Bronx Park Park
Large urban park housing the New York Botanical Garden
Large urban park along the Bronx River that contains the Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Garden; visitors come for animal exhibits, themed gardens, walking paths, and seasonal programming.
Bronx Park at a Glance#
Address: Bronx Park, Bronx, NY, USA (bounded by Fordham Road, Mosholu Parkway and Southern Boulevard)
Website: https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/bronx-park
Hours: Park open daily; many facilities follow city park hours
About Bronx Park#
Bronx Park is a large urban park in the north-central Bronx, New York City, notable for containing two major cultural institutions - the Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden. The park covers roughly 718 acres and is bisected by the Bronx River.
Park visitors most often come for the major institutions: the Bronx Zoo, a large metropolitan zoo occupying a substantial portion of the park, and the New York Botanical Garden, a large public garden and research institution. Both sites draw visitors year-round for exhibitions, seasonal displays and educational programming.
Bronx Park was set aside and developed in the late 19th century as part of New York City’s expansion of public green space, and the two major institutions were established there around the turn of the 20th century. Over time the park has functioned as both municipal green space and the campus for large cultural institutions.
Geographically the park sits in the central Bronx, bordered by residential neighborhoods and traversed by the Bronx River; it lies within New York City and is accessible by public transit from Manhattan and other boroughs.
- Size and river: The park covers around 718 acres and is bisected by the Bronx River, hosting large institutional sites within its boundaries.
- Institutional admissions: The Bronx Zoo and the New York Botanical Garden each have separate admission policies and operate as major attractions inside the park.
What to See#
- Bronx Zoo: A major urban zoo covering approximately 265 acres, opened to the public in 1899 and now one of the largest metropolitan zoos in the United States.
- New York Botanical Garden: A botanical research institution and public garden occupying roughly 250 acres, established in the late 19th century and featuring extensive living collections and specialty gardens.
How to Get to Bronx Park#
Bronx Park sits north of Fordham Road and is easily reached by the B, D, 4 and 2 subway lines (stations at Fordham Road and 182-183rd Streets) and multiple bus routes. The NY Botanical Garden and Bronx Zoo have their own entrances within the park.
Tips for Visiting Bronx Park#
- Visit the northern end near the NY Botanical Garden for quieter pathways and interesting birdlife.
- Bring binoculars in spring migration season - the park is a notable stopover for many species.
Best Time to Visit Bronx Park#
Best visited in spring and autumn for comfortable walking and wildlife; summers can be hot and busy on weekends.
Weather & Climate near Bronx Park#
Bronx Park's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1171 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -5° - 4° | -6° | 91 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -4° - 5° | -4° | 75 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 0° - 10° | 1° | 103 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 5° - 16° | 11° | 103 mm | - | - | 4.6 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 11° - 22° | 16° | 109 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 16° - 27° | 21° | 91 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 19° - 30° | 24° | 108 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 18° - 29° | 24° | 108 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 14° - 25° | 19° | 100 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 8° - 18° | 13° | 88 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 3° - 12° | 5° | 102 mm | - | - | 4.3 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -2° - 6° | -2° | 93 mm | - | - | 4.5 m/s | - | - |