Exploring NYC is an adventure with endless things to see and do. This melting pot has attracted people worldwide for years, creating a unique vibe all over the city. But NYC is so much more than Central Park and Times Square. Other boroughs have so much to offer; if you like sightseeing, you’ll enjoy this adventure. This guide is for history lovers – here are the must-visit historical sites and museums in the Bronx you should check out on your next visit.
What to see in the Bronx – best historical sites and museums in the borough
Museums and other historic locations are the best way to see the evolution of a certain place and the people around it. They tell a story and provide insight into the history of a place and the people who developed it. Such places tell lessons we can all learn from as humankind, both positive and negative. We can learn from our mistakes in wars and other turmoil and tragedies and celebrate magnificent achievements and extraordinary historical people. Coming to the Bronx is your opportunity to see what’s behind everything we see today and how historical events led to what we have in NYC. Plan your visit to this amazing borough and add these stops to your itinerary.
There’s more to the Bronx you don’t know.
The Museum of Bronx History
This fantastic museum is located in the second-oldest building in the Bronx – the Valentine-Varian house. Built in 1758, it presents the oldest remaining farmhouse in the area. You can find the museum in the Williamsbridge Oval Park and see some of its permanent and temporary exhibitions about colonial and revolutionary war history. The items you’ll see will help you understand the everyday life of families from that period and learn more about significant events.
Edgar Allan Poe Cottage
“All that we see or seem is but a dream within a dream” – all the fans of Edgar Allan Poe will be thrilled to see his former home. Even though he has spent only a few years here, this house is an important historical landmark. This was his home when he first moved to New York, searching for a better opportunity in life. He wrote some of his famous work here, making it a unique site to visit in the Bronx.
Literature lovers will enjoy visiting one of the most iconic homes in the Bronx.
Little Italy
This quaint part of the Bronx is a peek into the old world and the way true Italians used to live. You can see cute buildings, have delicious meals, and enjoy shopping. Little Italy, or Arthur Avenue, is a favorite place of many New Yorkers and a historical landmark that shows the old Italian tradition. Many notable people were born and raised here, which makes the place even more exciting and worth your visit.
Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
This old mansion is undoubtedly one of the must-see historical sites and museums in the Bronx. The Bartow-Pell Mansion museum was built in 1936 and presented one of the best examples of the Greek Revival interior. Even though the home’s look evolved, nowadays, its interior has been restored to its 19th-century appearance. There are also beautiful gardens outside, and visiting this landmark will be a relaxing, enjoyable experience you shouldn’t miss.
Bronx Museum of the Arts
NYC has much more to offer than the MET, MOMA, and other famous New York museums. The Bronx Museum of the Arts should be a place every art-lover should visit, too. There are over 2,000 art pieces in this museum that you can look at – free of charge. Both permanent and special exhibitions are available all year long, so be sure to pay this place a visit.
The Bronx is the place of art – embrace it.