Overview
Yonkers is a city of 211,569 people (2020) in Westchester County. The third most populous city in New York state, Yonkers is a suburb of New York City and borders the Borough of the Bronx. Yonkers is known as the "City of Seven Hills," which are Park, Nodine, Ridge, Cross, Locust, Glen, and Church hills.
6 sights · 6 things to do · 8 places to eat · 2 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Yonkers
The Hudson River Museum
Exhibitions on regional history, Hudson Valley art, and the only public planetarium in Westchester County. It is the largest museum in Westchester County.
Untermyer Park
Greek gardens, canals, reflecting pools and other created "ruins". Untermyer Performing Arts Council produces live performances in the park. The performances are admission free and are done throughout the summer. Special…
Philipse Manor Hall
A Colonial-era manor house which today serves as a museum and archive, offering many glimpses into life before the American Revolution.
Saint Joseph's Seminary
The major seminary of the Archdiocese of New York. It educates men destined to serve as priests within the Archdiocese and elsewhere in the United States and abroad. The Seminary has hosted Pope John Paul II in 1995 and …
Tibbetts Brook Park
A multi-use park with some pockets of good habitat. Good birding except during summer when it's overrun with people. Tibbetts Brook Park, 161 acres with its mammoth 412' x 125' pool, is one of the first parks developed b…
Legoland Discovery Center Westchester
Located in the Ridge Hill shopping center downstairs from both Showcase Cinema De Lux and Dick's Sporting Goods.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Jun. (climate data from nearby Pleasantville)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- LGA LaGuardia Airport, New York — 11 mi away (major hub). Directions
- HPN Westchester County Airport, White Plains — 12 mi away. Directions
The three major airports in the New York City area offer service to just about anywhere. Westchester-based taxi and livery cars offer regular service to and from the three internationals from most areas of the county. New York City yellow cabs must take you to Westchester, but the fares can be expensive, especially as they double upon crossing the city line. Instead, ask if your hotel offers shuttle service.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $120–$137 a night (typical $130), from 6 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$160, mid-range ~$200, comfortable ~$300.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Hudson River Museum, Untermyer Park
- Lunch Dom and Vinnie's Restaurant
- Afternoon Philipse Manor Hall, The Old Croton Aqueduct Trail
- Dinner Zuppa
- Evening Rory Dolan's Restaurant & Bar
Day 2
- Morning Saint Joseph's Seminary, Yonkers Raceway & Empire City Casino
- Lunch Raceway Diner
- Afternoon Tibbetts Brook Park, Murray's Skating Center
- Dinner Carlo's Restaurant
- Evening Burke's Restaurant and Bar
Day 3
- Morning Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, Sprain Ridge Park
- Lunch Stew Leonard's
- Afternoon Legoland Discovery Center Westchester, Homefield Bowl
- Dinner La Lanterna Ristorante & Caffe
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
The three major airports in the New York City area offer service to just about anywhere. Westchester-based taxi and livery cars offer regular service to and from the three internationals from most areas of the county. New York City yellow cabs must take you to Westchester, but the fares can be expensive, especially as they double upon crossing the city line. Instead, ask if your hotel offers shuttle service.
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in northern Queens
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in southern Queens
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark, New Jersey
By train
Go Metro-North Railroad
Metro-North serves the city of Yonkers at several stations on two lines. The Hudson line serves four stations on the W side of the city along the Hudson River. From S to N, the stations are Ludlow, Yonkers, Glenwood, and Greystone. The Harlem line runs just outside the city limits on the E side. The stations convenient to Yonkers neighborhoods are (S to N) Wakefield, Mt Vernon West, Fleetwood, Bronxville, Tuckahoe, Crestwood, and Scarsdale. Travel time to Yonkers station on the express service from New York City's Grand Central Terminal is about 25 min. Slower local service is available between other Metro-North commuter stations. On-board train fares are subject to a stiff surcharge, so buy your tickets at the station ticket office or at vending machines.
- Routes stopping in Yonkers:
- Adirondack operating daily between Montreal and New York City including stops along the way in Saint-Lambert, Rouses Point, Plattsburgh, Westport, Ticonderoga, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Albany (Rensselaer), Hudson, Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Croton-on-Hudson, and Yonkers.
- Ethan Allen Express operating daily between Burlington and New York City including in Middlebury, Rutland, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Albany (Rensselaer), Hudson, Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Croton-on-Hudson, and Yonkers.
- Empire Service operating twice daily between Niagara Falls (New York) and New York City including stops in Buffalo, Buffalo (Depew), Rochester, Syracuse, Rome, Utica, Schenectady, Albany (Rensselaer), Hudson, Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Croton-on-Hudson, and Yonkers. Additional daily trips operate between Albany (Rensselaer) and New York City.
- Maple Leaf operating daily between Toronto and New York City, in partnership with VIA Rail Canada. Stops between Toronto and Niagara Falls (New York) include in Oakville, Burlington, Grimsby, St. Catharines, and Niagara Falls (Ontario). Stops between Niagara Falls (New York) and New York City are the same as those made by the Empire Service. Border crossing processing takes place in Niagara Falls, where passengers must detrain with their baggage. Train crew members are staffed by VIA Rail within Canada, and by Amtrak within the United States.
Go Bronx River Parkway
The Bronx River Parkway lets you get in from White Plains to the N and from The Bronx to the S.
Go Cross County Parkway
The Cross County Parkway provides access to Yonkers from Mount Vernon and New Rochelle, as well as with towns along the connecting Hutchinson River Parkway to Merritt Parkway.
Go New York State Thruway (I-87)
Yonkers is the southern terminus of the New York State Thruway, which continues south into the New York City borough of The Bronx as the Major Deegan Expressway. The 496 mi thruway provides access to Yonkers from most major cities in New York State.
Go Saw Mill River Parkway (Saw Mill Parkway)
The Saw Mill River Parkway lets you reach Yonkers from towns in northern Westchester County. On its southern end, it meets up with the Henry Hudson Parkway in the Bronx, which gives access from Manhattan.
Go Sprain Brook Parkway
The Sprain Brook Parkway can get you into Yonkers from central Westchester County.
By bicycle
Get around
See
See Untermyer Park
Greek gardens, canals, reflecting pools and other created "ruins". Untermyer Performing Arts Council produces live performances in the park. The performances are admission free and are done throughout the summer. Special concerts throughout the year are announced on their website.
See Saint Joseph's Seminary (Dunwoodie)
The major seminary of the Archdiocese of New York. It educates men destined to serve as priests within the Archdiocese and elsewhere in the United States and abroad. The Seminary has hosted Pope John Paul II in 1995 and Pope Benedict XVI in 2008. They each led an afternoon prayer service and visited with the seminarians.
See The Old Croton Aqueduct Trail
Work began on the Croton Aqueduct in 1837 to tap the waters of the Croton watershed in Westchester County for the residents of New York City. It runs north-south, parallel to the Hudson Line of Metro North, so it is readily accessible from New York City by public transportation. In Yonkers, the hiker passes the lion gates at the lower end of the old Untermyer estate (now Untermyer Park). Passing by Glenwood in Yonkers, one passes by the Hudson River Museum. In Glenwood urban conditions are encountered. The trail ends at Lamartine Avenue in Yonkers.
See Tibbetts Brook Park
A multi-use park with some pockets of good habitat. Good birding except during summer when it's overrun with people. Tibbetts Brook Park, 161 acres with its mammoth 412' x 125' pool, is one of the first parks developed by the County. The Park offers many recreational activities throughout the year and hosts ethnic celebrations, fairs and festivals during the summer months. The South County Trail Way provides easy access afoot or by bicycle. Access requires Westchester residency.
Do
Do Yonkers Raceway & Empire City Casino
Founded in 1899 as the Empire City Race Track, Yonkers Raceway is a one-half-mile standardbred harness racing dirt track. The casino—featuring video slot machines, video blackjack, and electronic table games—opened in 2006. It is now operated by MGM Resorts. There are several dining venues onsite. Gambling age is 18.
Do Murray's Skating Center (E.J. Murray Memorial Skating Center)
Offers public skating, figure, ice, and roller skating lessons, ice hockey programs and leagues, speed, figure, and ice hockey clinics and camps. Most of these are offered to groups of all ages or offered in separate sessions for adults and youth. Also can be used for birthday parties. Skates can be rented. Snack bar and pro-shop are available.
Buy
Shop Cross County Shopping Center
Cross County Shopping Center is an open-air shopping mall, opened in 1954 as the first mall in Westchester County. A renovation completed in 2012 modernized and beautified the center. Cross County is anchored by Macy's, Old Navy, a Super Stop & Shop supermarket, a Showcase Cinema De Lux movie theater (the sister theater of the one in Ridge Hill), and Blink Fitness. Shops include H&M, Michel Kors, and Zara. Among the dining options are Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and Longhorn Steakhouse.
Shop Central Park Avenue (NY 100)
Central Park Avenue runs for eight and a half miles from the City of Yonkers through Greenburgh to White Plains. A very big shopping avenue with stores including T.J. Maxx, Best Buy, car dealers, and many privately owned stores, as well as the Alamo Drafthouse cinema.
Shop Ridge Hill
An outdoor mall featuring high-end shops, restaurants, and a Showcase Cinema De Lux movie theater (the sister theater of the one in Cross County). Stores include the Apple Store, Brooks Brothers, the Container Store, H&M, Legoland Discovery Center, L.L.Bean, Lord & Taylor, Orvis, Papyrus, Sur La Table, Uniqlo, and Whole Foods. Among the dining options are the Cheesecake Factory, Texas de Brazil, Yard House.
Eat
Eat Nathan's Famous
Opened in 1965, this was the third location of the world-famous Coney Island-based hot dog joint. The site has since been remodeled and downsized, with a CVS now occupying the site of the former entrance.
Eat Stew Leonard's
A small chain of supermarkets in Connecticut and New York that Ripley's Believe It or Not! has deemed "The World's Largest Dairy" and that Fortune Magazine has deemed one of the top "100 Best Companies to Work For".
Eat Zuppa
Opened in March 2003, Zuppa was one of the first projects to spark the redevelopment of Yonkers' Downtown Waterfront District. Zuppa is a white table-clothed Italian restaurant that you will remember forever. The cuisine of Zuppa is Italian, a refined collection of dishes with the emphasis of enjoyment, taste and pairings. Andiamo is a take out and catering portion of Zuppa Restaurant. They offer gourmet foods, panini, wraps, and full service catering for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Eat Dom and Vinnie's Restaurant
Since 1971, this second generation establishment serves award-winning pizza and Italian entrees in a family friendly, family run atmosphere. Dine in, take out and delivery are available as well as a private dining room that seats up to 40 patrons. Daily specials such as momma's napolitano meatballs over rigatoni, chicken scarpriello, homemade cavatelli with broccoli rabe and veal chop Milanese, are posted on their website.
Eat La Lanterna Ristorante & Caffe
Italian restaurant with beer & wine garden.
Eat Carlo's Restaurant
A staple in the area since 1976, the year opened. Serving lunch and dinner. Serves authentic Italian-American food at a reasonable price in a casual atmosphere. Catering is also offered.
Eat Raceway Diner
Authentic American food served with fast and friendly service in a casual atmosphere. Serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert 24-hours a day 7 days a week. Very reasonable prices.
Eat Pizza Beat
Family owned. Serves a little bit of everything but with a specialty in Italian-American dishes. No matter how crowded service is fast and friendly. Reasonably priced. Casual atmosphere.
Drink
Drink Rory Dolan's Restaurant & Bar
Classic Irish pub.
Drink Burke's Restaurant and Bar
Burke's was established in 2001 and has become to be known for its traditional Irish atmosphere, with 19 beers on tap, and a huge private party room that can accommodate up to 75 people.
Sleep
Stay safe
There are some areas of Yonkers which you should avoid – especially during the nighttime hours. These areas include some neighborhoods in South Yonkers, such as Nodine Hill. These areas suffer from a high level of gang violence and drugs. However, there is little of interest in these areas for the average tourist.
The Yonkers Police Department constantly patrols the city and will be happy to assist you if you need help or have an emergency.
Like in the rest of the United States, you can contact emergency services by dialing 911.
Go next
- New York City is immediately to the south.
- The rest of the Hudson Valley is to the north.
Nearby
Bronxville
City / town · 3 listings · 2 mi away
Tuckahoe
City / town · 21 listings · 2 mi away
Mount Vernon
City / town · 3 listings · 3 mi away
Palisades
Park · 3 mi away
Eastchester
City / town · 2 listings · 3 mi away
Hastings-on-Hudson
City / town · 5 listings · 3 mi away
Pelham
City / town · 6 listings · 4 mi away
New Rochelle
City / town · 22 listings · 4 mi away
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