When it comes to being a first-year student at Fordham University in New York City, there is no shortage of things to do. From exploring the local spots of Arthur Avenue to enjoying the many museums across the city, there are a range of activities to explore for all budgets and interests.
Starting off locally near Fordham’s Rose Hill campus, there are free and convenient places for students to enjoy without a commute.
My personal favorite is the New York Botanical Gardens, where students can enjoy grounds passes for free. Within the gardens are the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden, the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, the Thain Family Forest and more to see for a serene nature-filled experience.
Another local favorite is the Bronx Zoo, which is free for students on Wednesdays and has world-class exhibits like the Congo Gorilla Forest. Fordham’s Rose Hill campus is best known for its accessibility to the historical Arthur Avenue which features a variety of delis, bakeries, markets and restaurants. Some of its best spots include Artuso Pastry Shop, Avenue Gyro, Casa Della Mozzarella, Colima Taqueria, Enzo’s, Prince Coffee House and Zero Otto Nove.
I encourage all students to take advantage of the wonderful cuisine just footsteps from campus!
New York City is also home to many markets which sell the best crafts and unique pieces to decorate your dorm room or dress up your wardrobe. On the Upper West Side, best accessible by taking the Ram Van or Metro-North from Rose Hill, is the Grand Bazaar which is NYC’s biggest curated market held on Sundays year round. It is located in a beautiful area on the Upper West Side filled with local shops and farmers markets, and is walking distance to Central Park. Another option is the Brooklyn Flea Market, which is held on Saturdays and Sundays. The market is located within Dumbo, Brooklyn, which is accessible by taking the Metro-North into Grand Central, the 4 train to Union Square and then the F train.
Additionally, you can explore the amazing views that Dumbo offers just steps away from the market.
New York is also home to many amazing museums featuring art and history of all time periods. Some popular ones include: the American Museum of Natural History, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, Whitney Museum of American Art and The Museum of Modern Art.
I encourage you all to research New York and discover activities that interest you.
Fordham and New York are amazing places to be, so enjoy your four years and take advantage of it!
