I have not spent too much time hiking the wilds of The Bronx. Oddly enough, over the past twenty years I've spent more time in Staten Island than the Bronx. I made a pilgrimage to Old Yankee Stadium back when Albert Belle and Kenny Lofton were leading the Cleveland Indians. And that's about it. Post COVID, one of my first trips will be to the Bronx. I will rewatch a Parts Unkown episode dedicated to this "forgotten" borough. I want to check out the former Polo Grounds (on the way to the Bronx), the 3rd Avenue/149th Street Corridor, and yes, I'm going to visit the stairs from The Joker. I'm going to visit the Bronx's Little Italy, then make my way up to the Van Cortland Park and Wave Hill area, before catching a train back to Manhattan.
1520 SEDGWICK AVENUE
On August 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc spun the turntables at a back-to-school birthday party for his sister Cindy Campbell in the apartment complexes recreation room...and like that...hip-hop was born. There's not many people (any?) trekking out to 1520 Sedgwick except for people who have seen everything and want to add another historical site to the list. The nearest subway station is 176th Street or Mt. Eden and from these stops it's a strange mile walk to 1520 Sedgwick. I passed people having a BBQ in the street (in an area with no homes) and cut through an empty lot that for whatever reason had a paved sidewalk running through it. Probably better to take a cab from the subway station. There's not much to the site - it's just like any other apartment complex. I don't even believe there's a plaque on the building recognizing the historical significance of the apartment complex.
On August 11, 1973, DJ Kool Herc spun the turntables at a back-to-school birthday party for his sister Cindy Campbell in the apartment complexes recreation room...and like that...hip-hop was born. There's not many people (any?) trekking out to 1520 Sedgwick except for people who have seen everything and want to add another historical site to the list. The nearest subway station is 176th Street or Mt. Eden and from these stops it's a strange mile walk to 1520 Sedgwick. I passed people having a BBQ in the street (in an area with no homes) and cut through an empty lot that for whatever reason had a paved sidewalk running through it. Probably better to take a cab from the subway station. There's not much to the site - it's just like any other apartment complex. I don't even believe there's a plaque on the building recognizing the historical significance of the apartment complex.
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CITY ISLAND
City Island is a remote area of the Bronx and about as world away from New York City as you can get, yet still be in New York City. Every publication describes City Island as a New England style fishing village - lobster rolls, fresh fish, etc. - like you've traveled to Maine. City Island has that fishing town feel but that's about all I'll say about it. It's not as though it's a great fishing town. It's a fishing town...in NYC...that is all. There's not much too brag about or encourage me to visit again. I was expecting something awesome...it's ok.
City Island is a remote area of the Bronx and about as world away from New York City as you can get, yet still be in New York City. Every publication describes City Island as a New England style fishing village - lobster rolls, fresh fish, etc. - like you've traveled to Maine. City Island has that fishing town feel but that's about all I'll say about it. It's not as though it's a great fishing town. It's a fishing town...in NYC...that is all. There's not much too brag about or encourage me to visit again. I was expecting something awesome...it's ok.
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ORCHARD BEACH
I would have chalked the City Island detour up as a loss if not for a second detour to Orchard Beach. Orchard Beach captured the same past Americana feel as the Rye / Playland boardwalk. The Beach had a grand entrance with two columns flanking a split staircase that lead down to a tabled plaza below. The tops of the columns had a wavy blue pattern, further evidence of the commitment to grander past generations undertook with public works. I would definitely come back to Orchard Beach some summer day...and go to City Island afterwards for a seafood dinner.
I would have chalked the City Island detour up as a loss if not for a second detour to Orchard Beach. Orchard Beach captured the same past Americana feel as the Rye / Playland boardwalk. The Beach had a grand entrance with two columns flanking a split staircase that lead down to a tabled plaza below. The tops of the columns had a wavy blue pattern, further evidence of the commitment to grander past generations undertook with public works. I would definitely come back to Orchard Beach some summer day...and go to City Island afterwards for a seafood dinner.
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