Outer Borough Experience - The Bronx, Part II

Yesterday I gave you a little insight into an area in The Bronx known as Arthur Avenue. If you're a foodie, definitely put it on your list of places to go.

Today we switch gears and talk about some culture going on in The Bronx. Culture and The Bronx in one sentence? Yes, it really does exist!

There's a hidden gem located right along the Hudson River in the Riverdale section of The Bronx known as Wave Hill.

What is Wave Hill you ask?

It's a lot of things to a lot of people.

If you're an artist, it's a place to go to paint and draw.

If you're a photographer, it's a place that has spectacular views and lots of opportunities to refine your nature photography.

If you're a soon-to-be bride, it's a perfect venue to have your wedding.

And, if you're a parent, it's a place that offers a fun, inexpensive cultural activity to do with your kids on the weekends. So versatile!

Quite a few weekends when we don't want to go too far, but we know we have to get the girls out of the apartment before they either

A - zone out from watching too much TV

B - fight over something as insignificant as empty toilet paper rolls ( I swear, I'm not kidding you)

or

C - make a giant mess of the place (which means more clean up for me - and that's just not going to happen!)

we ask "Who wants to go to Wave Hill?" Fortunately they answer with "we do!"

What's good about Wave Hill is we can all get something out of it.

The hubbs (he's an artist by the way) will either bring a sketchbook so he can draw,

or his easel so he can paint.

Ooooh! Nice job!

The girls get to participate in the Family Art Project - a different art workshop for kids held every weekend. My sister and her kids usually come with us so that makes it even more fun for everyone.

One weekend, the theme was water so they got to sketch by the frog pond,

and run around the sprinklers. I think that was their favorite part!

Another time they painted with colors from nature using berries, leaves, and whatever else they found ON THE GROUND. No picking anything off the trees!!

So busted baby!!

They get exposed to lots of different media,

and get to make a big old mess in someone else's territory. Love that!

I of course bring my camera and photograph everything!

Kids,

lots of trees,

the frog pond,

the extensive gardens,

and of course the beautiful scenery.

Even this. I think it looks like a hippo. What do you think?

Then we usually head on over to the little outdoor cafe where the girls like to eat lunch,

and cupcakes! Nice sharing!

They like to work off their lunch by running around the grounds and playing frisbee

until we found out you're not allowed to play frisbee. Woops!

By this time, they're done. We pack up our things and head on out.

I especially like Wave Hill in the Fall and Spring but each season has something special to offer.

For more info on Wave Hill, you can check out their website.

To continue our Bronx theme, tomorrow I'll be featuring some artisits I found on ETSY that also happen to be in The Bronx. The Bronx should be looking pretty good by now!