Subway: D or #4 to Kingsbridge Road Bus: Bx12 to Grand Concourse; Bx35 or Bx28 to 194th Street Liberty Lines Express Bus 4A, 4B

The tiny Poe cottage in the Bronx was the last home of Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849), the great American poet and author of early mystery stories. Set in a small park on the Grand Concourse, it is the only house left from the old village of Fordham. In 1812, John Wheeler built the one-and-a-half-story cottage, typical of the workmen's houses that once dotted the Bronx.

Thirty-four years later, Poe and his wife Virginia leased the house for $100 a year from John Valentine. Virginia, who was 13 when she married her first cousin in 1836, had tuberculosis and was in failing health when Poe decided that the Bronx country air might revive her.

Poe was penniless despite his literary success, having lost his savings in a magazine venture that went bankrupt. Virginia's mother, who lived with them, had to forage in neighboring fields to feed the family. During these troubled times, Poe wrote many poems in Fordham, including "The Bells," "Eureka" and "Annabel Lee." Virginia finally died in 1847; and her husband, one of this country's most gifted writers, died two years later during a trip to Baltimore. Their cottage, saved from destruction in the 1890s by the Shakespeare Society and moved from its original location on the other side of Kingsbridge Road in 1913, preserves a precious chapter of New York's literary heritage.

Poe Cottage, painted white with green trim, is one of four Poe house museums in America (the others are in Baltimore, Richmond and Philadelphia). The main floor is sparsely furnished with, among other items, a 19th-century cast-iron stove, a desk, and a rocking chair, straw bed and mirror that may have been used by Poe. A narrow staircase winds up to the couple's attic bedroom, whose ceiling is barely six feet high.

Painted and sculpted portraits of the author, as well as early photographs and drawings of the cottage, are displayed. An audiovisual show created by The Bronx County Historical Society, which operates the house, details Poe's life in Fordham and his creative genius.

Subway: D to 205th Street; #4 to Mosholu Parkway Bus: Bx10, 16, 28, 30, or 34 to Bainbridge Ave./208th Street Liberty Lines Express Bus 4A, 4B

The Valentine-Varian House was built in 1758, when carriages traveled the nearby Boston Post Road through a Bronx that was still mostly farmland. The second oldest house in the borough stands today inside a wrought-iron fence in a small park in the Norwood neighborhood of north-central Bronx.

The two-story fieldstone home was built by Isaac Valentine, a blacksmith and farmer who bought the parcel of land from the Dutch Reformed Church. The house then stood one block south across Bainbridge Avenue. During the Revolutionary War, Valentine and his family had to abandon their home, which was occupied by British, Hessian and American troops. Though close to several fierce battles with cannons clustered on a nearby hill, the house miraculously survived.
The Valentines returned after the war, but sold the home and 260-acre property to Isaac Varian, a successful butcher and farmer, in 1792. The Varians kept the house for three generations; one of Isaac's sons (also named Isaac) was the 63rd Mayor of New York City from 1839 to 1841.

The building was sold at auction in 1905 to William F. Beller. In 1965, his son, William C. Beller, donated the house to The Bronx County Historical Society. It was moved diagonally across the street to a new foundation in the same year.

The sturdy home has a symmetrical style called "Georgian Vernacular," with evenly placed windows and identical chimneys at either end. Inside, rooms mirror each other across a central hallway. Sections of the house retain the original floorboards, hand-forged nails and homemade mortar. Deep-set splayed windows throughout the house were designed to let in light and keep out of the cold.

The structure is today the home of the Museum of Bronx History. Two rooms contain changing exhibitions, while the front parlor has a permanent display about the development of the area, from the Indian and Dutch periods through the Revolution. Plantings, an herb garden, an outdoor seating area and the Bronx River Soldier monument embellish the gardens surrounding the house.

Garden at a Glance
The New York Botanical Garden is an advocate for the plant kingdom. The Garden pursues its mission through the wide-ranging research programs of The International Plant Science Center; through its role as a museum of living plant collections arranged in gardens and landscapes across its National Historic Landmark site; and through its comprehensive education programs in horticulture and plant science. For a comprehensive overview of the Garden, click here.

April–October: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
November–March: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

In each season, the Garden is alive with discovery, from the landmark Enid A. Haupt Conservatory offering an ecotour around the world to the innovative Everett Children's Adventure Garden encouraging the exploration of nature and plant science. Come explore 48 magnificent gardens and plant collections on a 250-acre historic site situated in New York City.

* Please note that strollers, tripods, and art easels are not permitted in the Conservatory.

The Bronx Tour Trolley: Experience the riches of the Bronx by taking the free Bronx Tour Trolley. The trolley provides a convenient link from the Fordham Plaza Metro-North station to the Bronx Zoo, The New York Botanical Garden, and Arthur Avenue at 187th Street. For a schedule and more information, visit www.nyc.gov/parks or call (718) 430-1808.

Curator-led Tours: Become acquainted with the lore and allure of specimens and collections throughout the Garden, in the company of the curators whose expertise and anecdotes bring a new depth of appreciation for the world's fascinating plants. 

Docent-led Tours: Discover Garden collections and highlights with expert volunteers, who give an in-depth look at what's in peak bloom, interesting plants, and the Garden itself. 

Narrated Tram Tours: Board the tram for a narrated, half-hour tour, which offers an overview of the Garden along with information about the many horticultural, educational, and botanical research programs. Five stops along the way allow passengers to explore areas of interest before reboarding. ($2 for adults, seniors, and students; $1 for children 2–12. Included in the Combination Ticket.) 

Group Tours: Enjoy special group rates, dining packages, and private guided tours. Customized group tours may be arranged by calling (718) 817-8687.
For school groups, please call (718) 817-8181. 

From Our Garden to Yours: Bring home your favorite plants on display in the Conservatory exhibitions and throughout the Garden's collections.

Shop Hours: 
April–October: Tuesdays–Sundays and Monday holidays, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 
November–March: Tuesdays–Sundays and Monday holidays, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 
(Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)

Dining
Enjoy a delicious lunch or snack at the Garden Cafe, featuring the outstanding cuisine of Abigail Kirsch. Daily offerings include vegetarian dishes and kids' meals. For information regarding the Cafe or catering and facility rental, contact Abigail Kirsch Catering at (718) 220-0300.

Cafe Hours:
April–October: Weekdays, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Weekends, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
November–March: Weekdays, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Weekends, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 
(Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)

A picnic area is located near the Everett Children's Adventure Garden. Please picnic only in this area.