4 Hours In the Bronx

The only New York borough not situated on an island boasts some of the city's most colorful and entertaining attractions. And it's an easy subway ride from midtown's hotels.

Ride the Skyfari at the Bronx Zoo, a cable car that soars over treetops, orangutans and other furry friends at heights of up to 100 feet (bronxzoo.org). Or try the narrated tram tour at the New York Botanical Garden, where riders can hop on or off to check out a waterfall, reflecting pool or verdant gardens (nybg.org).

Stroll past the nautical museum, lighthouse, docks and mom-and-pop shops on City Island, an islet off the coast of Pelham Bay Park. Settled by the English in 1685, it's steeped in centuries of nautical history (cityisland.com).

Visit Yankee Stadium, the former home of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig and the third-oldest stadium in Major League Baseball, before it's torn down at the end of this season, when the Yankees will move into a spiffy new home next door (yankees.mlb.com).

Swim at the borough's only public shore, Orchard Beach. But don't splash around at the Wave Hill Garden (wavehill. org), an 11-hectare showcase of flora where pools are only for waterlilies.

© 2008