Country staycations

Wave Hill

If you have an afternoon
Even die-hard New Yorkers need to shake off their cosmopolitan confines for a few short hours. Allow an instructor from the Jamaica Bay Riding Academy (7000 Shore Pkwy between Flatbush Ave and Rockaway Pkwy, Jamaica Bay, Brooklyn; 718-531-8949, horsebackride.com; trail ride $37, private trail ride $53, lesson $47, reservations recommended) to guide you through the Gateway National Recreation Area on horseback. “We go through wooded trails, then hit the shore,” says owner Anthony Danza. “It’s about five miles of oceanfront riding—you’ll see lots of marshland birds, owls, rabbits, pheasants. It’s amazing that this is in New York City.” Or experience the lagoon on the water itself, by kayak: Park rangers are available to take you on a free half-hour ride leaving from the Canarsie Pier (Belt Pkwy at Rockaway Pkwy, 718-338-3799; Fri–Mon 10am–2pm; through Aug 31).

If you have a day
We’re willing to bet you an overpriced unlimited MetroCard that you’ll forget the allure of New York City’s gritty glamour the moment you step inside Wave Hill (Independence Ave at 249th St, Bronx; 718-549-3200, wavehill.org; $6, seniors and students $3; Tue free, Sat free until noon), a 28-acre public garden that was once a private estate. And for what it’s worth, the spectacular view of the Palisades and the Hudson River is only a small part of the reward you’ll receive for trekking out to Riverdale for the day. Hike through the Herbert and Hyonja Abrons Woodland, which wraps around the edge of the property; get schooled on seasonal blooms during a tour led by garden guides (Sun 2pm); or frolic on your own. Once you’ve sniffed a vibrant bloodflower, found in August in the heart of the Wild Garden, cool down in the Aquatic Garden, where you’ll gawk at hardy water lilies and giant water snowflakes. Then skip to the café in the Wave Hill House, where you can munch on a cured Thai salmon sandwich ($7.75). Stick around to catch the beginning of the sunset in the Elliptical Garden, and update your Facebook status to read “OMG, nature effing rocks.”

If you have a weekend
After a night at the quaint 163-year-old Victorian Bed & Breakfast (92 Taylor St between Degroot and Trinity Pls, Staten Island; 718-273-9861, victorianbedandbreakfast.net; from $85) —which belonged to the family of Civil War general Adam Badeau—you’ll wake up to birdsong and one of owner Danuta Gorlach’s made-to-order breakfasts of eggs, French toast or pancakes. Take the S40 bus to the Staten Island Botanical Gardens in Snug Harbor (1000 Richmond Terr; 718-448-2500, snug-harbor.org; $4–$5, children under 12 free) and stroll in the Tuscan Garden, modeled after a villa in Florence, before moving on to the Zen-like Chinese Scholar’s Garden. End in the Butterfly Garden, where you’ll be surrounded by winged creatures that may even sample a lump of sugar if you hold one in your hand. Just try to make that happen in midtown. At Lemon Creek Park (Hylan Blvd at Bayview Ave, 718-356-7235) you can spot swans and ducks cavorting, and if you’re good with a rod and tackle box, try your hand at fishing for your lunch at the Sharrott Avenue pier. Or just take pictures of yourself looking incredibly relaxed and delighted with life in a gazebo decorated with dolphin and egret figures. Refuel with a jerk pork wrap ($9) at the Cargo Café (120 Bay St at Central Ave, 718-876-0539), a short walk from the ferry, and head back from whence you came.

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New York City staycations
You need a summer break but don't have the days off? Save time by staying home!