Wave Hill: A Hidden Gem in NYC
I always love finding new hidden gems in New York City, which is why I have to tell you about Wave Hill. Despite being from New York, I had never actually heard of this place until fairly recently.
Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center is a unique destination that will make you feel like you’ve been transported far away from the hustle and bustle of NYC, although you actually haven’t left it!
This beautiful garden is tucked away in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx. It’s located on a historic 28-acre estate that overlooks the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades across the water.
As a native New Yorker, I’m constantly discovering new spots in the city — and Wave Hill is one of them. I had never even heard of this place before, but once it was on my radar, I knew I had to visit. The photos of this place looked so beautiful, and it did not disappoint on the sunny August day I visited.
If you’re looking for a hidden gem in NYC, this is a great destination to check out. It’s the perfect place to escape the concrete jungle for a few hours and feel like you’ve been completely transported elsewhere.
I recommend visiting if you live in New York and want to discover a new place in the city, or if you’re visiting and have already done all the typical tourist activities, and you want to get off the beaten path.
History of Wave Hill
Before I get into the logistics of visiting Wave Hill, let’s talk about its interesting history.
This estate dates back to the 19th century. Wave Hill House was constructed in 1843 by a wealthy lawyer. Various prominent people owned, rented, or stayed at Wave Hill over the following century.
Theodore Roosevelt’s family rented Wave Hill for two summers in 1870 and 1871, while Mark Twain lived here from 1901 to 1903. The estate was purchased by George Perkins, a wealthy New York businessman, in 1903. He also purchased some of the adjacent property, expanding Wave Hill further.
In 1960, his family gave the property to the City of New York. Wave Hill opened to the public in 1965, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. It now receives 150,000 visitors per year.
With its location in a residential area right along the Hudson River, it feels like an oasis in NYC.
Best Things to Do: My Top Picks
Wave Hill spans 28 acres, and you can cover pretty much everything in a couple of hours. I’d recommend at least two hours for your visit, although you can easily spend more time here, especially if you decide to eat lunch at the cafe or spend some time relaxing and taking in the tranquil scenery and views.
There are a few main buildings at Wave Hill. The Glyndor Gallery features an art gallery and a picnic area. The Perkins Visitor Center & Shop is where you can find info about Wave Hill or browse the artisan wares of the shop. And Wave Hill House is where you’ll find the cafe and a lovely outdoor terrace area.
(I personally packed a picnic lunch when I visited, but after I saw the cafe at Wave Hill House, I kind of wished I hadn’t. The food at the cafe looked delicious, and it wasn’t priced unreasonably either.)
There are also many beautiful garden areas to check out, including the Flower Garden, the Herb Garden, the Conservatory (a greenhouse), the Aquatic Garden, and the Wild Garden.
The Pergola Overlook is where you’ll find the best view overlooking the Hudson River and the New Jersey Palisades. There are also various walking paths through the woods on the grounds.
There are also various events that take place at Wave Hill that are free with your admission, including guided walks through the gardens, lectures at the art gallery, and family craft projects.
Important Info to Know Before You Go
Wave Hill is open every day of the week except Monday from 10 AM until 5:30 PM. Some of the buildings on the garden grounds (like the visitor center, shop, and cafe) close one hour earlier at 4:30 PM.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors aged 65 and older, and $4 for children aged 6 and older (children under the age of 6 are free.) Admission is free for everyone on Thursdays.
Sometimes special events can affect opening hours and admission, so double-check before you go.
For visitors with mobility challenges, there are Mobility Assistance Vehicles (golf-carts) on the property, and the staff can take you around most of the grounds so you don’t have to walk as much.
How to Get There: My Top Tips
There are several convenient ways you can get to Wave Hill. It’s a bit of a trek if you’re coming from Manhattan, and even longer from other boroughs, but I think it’s worth the effort to get here.
If you’re coming from Manhattan, I recommend taking the bus. Both the BxM1 and BxM2 buses run from Manhattan and stop very close to Wave Hill. The exact stop you’ll get off at is 252nd Street and Henry Hudson Parkway, and from there it’s about an eight-minute walk to the entrance.
These are both express buses, so the fare I paid was $7.25 each way.
Another option is taking the Metro-North train from Grand Central Station in Manhattan on the Hudson line, getting off at Riverdale Station. This takes 30 minutes, and then it’s a 15-minute walk to the entrance.
A day pass for the train is $14.50 and can be bought online.
You can also take the subway to Wave Hill, although it’s not quite as direct. You can take the 1 train to its last stop, Van Cortlandt Park/West 242nd Street, but you’re still about 1.5 miles from Wave Hill. From Thursday to Sunday, there’s a free shuttle from the subway station that runs every hour to Wave Hill.
The subway costs $3 per ride. This is the cheapest option for getting to Wave Hill.
Pro tip: You can tap to pay on NYC buses and the subway. As long as you have a contactless payment card, you can just tap it when you board the bus or at the subway turnstile, and you’re good to go.
If you have a car, you can also drive to Wave Hill. Parking is available onsite for $13.
Should You Visit Wave Hill?
Wave Hill is a unique hidden gem in NYC that will make you forget you’re even in the city.
I definitely think it’s worth visiting if you’re looking for an excursion away from the hustle and bustle of NYC. I’d recommend spending at least two hours at Wave Hill, although you could easily spend more time.
The cafe looked like a great spot to grab lunch, with a variety of fresh and tasty-looking sandwiches, soups, salads, and baked goods. There are also many places on the grounds where you can sit in comfy Adirondack chairs and read a book or just sit quietly enjoying the sights and sounds of nature around you.
Enjoy your visit to Wave Hill!
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