During this pandemic, we’ve seen more people enjoying the little things that are normally taken for granted. More families out riding bikes, spending time in their backyards, or heading to their local beach rather than planning their next tropical destination. To encourage locals and regional visitors to support the city’s businesses, NYC’s official destination marketing organization NYC & Company has launched All In NYC: Staycation Guides- a weekly series highlighting attractions, hotels, dining, recreation, retail, arts, culture and public art that are now open for business.
Check out their first week’s suggestions for the Bronx, and be sure to head over to www.nycgo.com to see more suggestions each week.
Itinerary 1: The Bronx Zoo and Arthur Avenue, The Bronx
Start with: The Bronx Zoo, which reopens July 24 (Central Park Zoo in Manhattan and Queens Zoo in Queens reopen this week as well). The current experience includes the outdoor exhibitions and grounds. Tickets must be booked in advance.
Eat here: After a morning or early afternoon at the zoo, enjoy an Italian meal at nearby Arthur Avenue, where a handful of blocks are transformed each Thursday to Sunday into an outdoor piazza for alfresco dining.
Stay overnight: The Opera House Hotel is a historic hotel in the South Bronx, located approximately 20 minutes from Arthur Avenue. Formerly the Bronx Opera House, it’s been renovated to preserve the iconic theater; guests can stay in the same place that hosted performances by Harry Houdini, the Marx Brothers and John and Lionel Barrymore.