If you are headed for a travel nurse assignment at one of the top-notch facilities in the Bronx, New York, you may be looking for ways to fill your off hours. Everyone has heard of the world famous Bronx Zoo, but what about the lesser-known landmarks? Let’s dive into some of our favorite things to do in The Bronx.

1. Arthur Avenue

It is a little bit of Italy set in the middle of NYC. Located in the Belmont section, Arthur Avenue is affectionately called “The real Little Italy,” by the residents there.

Draped in red, white and green garland, the street is full of family-owned pastry shops, cigar factories, homemade pasta, fresh fish stands, butchers and cured meat stores. If you want a taste of Italy, then Arthur Avenue is the place to go.

2. City Island

Sitting at the extreme western end of Long Island Sound is a tiny island once inhabited by the Lenape Indians. City Island is famous for its diverse selection of seafood and maritime charm. The island is inhabited by about 5,000 residents but welcomes tourists from all over the world to shop for antiques, visit art galleries and eat at one of the many fine seafood restaurants.

While you are on City Island, you can visit the Samuel Pell Mansion, enjoy some boating and taste locally made honey.

3. Hip-Hop Tours

The Bronx is known as the birthplace of hip-hop music. In celebration, you can explore all the areas that made hip-hop what it is by taking a guided tour designed for people of all ages. Even if you are not a fan of the music, the history is worth spending a day exploring.

The tour companies will take you to all the critical locales like the Grand Concourse mural that honors some of the artists, the Frank E. Campbell Funeral Chapel that laid the Notorious B.I.G. to rest and the Apollo Theater.

4. The Hall of Fame for Great Americans

This isn’t your typical hall of fame attraction. Located on the Bronx Community College campus, it was the one that came before all the others. Founded in 1900, this New York landmark features bronze busts of distinguished Americans in an open-air setting. See depictions of historical figures like Alexander Graham Bell and George Westinghouse. The Hall of Fame honors authors, educators and leaders in most every industry including music and theater.

The Hall of Fame is known for its neoclassical architecture, as well, including a semicircular arch with wings at each end that offer a panoramic view of the Harlem River and the Cloisters in Fort Tryon Park. You can even see the Palisades from there.

5. The Walk of Fame

From 149th street to 161st street, the Bronx celebrates some of its more famous inhabitants. The Bronx Walk of Fame displays street plaques with the names of people who got their start in the borough like Tony Orlando, Rita Moreno and Luther Vandross. Each year during Bronx Week, the borough adds new names to their list of inductees.

If you happen to be working as a travel nurse in the Bronx during May, make sure to pencil in the Bronx Week celebration. They have a Health Day, a breakfast to honor veterans, fashion shows, a parade, concerts, a grand ball and a food trolley with local dishes. Bronx Week is attended by celebrities from all over the world.

You go for the work, but one of the perks of being a travel nurse is living in and exploring a new place. If you will be calling the Bronx home for a few weeks, make the most of it and see the sites that make this borough stand out.