Whether you’re a full-time resident of Westchester County or the owner of a vacation home or luxury estate in the area, you likely already know why Westchester County is considered one of the best places to live in the entire United State. From the breathtaking fall foliage to the wealth of opulent residences, Westchester County is a must-see destination for anyone interested in all that the Northeast has to offer. But perhaps the number one reason why many people have chosen Westchester County as their full-time or weekend home is the nearly endless number of things to do with their family and loved ones. In this blog post from Westchester Home Management, we share 11 of our favorite places to visit in Westchester County. Westchester Home Management is your source for luxury home and lifestyle management services in Westchester County, Putnam County, and Fairfield County in New York. Get in touch with us now to learn more about our high-end property management and concierge services.

Hudson River Museum

The largest museum in the whole of Westchester County, the Hudson River Museum is home to an extensive collection of artwork, as well as exhibitions on the history, science, and heritage of the region. One of the architectural highlights of the museum is Glenview Museum — the former home of financier John Bond Trevor. Featuring an eclectic Late Victorian style, Glenview Mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and contains six period rooms displaying furniture and decor from the early twentieth-century. The museum is also the home of the Andrus Planetarium, the only public planetarium in Westchester County, so it’s the perfect destination for aspiring astronomers and astronauts.

Westchester County Center

For nearly 80 years, this 5,000-seat multipurpose area in White Plains has been Westchester County’s premier setting for thousands of concerts, trade shows, sports events, meetings, seminars, theatrical performances, conventions, and civic and community events. It is the home to many local sporting teams, including the Westchester Knicks — the New York Knicks’ farm team in the NBA G League. Whether you’re looking to take your little one to Baby Shark Live or enjoy a night of classical music with your partner, Westchester County Center won’t disappoint.

Untermyer Park and Gardens

One of the most well-known attractions in all of Westchester County, Untermyer Park and Gardens is a historic 43-acre public park located in the city of Yonkers. Situated on the steep eastern bank of the Hudson river, the park features an Indo-Persian style walled garden, an open-air amphitheater, a covered walkway, an overlook of the Hudson River Palisades, and much more.

Kykuit

Another Westchester landmark, Kykuit is the 40-room historic home of oil tycoon and Rockefeller family patriarch John D. Rockefeller. The name Kykuit is derived from the Dutch word kijkuit meaning “lookout.” Kykuit is situated at the highest point in Pocantico Hills, overlooking the Hudson River. It was home to four generations of the Rockefeller family and contains an extensive art collection and several breathtaking gardens. Public tours of the grounds are conducted by the Historic Hudson Valley organization, which was founded in 1951 by John D. Rockefeller Jr. “to celebrate the region's history, architecture, landscape, and material culture, advancing its importance and thereby assuring its preservation."

Lyndhurst

Lyndhurst Mansion, also known as the Jay Gould estate, is a Gothic Revival country house situated on a 67-acre park in Tarrytown. A designated National historic Landmark, Lyndhurst was owned in succession by New York City mayor William Paulding, Jr., merchant George Merritt, and railroad tycoon Jay Gould. Lyndhurst is unlike any other mansion along the Hudson River, due to its strong Gothic character, with narrow hallways, sharply arched windows, and fantastically peaked and ornamented ceilings. The effect is gloomy and somber, yet romantic, and the mansion has been used as a location for many horror films.

Glen Island Park

This 105-acre park, located on Glen Island in the Long Island Sound, is the perfect getaway spot for a weekend on the beach, Glen Island Park. Originally developed as a summer resort by John H. Starin, Glen Island Park is now a public recreation park owned by Westchester County. Featuring a Neo-Georgian bathhouse, a marina, and a host of picnic areas, this Westchester gem is not to be missed.

Sunnyside

Sunnyside is the historic home of Washington Irving, best known for his short story, “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” which takes place in the eponymous Westchester village. The cottage-like estate reflects Dutch Colonial Revival, Scottish Gotch, and Tudor Revival architectural influences, and features an iconic wisteria-covered entrance and crow-stepped gables. The Irving family continued to inhabit Sunnyside until 1945, when it was sold to John D. Rockefeller Jr. as part of his efforts in historic preservation of the area. It was then resorted and opened to the public in 1947. Thoday, Sunnyside is operated as a museum by the Historic Hudson Valley organization. Visitors can enjoy tours led by guides in period costumes and a large collection of Irving’s original furniture and accessories.

Rockefeller State Park Preserve

Comprising an impressive 1,771 acres in the eastern foothills of the Hudson River, Rockefeller State Park is beloved for meandering brooks, dense forests, open meadows, and 24-acre Swan Lake. The park features 45 miles of quiet countryside walking trails, and is the perfect setting for horse-riding, jogging, bird-watching, and fishing. No trip to the preserve is complete without stopping by the Visitor Center, featuring a gallery full of paintings and photographs by Westchester County artists.

Philipsburg Manor

Journey to colonial America through a visit to Philipsburg Manor in Sleepy Hollow. This English manor was once a thriving milling and trading complex that was home to Dutch merchant Frederick Philipse, his family, and 23 enslaved individuals of African descent. Today, it is part of the African American Heritage Trail of Westchester County, along with the Rye African-American Cemetery, Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site, Jay Estate (home of Founding Father and abolitionist John Jay), and other sites. At Philipsburg, visitors can enjoy a range of educational activities, including guided living history tours.

Neuberger Museum of Art

Located in the heart of the Purchase College campus, the Neuberger Museum of Art is home to over 6,000 pieces of modern, contemporary, and African art by artists including Milton Avery, Romare Bearden, Willem de Kooning, Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe, and Jackson Pollock. The museum frequently features critically acclaimed special exhibits featuring the work of 20th-century masters as well as emerging artists. Tours, lectures, films, and events are offered throughout the year.

Playland Park

In need of a break from all that culture? Playland Park in Rye is a 280-acre amusement park owned by Westchester County. First opened in 1929, Playland still features many of its original attractions, including the wooden Dragon Coaster. Other rides include a log flume, Gravitron, drop tower, miniature railway, and more. Playland holds a free concert series each summer, with big name acts such as Bowling for Soup, Cyndi Lauper, and Joan Jett performing in previous years. Best of all, admission to Playland Park is free for Westchester residents!

Trust Westchester Home Management With Your Luxury Estate

If you’re a property owner in Westchester County looking for a home management company to oversee your full-time residence, weekend home, or luxury estate, then you’ve come to the right place. Westchester Home Management is Westchester County’s premier estate management and luxury concierge company, offering services such as property management (maintenance, contractor supervision, weekly inspections, 24/7 alarm response, construction management, and more), travel and transportation arrangement, errands services, event planning, childcare coordination, and more.

In today’s busy world, balancing both your professional and domestic responsibilities is more important than ever before. To learn more about our luxury home management, concierge, and lifestyle assistance services, get in touch with our Westchester County team today.