Operation Explore NYC

Destination: The Bronx  

It’s been almost 7 months since I’ve been on a plane. For someone who averaged 2-3 planes per month for the last few years, this is torture. So, instead of traveling to exotic and exciting places outside of New York, I decided to start taking advantage of the ‘exotic’ and (somewhat) exciting things in New York. Destination: The Bronx.

I can’t help but laugh thinking back to an encounter my sister, my friend and I had flying back to school in North Carolina after one holiday break years ago. We were in line at LaGuardia waiting to board one of those scary, tiny shouldn’t-be-commercial planes that would take us to RDU (Raleigh-Durham) when a group of older ladies asked us if we enjoyed our trip to NY. Well yes, we said. It was great to see family and friends but we were looking forward to going back to school. “You ENJOY living in New York?!,” one lady said. “So crowded. So many bright lights. Where do you even get groceries?,” she continued. We just starred back and tried not to laugh. We all knew right away these ladies hadn’t ventured beyond Times Square and that’s what they considered New York. How sad.

New York City - the five boroughs that is - is one of the most culturally diverse and rich places in the world. With so much to offer, I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t love living here! And there’s so much to explore.

This weekend’s adventure took me to two hotspots in the Bronx. Yes, the Bronx. No, no need to get your passport stamped when headed to Manhattan’s northern-most borough neighbor, although a lot of Manhattanites might think that. The Bronx doesn’t have the best rep, but it has lots of hidden gems. Home to the Bronx Bombers (the Yankees), beautiful gardens, zoos and fantastic eateries, you can find these gems hidden in plain sight. All you need to do is go find them!

My first stop was to Wave Hill with my friend Rachel. Nestled along the Hudson River in the beautiful neighborhood of Riverdale, Wave Hill offers expansive greenery, gardens, hiking trails, and stunning waterside views. Admission to the garden is only $10, but these days you need to book online in advance.

Your entry ticket allows you to spend all day on the grounds. Pro tip (learned from making rookie mistakes): if you’re fortunate to have a beautiful sun-soaked day, pack a picnic, bring a book and wear comfortable hiking shoes! The garden offers sprawling grounds where you can lay a blanket down, or grab one of the funky Adirondack chairs overlooking the Hudson. There is a small cafe on site, but most people around us brought their own food (wine included!).

There are several small gardens and greenhouses labeled with each specimen, making the stroll not only beautiful, but somewhat educational. Surrounded by all the greenery, Wave Hill offers a serene escape from the bustling energy of the rest of the city. You’ll think you’ve stepped into the Catskills instead of off the 1 train (or Uber, or Metro North, or your own car...take your pick on transportation - we went with Uber this time!).

 Photo cred: Rachel Mann 

After a relaxing afternoon, I ambled over to Arthur Avenue to meet up with my friends Jaime and Zack for a long awaited return to this iconic Italian haven. Stepping onto Arthur Avenue is like stepping back in time to a time when the neighborhood was Italian. Think…Sopranos Italian.

 

Italian specialty shops line the streets. Looking for a fresh cut of pork from an Italian butcher? You got it. Looking for Italian butter cookies and fresh olive bread? Take your pick of bakery. Looking for an authentic Italian meal, and some imported wine to wash it down? You’ll definitely find it here!

 

As soon as I was introduced to Arthur Avenue about a year ago, I’ve been clamouring to go back. And had there not been wedding diets for Jaime and Zack’s wedding, and a pandemic, chances are high I would’ve been back way sooner than a year.

Pro tip: Lots of Arthur Avenue restaurants do not take reservations, and unless you know some big bosses or want to avoid getting to know some big bosses, the wait could be extremely loooong. Head over there on a Saturday in the late afternoon (4pm) and peruse the Avenue. Pick up your cookies, cannolis and baked goods before dinner, because the bakeries close around 6-7pm. Put your name down on a list at a restaurant by 5pm and be prepared to eat early if they can take you right away, otherwise you could be looking at wait times of 1-1.5 hours. Worth the wait if you have to! In non-COVID times there are places to grab a drink (and perhaps a small carb-induced snack) while you wait. Oh, and be sure to come hungry! After all, those delicious dishes are not going to eat themselves! 

(Not pictured: all of our delicious eats!)