


Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum
About
Step back in time at this stunning 1840s Greek Revival mansion set within Bronx's largest park. Kids will love exploring the elegant period rooms, wandering through the formal gardens, and discovering the carriage house, while nature trails through Pelham Bay Park offer additional adventure. Special family programs and educational tours make history come alive for young learners.
Highlights
- ✓Touring the beautifully preserved 1840s mansion rooms with period furniture and decorations
- ✓Exploring the formal terraced gardens with stone fountains and seasonal plantings
- ✓Discovering the historic carriage house with vintage vehicles
- ✓Walking the nature trails through Pelham Bay Park's woodland areas
- ✓Participating in hands-on family programs and educational workshops
Pro Tips
- 1.Visit on the first Sunday of the month when admission is free and family programs are often scheduled
- 2.Pack a picnic to enjoy in Pelham Bay Park after your mansion tour,there are beautiful spots nearby with plenty of space for kids to run
- 3.Wear comfortable walking shoes as the grounds include gardens, nature trails, and uneven historic pathways
- 4.Check their website before visiting for special family workshops, holiday events, and seasonal programs that offer hands-on activities
- 5.The mansion has limited hours (Wed-Sun, 12-4 PM only), so plan accordingly and arrive early to maximize your visit
Best Time to Visit
Spring and fall offer ideal weather for exploring both the mansion and outdoor trails. Weekday afternoons (Wednesday) tend to be quieter than weekends. Visit in late spring to see the formal gardens in full bloom, or during October for special harvest-themed family programs.
What to Know
Admission fees apply (check website for current rates; first Sunday of each month is free). Free parking is available on-site. No food service on premises, but picnicking in the surrounding park is encouraged.
Seasonal Notes
Open Wednesday through Sunday, 12-4 PM year-round (closed Monday-Tuesday and Friday). Gardens are most spectacular in spring and summer. Special holiday events and themed family programs are offered throughout the year, particularly during December and October.
Nearby Eats
City Island, just a 10-minute drive away, offers numerous family-friendly seafood restaurants like Johnny's Reef and The Lobster Box with waterfront views. For a quicker option, head to the Pelham Bay neighborhood for pizza and casual dining spots along Westchester Avenue.
More Activities Near Bronx
The Bronx Museum of the Arts
The Bronx Museum of the Arts offers families a welcoming introduction to contemporary art with the unbeatable bonus of free admission year-round. Interactive family workshops and community-focused exhibitions make this cultural gem accessible and engaging for children, with rotating displays that celebrate diverse artists and cultures reflecting the vibrant Bronx community.
Edgar Allan Poe Cottage
Step into literary history at this charming 1840s cottage where Edgar Allan Poe spent his final years. The cozy house museum offers family-friendly tours that bring 19th-century life to vivid reality, complete with period furnishings and engaging stories about Poe's life in the Bronx. It's a wonderful introduction to American literature and local history that's manageable even for younger children thanks to the cottage's small, intimate size.
City Island
City Island feels like a New England coastal village tucked away in the Bronx, offering families a refreshing nautical escape without leaving NYC. Kids love the beach access, ice cream shops lining the main avenue, and watching boats sail by while you enjoy fresh seafood at waterfront restaurants with casual, family-friendly atmospheres.
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium offers far more than just baseball games for families. Beyond catching the Bronx Bombers in action, kids can run the bases on special Kids Run the Bases Sundays, explore the legendary Monument Park honoring baseball greats, and take behind-the-scenes stadium tours that bring them into the dugout and clubhouse areas where their heroes play.