Beauty In The Bronx: Fordham Foliage

It is way too tempting to not jump in those leaves

Fall is a magical time of the year. The leaves are changing, the weather is starting to come to a comfortable crisp temperature, and when you walk on campus at night, you can start to smell the musky odor of the fireplaces burning. Fordham in the fall, or any season for that matter, is the epitome of magic. Fordham’s Rose Hill Campus was placed on Buzzfeed’s College Campuses that were made for Instagram. Their argument? The beauty that is Keating Hall in the Winter, Spring, Summer, and of course Fall.

One of many snowfalls last year!

Fordham is busting with piles of colorful leaves, pumpkin décor, and sunset skies that are always mesmerizing. The Fall is a great time to visit Fordham not only for it’s beautiful campus, but for the surrounding attractions that the Bronx has to offer. Across from the Fordham entrance gate, the Botanical Garden welcomes visitors with strings of white lights, signifying that the holiday season is not too far away! A traditional attraction of the Botanical Garden (also known a the BoTans to Fordham students) is the Holiday Train Show. All of the miniature New York City landmarks that are recreated in the Holiday Train Show are created entirely out of natural objects like tree branches and acorns. From the massive Brooklyn Bridge replica to Grand Central Station, the show is a Fordham student and Fordham Family favorite!

When you come to our beautiful campus, be sure to snap a picture of Keating Hall, the statue of Saint Ignatius Loyola, or one of the staple Fordham skies, post it to Instagram and tag @FordhamAdmissions!

Fall at Rose Hill

A picture taken while jogging through the Botans.

Nothing beats the beauty of Rose Hill's campus this time of year- we weren't voted the "12th College Campus Most Made for Instagram" for nothing! The combination of changing leaves and cooler weather makes the atmosphere on campus even more exciting. The Botanical Gardens across the street from Rose Hill are especially beautiful this time of year. Students are seen frequently jogging through the trails or even studying in the gardens. Admission is free to the Botanical Gardens, so I make sure to take full advantage of them during the warmer months!

Keating Hall is also especially beautiful this time of year. It stands tall surrounded by colorful foliage and fallen leaves. Students take advantage of Eddie's by studying, eating, or just hanging out with friends before the weather gets cold. Soon enough, the lawn will be covered by snow, so students are making sure to make the most of these last few weeks!

Keating Hall admist the changing leaves.

With Halloween and Thanksgiving quickly approaching, students are keeping themselves busy with midterms. However, there are also a ton of fun activities happening around campus that students are keeping themselves involved in, such as football games, fundraisers and other campus and club sponsored activities. Fall is beautiful at Rose Hill, and our students love to keep themselves involved in all the campus and the Bronx has to offer.

How to Boogie Down in the Bronx

Living at the Rose Hill campus I, along with many other students, have grown to know and love the Bronx.  In the past year and a half while here, I’ve come up with four of my favorite parts of the Bronx. 

Arthur Ave

Coming from an Italian family who loves to eat great food, my first choice is an easy one: Arthur Ave, the original Little Italy.  Arthur offers its guests great Italian restaurants, bakeries, food markets, festivals, and a discount to Fordham students!!  One of my favorite pastimes on Arthur is to eat at one of the restaurants and then get a cannoli at Palombo’s for 20% off!  If you’re more into the cooking part of food, then Arthur is still your place.  Borgatti’s pasta and Casa della Mozzarella have you covered!  Both shops make their food right in the store and will even give you a life story of their travels from Italy free of charge!

Palombo's Bakery

City Island

This next one is a place that I wish I went to more: City Island. It’s great for a nice fall day where you’re still trying to hold onto the summer, or a warm spring day where you’re just starting to feel the summer!  After an easy bus ride to the island, you’ve teleported away from the busy city into a small fishing oasis.  When I first went there with some friends, we took the bus to the very last stop, in front of Sammy’s Fish Box.  We took one look at the building, saw Santa relaxing on the moon and knew this was the place for us.  The multi-course meal and best vanilla custard ever just confirmed our faith in Sammy! After that huge meal, you should take a stroll, work off all of that food, and see the island.

Sammy's with Santa on the Moon

Yankee Stadium

I don’t care if you’re a Yankee’s, Boston, or another (less fortunate) fan, but everyone should make at least one trip to Yankee Stadium; it is the Cathedral of Baseball after all!  The stadium is the sixth subway stop from Fordham Road, and when you walk out from the subway, you can see all the glory and history that is Yankee Stadium!! Often times throughout the year, residence halls and Campus Activities Board, CAB, even give out free or very discounted tickets.  If there isn’t a sale on campus, you can still buy a $20 ticket and enjoy the game with the legendary Bleacher Creatures.

Sitting with the Bleacher Creatures 

Bronx Zoo/Botanical Garden

This final place is a two parter that every student has probably done many, many times: Go to the Botanical Garden and Bronx Zoo.  Both are literally across the street from campus and very welcoming to Fordham students.  The Botanical Garden is free for Fordham students, and on Wednesdays you can get into the zoo with a donation of your choosing!  These are great places for a relaxing afternoon walk or activity on a beautiful day.  Many students go for runs through the Garden, stroll through the flowers, or simply mingle with the various animals at the zoo.

The Botanical Garden during a Halloween exhibit

Although many view New York City only as Manhattan, Fordham helps everyone to realize that there are so many activities we can do without even leaving our own borough!  So get out and Boggie Down in the Bronx!!

Public Service Announcement: For your own safety, try not to wear non-Yankees apparel around the Bleacher Creatures.