Explore The Hidden Side Of The Bronx In New York City

The Bronx is a borough of New York City, famous for the Yankee Stadium and the vast Bronz Zoo. The borough also features the New York Botanical Garden and Wave Hill, a landscaped public garden with paths and a cultural center. However, The Bronx also features some unique and fascinating locations to visit. Read on to find out about five unique attractions, hidden away among the attractions and waiting for you to find them.

1. Van Cortlandt Park Monoliths, 6089-6115 Broadway, the Bronx

When taking a stroll in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx, you might come across a strange and mysterious sight. Several monoliths, crafted from a variety of stone types and evenly spaced, look like an ancient monument – except, of course, for the modern graffiti. However, it turns out there is no mystery relating to the monoliths. More than 100 years ago, these stone samples were placed there when planning Grand Central Terminal. Somehow, they remained there to this day.

2. Miniature New York in the Botanical Gardens

This particular attraction is only available from mid-November to mid-January each year. However, if you time it right, this unique miniature train yard, first created in 1991, is well worth the visit. Situated in the New York Botanical Gardens in the Bronx, the train yard features a miniature version of the city, with buildings, bridges and gardens. Each is in model train G-scale and a total of 175 landmarks can be seen. What makes this attraction so unique is that the miniatures were created from organic materials, including tree branches, seeds, fungus, nuts and leaves.

3. The Bronx Zoo Fountain of Youth

"THIS FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH…" at @BronxZoo #pompeii pic.twitter.com/Q9knfSg4EX

— Patrick J. Burns (@diyclassics) August 10, 2015

Heading to Bronx Zoo, this unusual attraction is hidden inside the gates. Apparently, a Bronx resident thought it would be popular. A plaque can be seen relating to a “Fountain of Youth” which promises good health and fortune to anyone who drinks from it. However, this is far from the truth as the resident, Hyman Gould had brought home a 12” piece of lead pipe from the ruins of Pompeii, Italy. Some enterprising Italian had told him it would grant all drinkers good health and fortune. Meanwhile, the “Fountain of Youth” never did really take off so fortunately no lead poisoning.

4. Edgar Allan Poe Cottage, 2640 Grand Concourse, Bronx, New York

Fans of Edgar Allan Poe’s novels will appreciate this. It turns out Poe and his wife, Virginia, moved into this cottage in 1847, while the Bronx was still a rural area. The author’s wife was suffering from tuberculosis, and Poe hoped that moving there in the fresh air would help her. Sadly, Virginia eventually died and Poe moved away to Baltimore. However, his cottage has since been restored and still contains some of Poe’s original furniture. This includes the writer’s rocking chair and the bed on which Virginia passed away.

5. The Bronx Zoo Bug Carousel, New York

Another unusual attraction is the Bug Carousel, set within the famous Bronx Zoo. However, what makes it unique is that while most carousels have horses to ride, this one is different. In fact, the Bug Carousel features 64 different types of insects for the kids to ride. Among them are grasshoppers, praying mantes, bees, fireflies and ladybirds. Meanwhile, besides being a lot of fun for the kids, they can also learn about the insects along the way. It is believed to be the only carousel of its kind anywhere in the world.

Make sure you visit these unique, hidden attractions during your next visit to the Bronx in New York City.