A Wonder-Filled Westchester Holiday
Capture all the enchantment of the holiday season and revel in nostalgia and sweet treats, capped by a dazzling display of lights to fuel the sugar-plum dreams of the young and young-at-heart.
Saturday
The fun begins in Armonk at Beascakes Bakery, where Saturday morning means fresh mini donuts in a variety of creative flavors to go with your morning coffee.
After breakfast, stop by the Great Holiday Train Show at downtown Chappaqua’s historic Horace Greeley House, featuring a variety of vintage train sets running through festively decorated rooms. Then, grab a healthy sandwich, salad or smoothie bowl at Bobo’s Cafe.
Dinner is at Chappaqua’s Le Jardin du Roi, a cozy, family-friendly French bistro serving classics like French onion soup, mussels and fries, and croque monsieur/madame, as well as a children’s menu.
For an electrifying end to your evening, hop in the car and head south to Kensico Dam Plaza for Westchester’s Winter Wonderland, a dazzling, 1.2-mile drive-through holiday light display.
After a busy day, wind down and get comfortable at a hotel in downtown White Plains, where a range of accommodations await. Indulge in a rejuvenating spa treatment at The Opus, Westchester, take a leisurely swim in the indoor pool at the Sonesta White Plains Downtown, or enjoy a warm drink at Westchester Marriott's Crossings Bar and Lounge in nearby Tarrytown.
Sunday
Start your day in downtown White Plains with a quick bite at Hastings Tea & Coffee or a kid-friendly brunch at Freebird Kitchen and Bar. For a more sophisticated and eclectic brunch menu, try Lilly’s. All are just a short stroll from your next stop.
Fortified by your morning meal, bundle up for holiday shopping at the outdoor White Plains Holiday Market. With more than 40 artisanal vendors lining downtown Court Street, you’re sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your list.
With your car trunk full and holiday dreams fulfilled, it’s time for one last treat before heading home: lunch at the White Plains location of Walter’s Hot Dogs, a Westchester institution.
A date-night Dickensian twist:
On Saturday after the vintage train show, shop downtown Chappaqua gems like the beloved independent bookstore, Scattered Books. Then point your car towards Tarrytown on the Hudson River for a late lunch/early dinner at the cozy Tarry Tavern. Catch a performance of Mr. Dickens Tells a Christmas Carol at the Gothic-revival mansion Lyndhurst, all decked out in holiday finery. Then, grab a hot Valrhona chocolate to go at Tarrytown’s Mint Premium Foods and take a stroll through Untermyer Park and Gardens in Yonkers to experience the magic of The Grand Holiday Illumination.
On Sunday, cap off your shopping spree at Captain Lawrence Brewing Company with a seasonal brew in the beer garden.
