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At a Glance

• Discover Revolutionary War history without leaving New York City.
• Visit one of the oldest surviving homes in the five boroughs.
• Explore landmarks that have shaped American sports, conservation, and culture.
• Turn a family day trip into a history lesson everyone will enjoy.

Psst… Check Out America’s 250th Birthday: An NYC Family Guide

Celebrate 250 Years of American History in the Bronx

As America marks its 250th anniversary, it’s worth remembering that some of that history is right here in the Bronx. The borough has its share of Revolutionary War sites, one of the oldest surviving homes in the five boroughs, and cultural institutions and landmarks that have been part of New York life for generations.

For families, it’s a chance to see some of that history firsthand, and a good way to spend a day together while learning a bit about how the city, and the country, came to be.

Van Cortlandt House Museum

6036 Broadway, Riverdale

Built in 1748, this is the oldest building still standing in the Bronx and one of the oldest homes anywhere in the city. During the Revolution, it served as a headquarters for military leaders and sat at the edge of fighting that swept through the area. Now it’s a museum with period rooms that give kids and adults a sense of what daily life was like in colonial New York.

Van Cortlandt Park

Broadway & W 242nd St, Riverdale

The park surrounding the house is one of the city’s largest, and it saw its share of troop movements during the war. These days, it’s better known for trails, open fields, and room to roam, and is a good place to stretch your legs after the museum tour.

Pelham Bay Park and Orchard Beach

Pelham Bay Park: 1000 Shore Rd, Pelham Bay
Orchard Beach: 100 Orchard Beach Rd, Pelham Bay

Pelham Bay Park is the largest park in New York City, and it’s been part of Bronx life for a long time. There are wooded trails for hiking, water for picnicking, and at Orchard Beach, a classic slice of New York summer. Together, they’re a reminder of how much public green space has shaped life in the borough over the decades.

New York Botanical Garden

2900 Southern Blvd, Belmont

Since 1891, this has been a place where plant life is studied and preserved,  but it’s also just a beautiful place to spend an afternoon. Themed gardens, seasonal exhibits, and programs for kids make it an easy addition to any Bronx itinerary.

Yankee Stadium

1 E 161st St, Concourse

It’s hard to think of a place more tied to American sports than this one. The current stadium opened in 2009, but it carries on a legacy that includes Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Derek Jeter, and Mariano Rivera. For a lot of Bronx families, a trip to a game is practically a tradition passed down through generations.

Bronx Museum of the Arts

1040 Grand Concourse, Concourse

This museum has built its reputation on showcasing artists who reflect the Bronx’s cultural mix. Admission is free, and the exhibitions rotate often enough that it’s worth checking back. It’s a low-key, accessible way to get kids interested in art and storytelling.

Bronx Zoo

2300 Southern Blvd, Belmont

Open since 1899, the Bronx Zoo has grown into one of the world’s most respected names in wildlife conservation. Beyond the animals, it’s a chance for families to talk about what it actually takes to protect endangered species around the world.

City Island

City Island Ave, City Island

City Island feels like a different world from the rest of the Bronx. It was once a shipbuilding hub, and it’s held onto that small-town, waterfront character ever since. Seafood spots, marina views, and a noticeably slower pace make it a nice change of scenery.

Crotona Park

Crotona Park E & Charlotte St, Crotona Park East

Dating back to the late 1800s, Crotona Park has long been a gathering spot for the neighborhood. Today, that means playgrounds, a pool, sports fields, and programming that runs throughout the year.

Soundview Park

Lafayette Ave & Boynton Ave, Soundview

This waterfront park is part of the Bronx’s continued investment in green space. With walking paths, playgrounds, and community events, it’s still very much a living part of daily life in the neighborhood.

From a colonial-era farmhouse to a world-class zoo, the Bronx gives families plenty of ways to connect with American history without leaving the city. As the country’s 250th approaches, these are good places to start, and a reminder that history isn’t always somewhere far away.

Psst… Check Out Sail4th 250 in NYC: Celebrate America250 With Tall Ships, Fleet Week & Fireworks