Things to do in Westchester, NY

Westchester is a great place to live, work and play. It boasts an assortment of astounding sights, including 18th-century homes, beautiful Rockefeller properties and scenic farming villages on the northern side.

Moreover, Westchester county is home to some of the best festivals, fairs and shows around.

Besides the amazing scenery, historic atmosphere, and year-round fun, Westchester also happens to be the intellectual capital of New York.

The county takes pride in having an extremely learned workforce that comes from some of the world’s best colleges and universities. In 2008, the county was named by the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) as one of the top 7 intelligent communities in the country.

We here at Sterling Property Solutions have gathered this list of fun Westchester County points of interest.

11 Things to do in Westchester, New York

Go Shopping

With literally hundreds of upscale stores, Westchester provides avid shoppers with a wide array of options. Some of the more upscale stores include Cross Country Shopping Center, Westchester’s Ridge Hill, Gucci & Brooks Brothers, Burberry, Marcus, and Neiman.

You’ll certainly also like the specialty shops, art galleries and boutiques that the downtown center of Westchester has to offer.

In the countryside, you can find artisan products, locally-owned stores, antique shops and, of course, fresh produce from roadside stands.

Enjoy Fun Westchester Events

Westchester county’s calendar is packed with festivals and fairs. Some of the seasonal offerings include the Frosty the Snowman Parade, Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze, Yonkers Riverfest, and the Lyndhurst Crafts Fair.

You don’t want to miss out on the annual summer festival: Clearwater’s Great Hudson River Revival.

Love classical music? If so, head over to the internationally acclaimed Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts and the Westchester Philharmonic. As for high-quality contemporary pop, the Emelin Theatre has you covered.

Westchester county is a thriving community of craftsmanship in the arts. Here are some options the county has to offer:

• ArtsWestchester (White Plains): Originally a bank building, the county’s official arts council has turned it into a busy center for creativity. It features varied and ever-changing workshops, performances, installations and exhibits.
• Katonah Museum of Art (Katonah): Among many Westchester museums, this is a non-collecting institution geared towards visual arts. Kids of all ages can drop in to create and absorb the art.
• Hudson Valley MOCA (Peekskill): Here, you’ll get exhibits highlighting work by both established and upcoming artists.
• Neuberger Museum of Art (Purchase): The guiding principle here is “the art of our time.” It was founded by Roy R. Neuberger who donated 108 artworks in 1974.

Visit Historic Places

Westchester is home to more than 200 properties on the National Register of Historic Places. Imagine yourself in the Bedford 1798 Court House debating the finer points of Colonial law. Stroll among the gravestones in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Sleepy Hollow Cemetery is the final resting place for Andrew Carnegie, William Rockefeller and Washington Irving.

Or, visit the Thomas Paine Cottage. It features artifacts reflecting our local history during the Civil War, the people of the first man – the Siwanoy Indians, Women in History, the Black Experience – and much more.

Visit Beautiful Parks

Are you are searching for outdoor recreation with your family? Westchester is a boater’s bliss and a paddler’s paradise. It’s bordered by Long Island Sound and Hudson River and is bisected by big, picturesque lakes.

Croton Point Park and George’s Island Park are just two of the many areas providing quick access to the Hudson River. However, some people like the pristine and ambience provided by the 900-acre Cross River Reservoir which stretches out three miles.

Enjoy picnics and hiking trails with your family? If so, Westchester has you covered. Some of the parks to revel in include the Bear Mountain State Park, Willson’s Woods Park, Tibbetts Brook Park, Saxon Woods Park, Harbor Island Park, and more.

The Ward Pound Ridge Reservation is a 4,315-acre park and is the largest Westchester has to offer. It offers miles upon miles of expansive vistas, wooden trails and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation. Here, you can enjoy everything from cross-country skiing to camping, fishing and hiking.

Visiting Westchester’s beautiful parks and every river is a perfect activity to do with kids and your family.

Enjoy Scenic Helicopter Adventures

Helicopter rides are a fun way to explore the county much faster. The Wings Air Helicopter Charter offers scenic, year-round helicopter rides that last 30 to 45 minutes. The helicopters seat two to six passengers and are available seven days a week for all ages.

Other Interesting Things to do in Westchester, New York

• Enjoy exciting shows at the Hudson River Planetarium on Saturdays and Sundays.
• Experience true free-fall conditions in New York’s only indoor skydiving facility, iFly.
• Visit Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate, located in Pocantico Hills to enjoy engaging tours of the property and panoramic views of the Historic Hudson Valley.
• Enjoy some beers with friends at one of many of the county’s craft breweries such as Captain Lawrence Brewery or Bridgeview Tavern.
• Step foot in the oldest running movie theatre in the county: The Pelham Picture House.
• Hike at the Kensico Dam Plaza in Valhalla. The park offers activities from nature studies to concerts, fitness classes and includes a 300 foot and 1,830 foot-long dam which forms the Kensico Reservoir.

Bottom Line: Attractions in Westchester, NY

There you have it, 11 fun things to do in Westchester county. Whether you’re seeking outdoor recreation, historical sites, artistic experiences or anything else, Westchester County has it all! This county is a great place to live and work.

If you are planning to move here, make sure to get expert advice, such as information on Westchester’s tenant laws. Sterling Property Solutions can take care of all your needs, whether you are looking to buy or rent a home in Westchester, New York.