Kingsbridge Bronx, NY

The King's Bridge, which lends its name to this neighborhood, once spanned the Spuyten Duyvil Creek and was part of the Boston Post Road that connected Westchester County to Marble Hill. Until the end of the 19th century, Kingsbridge and two other towns were part of Yonkers but were annexed by the Bronx in 1874.

Head southwest to visit the Cloisters, the only New York museum dedicated to medieval art, and the Dyckman Farmhouse Museum. The New York Botanical Garden Holiday Train Show and the Haunted Pumpkin Garden take place just to the east each year, and the Festival of Senor de Los Milagros is held to the south.

Whatever type of cuisine you're in the mood for, there's a good chance that you can find it in Kingsbridge. From pizza and Irish comfort food to Spanish tapas and Caribbean fare, there's no shortage of eateries near Broadway, in the heart of the neighborhood.

Open for all three meals and renowned for making fresh guacamole right next to your table, Picante Picante serves Mexican favorites and caters for any occasion. At breakfast, try Mexican-style eggs or a grilled steak or chicken quesadilla. In the evening, take your pick from a range of traditional dishes, including carne asada, enchiladas, and chicken in mole sauce.

Salvatores of Soho leans towards Italian dishes and has such a following in the neighborhood that the line often stretches out to the sidewalk. Choose from the gourmet pizza menu, featuring specials such as pizza Bolognese and the Sicilian focaccia pizza. If you're not in the mood for pizza, try a pasta dish, such as tortellini, fettuccine Alfredo or lasagna, or pick out a specialty entree, such as chicken parmigiana or veal Milanese.

When you're dining with friends, sharing a selection of tapas at Tin Marin nets you a true taste of Spain. Pop in for brunch to enjoy poached eggs or pan-seared salmon over mixed greens. In the evening, take your pick from a wide range of tapas dishes, including chicken croquettes, mussels steamed in champagne, crispy breaded basa, and skewers of seared beef, chicken, and shrimp.

Kingsbridge's nightlife keeps you busy all evening long, with plenty of entertainment along Broadway. Feel the bass pumping at Raine Lounge and Dubai Lounge dance clubs, enjoy the atmosphere at the Silhouette Lounge, or try a craft beer at the Punch Bowl. You can find plenty of pubs, such as the Bronx Alehouse and Mr. McGoo's, and sports bars, such as the Bridge Tavern. Sip a cocktail at the Local, or watch a live music performance at the An Beal Bocht Cafe or Kelly Ryan's Bar & Restaurant.

As with much of New York City, traveling without a car is incredibly easy. While not particularly friendly to cyclists thanks to a lack of bike lanes, Kingsbridge does encourage walkers, with many neighborhood destinations easily reached on foot. Take advantage of the world-class public transportation in the city, with two train stations on 231st and 238th streets, and seven bus routes traveling to Third Avenue, the College of Mount Saint Vincent, Riverdale, Norwood, Inwood, Midtown Manhattan, Lower Manhattan, and Penn Station. Uber operates throughout New York City, and plenty of cabs can be called for a pickup.

If you own your own vehicle, expect to have a hard time finding a parking space on the streets, though you'll come across a few pay-per-visit parking lots. Broadway takes you north into Yonkers or all the way south through Manhattan. The Major Deegan Expressway runs along the eastern border of the neighborhood, and the Henry Hudson Parkway sits just to the west.

An abundance of green spaces await in and around Kingsbridge, from the tiny Siren Slope within the neighborhood to the enormous Van Cortlandt Park to the north. The latter showcases the last 1,146 acres of New York City's native woodlands, including the largest body of freshwater in the Bronx, and a municipal golf course. The park also boasts a nature center, museum, and amenities for sports lovers and families, including sports fields, running trails, a stadium, a pool, an equestrian center, and a seasonal skating rink.

Sticking inside the borders of Kingsbridge, Marble Hill Playground features playground equipment and spray showers for the kids and basketball courts for sport-minded locals. Dog owners head to Ewen Park on Johnson Avenue, named for a brigadier general during the Civil War.

Finding a home within this tiny Bronx neighborhood has one distinct advantage: the cost. Housing comes in almost 15 percent cheaper than the average for New York City, with a average rental cost around $1,300 for a one-bedroom apartment in Kingsbridge. Traveling to the center of the city will set you back $2.75 for a one-way trip with a multi-trip Metrocard or $3 for a single-ride trip. A glass of beer at a local pub or bar can set you back about $10.50, and the cost of gasoline hovers around 11.5 percent above the national average.

Following the theme of the neighborhood being centered around Broadway, most of the shopping runs along or near the famous street. Plenty of chain stores such as Walgreens and Payless Shoes exist. Head to New Sea Win to pick up some fresh seafood from the market. Visit the New Little Shop for funky and classic fashions.

To stock up on groceries, try one of the many local supermarkets and delis, such as Aldi, Foodtown, C-Town Groceries, and Vargas Groceries. Alternatively, browse the selection at the Riverdale Meat Market & Grocery or the Fresh King Market. Visit the Garden Gourmet Market to find a well-stocked farmer's market full of local produce and groceries, from cheeses and breads to seafood and produce.