Almost everything worth doing on Labor Day Monday is loud and crowded. Wave Hill is neither, and it is only open because of the holiday, since the gardens close every other Monday of the year. Twenty-eight acres on a bluff over the Hudson, the Palisades filling the far bank, and a terrace cafe to sit with it. Ten dollars, forty minutes from Midtown.
What to expect
A quiet, unhurried few hours: gravel paths, benches sited for the river view, and gardens that peak in late-summer color. The Conservatory closes daily from 12pm to 1pm and Glyndor Gallery from 12pm to 12:30pm, so time those around lunch. The terrace cafe is the best place to sit with the Palisades in front of you.
Good to know
- Wave Hill is closed every other Monday of the year; this Labor Day opening is the exception.
- Last entry is 5pm, thirty minutes before the 5:30pm close.
- The Conservatory closes 12-1pm daily and Glyndor Gallery 12-12:30pm, so plan around midday.
- Metro-North Hudson line to Riverdale is the easier route; onsite parking is $13 for non-members.
Planning Sep 4–7, 2026 in NYC?
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Common questions
Is Wave Hill really open on a Monday?
Yes. NYC Parks lists a Labor Day opening from 10am to 5:30pm; the normal schedule is Tuesday through Sunday.
How much is admission?
$10 adults, $6 students and seniors 65+, $4 children 6 and up, free for members.
What is open inside?
Grounds 10am-5:30pm, Glyndor Gallery and Wave Hill House to 4:30pm, the Conservatory to 4pm, cafe and shop 10:30am-4:30pm.
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