It’s November, so there are no Yankees games and the cold weather isn’t welcoming to New York Botanical Garden visitors.
But the city’s tourism wing and Bronx leaders say the borough is a huge diamond in the rough for tourists from around the world. Today, they are making a push to show off its hot spots.
Visitors, however, say they already have begun to discover and enjoy the borough’s community spirit and energy.
“I ran through it,” said Australian Adam Booker who participated in Sunday’s ING New York City Marathon. “It was a really great atmosphere. There were a lot of people encouraging us and going crazy. Everyone was really friendly.”
NYC & Company, the city’s tourism wing, is set to feature Arthur Avenue and Fordham Road as part of its Neighborhood x Neighborhood campaign that aims to bring foreign visitors out of the usual tourist attractions like Times Square and into the outer boroughs.
The group touted long-running Bronx staples at the World Travel Market expo in London this week, including Borgatti’s Ravioli & Egg Noodles, Edgar Allan Poe’s cottage and the landmark Paradise Theater.
“Arthur Avenue and Fordham Road, in the Bronx, make for a perfect afternoon exploring New York City,” George Fertitta, the CEO of NYC & Company, said in a statement.
Bronx officials said that push couldn’t have come at a better time.
Olga Luz Tirado, the executive director of the Bronx tourism council, which is part of the borough president’s office, said the borough was long on the receiving end of bad press because of longstanding myths of its dangers.
“The fact is when you do go to the Bronx, it’s nothing like those images,” she said.
Tourists agree.
Suzie Mansfield, 65 of Albany said she checked out the area around Yankee Stadium and wants to explore more of the borough.
“What else would be in the Bronx that I would like to go to?” she pondered.
