Wave Hill

Wave Hill was a former mansion and estate that now serves as a botanical garden. Without a car, I had to take the Metronorth to the Riverdale stop and then walk through a residential neighborhood for about 10 minutes to get there. This is a beautiful looking place but not too big. You get very nice views of the Hudson River from here. There a few gardens to wander through, a couple houses that house art exhibits and a woodland area to do a short hike through.
Overall, a decent day trip to get away from the city.

What a beautiful sight. Yes, even during December. Could it be also the record breaking warm weather? Maybe. But who cares, this place was gorgeous even without all the greens and blooming flowers. Oh, and you can’t resist the view of the Hudson River.
Lots of activities for kids. We came for crafts, a family nature walk, and their bird watch on Sunday. There were basically events going on every hour. The staff was friendly. The place was quiet. The greenhouses are a bit tight to roam around, not recommended for little kids to run around, especially in the Cactus House! Theres even a trail which I would come back for without the kids.
No doubt this place will be even more vibrant and stunning once the warmer weather hits. Definitely a place to bring the kids for a lovely picnic, even a romantic stroll with the husband.

Magical place to go to every season. Looks amazing during Fall but winter is also stunning, covered in snow. Great for families and kids. No pets allowed or picnics on their grass — but i don’t mind. Their café is great. Their trails are fantastic. Watch out for bees in the spring/​summer months.

We went to Wave Hill on a free admission day (sponsored by Target). Parking was easy, but it cost a bit (I think $ 7?).
We brought food for a picnic. After eating in the patio seat in area, we explored the botanicals. There was a nice view of the Hudson River!
I enjoyed seeing the ginormous gourds and all of the care that volunteers and employees took to upkeep the grounds.
Unilocal 100 Challenge — 54 of 100

Let’s get this out of the way first — the 28 acres here make for a nice way to spend an afternoon, but the Hudson River /​Palisades views are always at least partially obstructed and there’s a huge separation with an ugly fence. There are also no sidewalks on 249^th for those who like walking everywhere (apparently there’s a shuttle every so often to the 1 but forget that noise).
Redeemed my IDNYC membership at the awkward parking lot entrance (with a pedestrian queue where every single member of the way-​too-​large staff was pretty nasty [for the sake of conservation they better all be volunteers otherwise fired b/​c they were so unnecessary] and blatantly rude about walking in with food despite the presence of a picnic area, which is in perhaps the worst possible location on the property). If you don’t make it before the IDNYC promo ends, they have free Target first Saturdays and it’s also free Tuesdays pre-​noon.

This is a private estate turned garden that open to the public. The neighborhood is still very private. Feel free to visit this beautiful garden and also walk around the surrounding neighborhood afterward. Many of the homes (historical mansions) in the surrounding neighborhoods are also on the National Register of Historic Places.
Please try not to bring your car to this place if you can. Parking is limited, and too many cars might ruin the environment and serenity of this place.

Free on Saturdays before 12! Really beautiful and uncrowded grounds for what it’s worth — this used to be a house where Mark Twain lived for a couple of years and the gardens/​greenhouse are very well maintained. The Glyndor Gallery on the grounds also has changing art exhibits. It takes about 2 hours to see everything.
It’s a bit difficult to get here via public transit — you transfer to a free shuttle after taking the subway. I usually come here by car and there’s free parking a little bit down the road and also free shuttle from the parking lot.

Just LOVE this garden! Located in a stunning part of the Bronx, this garden overlooks the Hudson River and New Jersey. This beautiful garden is of moderate size with plenty to see. There is an art gallery in one of the buildings. The art in it rotates so be sure to check the website to see what will be shown there. The pergola in the middle of the property offers a wonderful view of the Hudson and is covered in vines and flowers depending on what season you go to visit. There is a welcome center that offers information about the site. There is also a café where you can get lunch or afternoon tea. The patio where lunch is served offers another lovely view. There is a Lily pond as well, which I am a huge fan of. So tranquil and beautiful. The pond is surrounded by pergolas that have great plants and flowers growing on them. There is also a wonderful view at the Southwest end of the Lily pond area. There are a few other gardens and a green house and have lovely plants and flowers. Overall, this is such a wonderful experience. You could easily spend a couple of hours here. You can also bring a picnic with you, just know you can’t put a blanket down on the ground but there are several chairs where you can eat. There is a small fee to come in. I highly recommend this place!

Absolutely gorgeous! Impeccably manicured gardens with breathtaking views of the Hudson. …And it’s so quiet. A perfect urban oasis.
I was also quite delighted that their charming café — though small in selection — had a scrumptious salad bar to quell my hunger.
I’ll be back for afternoon tea (if they are willing to accommodate vegans) and to check out some of the concerts.

What I love about NY: no matter how long you’ve lived here, there’s always a discovery to be made. Such is the case with Wave Hill. I’ve been meaning to visit for ages but just never got around to it. Finally, I took the 1 train to the last stop and waited for the free shuttle bus that takes you directly to Wave Hill, and back to the subway station when you’re ready to leave.
Almost immediately upon entering the gates, you are greeted with an exquisite view of the Hudson River. Like, one of those views of a lifetime. The entire 28-​acre garden is just filled with nooks and crannies where you have no idea what you’ll find, but it’s always something interesting, cool, and often, stunning. Approach this place with an open mind because there’s an exciting sense of discovery. There was also an art exhibition taking place.
Also nice are the very comfty chairs all over the garden, many of them shaded by trees. I almost fell asleep in them!
The café did not have a large selection, but what it has looks good and isn’t expensive. The people at the table next to me were having high tea and gotta say, it looks pretty cool.
Oh, one more thing, the men who work here are very easy on the eyes! ;)

Beautiful grounds. They have a really great Art project class every weekend for families which I got to awesome with my daughters. It is nature based which makes it even better. Every weekend they choose a different subject to make art about. Sometimes they have special guests come in and teach you about their craft. They also read you a story before each session and the book is always centered on what you are about to create. We love this place!

There are many gardens worth a visit in and around NYC, but Wavehill, located in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx on the east side of the Hudson River – views of which grace it from many perspectives, is one of the finest. Wavehill (now celebrating it’s 50^th year in its current form) consists of two historical houses, one of which serves as a café and event space and the other of which is an active art gallery putting on several shows of contemporary work each year; there are also three interconnected green houses; a separate building which includes a gift shop and education facilities.
The gardens themselves include areas for flowers, vegetables and herbs, a much-​loved water garden with seasonal plantings and a «wild» garden with flowers and shrubs as well as numerous large specimen trees. There is also a woodland trail on less regular terrain that takes one around the periphery of the property. Performing arts programming includes outdoor summer events in addition to ticketed concerts in the event hall from fall through spring. Tours and programming for children and adults are offered on an ongoing basis.
Wavehill has limited on sight parking, but runs a free shuttle to parking in a nearby school lot (without charge). They also run free shuttles to and from local subway and Metronorth (Riverdale Station) commuter rail stops. In addition to the café there are complimentary picnic tables adjacent to the gallery building and numerous public facilities, most of them accessible. Wavehill’s grounds and greenhouses are not nearly as large as its Bronx neighbor, the renowned NY Botanical Garden, but for many who love it, its more manageable size and active arts programming are among its many strengths.

O beautiful Wave Hill. I wish you were easier to get to. But with that said, I have made the commute both by car & train to see its beauties!
It is not this enormous oversized botanical garden, but rather a quiet and calm property with just a handful of special gardens & trails that can be walked. Also to be mentioned is the spectacular view of the Hudson River.
They have a little café with food & coffee that is yummy & didn’t seem over priced to me. But you can do like I did & pack a picnic, although there is a spot for picnics, you can’t just have them anywhere on the grounds.
Also during the Summer they have sunset Wednesday’s & they stay open til sunset with free music (it’s different each week) & you can eat or drink on the grounds during that time.
The website has all the info for prices & times, check before going as prices change the closer you get to the sunset hours.

This place is absolutely beautiful! Great place to relax. Great view of the Hudson River! Free admission on Saturday morning from 9am till noon. Inside, there’s an aquatic garden, herb garden, the wild garden, the flower garden, walking trail, gallery, & more! It’s also a great place to bring a date or have a wedding event. The on site parking lot is small & it’s $ 8 to park there. You can park your car inside a school parking lot nearby & take a free shuttle van. When you’re in this neighborhood, you can almost forget that you’re still in NYC. It actually feels like you’re somewhere in the suburbs like in Long Island or upstate NY. Beautiful park in a beautiful neighborhood.
Definitely worth visiting! We drove all the way from Queens & we thought it was worth it.

A very beautiful and peaceful place to get away from all the noise of the city. The gardens are well-​maintained.
I suggest going here early and spendinv the entire day just going around the gardens or reading a book or relaxing with the view of the Hudson River.
I love the part of the garden where they had different types of lavender planted sid by side.
The store features a lot of fair trade items. Also, they have a free shuttle from the station of the 1 train at Van Cortlandt Park.

An urban oasis, is what I’d be calling this place if it were actually urban, but Wave Hill is in the nether reaches of Riverdale. And what a beautiful escape it is. Lush vegetation, manicured lawns, and impeccably kept gardens surround you. We were here for a special event, but this place is worth a trip without any agenda other than enjoying a gorgeous botanical garden.
As a bonus, you can enjoy a sunset over the Hudson from the border of the park. It’s pretty easy to get around and hard to get lost, after you get the hang of the place.

Gorgeous, mellow garden — an absolute stunner, and a serene spot to relax on a spring afternoon.
The problem for anyone outside Riverdale is that it’s not remotely near a subway stop, and exceedingly difficult to get to without a car: 1 train to 231 (30 – 40 minutes from lower Manhattan, more from the East Side); then Bx7 bus to 252 (about 20 minutes); then a walk to the gate (another 15 minutes). Yikes! That’s bordering on nearly 3 hours for a round trip! And add another hour or so if you’re coming from Brooklyn, or Queens, or anywhere other than the Upper West.
Well, if you’ve got a car, or you’ve got the time, Wave Hill is spectacular. Really a startlingly beautiful oasis. Me, I’m not sure I can do it again.

Wave Hill is a gorgeous garden and historical space in the Bronx. Located where the 1 train ends and after a short shuttle ride, it makes a beautiful half day trip for urban dwellers who have forgotten what nature looks like. Complete with short woodland hikes, manicured gardens, and inviting lawns to bury your toes in, Wave Hill is a relaxing oasis of beauty and calm. In addition, Wave Hill is very family friendly. While there are plenty of rules (no easels, get a permit for commercial photography, don’t touch the plants or go in areas marked off, no lawn chairs or blankets) I don’t find them overly restrictive for the average visitor.
During normal days, Wave Hill is open from 9:00 am to 5:30 pm with $ 8 admission. There is a shuttle that runs from the 1 or the Metro North every hour. They have a small café and parking lot ($ 8 or free if you spend $ 50 in the shop). I would estimate that if you do the hikes and enjoy a coffee in the café, you could spend 4 hours here. If you bring a book or sketchpad, add more time. However, the grounds are not so expansive to require a full day. Up to you if the 45 minute ride to and from Times Square is worth it for the time you’ll spend here. Tuesdays and Saturday are free if you get here from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm thanks to Target.
Wave Hill partnered with artist Chris Doyle to create an organic site specific installation for their 50^th anniversary. The pyramids in the aquatic pond appear as basic minimalistic modern art during the day. But at night, they bloom into video graphic kaleidoscopes of color, flowers, fish, leaves, water. The Glyndor gallery house also has four indoor installations, commenting on man’s relationship with nature in several animated video pieces, which are grimmer in contrast to the aquatic installations. In addition, being able catch sunset and twilight at Wave Hill was absolutely magical with its fantastic river panoramas and lush flora. The evening hours are special for Night Lights, which is a $ 23 dollar admission (or $ 19 on Gilt) where they have special evening shuttles and a lounge complete with craft beers and nibbles. The Lounge is expensive (advance admission with the lounge is $ 60) so I do not advocate for the additional expense. Wave Hill has several picnic areas for you to bring a small packed dinner instead.
I would love to see more summer Friday and Saturday events by Wave Hill. I think it makes for a really lovely date or casual photography trip, made even easier if you have your own car and can couple it with a nice dinner and drinks. I also commend the shuttles — without them, I wouldn’t have braved the trip!

Had a great time here the other night to watch the night lights instalation, great gilt deal, the space is awseome and in such a great setting, it was a perfect night and was fantastic to get the hell out of the city.

Wave Hill is gorgeously landscaped like a resort rather than a botanical garden or a park. The greenhouse plants are all labeled but many of the outdoor plants are not. The outdoor plants are grouped primarily for esthetics, not as much by category.
The place is designed on a comfortable, human scale with benches and Adirondack chairs, and many secluded spots and views of the Hudson. It’s unbelievably quiet and serene, ideal for a brief respite from urban NYC. Events include music performances, art workshops, family activities, yoga and meditation. No blankets are permitted on the grass but folding chairs are welcome.
The café offers locally-​sourced, organic, artisanal, expensive food. Even if you don’t buy lunch there, I recommend relaxing with a sweet tea on the covered patio. The gift shop has beautiful, high-​quality items and isn’t quite as pricey as a lot of museum gift shops I’ve been to. I bought a recycled-​silk scarf and was pleasantly surprised to find out that because I spent $ 50 I could get my parking fee reimbursed.
I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon at Wave Hill and will be back to see the autumn colors.