Westchester is a walkable town where residents may travel on foot from their homes to the train station and stores, even if they do need to use a car for larger stores, food shopping, etc. Westchester County is a stunning and historic region just outside of major cities. The communities in Westchester County are wonderful day getaways from New York City and are also helpful as an escape from its bustle. You cannot disregard these local gems if you’re seeking sites to include on your travel itinerary! You may walk to banks, restaurants, parks, and most importantly, the train in the downtown Harrison neighborhood, which is present in this article.
Bronxville
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William Van Duzer Lawrence nearly single-handedly planned the development of Bronxville, a charming community of 6,543 people west of Yonkers and east of New Rochelle. Today, it attracts a diverse range of people, including moms pushing strollers, teenagers in groups, commuters, working professionals, and hip Sarah Lawrence college students. The entire downtown area, including the high school, railway station, and all the shops, is now within walking distance. One of the best draws is how quickly you can walk to the train station from the area. The children can all walk to school thanks to that and the surrounding neighborhood, giving it a cozy, family-like vibe.
Katonah
Katonah is one of the three hamlets in Bedford town in northern Westchester. As such, its borders are undetermined. In Katonah, a walkable community, residents frequently cross paths, whether walking to and from the train, running errands in the city, or taking their kids to school. Although this area is a little sleepy, you must respect a town with personality. The town’s residents were told to leave 100 years ago to make room for the Croton Reservoir. They figuratively packed up their homes and businesses and moved a mile away. Its antique village atmosphere, where walkways connect neighborhoods full of attractive Victorian homes to schools, parks, local shops, and the railway station, is possibly its best-known feature.
Larchmont
Larchmont, first developed as a summer seaside resort for the affluent, is a year-round suburb with historic mansions from the 1920s, sprawling estates on Long Island Sound, and close-in, family-friendly communities. Larchmont features not one but two different downtowns that are both easily accessible and primarily composed of independently owned shops and eateries. This charming little town offers small-town charm with a chic touch. Larchmont is a settlement located in Mamaroneck; you can find lovely parks in Larchmont and a charming downtown retail area teeming with intriguing small boutiques, antique shops, gourmet shops, a children’s bookshop, decorating studios, and a wide range of restaurants.
Mount Kisco
Mount Kisco is the shopping and dining Mecca of Northern Westchester because it is a mini-metropolis in the middle of horse country. Retail behemoths like Target, Gap, and Chico’s live side by side with unique boutiques and specialized stores like Elephant’s Trunk and New York Dolls (where your adolescent can purchase dresses for the year’s Bar and Bat Mitzvahs). Choose from various cuisines in the town’s many restaurants, including Indian, Mexican, Spanish, Italian, Greek, Chinese, and plenty of New American. Additionally, a small theater screens new releases. The train station also has a well-known farmers’ market open from early summer until early October.
Pleasantville
Pleasantville is a laid-back, hipster-style small town with a thriving retail sector, charming shops, vibrant nightlife, and cultural activities. Pleasantville exudes bohemian hipness that gives it downtown but without the attitude. Its neighborhood’s full of charming colonials and Victorians, tree-lined alleys, and has contributed to the transformation of Pleasantville from dowdy to downright stylish. This walkable town’s cultural center is the Jacob Burns Center.
The center not only screens excellent independent films and documentaries but also hosts panel discussions with well-known actors, producers, and filmmakers, including Michael Moore, Jonathan Demme, and Woody Allen. Local eateries like Playa Bowls, Wood & Fire, Tzatziki Greek Grill, Pub Street, Sal’s Pizza, and others have benefited from the inflow of moviegoers. If you’re lucky, Bill Clinton might be power-walking close to the train station.
Port Chester
It generally distinguishes itself as the nation’s capital of world cuisine. It is a flourishing, culturally diversified city quickly becoming Westchester’s center for ethnic cuisine. Retailers and merchandisers have noticed that Port Chester is quickly becoming an “in” location. A 14-screen, state-of-the-art movie theater and several retail companies, including PETCO, DSW, Costco, and Bed, Bath and Beyond, have set up shop there. A fantastic approach to improve your mood, relieve stress, and stay in shape is to go for a walk in the woods. If you reside in the Hudson Valley, you are fortunate to have access to numerous beautiful state parks and can benefit from these excellent health advantages.
Rye
Rye, a charming commercial area evoking New England, is so picture-perfect that it filmed a 1985 episode of the short-lived TV series Hometown. This lovely city by the Long Island Sound is ideal for leisurely wandering and browsing. Most stores, frequently housed in ancient houses-like structures, are situated on the city’s tree-lined main street and a few of its smaller offshoots. Rye is still one of the country’s most fascinating places to shop and eat, making it the perfect destination for a short day trip.
Scarsdale
One of Westchester County’s wealthiest communities in Scarsdale, NY, is about 30 minutes by train north of Manhattan. Scarsdale is associated with the ideas of mansions, well-manicured lawns, and Mercedes-Benzes. The atmosphere, luxury, and attitude define it. It is visually appealing and is renowned for its pastoral surroundings, lovely residences, and Tudor-style architecture found throughout its downtown. It’s not just another charming Westchester village, either. Scarsdale boasts a top-notch educational system, a sizable downtown area packed with restaurants and shops, fantastic recreational opportunities, and a quick commute to New York City.
In Scarsdale, there are numerous public parks, such as Davis Park, a well-liked destination for young families, and Crossway Park, which has baseball diamonds. They hold birthday parties and participate in annual events like a Halloween parade, craft-making, and much more. The Greenburgh Nature Center is a well-known outdoor recreation spot in Scarsdale. And this is a popular place to take the kids because it is on 33 acres, has walking paths, an innovative playground, and an indoor center with live animals.
Tarrytown
The Walk Score for this location is 85 out of 100. You can complete most errands on foot as this area is pretty walkable. The distance is seven minutes by foot from the Tarrytown stop of the Hudson. Patriots Park, Losee Park, and Douglas Park park are close by. The beautifully refurbished Music Hall offers more than just music. Additionally, it accommodates comedians, children’s theater, dancing groups, and movie screenings, drawing enthusiastic crowds. There are several options for food before and after a performance.
Tarrytown has a sizable multinational population and a wide variety of restaurants. Lefteris Gyro serves Greek food, Churrasqueira serves Portuguese, and Equus serves the greatest gnocchi. Visit Coffee Labs Roasters and get a cup of coffee. Customers travel to Mint Premium Foods to purchase the delectable free-range chickens.
White Plains
It is fantastic to find nature so close to the city because it is so lovely. You can find a pleasant trail with bushy scenery along the Bronx Roger Parkway, a short stroll from the center of White Plains. It looks fantastic right now with all the fall colors. Mamaroneck Avenue was the “Fifth Avenue of Westchester County” in the 1950s and 1960s. Later, urban regeneration and indoor malls drained the city of life and left behind a depressing landscape of dollar stores and shoe retailers. However, White Plains is now a bustling city with outstanding restaurants, some of the country’s best bars, and singles hangouts.
At night, a virtual river of revelers flows through the bars on Mamaroneck Avenue, Main Street, and East Post Road. College students and recent grads frequent Ron Black’s; the 20s set frequents Brazen Fox; beer hounds frequent Lazy Boy Saloon (which carries nearly 500 varieties); cover bands and karaoke enthusiasts frequent Vintage Lounge & Restaurant. There are many dining options, but Sushi Nanase, Mulino’s, City Limits Diner, and Morton’s Steakhouse are must-musts.
