Boroughs & Brood.
The Brood List, number 14 of 40

Wander the gardens and Hudson views at Wave Hill

A public garden above the Hudson in the Bronx. Riverdale, The Bronx.

The BronxLesser knownUnder $25All ages
By DanUpdated Lesser known
Gardens and a view over the Hudson River at Wave Hill
Photo: Wave Hill - 20220616 - 01 - entrance and gatehouse by Andre Carrotflower, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

The short answer

Wave Hill is a public garden and cultural center in Riverdale, in the northwest Bronx, above the Hudson River. It is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5:30pm (closed Mondays, last entry 30 minutes before closing), with flower gardens, an alpine house, greenhouses and a conservatory.

Your tick list

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What it is like

Admission is $10 for adults, $6 for students and seniors 65 and over, and $4 for children 6 and older. Admission is free on Thursdays all day (not for organized groups). I did not see a clear line for younger children on the price list I read, so confirm before you go. There is a Café and a Shop, both open 10:30am to 4:30pm.

Getting there without a car is where Wave Hill wins or loses you. A free shuttle runs Thursday to Sunday, hourly, from Metro-North's Riverdale station, from the 1 train at Van Cortlandt Park-242 St (pickup at Burger King at W. 242nd Street), and from the Riverdale Park parking lot. Otherwise the walk from Riverdale station is about 15 minutes and uphill, and the BX7 and BX10 stop at 252nd Street and the Henry Hudson Parkway, a six-minute walk away.

I could not verify its family programs or stroller facilities from the pages I read, so check the Wave Hill calendar before you go. On a clear day it is a quiet, green place above the river, which is not something you can say about many places in the city.

Best time to go

Thursday if you want free entry; weekday mornings otherwise.

Tips before you go

  • Go on a Thursday for free admission.
  • Use the free shuttle from the 1 train or Metro-North; it runs Thursday to Sunday.
  • Parking is $10 for members and $13 for non-members.
  • Check the program calendar for family events.

Where it is

4900 Independence Ave, Bronx, NY 10471. OpenStreetMap ↗ · Directions ↗

What's on here

From The New York Almanac, the next 60 days.

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Questions people ask

Is Wave Hill free?

Admission is free on Thursdays all day (not for organized groups). Otherwise adults pay $10, students and seniors $6 and children 6 and older $4.

How do you get to Wave Hill without a car?

A free shuttle runs Thursday to Sunday from Metro-North's Riverdale station, the 1 train at 242nd Street and the Riverdale Park lot.

What are Wave Hill's hours?

Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5:30pm, closed Mondays, with last entry 30 minutes before closing.

Which subway stop is nearest?

1 to Van Cortlandt Park-242 St (not listed as accessible), then the Wave Hill shuttle (Thursday to Sunday, hourly) or a bus. Check elevator status.

Can you take a stroller?

The route from Riverdale station is uphill; I did not verify stroller policy, so check before you go.

How long do you need?

2 to 3 hours.

Sources

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