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Since the late 19th century, Bronx Park has entertained legions of locals and tourists with its rolling hills and lush forests. The 718-acre site was last owned by the Lorillards, a family of tobacco manufacturers and their historic Snuff Mill still stands in the park. The western part of the park was devoted to the New York Botanical Garden in 1891, then the Bronx Zoo opened in 1899. The area that remains parkland today features one of the last surviving red maple-hardwood forests in the city and the many pathways running through it are popular with joggers. The Bronx River (the only freshwater river in the city) also winds through the park for two miles and small populations of heron, muskrat, beaver and turtles live on its banks. Fishermen congregate at the Soundview lagoon, located in the southeast. For kids, there are seven playgrounds scattered throughout, and a playground associate supervises Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — Kirsten Matthew

The Zoo  has more than 4,000 animals, including snow leopards, gorillas and elephants, which delight pint-sized visitors and their parents. Tiger Mountain is a big draw, as is the Congo Gorilla Forest, a 6.5-acre recreation of an African rainforest.

New York Botanical Gardens
16 meticulously kept gardens and the country's largest Victorian greenhouse are spread over 250 sprawling acres. Roses are in season in the fall, rhododendrons in May and June; and in the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory a tropical rain forest thrives year-round.

Bronx River Greenway
Built for cyclists, walkers and jogger, this pathway runs alongside the Bronx River.

Rainley Memorial Gate
An ornamented gate with animal sculptures at the entrance to the Zoo.