Day Tripper: Riverdale

Between keeping within your budget and scheduling time off from work, planning a vacation can be stressful.

If you find you have too little time to travel and not enough money in your bank account, there’s no need to fret.

Each Thursday, Douglaston Patch will profile one of the five boroughs’ unique neighborhoods, where you can sample some local culture and culinary delights.

This week’s pick is Riverdale:

11 a.m.

Start your day at the Derfner Judaica Museum, an arts center that features exhibits relating to Jewish history and culture.

The museum, located in The Hebrew Home in Riverdale at 5901 Palisade Avenue, is currently featuring Jane Trigere: Women of the Balcony, through Feb. 5. The exhibit includes four fabric wall panels and sculptures inspired by the former Congregation Ohav Sholaum in Manhattan.

The Hebrew Home’s Gilbert Pavilion Gallery will exhibit Leonard Ursachi’s work through Jan. 1. The display includes one outdoor piece, “Hiding Place,” as well as drawings and sculptures from the Romanian-born artist.

For more information, check out the Hebrew Home’s website.

1 p.m.

For lunch, stop by The Greentree, located at 5693 Riverdale Ave. The eatery’s extensive menu includes classic French onion soup, crab cakes, salads, Sole Francese, chicken Marsala, shepherd’s pie, chicken pot pie, burgers, meatloaf, omelettes and steaks.

To view the complete menu, visit The Greentree’s website.

3 p.m.

Spend the rest of the afternoon in Wave Hill, a 28-acre estate that includes a public botanical garden, a mansion and a cultural center.

Gardens on the estate, which overlooks the Hudson River and New Jersey Palisades, include perennials, aquatic plants, beekeeping, a wild garden and a conservatory.

The Glyndor Gallery, which is located on the estate, provides space for contemporary visual arts exhibitions.

Take a look at Wave Hill’s website for more information.

6 p.m.

For dinner, try The Riverdale Garden Restaurant, located at 4576 Manhattan College Parkway.

The eatery has a full wine list and its menu includes asparagus soup, wild boar ragu, black trumpet mushroom and leek risotto, wild striped bass, pork cutlet, Porterhouse of Colorado lamb, duck breast and pecan crusted ostrich.

Click here to view the complete menu.