Desert and rainforest collide — in Riverdale

If you’re feeling strapped but desperately need a breather, jump on Metro-North and get off a few minutes later at Riverdale. Just a short walk up a quiet street (hill alert!) and you’ve stumbled on one of the city’s best kept secrets.

Anyone who has been to Wave Hill will back me up when I say that this beautiful hilltop estate overlooking the Hudson, with its proper gardens and not one, but two handsome historic homes, is one of the most un-NYC places in NYC. Relaxing to the max, Wave Hill has hosted everyone from Mark Twain to Queen Elizabeth. Today its a city park/garden/cultural center.

There’s tai chi on the lawn Saturdays, lectures on horticulture, sometimes (like today) concerts and always art in the gallery — through June, they’ve got one on how climate change is impacting various spots around the world. Coming here proves that travel isn’t about how far you went.

Best thing about Wave Hill, btw: The gazebo in the wildflower garden up at the very top of the hill, with a view of the Hudson River and the Palisades. If we were still underage and sneaking around, we would put this on a list of Top 10 Makeout Spots In New York City Of All Time. Or something like that.