Woodlawn Heights - Bronx, NY Area Guide

The Woodlawn Heights War Memorial in Rita Ley Triangle pays tribute to the residents who fought and died in World War I. Get the best sense of history in the area by visiting the Woodlawn Cemetery, one of the most notable historical sites in the Bronx. This burial ground was designed by some of the most famous architects and landscapers of the 20th century and serves as the final resting place for a slew of distinguished Americans, including Herman Melville, Joseph Pulitzer, Irving Berlin, and Duke Ellington.

While small in dimension, Woodlawn Heights looms large on food and drink. Over 20 pubs, most with Irish themes, grace the main avenues of Katonah and McLean, so you never have to look far for a good meal or a fun night on the town. For craft beer, check out the selections at Bronx Alehouse. This establishment never features fewer than 100 beers on draft, and it always rotate the taps to keep patrons on their toes. When in the mood to take home leftovers, order the shredded pork nachos — the massive mound of meat, cheese and chips will have your meals covered for the next few days.

Many consider the Irish pub Rambling House to be the social hub of the Woodlawn Heights neighborhood. This spacious place has a multitude of televisions that show all the big sports games, best enjoyed with a pint of Smithwicks. This bar has it all, whether you wish to enjoy trivia one night or karaoke the next. Rambling House also hosts several nights of live music a week. For food, the special burgers rank high with the locals, with the Gaelic burger with Guinness cheese serving as a favorite choice.

A pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, Woodlawn Heights allows for safe travel by foot. Katonah Avenue’s wide sidewalks and low speed limits create a commercial thoroughfare amenable to walking, probably the easiest mode of transportation to access the cafes, shops, pubs and restaurants that line the street. The residential streets on either side of Katonah, wooded and quiet, also promote walking. However, most residents do own at least one automobile, and a dense web of highways can be found right outside the neighborhood. Residents use the nearby Bronx River Parkway for a painless getaway Upstate or to New England.

Traveling south, your best bet comes in the form of New York’s public transportation, the MTA. Hop on the Bx34 or Bx16, transfer to the No. 4 train and arrive in the heart of midtown Manhattan in no time. For a smoother, slightly pricier ride into the city, take the Metro-North Harlem line, stationed near 233rd and the Bronx River Parkway. Taxis may be difficult to hail within the immediate vicinity of the neighborhood so make sure to call ahead; Uber also services the area.

Often considered the crown jewel among all the Bronx parks, Van Cortlandt Park sits just a 15-minutes walk away, providing residents with green space and a multitude of amenities. Once you arrive, you might be overwhelmed with all the options for recreational activity. Ride a bike on the well-kept pathways, or work on your swing at the public golf course. Since the surrounding neighborhoods house immigrant communities from Europe and Asia, you shouldn't be surprised to find a rugby pitch, an Irish football field and one of New York’s most popular cricket grounds within the confines of the park.

While the cost of living in this area dips 5.5 percent less than New York averages, it still comes in at 60.3 percent higher than the national average. A one-bedroom apartment in Woodlawn Heights situated outside of the central city costs you an average of $1,756 per month, significantly less than the New York City average of $2,933. To get to midtown Manhattan, you just need $2.50 to hop on the bus, and then transfer to the subway. You might want to use public transportation since gas costs 22 percent more here than the national average. Beer at the numerous local pubs should run around $5 to $6 a pint.

Needless to say, a great deal of shopping options in Woodlawn Heights falls in the food sector. Katonah Avenue proffers a veritable treasure trove of Irish gastronomic delights. Prime Cuts, founded by a first-generation Irish immigrant, features Irish specialty meats you can’t find anywhere else. Cured on the premises, the traditional corned beef can’t be missed. If you prefer a larger chain grocer for your shopping needs, there is also a C-Town Supermarket located along Katonah Avenue.

Other shopping options exist here besides food. Get all your appliances taken care of at Katonah Hardware and Houseware. The extensive Cross County Shopping Center, which lies a few miles north in Yonkers, provides New York’s burgeoning population with both high-end and high-value options, including Macy’s, Bath and Body Works, Old Navy, Lands’ End, Victoria’s Secret, Sears and more.