Yonkers is the fourth largest city in the state of New York, located just north of New York City sitting on the eastern shore of the Hudson River. Yonkers is known for its diverse population, beautiful parks, and vibrant cultural scene.
It is home to a variety of attractions, including the Hudson River Museum, the Science Barge, Untermyer Gardens, the Philipse Manor Hall, the Cross County Shopping Center, and the Empire City Casino. The city also offers a variety of restaurants, bars, and nightlife making it a fantastic place to visit.
Handily situated close to New York City, the area’s beautiful green spaces and city conveniences make this a great area for you to use as a base for your trip to New York, with handy transport links to the city center.
If you want a break from the city, you can also enjoy Yonker’s Hudson River location and local museums without having to deal with the huge crowds and bustling scenes of the city center.
In this article, we uncover the Best Things To Do In Yonkers, New York.
1. Visit The Hudson River Museum
The Hudson River Museum is dedicated to the history and culture of the Hudson River Valley. The Museum features interactive exhibits, educational programs, and art galleries. It also features historic artifacts, as well as a planetarium and outdoor amphitheater.
Visitors can explore the history of the Hudson River Valley, from its natural wonders to the many industries that have made the area a hub of activity over the centuries.
The museum also houses a collection of Hudson River School paintings, as well as works by contemporary artists. The museum also features a number of outdoor sculptures and a selection of 19th-century buildings including an entire period house full of antique furniture and features which will give you a sense of stepping back in time as soon as you cross the doorway.
This is a great spot for history and culture lovers while still having enough general features and exhibits to interest families and casual visitors… Definitely one of the best things to do in Yonkers. Be sure to check the official website for opening hours and admission costs before you visit.
Hudson River Museum Address: 511 Warburton Ave, Yonkers, NY 10701, USA
2. Spend Some Time In The Untermyer Gardens
The Untermyer Gardens of Yonkers are a historic public park and National Historic Landmark. The gardens were originally part of the estate of Samuel Untermyer, a prominent lawyer and philanthropist, and were designed by renowned landscape architect Olmsted Brothers.
The gardens are now owned and maintained by the City of Yonkers and feature a variety of themed gardens, including a Walled Garden, a Persian Garden, and a Water Garden. Don’t miss the Temple of Love, Rock Garden, and Sundial garden, each area with its own flora and fauna theme.
Spend a relaxing few hours outdoors strolling through these wonderful, planted gardens, or settle down for an afternoon picnic with family and friends.
This is a lovely, quiet, open space where you can decompress and breathe some fresh air, particularly if you have spent the day in and amongst the crowds in the New York city center or in the busier parts of Yonkers.
Visitors can also explore the ruins of the Untermyer Mansion, which was destroyed by fire in the 1940s. The gardens are open to the public and offer a variety of educational activities, such as guided tours and classes.
Untermyer Gardens is, without a doubt, one of the most beautiful things to do in Yonkers and one of the most scenic places in the city.
Untermyer Gardens Address: 945 North Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701
3. Catch Some Movies At The Yonkers Film Festival
If you visit Yonkers during October, you will be able to enjoy a whole host of movie and documentary screenings on show during the YoFi Film Festival.
The film showcase was set up in 2013 with the purpose of promoting local talent and productions.
There will be a whole host of movie showings in a wide variety of venues across the city, so you are bound to find a few movies to enjoy and maybe discover your new favorite film!
4. Enjoy Some Retail Therapy At Ridge Hill
Ridge Hill is a huge entertainment and shopping complex that features a wide range of stores and food options if you need to pick up some supplies or gifts during your trip.
The complex features both large international chains as well as local independent stores offering locally made crafts and specialist foods.
There is also a LEGOLAND Discovery Center (Westchester) with fun activities and theme rides that children can enjoy during your shopping trip.
If you are visiting Yonkers during the summer, you can also spend an evening at the open-air night movie theatre that the Ridge Hill Centre puts on during the summer months.
Ridge Hill is a great option for those with kids looking for fun things to do in Yonkers.
Ridge Hill Address: 1 Ridge Hill Boulevard, Yonkers, NY 10710, United States
5. See A Show At The Hudson Amphitheater
Enjoy a show in this modern outdoor amphitheater which benefits from stunning views over the Hudson River.
The venue puts on a wide range of shows ranging from stand-up comedy, Shakespearian Festivals, and special movie night screenings of old and modern classics.
This is the perfect place to spend an evening and one of the most unique things to do in Yonkers to soak up the local beauty, particularly during the summer when you can sit back and enjoy a show amongst the warm evening air and exquisite river scenery.
6. Experience An Indoor Sky Diving Adventure At iFly
iFly Yonkers is an indoor skydiving venue based at the Red Hill Centre where you can have a fun-filled few hours feeling what it likes to dive through the air while staying only a few feet off the ground.
Experience the feeling of gravity-defying weightlessness as the venue’s high-tech, high-powered fans keep you supported in the air and perfectly replicate the feeling you would get from a real-life skydive. This is without doubt one of the most exciting things to do in Yonkers and great for the kids too.
iFly Westchester Address: 849 Ridge Hill Boulevard, Yonkers, NY 10710
7. Step Back In Time At The Glenview Mansion
Glenview Mansion has been preserved as a turn-of-the-century museum experience where you can step back in time as you walk around perfectly preserved rooms full of period furniture, antique furnishings, and historic exhibits.
The mansion once belonged to the prominent local John Bond Trevor family and will give you a deep sense of the lifestyle and culture of Yonkers during this fascinating period of American history.
You can choose to wander around the six exhibit rooms by yourself, exploring all the items and learning about the area on its own, or else you can take a guided tour from one of the knowledgeable local docents.
Glenview Mansion Address: 511 Warburton Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10701
8. Experience 55 Days Of Fun During The Summer
During the summer downtown Yonkers is host to a vast range of fun activities, performances, and interactive experiences.
Set against the beautiful Hudson River scenery, you and your family will be able to enjoy music shows, street performers, children’s storytelling events, and open-air movie screenings.
If you are visiting during the summer, you should definitely make sure to check out the festival program and pinpoint fun nighttime events and shows and daytime educational activities for all the family to enjoy in Yonkers.
9. Test Your Luck At The Empire City Casino
This huge casino features more than 5000 slot and gambling machines as well as a large casino floor where you can spend an evening trying your luck at poker and attempting to score a windfall at roulette.
When you get tired of gambling The Empire City Casino also features live performances and music shows as well as restaurants serving a variety of cuisine and drink options.
The casino is based on the Yonkers Raceway Complex, so you can combine an evening visit to the casino with a visit to the races during the daytime!
Empire City Casino Address: 810 Yonkers Avenue, Yonkers, NY 10704
10. Spend Some Time On The Science Barge
Kids and adults alike will love a visit to the fascinating Science Barge which floats on the Hudson River.
This floating farm and museum serve as an educational facility and also a working farm for producing crops which are all donated to charity.
Produce from the boat farm is cultivated using modern environmentally friendly methods such as biofuels, solar power, and wind turbines.
This unique venue will teach you all about the environment, solar power, and the importance of carbon emissions in today’s world.
After your visit to the museum, you can enjoy the scenic river views and walk around the historic dock area.
11. Catch A Movie At The Alamo Drafthouse Cinema
If your visit to Yonkers doesn’t coincide with the film festival or the 55 Days festival, movie buffs can still get their cinematic fix at the lovely Alamo Drafthouse Cinema.
The movie house shows both large cinematic releases and more independent cult fare, so no matter your favorite genre, you are bound to find a flick to suit your tastes.
For all you movie lovers, the Alamo Drafthouse is easily one of the best things to do in Yonkers.
Alamo Drafthouse Address: 2548 CENTRAL PARK AVENUE, YONKERS NEW YORK, 10710
12. Trek The Old Croton Aquaduct Trail
Spend some time outdoors following the picturesque Old Croton Aquaduct Trail, where you can spend an afternoon or longer enjoying the stunning scenery of Westchester County.
The trail runs for 26 miles and is the perfect picturesque venue to engage in a walk, jog, or relaxing bicycle ride through the countryside, spotting local wildlife and enjoying the outside air.
13. Visit the Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
For more of a taste of historic Yonkers, you can visit the 1862 Philipse Manor Hall which lays a claim to being the oldest building in the entire county.
The large historic building now runs as a museum where you will learn about the history of the area and the generations of the Philipse family.
History and design buffs will be able to spend their time wandering around the house and enjoying the gorgeous period furniture and architecture.
Located in the historic Getty Square area of Yonkers, the gorgeous home features one of only two Rococo Paper-Mache 1750s ceilings in the entire US and also houses the fascinating Cochrane Collection of American Portraits.
You can choose to explore the fascinating building at your own pace or else be led around the home on a guided tour by a local history expert.
Philipse Manor Hall Address: 29 Warburton Ave, Yonkers, NY 10701, United States
14. Enjoy The Activity Swimming Pool At Tibbetts Brook Park
Tibbetts Brook Park was opened in 1927 and is the perfect place to take a relaxing walk in the evenings or spend a few hours enjoying the swimming and tubing activities during the daytime.
The park features a huge pool where you can swim some laps, play water basketball, and enjoy the water slides. Then you can head to the idyllic little beach to sunbathe and relax or read a book in the sunshine.
You can also spend a few hours hiking along the nature trails, cycling, bird watching, and fishing in this picturesque green. This is a popular park with locals and visitors to the area where you can spend some time exercising, playing games, or just lazing in the sun.
Tibbetts Brook Park is one of the best things to do in Yonkers with kids and is just as much fun for adults too!
Tibbetts Brook Park Address: 355 Midland Ave, Yonkers, NY 10704, United States
15. Spend A Magical Time At The Beverly E Smith Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden
For a lovely break from the urban environment, you can visit the beautiful Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden found within the Lenoir preserve.
The small, charming sanctuary is best visited during the spring and summer months when you will see the largest amount of colorful and fascinating sanctuary inhabitants.
The location is a popular favorite with bird watchers and nature lovers and is part of the larger nature sanctuary location of the Lenoir preserve where you can spot a wide variety of local protected wildlife.
16. Have A Drink At The Yonkers Brewing Co.
The Yonkers Brewing Co is a small craft brewery, founded in 2012 by John Rubbo and Nick Califano and has since become one of the most popular craft breweries in the area. The brewery offers tours, tastings, and a full bar, all in a historic building that was once a part of the old Otis Elevator Company.
The brewery offers a variety of different beers, from its signature IPAs and pale ales to seasonal beers. Visitors to the brewery can also enjoy a variety of food from the brewery’s restaurant, which features dishes created with ingredients from local farms. The Yonkers Brewing Co also offers live music on the weekends, making it a great spot for a fun night out.
Yonkers Brewing Co. Address: 92 Main St, Yonkers, NY 10701, United States
17. Spend Some Time At The Sherwood House Museum
Another fascinating house museum to visit in Yonkers is Sherwood House, which dates back to 1740 and is one of only a very few examples of pre-revolutionary farmhouses to remain standing in the US today.
You can visit this fascinating step into America’s past on Sundays during the spring and summer months, discovering all the period architecture and features while gaining a deeper understanding of the history of the local area.
For more local history you could also pay a visit to the Yonkers Historical Society in the public library to learn more about the history of this fascinating building.
Sherwood House Museum Address: 340 Tuckahoe Rd, Yonkers, NY 10710, United States
18. Enjoy A Tasty Tipple At The Nahmias Et Fils Distillery
Mahia is Morocco’s national spirit and has been enjoyed for centuries, most popular amongst Morroco’s Jewish population. Nahmias et Fils maintain this ancient tradition, still producing Mahia to this day using their family heirloom recipe from 1900. The Mahia spirit uses only figs and anise seeds making it the perfect after-dinner sip.
The Nahmias et Fils distillery tour is said to be one of Yonker’s best hidden gems, with a truly personal, professional, and informative experience. Visitors always end up leaving the tour with a bottle of two and a new understanding of the famous Mahia spirit.
Book your distillery tasting tour today and make your own mind up on the unusual Mahia spirit!
Nahmias Et Fils Distillery Address: 201 Saw Mill River Rd, Yonkers, NY 10701, United States
19. Explore Yonkers Waterfront for the Day
The Yonkers Waterfront is a beautiful area on the Hudson River that offers visitors lots of fun activities. Take in the gorgeous views of the river as you stroll along its walking paths. There are several restaurants in the area to choose from, so you can enjoy a delicious meal while watching the boats go by.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent a kayak or canoe and explore the river. You can also take a tour of the historic Hudson River Museum, which is located on the waterfront. There are also plenty of fishing spots, so bring your rod and reel and try your luck!
Summary: Best Things To Do In Yonkers, New York
Yonkers is conveniently located close to New York City Center with excellent transport links to enable quick and easy visits to the city. But Yonkers also has a wide variety of venues, activities, and landmarks which make it an enjoyable place to visit in and of itself.
There are several fantastic museums that will give you a deeper and more involved understanding of Yonkers and its rich history. This is also a fantastic place for kids to visit with the huge water park, 55 Days of Fun Festival, and LEGOLAND venue to name but a few.
The area also features several beautiful green spaces where you can enjoy the local wildlife, nature, and scenery during hikes, treks, and bicycle rides. This is a great and inexpensive spot to begin your exploration of Westchester County and New York City.
We hope you’ve enjoyed learning about the best things to do in Yonkers, NY!
When is Best to Visit Yonkers, NY?
The best time to visit Yonkers, NY is in the spring or autumn. The weather is mild and pleasant, making it the perfect time to explore the city. In the spring, you might be able to catch the city in bloom.
In the fall season, the trees are changing colors and the days are crisp and cool. Avoid visiting during the summertime, as hot temperatures and humidity can make for uncomfortable sightseeing.
How to Get to Yonkers, NY?
By Car: Take Interstate 87 to the Bronx, then take Exit 4 for NYS-9A South/NY-100C/McLean Avenue. Continue for about 3 miles and you will reach Yonkers.
By Train: Take the Metro-North Railroad from NYC (Grand Central Station to Harlem Line – Yonkers Station).
By Bus: Take the Bee-Line Bus from NYC (East 161st Street & River Avenue to Yonkers).
Frequently Asked Questions About Yonkers, NY
The city of Yonkers NY has a population of 210,000 people, making it the third-largest populated city in the state of New York.
Yonkers is 15 miles away from Manhattan, approximately 45 minutes drive.
Yonkers is known for being the 3rd most populated city in New York, situated on the Hudson River. The city of Yonkers was also home to Elisha Otis, who invented the safety elevator back in 1854.
Map of Yonkers, NY
Yonkers by Video
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