Your Complete Guide to Westchester County

Ardsley

Ardsley is a village in Westchester County, New York, United States. It is located on the east bank of the Hudson River approximately 20 miles north of midtown Manhattan.

The small village, part of the Town of Greenburgh, though not a river town, maintains a quieter, more low-key version of the artsy river town vibe. The village is thoroughly residential, with locals drawn to the availability of ranches, capes and colonials.

Town life centers around the few strip malls located on the main thoroughfare, route 9A (Saw Mill River Road), where there is a handful of independent shops and restaurants, with the big highlight being recreation!  Despite it's small size (a little over four thousand people in one square mile), the town has multiple parks for children to run around in including V. E. Macy Park, a county-run park, and Ashford Park, which boasts lighted tennis courts, a gazebo and a seasonal snack bar. It is also offers paddle courts, and even pickleball since it is part of Greenburgh (but there is also a great Country Club here if you need the golf access).

Bedford

Celebrities like Martha Stewart and Ralph Lauren call this chic town home, replete with horse farms and rustic, pastoral beauty. Consisting of three hamlets — Bedford Village, Bedford Hills, and Katonah — the town offers the peace and quiet of a country life. Each hamlet has a different vibe, but you will see lots of local businesses, shops, great food, horses and focus on artistic endeavors. Bedford itself doesn't have a train station, but Bedford Hills and Katonah do which make it easy to get into the city! Bedford Country Club has a well known golf course as well, and neighboring Pound Ridge has a pretty famous recreation based course!

My favorite part is the arts! The Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts, Katonah Museum of Art, and the Bedford Playhouse, featuring frequent appearances by movie stars, directors, and best-selling authors.

Bronxville

Bronxville, New York is a village in Westchester County, New York in the town of Eastchester (Eastchester has several villages within it).

The Village of Bronxville, only 15 miles north of midtown Manhattan, is a charming English-style village nestled along the banks of the Bronx River in southern Westchester County in New York.

No car, no problem! This is one of the most walkable towns in Westchester. The sidewalks all seem to inter-connect and the majority of the kids walk to school (this is made more convenient by ALL GRADES in ONE building), or to the park which boasts tennis courts and a close proximity to school and town. Celebrated residential areas comprise of apartments, townhouses, single family homes that seem to be interconnected to everything! The heart of town is full of local boutique shops, and restaurants that the locals love. There is access to paddle tennis, and you can opt to join one of TWO country clubs in town if that is more your speed!

One noted national historian has commented that Bronxville is “a suburb endlessly copied and never matched”. We sincerely hope you have the same sentiment of this unique and special place.

Dobbs Ferry

Dobbs Ferry is a town in the state of New York. It is located in Westchester County, on the Hudson River north of New York City (hello Hudson line).

Named after the ferry service that carried residents across the Hudson River during the late 1800s, this bustling Westchester river town sprouted as an encampment during the Revolutionary War. Just over 11,000 people live in the 2.4-square-mile village, many of whom were lured by the relatively diverse population, and charming housing choices for just about any budget or design sensibility. I love it for the historic charm, small shops, restaurants and of course the water! The views never get old, but fall is my favorite.

Hartsdale

Hartsdale is a village in the town of Greenburgh in Westchester County, New York. It was named for David Hart, who established a tavern there to cater to travelers on the Boston Post Road. In 1874 the community became an incorporated village.

Hartsdale is small at only 3 square miles and is varied about what shops and restaurants are there (chains and local shops). I love it for the quiet, more spread out space for your neighbors despite being minutes to the action of White Plains and close to varied recreation. Lots of young families, but plenty of empty nester homes with families who loved it too much to move.

Hastings-on-Hudson

Hastings-on-Hudson, incorporated in 1879, has a rich industrial heritage. The Westchester river town was once the site for stone quarrying, sugar refining, and cable and chemical manufacturing. Today, Hastings is a postcard-pretty village beloved by movie and television location scouts. The factories are long gone, but many of the workers’ historic homes have been impeccably maintained.

Hastings also has many historic homes that were built during the 1700s and 1800s. One of these homes was owned by artist George Bellows who lived here from 1916 until his death in 1925 at the age of 48; he died unexpectedly after suffering a heart attack while returning home from lunch one day. The house has been restored beautifully so visitors can see how Bellows lived; it's open once monthly on Sundays.

Aside from the history, HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON is a vibe. It is artsy, on the water, and full of great restaurants, live music and stunning views. It is also full of hiking and water recreation, with some trails being completely paved!

Irvington

A small town with a progressive attitude, Irvington offers residents a sense of community and history — as well as proximity to the Hudson River. 

Irvington was named after Washington Irving, who spent much time there with his family while working on The Sketch Book (1819). Later, William Wilgus built an estate here after purchasing land from several local farmers; it later became known as “Buckeye Hill” due to Wilgus' love for Ohio State football (which refers to Buckeyes).

People love it here for the small shops, history rich main street, and the views. Streets are steep here, but it helps you see a water view from wherever you are!

Mamaroneck Town and Village

Featuring a vibrant downtown dotted with antique stores, restaurants and a picturesque harbor that beckons sunbathers in the summer, Mamaroneck draws visitors looking for shopping and relaxation. One of the oldest communities in Westchester County, the town was settled in the late 1600s. Today, the town is a popular home for young commuting professionals, who can arrive in Manhattan in less than 40 minutes via Metro-North. 

The Village of Mamaroneck is located on Long Island Sound at the northern tip of New York City’s Metropolitan Area, approximately 55 miles from Midtown Manhattan and 25 miles from Greenwich Village. It borders the following municipalities: Port Chester to its north; Rye Brook and Harrison to its east; North Salem and Larchmont to its south; Scarsdale to its southwest.

With plenty of parks, boat access, proximity to the city, and a vibrant city center it is bringing a lot of new, young families to the mix! Mamaroneck also offers one of the few Yacht Clubs in NY if learning to sail is on your list!

Mount Kisco

One of the most diverse towns in northern Westchester, Mount Kisco is home to both retail giants and one-of-a-kind, upscale boutiques. It is also well known for its varied and vibrant dining scene, offering cuisine from all over the world.The village was established by William Van Den Bergh around 1720. The name derives from an Algonquin term meaning "lake with two outlets." Mount Kisco has more than 22,000 residents and has several small businesses located throughout its borders such as shops and restaurants along Main Street in downtown Mount Kisco.

Even better? There is also farms, and hiking trails surrounding Mount Kisco, an express train into NYC, and easy access to the Sprain. Check out Mimi's Coffee for Breakfast, or head over to the Village Social or Exit 4 for lunch. Need a quick gift? The Beehive and Porch are high on my list too!

Pleasantville

Pleasantville offers a well-kept, calm feeling of a suburban village. Pleasantville may be most well known for the Jacob Burns Film Center and Pace College, but delivers with much more than that! The town has an exciting array of shops, restaurants, theaters, and bakeries in and around its downtown area, with plenty of recreation abounding with its preserves and parks! Visit in the summer to get a feel for the town and pick up some fresh goodies at the farmers market!

Port Chester

Port Chester is a village in the town of Rye, New York. It was incorporated in 1854 and has a population of around 19,000 people. Port Chester is a popular shopping destination for residents of the surrounding area, who come to shop at some excellent local boutiques and stores. The village and its residents are proud that they support over 30 locally owned businesses, including restaurants and coffee shops.

The Village of Port Chester was named after its location on the Hutchinson River Parkway. Its downtown district has been revitalized with new streetlights, sidewalks and landscaping improvements that have attracted more visitors from surrounding areas such as White Plains or Greenwich, CT.

Rye City and Rye Brook

Rye City and Rye Brook are located in the Town of Rye, which is itself a part of Westchester County, New York. These two villages are separate from each other but both located within the same area.

Rye City was originally settled by Dutch settlers and was named Rijck's Eylandt (Dutch for "rich man's island"), which became a part of Westchester County when it was established in 1683. It is also home to the oldest continuously operating theater in New York State: The Norman Kline Theatre! Rye has water access, and was recently positioned at #9 in best places to raise your family in NY. It is a popular area with real estate values continuing to rise here. Get in on the investment early-- it is so in demand that equity will rise quickly.

The multitude of small villages that comprise Westchester County have unique qualities, attractions, and histories.

Westchester County is home to over 100 villages, each with its own unique character. These small communities offer residents an abundance of options for entertainment, shopping and dining as well as residential living. The many village parks, playgrounds and recreational fields provide ample space for children and families to play while their parents enjoy a leisurely stroll or run through the neighborhood on their way to work.

Many villages were founded centuries ago by immigrants who settled in the area because they believed it would offer them better opportunities than New York City. The result was a rich cultural history that continues today in both traditional businesses like bakeries and restaurants as well as contemporary establishments like wine bars where you can sample local vintages from around the world at any time of day or night!

Westchester County is a great place to live.