As part of Pelham Bay Park, Orchard Beach is over 100 acres of sandy beach situated along the Long Island Sound. There is a heavily trafficked promenade complete with shops, food vendors, and locker rooms. Orchard Beach also features two playgrounds, two picnic areas, and 26 courts for volleyball, basketball, and handball. During the summer the only indication visitors to Orchard Beach have to remind them that they’re in the city are the crowds. Don’t fret… the promenade is usually the most crowded part of the Orchard Beach. It’s certainly large enough that you can find you own little slice of sandy heaven if you are willing to walk a bit. Orchard Beach is perfect for families with children because the waters of the Long Island Sound are relatively calm and safe. Since parking is the only thing you’ll have to pay for to spend the day at Orchard Beach, treat yourselves to a delicious meal over on City Island (located just over the City Island Bridge) at the end of the day. Almost all the restaurants along City Island Avenue cater to kids and are absolutely delicious.

Completed in 1900, this attraction is on the campus of Bronx Community College and is the original “Hall of Fame” in the United States. Warning: This is a really quick sight to see, and it won’t be for everyone. It’s essentially just an open air promenade lined with busts of noteworthy Americans. We do recommend it for its beauty, historical value, and affordability: it’s completely free to check out the Hall of Fame. Another plus is that it’s a museum-worthy exhibit that is outside… so no worrying if the little ones are going to break something or are making too much noise.

Located in Pelham Bay Park, the Bartow-Pell Mansion is a gorgeous New York City landmark which dates back to 1842. The prestigious beauty of the mansion itself will certainly be appreciated by adults and older children, while younger kids will enjoy running through the well manicured gardens, or participating in the hands-on demonstrations and craft projects which are offered year-round. If you’re looking to visit the mansion on a budget, keep in mind that entrance to the surrounding grounds and gardens is completely free. Admission prices for the mansion and carriage house are as follows: Adults - $6, Children/Seniors - $3, Children under the age of six are free.

This well-manicured park (whose name can be misleading... it's actually located in the Norwood section of the Bronx) hosts many programs and offers an array of amenities for families, all of which are open to the public for a nominal annual fee (and free for kids). Some of the major highlights you'll find at the Oval include: tennis courts, four different playgrounds, shuffle board courts, basketball courts, a newly renovated synthetic turf playing field with surrounding track, as well as a top notch recreation center with a fitness room, senior citizen room, and computer resource center. The recreation center hosts an array of interesting programs, including an after-school program, karate, self-defense, and arts and crafts. At just under 20 acres, the Oval is a quaint little park with the unbeatable amenities that rival any large city park.

If you have children and live in or around NYC, you simply must get to the Bronx Zoo once or twice per year. Arguably one of the nation’s most famous zoos, the Bronx Zoo is home to 265 acres of wildlife habitats and attractions. It’s nearly impossible to see all that the Zoo has to offer in just one day, so we recommend doing a little research on the Zoo’s website before each visit. A great place for families with young kids to start off is the Children’s Zoo, which is three acres of kid-friendly activities and wildlife attractions. We highly recommend that you build the animal feedings and enrichment demonstrations into your trip. What fun is visiting the animals if they’re all lounging around and sleeping right? The twice daily Sea Lion and Penguin feedings, as well as the Bee-Eater Buffet, Primate Training, and Tiger Enrichment sessions, guarantee that your kids will get to see the animals in action. If you’re on a tight budget, plan to visit the Bronx Zoo on any Wednesday of the year when admission is free. If you find yourself visiting the Zoo with you family frequently, you may want to consider becoming a member of the Wildlife Conservation Society. For $120/year, two adults and their children get free admission to the Bronx Zoo and New York Aquarium, as well at the Prospect, Central Park, and Queens Zoos.

The Bronx Zoo is open 365 days per year. Winter and Spring/Summer hours and rates vary, so check out the website for more information.