The Bronx is New York City's northernmost borough and the only one on the U.S. mainland, bordered by Westchester County to the north, the Hudson River and Manhattan to the west, Queens to the south and Long Island Sound to the east. It is split by the Bronx River into a hillier western section and a flatter eastern section, with east–west street names divided by Jerome Avenue. About a quarter of its area is open space, including Van Cortlandt Park, Pelham Bay Park, the New York Botanical Garden and the Bronx Zoo, and it is home to Yankee Stadium.
For a visitor, the borough divides into a few broad choices: the western neighbourhoods closest to Manhattan, the parkland belt of the north and centre, and the more residential east. This guide covers which of those areas to base yourself in, what each is like and who it suits. It does not recommend individual hotels.
Best areas to stay in The Bronx
1. The South Bronx (Mott Haven and the area around Yankee Stadium)
This is the part of the borough closest to Manhattan, sitting just across the Harlem River, and it is where Yankee Stadium is located. It suits first-time visitors and anyone whose priority is a short, straightforward connection to Manhattan and the ballpark. The South Bronx experienced severe urban decay from the mid-1960s into the 1980s and has seen new population growth since the late 1990s.
Accommodation here is practical and oriented to visitors coming for the stadium and for easy access to the rest of the city. If your trip centres on Manhattan, basing yourself here keeps the river crossing short.
2. Riverdale, Fieldston and Spuyten Duyvil
These are among the borough's upper- and middle-income neighbourhoods, in the hilly western section north of the Harlem River's end at Spuyten Duyvil Creek. They suit families, longer stays and travellers who prefer quiet residential surroundings over proximity to nightlife.
This area sits near Van Cortlandt Park and Woodlawn Cemetery, both part of the borough's open space, and it connects to Manhattan via the western rail corridor. Expect a calmer, more residential base with longer journeys to the stadium and the South Bronx.
3. Pelham Bay, Pelham Gardens, Morris Park and Country Club
These are middle-income neighbourhoods in the flatter eastern section of the borough, near Pelham Bay Park, the largest of the Bronx's open spaces. They suit travellers who want parkland and a residential setting, and families looking for quieter streets.
Being east of the Bronx River, this area is further from Manhattan and from Yankee Stadium, so allow more time for crossings into the rest of the city. The trade-off is space, greenery and a slower pace.
4. Schuylerville
Schuylerville is another of the borough's middle-income neighbourhoods, in the eastern section near the Pelham Bay area. It suits visitors who want a residential base in the east and are comfortable relying on the borough's road and rail connections rather than walking to major sights.
Like the neighbouring eastern neighbourhoods, it is removed from the borough's headline attractions, which are concentrated in the north, centre and south.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: The Bronx's visitor accommodation is limited, and the options documented are straightforward, functional places rather than design-led stays. Expect simple rooms in the borough's less central areas, with the trade-off being longer journeys to Manhattan and the sights.
- Mid-range: The clearest mid-range choice is to stay near the borough's main draws — the stadium and the parkland belt — where practical accommodation serves visitors coming for baseball, the zoo and the botanical garden.
- Splurge: The Bronx is not a luxury destination; travellers wanting high-end hotels generally look to Manhattan. Within the borough, the upper- and middle-income residential neighbourhoods offer the most comfortable surroundings, but not a luxury hotel scene.
Best area for a first visit
For a first visit, base yourself in the South Bronx, around Mott Haven and Yankee Stadium. It is the part of the borough closest to Manhattan, it puts you next to Yankee Stadium, and it keeps the river crossing to the rest of the city short. The other areas are better suited to travellers who already know the borough or who specifically want parkland and residential quiet.
Frequently asked questions
Which part of the Bronx is closest to Manhattan?
The South Bronx, which sits directly across the Harlem River from Manhattan. The borough's western neighbourhoods generally connect more easily to Manhattan than the eastern ones.
Where should I stay if I am visiting Yankee Stadium?
The area around Yankee Stadium in the South Bronx, which is where the stadium is located and which keeps you close to the borough's main visitor draw.
Which areas of the Bronx are the most residential and upscale?
Riverdale, Fieldston, Spuyten Duyvil, Schuylerville, Pelham Bay, Pelham Gardens, Morris Park and Country Club are the borough's upper- and middle-income neighbourhoods. They are quieter and greener, but further from Manhattan and the stadium.
Is the Bronx hilly?
The borough is divided by the Bronx River into a hillier western section and a flatter eastern section. If hills are a concern, the eastern neighbourhoods are the flatter choice.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.