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North America, Travel
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April 17, 2010

Wave Hill: A Nature Haven Amidst The Concrete Jungle

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Recently, a darling friend invited me to join her on a little play date excursion to the Bronx.  I know you’re thinking, “Why the Bronx?”. But really, if you haven’t discovered all the Bronx has to offer, than you are truly missing out. Because among many things, it offers the serenity of the peaceful neighborhood of Riverdale, and within the Riverdale community is the amazing and breathtaking Wave Hill.

Wave Hill was once upon a time a private estate that is now a garden and cultural center open to the public.

With 28-acres of beautiful landscaped gardens, overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades, one feels as if they have left New York City entirely and gone somewhere far more serene. Wave Hill’s mission is “to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscapes, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts”. And after walking through the area and seeing all they have to offer, I can honestly say they are right on course.

My boys’ batteries were fully charged that day, and as is most cases with children when they find themselves with an abundance of open space, they ran. They ran far and fast, throwing themselves on the grass, rolling around like playful puppies who have been caged for a long time. At first I felt nervous, concerned that their playfulness would disrupt the “feel” of the place.

“I’m sorry my boys are so nutty!” I apologized.

“Wave Hill is one of the best outdoor spaces on earth to get nutty in,” responded Martha Gellens, Wave Hill’s Assistant Director for Marketing and Communications. Love her.

And so they did. And we enjoyed a light snack in the cafeteria, and admired the wonderful views, and took in the sun. I didn’t come with my 12 year old, as he was still in school, nor my husband, as he was still at work. But I can’t wait to.

There are no dogs allowed, which means no nasty surprises on the grass, and there are specific places where one can eat, which again helps maintain the area clean and green. But if you are looking to take in some rays, just sit out with the family or a friend…or even by yourself, while at the same time escaping the hustle and bustle of the city, then Wave Hill is definitely the spot to go to.

Check their Calendar of Events page for listings of events, activities, and other fun happenings at Wave Hill, including tours, garden walks, workshops, and a special Mother’s Day celebration.

Family Art Project Celebration at Wave Hill_credit Joshua Bright

Wave Hill Garden Walk_credit Dan Willner

My kids and I loved it, and we think you will too. There is tons to do for the entire family…and if you’d rather do nothing but layout on the grass, that’s fine too!

HOURS * ADMISSION * DIRECTIONS

Open all year, Tuesday–Sunday and many major holidays: 9am–5:30pm Closes 4:30pm, October 15–April 15. $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6–18 Free Tuesday, Saturday mornings until noon. Free to Members and children under 6. Getting here is easy!

Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transport you to and from our front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station, the West 242 Street stop on the #1 subway line, and to and from our free offsite parking lot. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Complete directions and shuttle bus schedule available at www.wavehill.org.

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Carol Cain

Brooklyn native Carol is happiest when on an adventure, whether close to home or farther away. She is a small business owner and travel writer. In addition to creating Girl Gone Travel, she is the Founder and Principal of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. She's mom to three wonderful sons and wife to a handsome Irish/Scot. She lives, works, and plays in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of NY.

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    January 5, 2011

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About me

Hi! I'm Carol! I am an award-winning travel blogger, a keynote speaker, and the Principal and owner of Brave World Media, a social media marketing, communications, and branding agency. I a wife to a handsome Irish/Scot and a mom to 3 sons. Welcome to my blog where I share stories of my travels and professional public relations insights and advice. Thank you for reading and for your support!

Carol Cain

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Follow @girlgonetravel

A message about yesterday’s event: Happy Monday A message about yesterday’s event:

Happy Monday, y’all. Woke up in time to enjoy the soft glow of sunlight that shines its way around our house in the morning, and sipped on a cafecito without being rushed for anything. So already today is a win. 

Yesterday we worked our longest day yet for our little coffee cart that could (7 hours!!!) at the Heritage Fiesta in Ithaca, NY. 

Though we were ready for a crowd, the reception was also unexpected because there was a popular coffee shop just steps away. 

But we had Cómodo Fam stop by, family (who also fed us 🙏🏾), and soooo many members of the Latinx and BIPOC community who were just excited to see a small business like ours representing. 

I want to share that we were ALL worried about potential harassment and assault by 🧊and fliers were handed out to prepare us. And you would think that it would’ve intimidated the community enough to not come out…BUT WE DID. In numbers. 

And for hours that little parking lot next to Press Bay Alley was packed with all sorts of Latinx and non-Latinx community members, eating, laughing, dancing, singing, and drinking all the cafecitos and refreshers we had to offer. Literally. We went home cleaned out!

All this to say that we are all aware of the threats but we also understand the power and importance of coming together as a community and a people. By no means are we all the same, and Lord knows a lot of Latinos have a lot of self-reflecting to do based on the choices they made, but yesterday was a testament to the best of us, and I thank @yenospina and @lcatompkins for putting together such a wonderful event, for inviting @cafecomodony to be a part of it, and to all the friends, old and new, who came out to support us and la cultura. 

#fingerlakes #newyork #cafecomodo #coffeelover
Finally taking a break to enjoy one of my favorite Finally taking a break to enjoy one of my favorite lazy day pastimes of the season: market shopping for fall goodies - which in the Finger Lakes is especially bountiful. 

📍Joseph’s Wayside Markey, Naples, NY

#fingerlakes #newyork #octobermood #fallday
Our neighbors are harvesting the grapes. The proce Our neighbors are harvesting the grapes. The process is busy and noisy but also exciting and fun to watch. 

This cloudy morning seems to have calmed things down a bit, but not for long I am sure. These families work hard!

Bonus: they set up roadside stands so we can purchase and taste them 🍇 I highly recommend picking some up if you see some in your drive. 

#fingerlakes #lifeinthecountry #newyork
The rain has been so good. More, please. ❤️ The rain has been so good. More, please. ❤️
I want to take moment to send out love to my fello I want to take moment to send out love to my fellow Latinx and immigrant community. 

To send strength to my community of glorious misfits who are out in the world making good trouble and emboldening us to not give up hope on our dreams, our livelihoods, our future, our country, our people. 

The country our parents worked so hard to get to so that we could fly. A country they helped build and bring to prosper. A country our communities help to feed and house and care for. 

I am my immigrant parents dream come true, and my children are a continuation of that dream. 

I just want to remind all of us who represent the targeted, of our worth. Of the value of our contributions. In our languages, our culture, our insights, our work ethic and skills and knowledge. Of the things we bring to the table.

I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, or to us. But, as someone whose family lived through a dictatorship, I have an idea of how this story will end. And all I can advise is that we remain on the right side of it, our convictions unaltered, our core values untethered. Our spirits unbroken. In these stories, the monsters might scare us, and even harm some of us, but they never, ever win in the end. 

I am living proof of that. ❤️ And every time you succeed and feel joy, you are too. Pa’lante, mi gente.
Signs of autumn 🍂 in the Finger Lakes. Signs of autumn 🍂 in the Finger Lakes.

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