Have you visited Wave Hill in Riverdale? The idyllic landscape hugs the Hudson River and provides magnificent vistas of the river and the Palisades as Henry Hudson had seen it in 1609.
Wave Hill was built as a country home in 1843. Owned by many illustrious owners and dwellers in the years that followed, Theodore Roosevelt’s family once rented Wave Hill during the summer of 1870 and 1871, when Theodore was 12 and 13 years old. Mark Twain leased the estate from 1901 to 1903. Of winters at Wave Hill, Twain wrote: “I believe we have the noblest roaring blasts here I have ever known on land. They sing their hoarse song through the big tree-tops with a splendid energy that thrills me and stirs me and uplifts me and makes me want to live always.” Another noted occupant was Conductor Arturo Toscanini, who lived at Wave Hill from 1942 to 1945.
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In 1960, the Perkins-Freeman family deeded the estate, twenty-eight acres of gardens and grounds, to the City of New York. Today, Wave Hill is renowned as a public garden and cultural center, offering programs in Horticulture, Environmental Education, Woodland Ecology, and outstanding concerts ranging from classical music to modern salsa.
You will not want to miss the Conservatory that shelters tender plants from around the world; the Wild Gardens, the Dry and Herb Gardens, the Aquatic and Monocot Gardens where water lilies and lotus ornament the garden pool.
Wave Hill is Bronx’s own verdant haven with exotic outdoor and indoor flora to be admired. Plan your visit to Wave Hill to enjoy everything from bat walks, afternoon yoga, Family Art Project, Sunset Wednesdays, a seasonal lecture, or just to relax in a specially designed deck chair, sunning, reading, absorbing the beauty of your surroundings.
A family with toddlers adds charm to the scene. Friends gather at the Pergola that frames spectacular views of the Hudson River and the Palisades. In any given season, Wave Hill becomes something of a 19th century country scene from one of Monet’s impressionist paintings. And when you are there, it is simply fascinating to watch the day in bloom.
Be sure to stop by the Wave Hill Café (T-Su, 10-4PM) for a sandwich of smashed avocado, farm fresh egg and radish on seven grain bread, or opt for their Afternoon Tea (reservations required) for warm drinks and savory baked goods. Before leaving, peruse the gift shop that will enhance your visit with a range of goodies; hand-made jewelry, boutiquey accessories (silk scarves, bags, frames) and of course, garden books. Wave Hill is indeed an oasis of serenity, a treasure to be explored and enjoyed again and again. Come visit, James.
How to get there: Take the Hudson Line local train originating at Grand Central Station to Riverdale. Wave Hill is a safe and lovely – although steep – 15-minute uphill walk from the station. Walk up 254th Street; turn right onto Independence Avenue and continue two long blocks to the Wave Hill Main Gate at 249th Street. For free shuttle information during April – October months, and for other public transportation routes, go to wavehill.org (West 249th St. and Independence Ave., 718.549.3200)
Photo by Joshua Bright, Shinya Suzuki, and Wave Hill Gardens
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram