This Mom is a Resource and Inspiration for Bronx Parents

Nicole Perrino shows her followers everything she loves about raising a family in the Bronx while working on a variety of community projects. .

By Nicole Perrino June 26, 2020

Nicole Perrino is the founder and editor of Bronxmama, a lifestyle and resource website for Bronx families. Her website has been celebrated by The Daily News, News 12 The Bronx, and various other news outlets. And in 2016, she was named one of the 25 Most Influential Women of the Bronx by The Bronx Times. When she's not promoting the many things to do in her borough (by the way she loves The Bronx Zoo, the New York Botanical Garden, and Wave Hill—but preferably off season), she works for the nonprofit Windows of Hip Hop, runs the social media for her family restaurant, and is the president of the PTA at her daughters' school. But her most favorite activity is spending time exploring other towns with her daughters Briana and Gia, and partner Luis.

Why should you follow @bronxmama_com? We love that Perrino does so much to promote the borough she loves—but also has a hand in so many other interesting projects.

Website | bronxmama.com

Instagram | @bronxmama_com

What is the best thing about the Bronx?

The Bronx is the only borough connected to the mainland. So we have the best of both worlds- the ability to head north quickly and be in the country, or head downtown to Manhattan to be in the city. We are also home to the largest park in New York City: Pelham Bay Park, which is home to Orchard Beach. It's also pretty awesome how many people you meet who are so involved with our community—from artists to historians, Bronx pride is like no other! And, of course, the food! We have some amazing restaurants with different cuisines across the borough.

How did you get involved in blogging about parenting?

I was a young mom finishing college and wanted to find low-cost events and programming in the Bronx to take my daughter to. I realized there wasn't one website that had all of that information in one place—so I decided to start it. More than 10 years later and it's still one of the main resources for Bronx families. I've been into journalism and writing since I was young, so the world of blogging was like being able to live out a dream of mine—and being able to share resources with other parents is very fulfilling to me.

What is the best thing about raising kids in the New York City area?

Simply having so much at our fingertips. Being able to take a ferry to the beach, take a class or workshop on pretty much anything, enjoy authentic food from around the world, go to the zoo, or just walk up the block and meet a friend for coffee—the possibilities are endless.

What’s your favorite off-the-beaten-path thing to do/place to visit with your kids?

We really like to explore different hiking and walking paths at parks across the Bronx. Our favorites are Hunter Island at Orchard Beach and following trails to head to the highest point in Van Cortlandt Park. It's so cool to feel like you've escaped the city and can enjoy nature without going too far.