Van Cortlandt Park

📍 Bronx, NY

4.6 (9,060 Google)

📍 Broadway and Van, Cortlandt Park South, Bronx, NY 10471, USA, Bronx, NY

📞 (718) 430-1890

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Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx offers a wonderful opportunity for a relaxed day out with your grandchildren! This sprawling park boasts historic buildings, beautiful trails perfect for gentle strolls, and plenty of open space for everyone to enjoy – it’s lovely for grandparents wanting a peaceful escape with energetic little ones. Kids will adore the playground, the aquatic center (seasonal!), and exploring the historic Van Cortlandt House Museum, sparking their curiosity about the past. We suggest arriving early (especially on weekends) as parking near the main attractions can fill up quickly, and the park is truly delightful for ages 2 and up!

Grandparent-Friendly Details

Accessibility

Wheelchair & stroller accessible

Fun Things to Do Here

Ideas to make the most of your visit to Van Cortlandt Park

Nature Scavenger Hunt

Find a feather, a bug, 3 different leaves, something smooth, something rough, and one thing nobody else spots.

Cloud Shapes

Lie on the grass and take turns naming what clouds look like. No wrong answers here.

Bird Count

Keep score of every different bird species you spot on the walk. Grandkids take this surprisingly seriously.

Stick Olympics

Find a stick and compete: longest throw, best skip across water, who can balance it longest on one finger.

Bench Race

Pick two routes to the same bench. Who gets there first? Let the grandkids pick their route.

Free printable: Park Scavenger Hunt

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Budget & Insider Tips

Grandparent Money Tips

• Most county parks are free to enter during the week — the parking fee is the main cost, and many lots don't have attendants before 9am.
• Pack a picnic. A park visit with a homemade lunch beats a restaurant every time for grandkids, and costs a fraction.
• Free ranger programs run most weekends at state parks — check the DEC or DEEP calendar before you go.

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