The Café at Wave Hill is a true hidden gem. Built in 1843, this historic landmark once hosted notable residents like Mark Twain and Theodore Roosevelt, which adds to its timeless charm. I ordered the tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich--both were delicious and especially comforting on a cold winter day. The café features fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from the organic Katchkie Farm in Kinderhook, NY, and you can really taste the quality. We sat in the indoor dining area and enjoyed fantastic views of the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades while we ate. The setting alone makes the experience special. The service was also welcoming and friendly. Located within Wave Hill's 28-acre public garden and cultural center in Riverdale, the café is surrounded by impeccably landscaped gardens, historic houses, and sweeping panoramic views from its ridge overlooking the Hudson. It's the perfect spot to relax, enjoy a meal, and take in the scenery. We've Hill gets its name from the way the land mimics rolling waves along the Hudson River. Definitely worth a visit! read more

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A very small and cute cafe found within this Instagram-able oasis. It was a bit chilly when my friend and I visited as soon as the doors opened on Saturday morning, and we both agreed we needed something warm to bring life back into our bones. The cafe has very cute tables situated inside, with plenty of light and open air from the windows. The cafe itself is a walk-up counter, with friendly faces ready to greet you and take your order. I got a hot chocolate and my friend got a hot tea. The hot chocolate was $3 and some change, and was very rich and creamy. I was asked if I wanted whipped cream on top, but I decided to skip it for the morning. The vibe inside is very chill and welcoming, and I loved hearing our voices echo off the ceiling of the place. Immaculately clean as well! Public bathrooms are in the basement behind the front desk. read more

- variety of alcohols for your intoxication needs - variety of products - plenty of seating space - good hot sauce - chicken sandwich tasted microwaved - I liked the brisket sandwich and bun - fries were bad - tortilla chips come with the sandwiches. I wish I knows that read more

This goes without saying that Wave Hill is the best. However, a big perk of the membership is the cafe! We definitely love getting coffee here with various muffins and cookies. We also enjoy their food selection - especially salads and wraps as well as different style hot dogs. And lastly, the high tea here is fantastic (this has to be booked in advance). I might jsut do that right now! read more

I ordered a hot chocolate and two coffees with a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie for me and my parents. I told them that I wanted whipped cream on my hot chocolate and they went above and beyond and not only added the whipped cream but added a chocolate swirl on top too. It was delicious. The atmosphere of the cafe is so comfortable and there are plenty of places to sit there are some great food options available as well if you aren't in the mood for something sweet and want something savory instead. I would happily come here again, and I can see myself visiting a lot more in the future. Wave Hill and The Cafe at Wave Hill are serious gems in Riverdale and The Bronx. As a Manhattanite, I can say that I am very jealous. read more

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Just had afternoon tea in the Tea Room and it was a fantastic experience. We had the charming space to ourselves. Great service. Most important, the scones were legit, the finger sandwiches were tasty, and mini-pastries were delightful. Offered Tuesdays and Thursdays. read more

The food was not good, the price was terrible, the service was so slow that it took more than 15 minutes to make a hot dog and they forgot the ketchup and were on their phones all the time, I do not recommend ‍ read more

Few places in the city are set in a more beautiful setting. The Wave Hill Gardens are gorgeous, and although from the outside space of the cafe you can't see the Hudson River, it's still a great place to have food. I have only eaten here once, but what I ordered was surprisingly well prepared. In these places restaurants are usually mediocre and overpriced. They know you really don't have a choice, and take advantage of it. Not here. Their chicken panini was delicious. Perfectly toasted and thoughtfully prepared. In addition, prices are not outrageous, considering where u are. Next time I go I'll make sure I stop by again. read more

A lovely place to go to! There's a museum there and nice places to sit outside! It's like being out of New York City! read more

A wonderful oasis in the middle of a city jungle. Once you step on the grounds it will take much convincing to believe that you are still in NYC. A slightly hidden gem, I say slightly because it's well known by those whom had the opportunity to visit but not by everyone else. They are also on the park department's website and have their own site. So Wave Hill is not exactly hiding. Lol. I must admit I've learned of this beautiful gem some time ago and just never ventured over. Unless you leave in the vicinity of the Riverdale area I must forewarn you it can be quite a bit of a trek, especially if you don't drive. However, I will go as far to say that is part of this park's beauty, romance and allure. Perfect for families (even the little ones), friends and couples. WaveHill feels like the door to a portal, where everything is green, lush, and peaceful. With amazing views of the river, the bridge and wonderfully blooming flowers in Spring & Summer and great changes of foliage colors in the Fall. Wave Hill is of course is on a smaller scale then the famed Central Park or the notable Botanical Gardens but by no means do you miss out on any of nature's wonder. This park offers visitors, a green house, garden house and a plethora activities and events for everyone. On the day of my visit there were a group of yogis in their bliss on one of the main lawns. There is also seating throughout the grounds, gray wood crafted seats for you to just relax and enjoy your own personal serenity if you so choose. You can become a member or pay as you go, however there are many things you can access for free. The park has a parking lot which I believe is at a cost of $8 dollars and be aware it is small so it fills up quickly. As alternative there is a shuttle you can take to avoid the congestion or the search for a spot. I strongly recommend you visit their site to see and learn all of what Wave Hill has to offer. Just A Note: You are allowed to bring food & snacks but signs say no picnicking. So be modest and don't bring Boo Boo and your picnic baskets. read more

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The setting is lovely the food is decent and the prices are fair. Its never crowded on a weekday.

A hidden gem in New York. A bit far to get there from the center of Manhattan, but it is so worth the trip for a nice, quiet relaxation. It is a 28-acre estate overlooking the Hudson River. The estate has two houses and a botanical garden, but much, much smaller than Brooklyn or other major botanical gardens. They have a small parking lot which can get full quickly. They do have offsite parking lot with free shuttle as well. My favorite part of this estate is the walking trail that goes almost all the way around the estate. If you look at the trail on their map, it looks like such a long walk, but it really isn't. Whoever designed the map was some kind of genius... The estate looks 10 times bigger that it really is on the map. Kind of funny... They have Café at Wave Hill inside the main house. They offer baked goods, salads, sandwiches, etc. You can go to the ordering counter where friendly staffs will take your order. After you get your food, you can sit wherever you like. We had a special, seasonal, off-the-menu, almost secret item. It is their quite impressive Afternoon Tea! It is offered during limited seasons, and you have to pre-reserve and pre-pay for the tea. We actually upgraded our Afternoon Tea to High Tea which adds sparkling wine along with strawberries and cream. It was a wonderful high tea experience, felt like a royalty enjoying the tea, sandwiches, desserts and champagne in "our" castle terrace somewhere. Our server, Charleen was simply amazing! She certainly elevated our fancy High Tea to the next level, thank you! So, next time you are feeling like escaping the concrete jungle, or just want to go chill out in a beautiful green space, or have a great afternoon tea in the nature, you know where to go! read more

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Overlooking the Hudson River, this is a garden located in the Bronx where you can either relax in the quiet/tranquility or walk around in the trails among the greenery My parents and I came on early on a weekend, so parking was very easy (in fact, we parked right behind the shuttle buses in front of the main entrance). As we entered, we had to pay a fee. It's normally $8, but I got a discount by flashing my student ID (thank goodness, I always carry my ID card around). Then, we got a map and went along our merry way. After we entered, we just started walking around exploring everything that it had to offer (greenhouses, walking trails, small estates with mini-exhibits, even the small cafe outdoor eating area). At first, the area seemed so grand, but it ended up feeling smaller than I expected. It's definitely not as big as the botanical garden, but it is a decently sized garden to explore (28 acres, to be exact). In the end, we ended up spending a good 2-3hrs. Time flew by. It felt very peaceful and it was a nice getaway overall. Definitely a hidden gem in NYC. read more

Wave Hill is a peaceful meditative gorgoues oasis in the Riverdale Bronx that you can easily drive/ take public transport to. It is a 28 acre estate with botanical gardens, greenhouses, hiking trails and beautiful view of the Hudson river and towering cliffs. Wave Hill was owned by a series of notable people. The last family to own it was Perkins, partner to J.P Morgan, who then gifted Wave Hill to New York City. Admission is free before noon on Saturday. We went Saturday morning. It was an easy commute from the City. An express takes you there from midtown East in half an hour (without traffic). When you get there, take a right from the ticketing booth. You are greeted with a gorgeous vista. There is a panorama of Hudson valley, a pavilion covered with blooming flowers and leaves. There is a greenhouse to your right. In front of that greenhouse is a garden of fragrant flowers and beautiful monarch butterflies feeding. Just a garden filled with monarch butterflies feasting on nectar. My favorites were the garden of butterflies, the aquatic garden, the greenhouse of bonsais and the view! It seems like a magical peaceful place. The aquatic garden had blooming water lilies and shimmering fish in the pond. The greenhouse of bonsais were filled with miniature plants, flowers and trees. It was so meditative just to look and appreciate the garden. People were taking pictures, and taking in the art from the Glyndor gallery. I loved my visit there! I can't wait to go back! read more

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Lovely experience here and pretty delicious food! For a park cafe, I am impressed. I hope we can come back to this hidden gem of a park.

Wow, I visited this beautiful garden after deciding to take advantage of our wonderful parks in the city and I was in awe. Its a huge park with different gardens and admirable views. I came on a day that it was free before noon on a weekday. There was a parking area but I thankfully found parking on the street. I was shocked because the sidewalks are real narrow. I've never been in this area of the Bronx and the views of the mansion like houses were cool to check out on your way to the garden. The garden wasnt crowded and I was able to walk around and enjoy the gorgeous greenery and flowers in peace. It was a beautiful sunny day and very quiet. The grounds were well maintained and truly picturesque. This garden is a photographers dream with unlimited photo opportunities. I saw a tour and the guide seemed to be explaining the different flowers and plants which isn't my cup of tea but it's an option for those interested. As that time went on, the garden started to get more crowded but still not packed. The views of the Hudson are therapeutic and relaxing. There was a small cafe that served beverages, pastries and light lunch items. There was outdoor seating and tables to enjoy your purchases. This is another one of NYC hidden gems that you should check out. read more

Great Performances does a first rate job with a quality variety of sandwiches and salads at fair prices.

The atmosphere of this beautiful garden is spectacular. Plush green grass and and super Old trees . Awesome scenic views . Great place to walk and hike . The downside was the cafe. It was a grab and go type of place . Very generic ., plain and basic options . The cappuccino was decent but nothing to write home about . The cafe was very disappointing. For a place like that you would expect better options and a more individual experience read more

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. read more

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Visited again years later and love it just as much as before. I used the Culture Pass via the New York Public Library which grants the cardholder free admission with up to 4 people. Lots to see with excellent views of the HUdson. Cafe was nice (pricey but that's expected) and had both indoor and outdoor tables to eat at. Keep in mind that there is limited parking in the garden itself which costs $8 to park. As an alternative (and also when the lot is filled) you can drive a few minutes away to a school parking lot and park there for free. A shuttle van will come get you and bring you to the garden and will also take you back after. Instead of waiting for the shuttle, you can walk the distance in about 10 minutes. Overall a great experience here. Lots to see here, especially in the summer once the plants and flowered have bloomed. read more

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It seems like wherever you go, New York is all city, all the time. With the city blocks growing more and more numerous, even as you leave Manhattan and head into the Bronx, its nice to have a tiny pocket of green space left to breathe and reflect. Adding to the list of reasons to visit the Bronx (including the Yankees and NY Botanical Gardens), Wave Hill takes the concept of a tiny spot of green and blows it to New York proportions. Walking into the main garden, you're faced with a stunning vista of the Hudson and the Palisades cliffs. Throughout the entire garden, wonderful trees and plants are in constant state of bloom throughout the spring and summer. As the calendar turns to autumn, the trees explode in a spectacle of color and change. Even in the winter, as the leaves fall from the trees and the ground is covered in a fresh coat of snow, a pristine glory in the chilled months. Throughout the gardens, a sense of peace and calm permeates, allowing for all the stresses and concerns of the moment to fade away into the true insignificances they are. In addition to the magnificent natural surroundings, the gardens were also a historical landmark, being home to Mark Twain, Theodore Roosevelt, and George Perkins (a partner of the banker JP Morgan). read more

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There's a few things that I love about Riverdale - it sits at the end of a long-ish subway ride from Times Square (there is no express service north of 96th unless you hop on the A and transfer up at 168th, which would actually cost you more time overall), and its neighborhood entry is denoted by an area that is...shall we say "roughscrabble" (225th is technically in Marble Hill (Manhattan), and between 225 and 231 there is a large NYCHA Housing Project on both sides of Broadway), and you really need to hop on the Bx7 or Bx10 to "climb the hill", so to speak (a chunk of southwest Riverdale between Ewen park and West 236rd is situated behind a retaining wall on one side of Riverdale Avenue) as the terrain climbs (this is geologically congruent to the Hudson Palisades on the other side of the river). Due to its past as the refuge for the blue blood prosperous of New York (much like Forest Hills Gardens), it retained most of the character of an isolated, almost suburban area. The streets north of, say, 240th are not the straight and logical grid pattern but are rather meandering paths, often lacking sidewalks and would dead-end or terminate on a private street leading to someone's front yard. So what does that have to do with Wave Hill? Well, I like to compare it to Fort Tyron Park/The Cloisters. The Cloisters sit about 40 blocks south in Washington Heights and is directly serviced by the A train at Dyckman street (with a 3 block walk) or the M4 bus. Wave Hill requires you to hop on the Bx7/Bx10 bus after you get off the 1 train at 231 street, hop off at West 252nd and then backtrack through 3 blocks (with no sidewalks) to its front gate. If you are one of those New Yorkers who use the words "Uber" and "Postmates" with alarming frequency, this one might be a bridge too far for you. But for those who has the dedication to tough it out (or are saavy enough to figure out the shuttle bus schedule), well, the payoff is definitely there in spades. For one, check out the large lots and stately houses (not McMansions). For a textbook definition of faded glory, check out the large mansion-like house on Bingham and West 252nd. Due to the relative difficulty in getting here, most selfie stick toting daytrip tourists (you know, the ones who were never taught the concept of conversational volume) won't make it out here. Due to its layout, your exposure to the selfie stick wielders are not too bad, either. There are only so much on offer for duck-face Instagram addicts. Third, the entire conservancy was designed for chilling out. Grab a sun chair and just look at that landscaped expanse. Gander at the late 19th century/early 20th century architecture, its interplay with nature and the overall subtle display of wealth. Every time I was dragged to the cloisters I try not to break into my Monty Python and the Holy Grail quotes to make fun of the anachronistic medieval theme. i would grab a pair of coconuts, knock them about while clamoring to the locals to bring out their dead. In short, I am not really a fan of the cloisters. Too contrived. Too unoriginal. Too silly. Okay, but I digress. Why Wave Hill? Because it's the 5 boroughs equivalent to the Sands Point Preserve, a parcel of property donated to the local municipality when the inheritors realize that they would rather have a tax writeoff rather than a hefty assessment, plus it's now someone else's problem. It's a beautifully landscaped bit of land with some marvelous shrubbery, ornamentals and trees. There are 2 stately houses in the property that contains art galleries, and there are restrooms and water fountains for those who are "getting on a bit". There are greenhouses and fountains, and all are landscaped to take you out of the area - It's far enough to take you off the hustle and bustle of modern city life (if you look south the GWB is clearly visible, and the Metro North Hudson line runs right under the preserve), but not so far that you start getting withdrawals. I defer to the National Parks system when I really want to get out of town, but for those short bursts (combined with a decent sandwich afterwards at Liebmann's on 236th), it's a great little outting. read more

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Was decent, mocha was alright, nice ambiance and quick food for sure. Lot of space to eat and good view.

Food is fresh and tasty in a lovely environment. I miss going there and also meditating after having a nice meal.

PEACEFUL, OM, MEDITATION, CAFE, TEA, NATURE, GORGEOUS VIEW. You cannot absolutely go wrong with it's priceless area in RIVERDALE to come and enjoy your own solitude and enjoy the sanity on EARTH. Fresh air, birds tweeting, bugs invading your skin and coffee. Kids pleasantly screaming for joy with loudly calling their parents. Old Folks just valuing the quality of life before they croak, and young adults looking for a peace of harmony and photographing what's just insanely beautiful. Whether you come here alone or not; your soul isn't really alone, it's filled with the scent of the trees and grass with beautiful mix of flowers around - clear oxygen! You can even walk barefooted to connect with earth itself! Mindfulness, ease, relaxing, inviting, purity of thyself within love. Sharing, smiling and indeed a pleasant journey to write about. -LH read more

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Really loved this place! It's right by the Botanical Gardens, so you can hit both in the same day and then get great Italian food on Arthur Avenue afterwards. Even though we went on a weekend, it was much less crowded then the Botanical Gardens, and we were able to roam around without being packed in all sides by people. The views are nice, not spectacular, but amazing if you live in the city. There are multiple green houses, gazebos, herb gardens, interesting flowers. There's also a cafe with pretty decent menu options, and a cute gift shop. The paid parking lot was full, so we went to the overflow parking lot which ended up being free. They have a shuttle that takes you from that parking lot to the gardens, but it's really not needed, it's less then a 10 minute walk. And the surrounding neighborhood.is beautiful to wander through too, with big, whimsical homes on hill streets with tall trees. It's a great escape from the city. read more

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Beautiful garden. 1) This is one of the best botanical garden in NYC. 2) The view of the Palisades from here is just unreal. 3) The garden is very well kept and pretty. read more

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It's quite beautiful here. A very nice estate with multiple buildings and gardens. It's perfect for an idle afternoon. It's very easy to get to from Manhattan too. Take the Metro North for about 20 minutes into the Bronx. There is a free shuttle from the train stop to the entrance. Alternatively, the subway and buses can take you there too. The grounds is nice. Entrance fees are pretty cheap, and there is a student discount. In any case, there is a very interesting art gallery in one of the houses, a nice dining area/cafe in another. There are some indoor and outdoor gardens around the premises, as well as an overlook with a view to the Hudson River. Small paths are along the periphery and are worth exploring. I would plan on spending about 1-2 hours here if you're in a hurry, but plenty of people spend an entire afternoon here, reading and snacking. read more

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Gorgeous and peaceful. Perfect place to read, write, meditate or even a game of hide seek! The views are breathtaking, you have to go and experience it for yourself. Read the full post at Bloggerfromthebronx.com read more

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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. Yelp 100 Challenge - 54 of 100 read more

What is best about it is the price. It is $8.oo for adults and have free days sponsored by Target. Saturdays Free 9am to noon year-round Tuesdays Free all day November-April, July, August Free 9am to noon May, June, September, October There are dance concerts and other performances performed here. One of my favorite pictures of me and my husband together was taken here. Theodore Roosevelt and Mark Twain both summered here at one time. A peak into how the wealthy of New York live. It seems to be especially popular with transplants who feel cramped in the city. read more

The Cafe at Wave Hill - Venues & Event Spaces Near Me - Bronx, New York

Wave Hill has proven itself to be detrimental to my job search... When I was laid off in June, I decided to become a member of Wave Hill. It's about a 10 minute walk from my apartment, and I figured it'd be a tranquil place to relax, read, get some sun, take in the views of the Hudson and the Palisades, feel at peace with myself in this hidden garden oasis.... I was TOO right. I love Wave Hill. Whether you're a newbie and you are there to see it all for the first time, or an old pro and you're there to find a private spot and read/relax - it's pretty special. I took an out-of-town friend here and she couldn't believe we were in the city, much less The Bronx. She fell in love with it too and asks to come back when she visits. There is a greenhouse, various gardens, a peaceful garden pond with happy fish, winding nature trails, the historic Wave Hill House where Mark Twain lived for a spell, a small art gallery, tours, lots of nooks and crannies to explore. I still haven't found a job. I should spend more time in front of my lap top looking and less time day dreaming at Wave Hill. Sometimes I daydream that I'll find a job AT Wave Hill. If only.... read more

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I live at the end of Brooklyn (well close to it) and I took the train all the way to the last stop in the Bronx to meet up with some friends for a picnic recently. Luckily I read the information on their website that they provide free shuttle to and from Wave Hill. Awesome! After about 2 hours I finally made it to this really beautiful garden. I had fun at the picnic and met some new faces. After the picnic we all went to explore the garden. Went through some "hidden" trails, which reminded me of hiking and it was pretty neat. Saw many different kinds of flowers along the way and a frog, which made this garden exploration even more beautiful. While we were venturing, there was a wedding happening that very evening. I think it's a really beautiful place to have a wedding, especially during sunset. It's also pretty neat to come here and read a book and relax, if only it was not 2 hour train ride away. And for those of you who enjoys taking pictures, this is a pretty neat place for some great photo ops. Note: Remember the shuttle leaves pretty much on the dot. I missed my shuttle by 5 minutes when I was leaving and walked a pretty long distance (not that I mind walking) to the nearest public transportation. read more

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If you are in any way a loner, a misanthrope, or anti-social, please do the following: visit Wave Hill on a chilly weekday morning. Your little solitude loving heart will thank you for it. On my visit, the only people to be seen were staff. I got to walk around in utter and total peace and quiet. I drank my tea on a bench by the aquatic garden and read a book in one of their many lawn chairs. If you are coming here by train, exit the station and stand right in front of the Burger King to wait for the shuttle. There is no sign indicating the stop, but the Wave Hill shuttles stop right there at 10 past the hour. Go now. It's an oasis of calm, and if you time it right, you can indulge your need for solitude. read more

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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. read more

Wave Hill affords a serene oasis for quiet contemplation, reading, and enjoying art and nature. Free tours of the grounds by guides well versed in plant life and history are available, and special events include art and writing workshops, music, and cooking demonstrations. The flower gardens offer rare species and a motley visual delight. Secluded spots among the flowers or nestled in the hills, where the sounds of the city are absent, abound. The art gallery, housed in a 1927 Georgian Revival mansion exhibits contemporary art inspired by nature; past exhibits have included visual renderings of the works of Emily Dickenson and Henry David Thoreau. The next time you want a respite from the crowds, congestion, and concrete, you need not leave the city to revel in greens, blues, purple stars, and yellow buds; just head to the Bronx. read more

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. read more

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Wave Hill is beautiful and well maintained. It's much smaller than the Bronx Bontanical Garden. You can walk it in about an hour or spend an entire day examining each flower and plant. If you're interested in art or photography, this place is great for that. It's also nice to come and just relax away from the city. Getting there is a bit of a pain though. If you have a car, drive. I took the 1 train up (to the last stop) and found a private car and cabbed it there (about 5-10 minutes away). There is a shuttle, but it runs only once per hour. On Saturdays, from 9AM - noon, the admission is free. read more

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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 249th 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. read more

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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 cafe 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 cafe, 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 50th 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! read more

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