Only miles outside of the heart of the city, the Bronx boasts areas of untouched wilderness as well as vast stretches of groomed park land. Almost a quarter of the borough's land area is given over to parks. Manhattan, with its myriad of cultural attractions, is only a short drive away, and Westchester County, immediately north of the Bronx, is a mecca of parks, beaches, hiking and bicycle trails, and shopping centers. Foremost among the Bronx's attractions are:

• Pelham Bay Park. The largest park in New York City, this 2,700-acre playland offers wilderness areas, hiking and bike trails, tennis courts, stables, picnic facilities, and even a miniature golf course.
• Orchard Beach. On the shoreline of Pelham Bay Park, this stretch of exquisite beach front overlooks the Long Island Sound and is the site of an exciting summer concert series each year.
• The Bronx Zoo, also known as the New York Zoological Society, the largest urban zoo in the United States, consisting of 265 acres of spacious natural habitats that are home to some 4,000 animals. As the regional snake bite center, a special relationship exists between Jacobi’s Emergency Department and the herpetologists at the Bronx Zoo. Frequent field trips allow residents and students, behind the scenes tours of the exotic snake collection at the Zoo.

• The New York Botanical Garden. This 250-acre botanical paradise contains a full 40 acres of New York City 's original forest, as well as an array of display gardens and walking trails. The crowning jewel: The Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, is a turn-of-the-century crystal palace housing thousands of species of plant life, from desert flora to fern forests.

• Yankee Stadium. Take in a game at the “House that Ruth Built”, home to the New York Yankees since its opening in 1923. Year-round, groups can arrange guided stadium tours that take in the clubhouse, the dugout, the press box, and radio and television production facilities.

• The Bronx Greenway. Walk or bike along the newly opened Bronx Greenway, a network of eleven routes taking you through tree lined streets, waterfront esplanades, and linear parks, past many of the borough's notable sights. The routes of the greenway also connect to Manhattan , Queens, and Westchester.

• Wave Hill. A garden-studded 28-acre estate in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, the former home of famed conductor Arturo Toscanini, Wave Hill offers splendid views of the Hudson , as well as a number of pleasant walking trails and a collection of rare plant specimens that nearly rivals that of the Bronx Botanical Garden . The estate also contains a landmark-designated mansion and a sculpture garden.

This list is by no means exhaustive. You can also hike, picnic, and even go horseback riding in any of several Bronx parks with stables a few hundred yards from the Einstein campus. You can sail the Hudson River or Long Island Sound, or take a charter fishing boat off City Island.

 

Museums and Landmarks

Since its purchase from the Indians by the Dutch West India Company in 1639, the area that is now the Bronx has played a major role in the panorama of United States and New York State history. Testament to this vibrant past can be found in the Bronx's numerous museums and landmarks.

 

• Edgar Allan Poe Cottage. Located on the Grand Concourse, this white-shingled cottage was the home of Poe, his wife, and his mother-in-law from 1846 to 1849. The cottage is now a museum where visitors can view a collection of 19th century memorabilia and watch a prize-winning audiovisual presentation on Poe and his times.
• Fonthill Castle. This six-towered edifice overlooking the Hudson River was built between 1848 and 1852 for Shakespearean actor Edwin Forrest and is now an administration building at the College of Mount Saint Vincent in Riverdale. Tours are available by appointment.
• The Hall of Fame For Great Americans. On the campus of Bronx Community College , this semicircular arcade contains 97 bronze busts of prominent Americans, including Walt Whitman, Robert Fulton, and Peter Cooper. Adjacent is the circular Gould Memorial Library, designed by Stanford White and built between 1897 and 1899.
• Bronx Museum of the Arts. This premier fine arts institution, located on the Grand Concourse, houses an impressive permanent collection and hosts multiple special exhibitions each year. The museum's activities and exhibitions are noted for their reflection of the multi- cultural character of the borough.
• Lehman Arts Gallery. In a building designed by renowned architect Marcel Breuer, this gallery offers changing exhibits of contemporary arts. The building is located on the campus of Lehman College.
• Judaica Museum. This unique museum, located in Riverdale at the Hebrew Home for the Aged, is home to a permanent collection and host to numerous special exhibitions and lecture series.

 

Charming Neighborhoods

The Bronx, like the rest of New York City, is a patchwork of distinctive neighborhoods where people live, work, play, attend schools, and raise families. Immediately to the south lies the culturally rich and diverse borough of Manhattan , so easily accessible by car and public transportation that many residents choose to live there during their training. In the Bronx , the neighborhoods you'll want to explore include:

 

 

• Riverdale. In the far Northwestern corner of the Bronx is Riverdale, a residential district of winding, tree-lined streets with a distinctly suburban feel. Several colleges and preparatory schools are located in Riverdale, as are a number of grand estates, some of which periodically host concerts by Bronx-based ensembles.
• Belmont-Arthur Avenue. This district, known for its colorful shops and fine restaurants, is the ‘Little Italy' of the Bronx . The Belmont Italian American Playhouse and the Enrico Fermi Cultural Center are added attractions. “Bronx Tale”, was shot in this neighborhood.
• Morris Park. Near the Einstein campus is the Italian-influenced district of Morris Park, home to pasta and sausage factories, fine cafes, and exquisite pastry shops.
• City Island. A picturesque island minutes away from the Einstein campus off the shore of Orchard Beach, City Island resembles a New England fishing village, with seafood restaurants (said to be New York's finest), antique shops, fine yacht clubs, and some of the best sailing on Long Island Sound.
• Norwood. This neighborhood, near the New York Botanical Garden and the Moses campus, has a strong Irish flavor. In Norwood , you can tip a glass in an Irish pub while listening to Irish music. Irish shops, bakeries, and restaurants also abound.

Bottom line: If you're looking for an outstanding training program, a comfortable quality of life, and a stimulating, colorful environment, Emergency Medicine at Jacobi- Montefiore is the best that you can choose.