The Bronx is grabbing the cultural and culinary spotlight this spring. Watch a Cuban film at the Havana Film Festival, sip a cocktail under a spectacular chandelier of orchids at the New York Botanical Garden, or indulge in the most delectable mole this side of the Rio Grande, all just a quick subway ride from Manhattan.<\/p>\n
Here are seven free and low-cost reasons why a trip to the Bronx should be on your must-do list this season.<\/p>\n
What:<\/strong> Orchid Evenings at the Orchid Show: Chandeliers What:<\/strong> Ride the Bronx Trolley What:\u00a0<\/strong>Bronx Museum Havana Film Festival What:<\/strong> Lehman Center for the Performing Arts What:<\/strong> An Beal Bocht Caf\u00e9<\/a>
\n<\/a>When:<\/strong> Saturdays, March 14, 21, 28, April 4, 11, 18; Thursday, March 19 (LGBT Night); and Friday, April 17; 6:30\u20139 p.m.
\nWhere:<\/strong> New York Botanical Garden
\nWhy:<\/strong> The Orchid Show is a visual extravaganza, but the deal is sweetened at dusk, with a potent potable in hand. Enjoy live music filtering through the flowers during this elegant soiree. Tickets cost $35, $25 for members and include a specialty cocktail.
\nHow to get there:<\/strong> B, D or 4 trains to Bedford Park Blvd. Station. Walk eight blocks down the hill on Bedford Park Blvd. to the Mosholu Gate entrance. An alternative is Metro-North to Botanical Garden Station.<\/p>\n
\nWhere:<\/strong> A free reception kicks off the festivities at Longwood Art Gallery at Hostos Community College, 450 Grand Concourse
\nWhen:<\/strong> First Wednesday of the month except January and September. The reception starts at 5 pm, trolley departs every hour on the half-hour, from 5:30 until 7:30.
\nWhy:<\/strong> Get a free overview of Bronx cultural attractions as you ride an early 20th-Century trolley car. Stay on for the entire loop or hop off when the mood strikes. Trolley riders are treated to live onboard performances, so don\u2019t be surprised if a Shakespeare sonnet or modern dance company liven things up.
\nHow to get there:<\/strong> Ride the 2,4 or 5 to 149th\u00a0and Grand Concourse.<\/p>\n
\nWhere:<\/strong> The Bronx Museum of the Arts
\nWhen<\/strong>: March 27 at 6pm
\nWhy:<\/strong> Cuba has taken center stage. If you\u2019re among those adventurous travelers waiting for direct flights and easy visas, a slice of Cuba is coming to the Bronx, thanks to the Havana Film Festival. On March 27 at 6pm, the Bronx Museum will pay homage to the masters of rumba with a free screening of Rumba Clave Blen Blen Blen<\/em> followed by a live musical performance.
\nHow to get there:<\/strong> D or B to 167th\u00a0Street Station. Walk south along the Grand Concourse for two blocks. An alternative is the 4 to Yankee Stadium. Walk three blocks east to Grand Concourse and four blocks north.<\/p>\n
\n<\/a>Where:<\/strong> 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West
\nWhen:<\/strong> Year-round
\nWhy:<\/strong> Enjoy big name entertainment without spending big bucks when you head to the leafy Lehman College campus. This state-of-the-art venue has a stellar lineup of events on tap all year. Spring highlights include the Russian National Ballet Theatre performing Swan Lake<\/em> on April 12 and the legendary Puerto Rican Masters<\/em> salsa arrangements on June 6. Kids receive a special discount, so bring the family.
\nHow to get there:<\/strong> Take the 4 or D to Bedford Park Boulevard, three blocks from campus.<\/p>\n
\nWhere:<\/strong> 445 West 238 St.
\nWhen:<\/strong> Open daily
\nWhy:<\/strong> Live music, poetry readings, and art exhibitions with a Gallic twist make this intimate and inclusive gastro pub the epicenter of Irish cultural life in NYC. Of course, there\u2019s a noteworthy selection of draft offerings from the hyper-local favorite Gun Hill Brewery Gold to that Emerald Isle\u2019s stalwart, Guinness. The traditional Irish breakfast is a fortifying repast, served daily until a civilized 4pm.
\nHow to get there:<\/strong> Take the 1 train to 238 Street and walk three blocks west.<\/p>\n