Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center — Attraction in New York

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...

Shuttle confusion. I’m from out of town, so more precise directions of where the shuttle pick up location is and/or a map location would have been helpful. As you exit the 242 Van Cortland subway station walk north about a block to the Burger King on Broadway and Manhattan College Way, NOT 242 St. I called and got the impression shuttle stopped in the parking lot, and since there are parking lots on both sides the Burger King, and it was hot, I sat in the shade behind the building so I could see both parking lots. Turns out the shuttle stops in front of Burger King, on Broadway. So I missed it and had to take an Uber for $12.00. Once there, I’d give the gardens 4 stars. I thought the site map was vague too - no distances, and I would have like more plant ID tags. Interesting art, some beautiful gardens, an interesting variety in the green house. Some amazing trees and lovely vistas of the Hudson River. Many places to sit. The “visitor center” is basically the gift shop, with a desk that had no staff, to answer questions, and bathrooms. Nice gift shop. Wish there was more history about the site. Perhaps there is on a tour, but I am not a tour person. When it was time to leave, again, no signage for the shuttle so I had to ask. Shuttle was a very posh black Mercedes Sprinter van with a small Wave Hill sign in the front window. All said, I’m glad I went. I remember Martha Stewart doing segments or magazine articles there way back in the 1990s when I was learning about gardening. I grew up in Brooklyn and had no idea it existed or that Riverdale was such a fancy neighborhood. It’s inspiration to take home to the...

Our team was hired to provide photography and videography services for Chris and Fran's Proposal and Engagement at Wave Hill and it exceeded our expectations!

As a creative production company, we at Saints Vision are perpetually on the hunt for locations that not only inspire creativity but also effortlessly mesh with the high demands of professional photography and videography. Wave Hill Public Garden & Cultural Center is such a place—an absolute treasure in New York. Our experience at Wave Hill was nothing short of phenomenal. The lush landscapes and panoramic views provided a breathtaking backdrop for our shoot, which was further enhanced by the tranquil and well-maintained surroundings.

The staff at Wave Hill were accommodating and profoundly aware of our needs, making our logistic planning smoother than ever. Their professionalism and warmth added a layer of comfort that is often rare in such settings. This location offers a variety of picturesque spots that are perfect for any event, be it an engagement, wedding, corporate gathering, or a creative project.

For those seeking a blend of natural beauty and cultural sophistication, Wave Hill is unmatched. We recommend it highly for anyone looking for a venue that brings out the best in their event—guaranteed to impress guests and provide an unforgettable experience.

It was such an honor to work at a venue as great at Wave Hill, if you're looking for a Photographer or Videographer for your next event at Wave Hill, let us work together to bring your...