Bronx Seaside Trolley

For ages I have been talking about how much I wanted to do the Bronx Seaside Trolley.  And people have been going, ".... the what?"
Then when I explain it, they go, "how cool!  And how come I haven't heard of it?  And why haven't you gone yet?"  Good question.
So this past Friday I hustled myself up to the Pelham Bay Park stop on the 6 train to take my free trolley ride.  At first I thought, "What if I don't see it?" Yeah, that really wasn't a problem.

It is "a replica of a turn of the century trolley"--bright red.  It is really cool looking.  And even better from the inside.  (I suck, I have no pics of the inside OR outside... I swear I'll go next time again.)  The trolley goes from the subway station, to the Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum, then up to City Island and back.  The whole ride there is a tour guide who has tons of fun facts that he shares as you drive around.  (For example, did you know around 50,000 people live in co-op city?!  I didn't.  Or that Pelham Bay Park is three times the size of Central Park?)

Lawn at Bartow-Pell Mansion

So the first stop was Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum.  Another thing I wanted to do for years but didn't ever get to.  The best part is, on the First Friday deal, you pay $8 to get into the mansion where you can do a self-guided tour.  Then outside in the yard, there is wine, cheese, seltzer, snacks all included with admission.  And the yard is beautiful!  I sat on the benches for awhile just enjoying the refreshments and how peaceful it was there.



Inside you tour the rooms, which are all  interesting, but I was really fascinated by the staircase.

In the conservatory they have live music.  The day I went, it was a folky band called Hawthorne; they were great and mood was perfect for the setting.  I sat in there for awhile enjoying that, and then got back on the trolley.

Bartow-Pell staircase

I was by myself, so when we went to City Island I figured I'd just come home instead of staying on City Island.  I love being there, but didn't really think I was up for a fancy dinner while being solo.

I definitely would do the whole thing again, and next time plan on spending time in City Island.  The last trolley leaves City Island at ten I think, but there is always the regular bus (BX 29) if you miss that while chowing down on seafood.