Though it may lack the glitz and glamour of the neighboring borough of Manhattan, the Bronx has one landmark that is the object of envy for many sports fans: Yankee Stadium, home of the iconic New York Yankees.
Built in 2009, a block away from the original Yankee Stadium, is the $2.3 billion ballpark that the 27-time World Series champion “Bronx Bombers,” as well as the Major League Soccer club NYC FC, call home. There are plenty of hotels close to the ballpark that you can stay at if you plan on staying in New York City.
The New York Yankees remain one of America’s most iconic sports teams and people have traveled from all over for an opportunity to watch the team play in the same colors worn by some of baseball’s biggest superstars.
If you have the privilege of getting a chance to visit Yankee Stadium before a game, you might want to make a day out of the occasion by exploring the Bronx. To that end, we have come up with a few things to do near Yankee Stadium to pass the time before the first pitch.
Here are eight of the best things to do in the Bronx before heading to Yankee Stadium.
Hard Rock Café Yankee Stadium
The Hard Rock Café restaurant chain might as well have won the lottery when they purchased a location next to the stadium that’s home to the most popular baseball team in America. As such, they’ve rewarded patrons in kind.
Aside from the great food and sports fan-friendly atmosphere found at most Hard Rock Cafés, the Yankee Stadium location is host to several incredible pieces of unique music memorabilia.
Among the collection are John Lennon’s iconic tinted, round, wireframe glasses from the ’60s, Elton John’s Statue of Liberty costume, a custom-made Yankees “51” Fender Telecaster guitar used by Yankees legend Bernie Williams for the restaurant’s grand opening, and Bono’s patent leather suit from his 1992 tour, which included two performances at Yankee Stadium.
As of writing, almost every major customer review website; including Yelp, TripAdvisor, OpenTable, and Foursquare; have praised the restaurant with high marks.
NYY Steak
Right next door to the Hard Rock Café is the popular NYY Steak restaurant. Higher end and much more expensive than the Hard Rock, NYY Steak offers prime cuts of steak and fresh seafood.
Much like Hard Rock, however, NYY Steak has plenty of Yankees memorabilia: over 80 autographs from Yankees legends, photos of icons like Babe Ruth, Derek Jeter, and Mickey Mantle, and more.
While pricey, NYY Steak provides the perfect atmosphere for sports fans with plenty of TVs for watching the on-field action. Yankees greats themselves have even been known to dine there on occasion, so advance reservations are a must.
Bronx Zoo
If you’re looking for a way to spend most of the day before a game, then just over three miles across town is the legendary Bronx Zoo.
With 19 different animal exhibits and 65 different species on display, the Bronx Zoo has everything an animal lover could ask for and more.
In the African Plains exhibit you can see the lions, hyenas, and zebras; and fortunately for the zebras, they aren’t within striking distance of the lions.
There are also less traditional exhibits, such as the Butterfly Garden, home to over a dozen species of butterflies; and Madagascar!, a recreated habitat for many African animal species.
At the Children’s Zoo, visitors of all ages can get up close with goats, sheep and donkeys, as well as see some of the other furry animals on display like alpacas, anteaters, sloths, and prairie dogs.
Of course, no big zoo would be complete without a gorilla exhibit. The Bronx Zoo has them on display in the Congo Gorilla Forest.
In addition to being able to walk around and see the animals, there are seven extra experiences to enjoy. These include a 4D theater, animal feedings, monorail and shuttle tours, and even a bug-themed carousel.
New York Botanical Garden
You don’t need to be a fan of gardening to appreciate the New York Botanical Garden. 250 acres of land in the heart of the Bronx is where more than one million plants call home.
It may be far away from the stadium itself, but the New York Botanical Garden is the largest of its kind in New York City and is home to some of the most incredible collections of artistically designed plant displays on Earth.
More than just a springtime location, the Botanical Garden is open year-round. This demonstrates the full changes of the seasons, with trees and other plants going healthily through the entire seasonal cycle.
Artwork is also on display, including everything from the works of Andy Warhol to orchid showcases to sculptures.
Bronx Historical Tours
Sometimes a tour of the city is the best way to spend your time, and the Bronx Historical Tours are about as good as it gets. Each tour offers a different perspective of the Bronx’s unique history and culture.
Between bus and walking tours, there are a lot of options to explore:
Walking tours include:
- Bronx Little Italy Walking Tour
- Taste of The Bronx Tour
- A People’s History of the South Bronx
- Bronx Cultural Tour
- Fort Apache, The Bronx Tour
- Westchester Square Historic Tour
- Bronx Street Art Tours
Bus tours include:
- I Grew Up in The Bronx Tour
- Bronx Church Tours
- Bronx Little Italy Tours
- Bronx Sightseeing Tours
- South Bronx Historical Tour
- Taste of The Bronx Tour
- The Bronx Immigrant Experience
The Bronx Street Art Tours was a top 10 pick for CNN Travel, and the Bronx Little Italy Walking Tour has been featured on multiple travel programs.
Public walking tours are available for groups of 10 or less, while private ones require a larger group.
Bronx Museum of the Arts
Despite hosting only a few exhibits, the Bronx Museum of the Arts is a popular tourist destination. With no admission fee and located only a few blocks from the stadium entrance, this museum is a great place to pass some time.
The exhibitions themselves are a tasteful blend of modern artistic styles. Everything from photography to decorative sculptures to local artists’ works are on display.
Hall of Fame for Great Americans
One of the largest collections of bronze busts in the country, the Hall of Fame for Great Americans features nearly 100 people who were significant contributors to the growth of America and our modern way of life.
The superbly crafted sculptures include Americans of 15 different kinds of contributions. Among the many on display are the Wright Brothers, Alexander Hamilton, Daniel Boone, John Marshall, Susan B. Anthony, Booker T. Washington, and more. And we’re only scratching the surface! This attraction is a wonderful history lesson not just of New York City, but of the nation as a whole.
The selection of busts is not without controversy, though. Even Confederate generals Robert E. Lee and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson have busts on display.
However, the inclusion of these two controversial figures comes from the hall’s mission to be a display of the most important people in America’s history, not necessarily a tribute to them.
Edgar Allan Poe Cottage and Poe Park
Fans of literature legend Edgar Allen Poe will adore seeing the white cottage in the Bronx where he lived with his family and penned poems like “The Bells,” “Eureka,” and “Annabel Lee.”
The surrounding Poe Park itself is impressive too, frequently serving as a meeting ground for artists and authors to get inspired and display their works.
It’s not exactly the ideal destination for a diehard sports fan, but again, for something worth seeing before a game that’s close to Yankee Stadium and doesn’t cost anything, it’s a good way to pass some time.
If nothing else, the many visitors who give the Poe Cottage a chance seem to come away very impressed with the display of living history.
The Bronx is certainly not lacking for things to do if you have either a free moment or a free day before going to see a game.
Between the history, the atmosphere, and the unique cultural landmarks, the Bronx offers far more than an afternoon of baseball.