Van Cortlandt Park — Attraction in New York

I really get annoyed when people think of the Bronx and only think or have negative pre-conceived notions. The Bronx tends to be painted with an overly negative brush and that really irks me. While I absolutely get a lot of the negative thoughts of the Bronx, there's also so much hidden gems and beauty in the Bronx. Van Cortlandt Park is a shining example of the beauty that the Bronx holds. If you were blind folded and got dropped off in the middle of one of the trails in Van Cortlandt, you wouldn't believe you're in the Bronx at first. You'll be surprised by the amount of wildlife you can encounter, the horse ranch, the plants, the quiet, peace and serenity in Van Cortlandt.

A MASSIVE lawn for various sun in the fun activities, great trails for exercising and calisthenic set ups scattered throughout the park. Its truly a wonderful park.

Now, I have to also mention some negatives. At certain times and certain areas of the park during the summer....This park can get ghetto. Not the entire park but a certain element of folk (Dominicans mostly) come to the park to "get lit". Granted, they won't really bother you and on average nothing has gotten really out of hand but if you know what I mean, you know what I mean.

Its not as prevalent as say, Central Park but sometimes you will encounter weirdos in the trails. I've never had any issues but yeah, be careful.

If you're looking for something dynamic, you won't find too much of it here. Its not like Central Park where you will have a field day people watching and where there's a million things going on. Here at Van Cortlandt, most people are exercising, bird watching, maybe gathering for some sports and/or picnic and lots of people going through the trails. You won't find anything grandiose occurring like in Central Park.

With all that being said, if you are in the area, want to experience a much different scene of the Bronx, definitely come to Van Cortlandt.

PROS: -Lots of trails, great for running and walking -Massive lawn -Can find some nice and unique wildlife -Really peaceful

CONS: -Summer time can get a little more rowdy than usual -Sometimes (not a lot) there can be strange folk in the trails -If you're looking for a much more lively environment like Central Park, you won't...

For the first day that pool open city wide Vancourtland Park was a big disappointment!!!! I got there at 9:15 a.m to make sure that I had a great spot on the line because I was waiting for friends and family so I told them I will get there early. They were supposed to open at 11:00 a.m I saw the workers setting everything up it look positive more people started coming so now we had a line they kids were excited they couldn’t wait to get in the water. I had a news reporter asked me if I didn’t mi d getting interview like they do every year to show the big pool opening in the city. There was someone needing the restroom and a park worker informed her that there was a blackout the day before so therefore all the rest room in the park were closed. Then 15 minutes before they open the pool the supervisor came out to gives us the bad news that they had a busted pipe and they could not put chlorine in the water so therefore they could it open that day. She apologized and proceeded to tells us what other pools we could go to and gave us the office phone number to call the next day to see if they Will be open. This was the first time I had gone to this park and this has happened. Like this is one of the biggest weekends is the Fourth of July 🇺🇸 really then we met someone who works for the city she call 311 to filed a complaint and found out that they had failed inspection and until they pass they can’t open the pool. One of my daughters Friend asked me yesterday if they were open I gave her the office number and she let me know that they were open yesterday. They were not the only pool that disappeared we when to Riverbank State Park and they told us that they were only open for 18 and over for families they would open at 3:00 pm which was a bummer. Then we heard that The Roberto Clemente State Park was also close so we gave up and when home so much for the first day of pool...

Van Cortlandt Park is a true gem in the Bronx, offering an expansive and beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. This park is huge—so big, in fact, that if you’re not careful, you might just find yourself getting lost. But honestly, I don’t think you’ll mind.

The park is full of scenic trails, lush greenery, and vibrant flowers that make every corner worth exploring. Whether you're walking, jogging, or just taking a leisurely stroll, the natural beauty of Van Cortlandt Park will captivate you. The trails wind through diverse landscapes, from dense woods to open meadows, each offering its own unique sights and sounds.

One of the highlights is the wide variety of flowers that dot the park. They add bursts of color and fragrance to the already stunning scenery. It’s easy to lose track of time while wandering through the park, especially with so many picturesque spots that invite you to stop and take it all in.

The park also has plenty of spaces for picnics, sports, and just relaxing in the sun. It’s the perfect place to unwind, whether you’re spending the day with family, friends, or just enjoying some time alone.

While the size of the park can be a bit daunting, it’s part of what makes Van Cortlandt so special. There’s always something new to discover, and every visit feels like a mini-adventure. If you’re in the Bronx and looking for a peaceful retreat with beautiful sights and a connection to nature, Van Cortlandt Park is a fantastic choice. Just make sure to bring a map—or be prepared to enjoy the journey of...