Things to Do
Westchester County is the heart of New York, with a variety of amazing destinations that includes grand Rockefeller properties, well-preserved 18th-century homesteads and picturesque farming villages that dot the countryside. Plus, our shows, fairs and festivals are second to none – from the annual Riverfest summertime celebration showcasing Yonkers' redone waterfront to top productions staged throughout the year at a variety of performing arts centers.
The county offers year-round fun, but with a serious side that lets you get down to business. After all, Westchester is "New York's Intellectual Capital", where a highly educated workforce resides and constant inspiration comes from world-renowned colleges, universities and research centers. Here, among our variety of attractions, meeting spaces and accommodations, you can be productive and still play hard, too!
Although "the city" often refers to New York, Westchester boasts "the cities" – New Rochelle, Yonkers and especially White Plains, the county's commercial and cultural hub. They each offer their own urban vibe, with culture and nightlife in abundance.
Westchester is for everyone with many resources for travelers with disabilities. For the kid in all of us, Westchester is home to Playland, a Long Island Sound amusement park with family-friendly entertainment. Fun for LEGO fans young and old, LEGOLAND Discovery Center in Yonkers is an interactive world where kids can let their imagination run wild with creative inspiration at every turn. At the other end of the county – and the energy spectrum – Westchester is also home to Bedford, a picturesque Colonial town with quaint boutiques set amid rolling estates with celebrity residents.
There's So Much To Do
Check out some of our other highlights:
Chic Shopping
In White Plains, The Westchester satisfies even the most discerning fashionista, with more than 150 upscale stores, including Neiman Marcus, Burberry, Gucci and Brooks Brothers. Westchester's Ridge Hill is a sophisticated outdoor shopping, dining and entertainment destination in Yonkers, and nearby, the Cross County Shopping Center offers favorites such as H&M, Macy's and Zara. Several other shopping destinations are located within the county, and its downtowns offer boutiques, art galleries and specialty shops. Even the rural countryside entices shoppers with antiques shops, artisan products and farmer's markets.
Outdoor Adventure and Splendor
Westchester County is graced with natural beauty. This backdrop is ideal for the active person looking for a place to hike, bike and explore. Explore treasures like Teatown Lake Reservation and the Westchester County Farm Trail.
Helicopter Adventures over Westchester
Explore hidden gems and well-known landmarks from the air with Wings Air's scenic helicopter tours departing from Westchester County Airport. Helicopters seat two to six passengers and are available seven days a week, weather permitting. 30- and 45-minute tours are offered year round, all ages welcome. If you're feeling extra adventurous, you can try piloting your own helicopter under the supervision of a certified flight instructor. For more information, visit wingsair.net or call (914) 202-3440.
Water, Water Everywhere
Westchester is a paddler's paradise and boater's bliss, bordered by the Hudson River and Long Island Sound and bisected by large, scenic lakes. George's Island and Croton Point parks are just two of many places providing access to the Hudson, but some people prefer the ambiance of the pristine, 900-acre, three-mile-long Cross River Reservoir.
Along Long Island Sound, rent an umbrella and beach chair at Playland's beach or cool off in the pool. The city of New Rochelle is home to the county's second busiest park, Glen Island Park, which boasts a beautiful crescent-shaped beach.
There’s always something going on in Westchester. For more great resources on things to do, visit ArtsWestchester, westchestergov.com and Westchester Magazine.
