By Elisa Mala

The Bronx is the only New York City borough that isn’t situated on an island. But that’s not its only claim to fame – it boasts some of the city's most colorful and entertaining attractions. It's an easy subway ride from virtually anywhere in Manhattan, but on the first Wednesday of every month, there are even free trolley rides from midtown. While the borough is often overshadowed by its neighbor to the south (Manhattan), it's worth seeing up close. Take it from NEWSWEEK’s Elisa Mala, who lived just below the Bronx-Manhattan border for a good part of her life.

Ride the Skyfari at the Bronx Zoo, a cable car that soars over treetops, orangutans and more than 6,000 other furry friends at heights of up to 100 feet. Afraid of heights? Never fear – an internal train ride that’s appropriate for children and adults alike stays closer to the ground and covers quite a lot of it. Or try the narrated tram tour at the New York Botanical Garden, where riders can hop on or off as many times as they like to check out one of the city’s few waterfalls, a serene reflecting pool or numerous verdant gardens.

Stroll past the nautical museum, lighthouse, docks and mom-and-pop shops on City Island, an islet off the coast of Pelham Bay Park that is as picturesque as any North England port town. Settled by the English in 1685, it's steeped in centuries of nautical history and feels far removed from the hustle and bustle of city life, even though it’s only a few miles away from the skyscrapers.