. The exhibitions have investigated themes of special interest to the Bronx community while exploring the interplay between contemporary art and popular culture. A permanent collection of over 2,000 items highlights work by artists of African, Asian, and Latin American ancestry, as well as local creatives.
Up next, at #4 on our list, An Beal Bocht Cafe is a unique venue showcasing both Irish and local music, poetry, comedy, theatre and art exhibits. In operation since 1991, the venue began as a small cafe. Serving only non-alcoholic beverages, it centered as a spot for artists to gather and perform.
Before long, it quickly cemented itself as a neighborhood favorite. After acquiring a liquor license, the venue took over the adjacent storefront and expanded, along with its commitment to the arts. The expansion made way for a gallery space as well as a theatre that is home to the Poor Mouth Theatre Company. An Beal Bocht Cafe hopes to continue to contribute to the music and culture of the community.
An Beal Bocht Cafe hopes to continue to contribute to the music and culture of the community.
At #5, located just off historic Arthur Avenue and next to Fordham University, Clinton Hall Bronx brings together an eclectic mix of college students and families from the neighborhood. Clinton Hall's unique Supercraft program is curated by the in-house Chief Beer Officer. It features a constantly changing selection of rare offerings to challenge and surprise even the most knowledgeable beer lover.
The culinary team at Clinton Hall reimagines American classics with a fresh, playful and innovative edge. The restaurant also offers its guests an extensive collection of complimentary games that includes oversize versions of favorites such as Jenga, Connect 4 and Chess. There are also a variety of table games available such as Uno, Cards Against Humanity and more.
