Wave Hill, in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, is a public garden and cultural center on the site of a 28 acre historic estate overlooking the Hudson River.
The Wave Hill House was constructed in 1843 and has had multiple owners and occupants, including Teddy Roosevelt’s family and Mark Twain. The property was given to the City of New York in 1960.
A visitor center, galleries, performance spaces, shop, cafe, and dining room now occupy the Wave Hill House and other estate buildings. The estate grounds have been transformed into a botanical garden.
The Wave Hill gardens cover 28 acres and include a flower garden, herb garden, aquatic garden, conifer slope, wild garden, alpine house, conservatory, and woodlands area.
The Wave Hill Cafe is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a menu that focuses on local and seasonal produce.
The Shop at Wave Hill sells a variety of items local artists and toys, plants, and food items that promote Wave Hill’s mission of connecting people with nature.
Admission to Wave Hill is free of charge from 9:00 a.m. to Noon on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
The regular admission fee during other times is $8 for adults, $4 for students and seniors (65+), and $2 for children ages 6+.
Please visit the Wave Hill website for details regarding admission and hours of operation.
Location
Wave Hill is located at West 249th Street and Independence Avenue in the Bronx.
If you are arriving by car, there is an onsite parking fee of $8 per vehicle. Free parking is available at an off-site lot and continuous, complimentary shuttle service between the parking lot and Wave Hill is available.
For those arriving by public transit, free shuttle service to Wave Hill is available from nearby train, subway, and bus stops.
You’ll find a complete set of directions at the Wave Hill website.
Holiday Train show at The New York Botanical Gardens
The New York Botanical Garden’s holiday train show is a well-loved NYC holiday tradition. This isn’t your average model train show. All the little buildings are replicas of NYC landmarks, and they’re all made out of plant materials. The level of detail they achieve is wonderful. The 2016 – 2017 dates for the train show are November 19, 2016 – January 16, 2017.
The buildings are arranged in settings with real plants. Model trains make their way through the display. It’s all set up in the Conservatory building, where it’s nice and warm (tip: dress in layers – it may be cold outside, but the conservatory is always warm).
This is a very popular event and it sells out. Tickets are timed and sold in 15 minute increments.
Weekend and Peak Day tickets are regularly $25 for adults, $22 for seniors, $22 for students with an ID, and $10 for children ages 2 – 12. It’s cheaper to go on a weekday when tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $18 for students with an ID, and $10 for children ages 2 – 12.
The popular Bar Car Nights also return this season, with special entertainment, activities, and treats for adults 21 and over. Groupon has discount tickets available for the Bar Car Nights
Discounts:
Goldstar has weekday adult tickets available for $16.00, but there’s a $3.00 service fee added that puts the final price up to $19. Regular full-price is $20, so you’ll save $1.
Groupon has discount tickets for the train show’s special Bar Car Nights, which are adults-only evenings that include entertainment and a cash bar. The Groupon tickets are $29 (regular full-price is $35). Bar Car Nights are November 19, 26, December 2, 3, 16, 17, 23, 30, and January 7 & 14.
Additional discount opportunities will be posted if they become available.
Holiday Train show at The New York Botanical Gardens
The New York Botanical Garden’s holiday train show is a well-loved NYC holiday tradition. This isn’t your average model train show. All the little buildings are replicas of NYC landmarks, and they’re all made out of plant materials. The level of detail they achieve is wonderful. The 2015 – 2016 dates for the train show are November 21, 2015 – January 18, 2016.
The buildings are arranged in settings with real plants. Model trains make their way through the display. It’s all set up in the Conservatory building, where it’s nice and warm (tip: dress in layers – it may be cold outside, but the conservatory is always warm).
Weekend and Peak Day tickets are regularly $30 for adults, $28 for seniors, $28 for students with an ID, and $18 for children ages 2 – 12. (Peak days are December 14 – January 1). It’s cheaper to go on a weekday when tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, $18 for students with an ID, and $10 for children ages 2 – 12.
In addition to the train show, there are concerts, poetry readings and other events and activities scheduled. The popular Box Car Nights also return this season, with special entertainment, activities, and treats for adults 21 and over.
LivingSocial has discount weekday tickets to the train show ($16 for adults and $8 for children) as well as discount tickets for Bar Car Nights ($29). See the offer details.
Additional discount opportunities will be posted if they become available.
This is a very popular event and it sells out. Tickets are timed and sold in 15 minute increments.