Holiday Day Trips: Take a Break from the Stress of the Holidays

The year-end holidays are intensely joyous — but often equally stressful.

To help take a break from the stress, Wave Hill in Riverdale has programs at its nearby campus to help put your focus back on the joy of the holidays.

New this December at Wave Hill is a series of four meditation mornings, set in the sun-filled southern end of its Glyndor Gallery. This elegant Georgian space, once the private home of the Perkins family, is otherwise closed in December, making for a wonderfully quiet haven for meditation. Pair a session there with a restorative stroll through the winter gardens and a festive Family Art Project.

A 28-acre public garden and cultural center overlooking the Hudson River and Palisades, Wave Hill’s mission is to celebrate the artistry and legacy of its gardens and landscape, to preserve its magnificent views, and to explore human connections to the natural world through programs in horticulture, education and the arts.

FRI, DECEMBER 14    MEDITATION AT WAVE HILL: A HOLIDAY RESPITE

During this busy holiday season, take a moment to release stress, breathe and reconnect with your inner self. Whether sitting on the floor or a chair, learn simple meditation techniques, training your mind to be more focused and aware. Each session includes instruction in simple techniques like watching the breath, mantra repetition, and awareness-training followed by 20 minutes of meditation. Led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and instructor and long-time meditator Lea Tenneriello. $15 Member/$23 Non-member. All levels welcomed. Registration recommended, online at www.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. Continues December 15, 21 and 22.

GLYNDOR HOUSE, 10‒11:15AM

SAT, DECEMBER 15    FAMILY ART PROJECT—SPARKLE AND SHINE

Sparkle and Shine/Brillo y luz

Visiting artist Esperanza Cortes helps us ornament soft, fragrant pine boughs with shiny foil, glittery beads and natural objects, like cones, dried herbs and spices. Tie up a small sachet to create your own glowing, deliciously scented decoration. Free, and admission to the grounds is free until noon.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SAT, DECEMBER 15    MEDITATION AT WAVE HILL: A HOLIDAY RESPITE

During this busy holiday season, take a moment to release stress, breathe and reconnect with your inner self. Whether sitting on the floor or a chair, learn simple meditation techniques, training your mind to be more focused and aware. Each session includes instruction in simple techniques like watching the breath, mantra repetition, and awareness-training followed by 20 minutes of meditation. Led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and instructor and long-time meditator Lea Tenneriello. $15 Member/$23 Non-member. All levels welcomed. Registration recommended, online atwww.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. Continues December 21 and 22.

GLYNDOR HOUSE, 10‒11:15AM 

SUN, DECEMBER 16    FAMILY ART PROJECT—SPARKLE AND SHINE

Sparkle and Shine/Brillo y luz

Visiting artist Esperanza Cortes helps us ornament soft, fragrant pine boughs with shiny foil, glittery beads and natural objects, like cones, dried herbs and spices. Tie up a small sachet to create your own glowing, deliciously scented decoration. Free with admission to the grounds.

ECOLOGY BUILDING, 10AM‒1PM

SUN, DECEMBER 16    GARDEN AND CONSERVATORY HIGHLIGHTS WALK

An hour-long tour of seasonal garden highlights. Free with admission to the grounds.

MEET AT PERKINS VISITOR CENTER, 2PM

MON, DECEMBER 17

Closed to the public.

FRI, DECEMBER 21    MEDITATION AT WAVE HILL: A HOLIDAY RESPITE

During this busy holiday season, take a moment to release stress, breathe and reconnect with your inner self. Whether sitting on the floor or a chair, learn simple meditation techniques, training your mind to be more focused and aware. Each session includes instruction in simple techniques like watching the breath, mantra repetition, and awareness-training followed by 20 minutes of meditation. Led by Yoga for Bliss director Neem Dewji and instructor and long-time meditator Lea Tenneriello. $15 Member/$23 Non-member. All levels welcomed. Registration recommended, online atwww.wavehill.org, by calling 718.549.3200 x305 or onsite at the Perkins Visitor Center. Drop-ins will be accommodated as space permits. This series concludes December 22.

GLYNDOR HOUSE, 10‒11:15AM 

HOURS  Open all year, Tuesday through Sunday and many major holidays: 9AM—4:30PM. Closes 5:30PM, March 15—October 31.  

ADMISSION  $8 adults, $4 students and seniors 65+, $2 children 6—18. Free Saturday mornings until noon. Free all day Tuesdays in December. Free to Wave Hill Members and children under 6. 

PROGRAM FEES  Program s are free with admission to the grounds unless otherwise noted.

Visitors to Wave Hill can take advantage of Metro-North’s one-day getaway offer. Purchase a discount round-trip rail far and discount admission to the gardens. More at http://mta.info/mnr/html/getaways/outbound_wavehill.htm

DIRECTIONS – Getting there is easy. Located only 30 minutes from midtown Manhattan, Wave Hill’s free shuttle van transports you to and from the front gate and Metro-North’s Riverdale station. Limited onsite parking is available for $8 per vehicle. Free offsite parking is available nearby with continuous, complimentary shuttle service to and from the offsite lot and the front gate. Directions and shuttle bus schedule at www.wavehill.org/visit/. 

Information at 718.549.3200. On the web at www.wavehill.org.