Wave Hill: As described earlier (see the “Near Us” section), Wave Hill is open throughout the year, and hosts creative activity of all kinds. Glyndor Gallery and Wave Hill House display art exhibitions inspired by nature, and present various professional performance groups on an ongoing basis. There are free art-nature workshops on weekends. The free Family Art Project is open to the public. Wave Hill offers paid internship programs for high school students: the Forest Project, and the Woodland Ecology Research Mentorship program. The public can also enjoy coffee and snacks in the Cafe while enjoying the views, or leisurely contemplate the beautiful surroundings. Wave Hill is located at 249th Street and Independence Avenue, in Riverdale.
Bronx Arts Ensemble: The BAE is a highly-regarded professional classical music group that presents concerts ranging from chamber music to orchestral works at Wave Hill and throughout the Bronx, in public schools, and performing venues in the area. A Great Homes series in Riverdale presents intimate private concerts locally. There is an outdoor concert series in Van Cortland Park each summer. Based at 80 Van Cortlandt Park South.
Riverdale Choral Society: This is an amateur ensemble of approximately 60 enthusiastic and talented members, studying, and performing concerts of fine choral masterpieces several times each year. Rehearsals are at Christ Church. Based at 5030 Henry Hudson Parkway.
Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, and Lehman College Art Gallery: Located in the Lehman College campus at 250 Bedford Park Blvd. West, this nearby Center presents a range of performances each season, from full orchestral concerts to dance recitals, comedy troupes, and ethnic festivals. The Lehman College Art Gallery specializes in contemporary art.
Riverdale Stables: Situated on 21 acres in nearby Van Cortlandt Park, popular Riverdale Stables offers academy lessons any day of the week, indoor and outdoor rings, boarding and training of private horses, summer and winter camps, and easy access to miles of trails in the park. It is open year round. Lessons at all levels. Learn to care for horses. After-school programs, interscholastic teams. Therapeutic riding available.
Riverdale YM-YWHA: Located at 5625 Arlington Avenue, this important multi-faceted facility offers extensive programs for the residents of Riverdale and surrounding areas. The Cultural Arts Center features three theater companies, including the “Rising Stars” youth group, which stage full-scale professional-quality musical productions. There is a Dance Studio offering professional instruction in all aspects of dance, a Music School, and a Jazz Series. Gallery 18 presents the work of local artists and photographers, with art classes being offered. The Senior Center offers important services and programs of all kinds. The newly rebuilt Fitness Center and salt-water swimming pool, after-school programs, summer camp experiences, and Nursery School are also available.
Derfner Judaica Museum, at Hebrew Home of Riverdale: The Derfner features “Tradition and Remembrance” a permanent exhibition of Jewish art and ritual objects. There is also an art collection that includes works by Marc Chagall, Jim Dine, Pablo Picasso, Alex Katz, Robert Mangold, Joan Mitchell, Louise Nevelson, Ben Shahn, and Andy Warhol. There are special seasonal shows highlighting particular themes. The Museum is located at 5901 Palisade Avenue.
Riverdale Nature Preservancy: The Preservancy’s main mission is to preserve the natural landscape and beauty of Riverdale, and its character as a unique and beautiful low-density residential neighborhood. Its many important projects include monitoring development and safeguarding zoning statutes, ensuring compliance with historical preservation regulations, long-term planning. It enables local residents to be engaged and active in environmental and planning issues. It works with local government, and coordinates with Wave Hill, the Riverdale Y, and the Van Cortland Park Conservancy. It provides detailed maps for biking from Riverdale to City Island. It is based at 5521 Mosholu Avenue.
Hudson River Valley Greenway Project: This is the exciting multi-year multi-town project to create a Hudson River waterfront 150 mile biking and walking trail from Battery Park City in Manhattan, to Battery Park in Troy, NY, near Albany. In the Bronx, the Greenway is to go along two miles of waterfront in Riverdale, where there is currently no public access to the Hudson River waterfront because of the train tracks. The local part of this plan is for the Greenway to connect trails in Inwood Hill Park, though newly developed waterfront for the enjoyment of the public in Riverdale, to pathways in Yonkers.
Hudson River Museum: Less than 6 miles north via Riverdale Avenue, lies the Hudson River Museum, the largest cultural institution in Westchester County. This complex, on the banks of the Hudson River, has collections that focus on 19th-century through contemporary American art. You can tour Glenview, an 1876 Victorian home on the National Register of Historic Places, a Planetarium, and the Hudson Rivermama, an environmental teaching gallery, and the outdoor Amphitheater. The Museum features special exhibitions and a wide variety of programs each year. Located at 511 Warburton Avenue, in Yonkers.
Riverdale Children’s Theatre: The prize-winning Riverdale Children’s Theatre presents more than half a dozen full-scale productions of musical theater each year, with over 300 children, grades 2 to 12, participating. All children with an interest in theater are invited to audition. Children learn the basics of theater, music and dance. Productions are directed and choreographed by experienced professionals, with performances given in area colleges, high schools and other venues. Based at 660 W. 237th Street, in Riverdale.