Art, gorgeous flowers, a stunning waterfront view, and hands-on art projects seem to be a running theme in Curious G’s life. Wave Hill delivered all of these elements rolled into a relaxing Saturday when we visited last weekend. This 28-acre public garden and cultural center was on my hit list for the past two years, and every Saturday and Sunday from 10am – 1pm they host Family Art Project; so to Wave Hill we went! Luckily we made it there slightly before noon and did not have to pay admission (free admission is offered on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 9am- noon; otherwise adults are $8 and children over 5 are $4). They also provide free shuttle service from the Riverdale Metro-North station as well as the 242nd St station for the 1 train.
After checking in for the Family Art Project, which is held every weekend in the Wave Hill House, we learned that the project of the day was fish lanterns constructed of colorful paper bags and other assorted ornamental materials. After constructing the fish, we went to the finishing station where a staff member attached the fish to a stick of our choice with a colorful piece of yarn. Being the subversive rebel that she is, Curious G decided to make an octopus instead of a fish. We were very impressed with the array of fun art projects displayed throughout the art project room, as well as the wooden puppet theater in the adjacent room.
The Café is conveniently located in the Wave Hill house, so we grabbed lunch there and ate on the patio in the back.
After lunch, we walked over to the Conservatory, where we enjoyed the beauty of the tropical greenhouse and the fascinating variety in the cactus greenhouse. The flower garden outside of the conservatory was a prime spot for spotting butterflies among the greenery and bright pops of colorful blooms.
The Pergola, to us, is the centerpiece of Wave Hill. Gazing out at the beautiful view of the Hudson River was a marvelous experience in and of itself. Curious G also enjoyed weaving in and out of the path, spotting fuzzy bees, and studying the variety of leaves growing all around the pergola.
We ended our visit at the Glyndor Gallery and Sunroom Project Space, where works inspired by nature and environmental causes, are thoughtfully displayed.
Wave Hill will be a feast for the eyes when autumn’s golden colors start to appear. We would love to return for another Family Art Project and take some more time to stroll along the walking trails.
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