Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
43-50 Main St., at Dahlia St., Flushing, Queens.
718/886-3800.
www.queensbotanical.org
. Nov-Mar Tues-Sun 8am-4:30pm; Apr-Oct
Tues-Sun 8am-6pm. Subway: 7 to Main St. Flushing.
Wave Hill
Some of the city's most gorgeous acreage can be found in Riverdale, in the Bronx, where Wave Hill's
breathtaking views take in the panorama of the Hudson and the Palisades. Thousands of plant species are spread
across the 28 acres here, originally the grounds of a private estate. The flora curious can educate themselves in
the carefully labeled herb and flower gardens. Horticultural, environmental, and forestry programs provide fur-
ther edification. Regular admission is $8, but the grounds are free from 9am to noon on Tuesdays (May-June
and Sept-Oct) and Saturdays. In the off-peak months (Nov-Apr, July, and Aug), it's free all day on Tuesday.
Free garden tours leave 2pm Sundays from the Perkins Visitor Center, and free gallery tours go Tuesdays and
Saturdays at 1pm at the Glyndor Gallery.
675 W. 252nd St., at Independence Ave., the Bronx.
718/549-3200.
www.wavehill.org
. Mid-Mar through Oct Tues-Sun 9am-5:30pm; Nov to
mid-Mar closes at 4:30pm. Subway: 1 to 242nd St., pick up the free Wave Hill shuttle. Metro North (
212/532-4900) from Grand Central to the
Riverdale station; from there, it's a pleasant 5-block walk to Wave Hill, or take the Wave Hill shuttle.
6 Zoo York
New York has plenty of fauna to go with its flora, though it isn't always cheap to check out. The minizoos in
the major Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan parks charge $8 to $12 and the Bronx Zoo asks for $16. Fortunately,
there are alternatives. The Bronx has a “pay what you wish” policy 1 day a week, and the city's parks are rich
with other opportunities for getting close to critters.
Bronx Zoo Wildlife Conservation Park
Yankee Stadium
isn't the only place in the Bronx where you can find thousands of animals running wild in their natural habit-
at. The Bronx Zoo is the largest city zoo in the country, and one of New York's greatest assets. Gibbons, snow
leopards, red pandas, Western lowland gorillas, okapi, and red river hogs are just a few of the famous residents.
With 265 acres to explore, it's easy to wander away a full day here. For summer visits, try to get here early or late,
as the midday heat often finds the animals sleepy in their enclosures. Admission is $16, but Wednesdays are on a
contribution basis (the suggested admission is the full price, but it's pay what you wish). Additional charges ($3
or so) will apply for some exhibits.
185th St. and Southern Blvd.
718/367-1010.
www.bronxzoo.com
.
Nov-Mar daily 10am-4:30pm (extended hours for Holiday Lights late Nov to
early Jan); Apr-Oct Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5:30pm. Subway: 2/5 to E. Tremont Ave./West Farms Sq., 2 to Pelham Pkwy. Also Metro
North to Fordham Rd. (then Bx9 bus) and the BxM11 express bus.
Free Birds
A dearth of rest stops on the Eastern Seaboard makes New York parks essential for avian travelers. For better
views of our most welcome tourists, visit three of our most accessible parks.
Dog Days Afternoons
Being trapped in small, dark apartments is just as hard on dogs as it is on us. Fortunately for dogs, they have a release
valve in the form of dog runs. The human and canine interactions make great free public theater. The
Tompkins Square
dog run, the city's first, is my favorite. Both the four-legged and two-legged regulars have a ton of character, and their friend-
ships and rivalries are fascinating to observe. Don't miss the creative costumes of the
Dog Run Halloween Parade,
a
20-year tradition held at noon on the Sunday before Halloween. Tompkins Sq. Park, btw. 7th and 10th sts. and aves. A and
B.
www.dogster.org
.
Subway: 6 to Astor Place; F to Second Ave.
Bryant Park
This green patch in the city's center attracts not only vegetation-craving wage slaves, but a
cross section of Northeast Seaboard birds.
Birding tours
cosponsored by the New York City Audubon Society
(
www.nycaudubon.org
)
begin at Heiskell Plaza, near the Sixth Avenue and 42nd Street entrance, Mondays from
