Yonkers is a thriving city situated in Westchester County in NY, right above the Bronx and around two miles from Manhattan. It is the third most populous city in New York State and is located near the Hudson River.
It is a favorite hub for those who wish to live in the comfort of the suburbs but at the same time work in New York City. The city is characterized by many hills, Yonkers Raceway, parks, and various shopping malls.
Here are some additional things to do in Yonkers:
1. Wander Around Untermyer Gardens Conservancy
For those who are asking what to do in Yonkers, it will be wise to allocate some time and visit this free public garden. People should be proud to savor these uniquely beautiful landscapes and view many plants and flowers in their beauty.
Also, the views of the Hudson River are beautiful. Everywhere you turn, every path you go down is just amazing. Be sure to grab a map and prepare to explore.
Don't miss the Vista Walk and the Reflecting Pool both recently restored. The Tower of Love is also a must-see. The picturesque scenery is great for weddings, birthdays, and other memorable moments.
Address: 945 N Broadway
2. Shop Or Dine At Ridge Hill
It is convenient to shop and eat here. The mall is well-built, neat, and very chic, which gives it a nice and perfect feel when shopping. The shops are rather diverse, there is everything to meet every taste from luxurious brands to cheap and cheerful.
The eateries are inviting and one can choose from outdoor cafes, Cheesecake Factory to Casa Fuego. The garden area is a lovely surprise, with plenty of seating and a beautiful view.
They always do such a beautiful job decorating for the holidays and the live entertainment is so much fun. Parking can be an issue here and one has to download a website to park.
Address: 1 Ridge Hill Boulevard
3. Try Your Luck At Empire City Casino
Everything about the Empire is alluring, fun, visually stimulating, entertaining, exciting, and a really good time. It is very clean with tons of machines and lots of games including slots, table games, and more.
They have a huge parking lot and also a shuttle that picks you up in the parking lot for free; the walk is not so bad as well. They also have live music at times and a pretty big bar.
On the stage, there is a big screen where you can watch the sports games. The casino is conveniently located off I-87 NY Thruway
Address: 810 Yonkers Ave
4. Soak In The Beauty of Tibbetts Brook Park
It is a beautiful mixture of landscape, leisure, and archeology. Among such attractions, it is also enjoyable to meet the unexpected ducks and turtles that give spice to the local park.
This park has so much to offer for everyone. The aquatic complex is fantastic, featuring a spray playground for kids, in-pool basketball, and volleyball for some fun competition. The lazy river is loved by many and truly makes this place special.
For those who appreciate history and tradition, the Tudor-revival style bathhouse adds a majestic touch to the center, while the restored pavilions maintain a vintage look that's both charming and nostalgic.
Address: 355 Midland Ave
5. Tour The Nahmias Et Fils
This distillery is run by a couple who personally give tastings and tours. Visiting the distillery, and hearing about the passionate and dedicated process of spirit-making in the heart of Yonkers New York is a wonderful experience.
While learning is fun, the tasting is a plus. It can appeal to anyone keen to drink some exotic and authentic drink. They also distill rye, bourbon, and a unique distilled combo of beers called "Spirit of Yonkers."
It is highly recommend stopping here if you ever are in the Yonkers area. Shop from a variety of brews at the Nahmias Et Fils website.
Address: 201 Saw Mill River Rd,
6. Visit iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Westchester
If you ever need an indoor activity throughout the year no matter the weather outside you have to go to iFLY. This is an entire family attraction that will keep the kids busy, excited, and asking for more.
It is a lot of fun once you focus on instructions and then execute them. Although rates are somewhat steep to mitigate the cost/time issue, always first go to their website.
Look for vouchers because they always have deals. For example, if you have two people, buy four tickets; that way, you get double the amount of flight time.
Address: 849 Ridge Hill Boulevard
7. Savor Delicious Pizzas At Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana
Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana is simply great. As you enter there is the smell of freshly baked pizza which is done at 600 degrees and their crusts are so crisp.
The pizzas are served piping hot, fresh, and in record time. They don't deviate at all from standard toppings; all they offer is the tried and tested pepperoni, sausage, and mushrooms.
However, if you are with a person who does not enjoy pizza food, they have salads that are among the best.
Address: 1955 Central Park Ave
8. Fun Time With Kids At LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester
The center has so much for the kids to do. They have rides, a play area, dance sessions with a DJ, and of course legos everywhere. You can build your own little Lego cars and then race them.
They also validated your very convenient parking. When you first enter you get to take a photo then you are led to the ride that takes you on a journey to shoot down the bad guys and save the princess.
After the ride you get to walk through NYC made out of LEGOs. A must do with the kids. Discover some more crazy things to do with kids in NYC.
Address: Ridge Hill Mall, 39 Fitzgerald Street,
9. Spend Family Time At E J Murray Memorial Skating Center
E J Murray Memorial Skating Center is easy to get to, with plenty of parking and seating. Come here to learn, fall, or just show off on a first date, it's great.
The skates for rent are a bit dated but they are still good to use. The ice is cleaned by the Zamboni machine after every session so you're guaranteed a nice slick surface.
They also have lessons and are great for hosting kid's birthday parties. Ridge Hill is nearby so you also have lots of shopping and dining. As a result, this is one of the things to do in Yonkers NY with family.
Address: 348 Tuckahoe Rd
10. Admire Collections At The Hudson River Museum
Permanent and temporary exhibits with works by local artists from different periods make this museum worth visiting. Great for families, as there's a planetarium with shows throughout the day.
Not only do they put on an excellent collection of African American/black art, but they have multiple other styles of art as well. They have a tour of a classic house and a section on the ecology of the Hudson River.
It is very accessible from the city; a walking distance from the Metro North Glenwood station. The museum is small and you can complete the tour within one hour. This way you visit other places in Yonkers.
Address: 511 Warburton Ave
11. Explore The Hapik Yonkers
Hapik in Yonkers is a great place to spend an afternoon. There were many places to climb the walls and zip line. The place is very clean and the equipment allows anyone to take part in the activities safely.
You will also find two levels of rope courses. The belaying system is easy to figure out, and kids can do it on their own. It is also a perfect place to host birthday parties with a nice party setup.
Moreover, the team is so accommodating in so many ways. They work with your sneaky payment issue, are present at the event, watch the kids, help set up, and of course, assist clean up.
Address: 51 Market Street
12. View The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)
This museum is the place where one is likely to find some exciting pieces of modern art. It provides much more information about the works of Vincent Van Gogh, Andy Warhol, Pablo Picasso, etc.
These holdings include paintings, sculptures, movies, and design objects. Besides that, MoMA has on display world-renowned works of art and their history, as well as special exhibitions.
It has a sculpture garden for the lovers of art outdoors. If time permits do check this list of things to do in NYC today.
Address: 11 W 53rd St, New York
13. Witness Race At Yonkers Raceway
Yonkers Raceway is a well-known harness race track with a half mile of track made of dirt. It has standardbred horse racing and is located at the Empire City Casino which offers slot and other gaming products.
The raceway, for its whole time of existence, has hosted important contests such as the Yonkers Trot and the Messenger Stakes, the two races being critical in the realm of harness racing.
It is open all year and hosts live racing several days a week. Witnessing a race at this venue is one of the most exciting things to do Yonkers.
Address: 810 Yonkers Ave
14. Discover Homefield Bowl
Homefield Bowl is a complete bowling alley experience. There are 32 lanes and tons of different bowling balls to choose from.
There is food, a bar drinks, a vending machine for snacks, and soft drinks. The rates are by the hour but they do allow lane rental for 30 minutes as well. You can also avail of specials that are advertised on our website, Homefield Bowl.
A pro shop located in the bowling alley by a gentleman named Patrick Allen provides very knowledgeable information about the sport. So, do visit with your friends or family.
Address: 938 Saw Mill River Rd
15. Pay Visit To Groundwork Hudson Valley's Science Barge
This floating farm is excellent for both children and adults to learn and understand a bit more about different types of plants and how they grow. You will be given a guided tour of the facility and will be shown insects that are good and bad for a plant-based environment.
In addition, the floating farm also generates its electrical source with multiple solar panels across the boat. It demonstrates many old and new technologies.
The depth of the science going on at the barge goes far beyond what one can learn in an hour-long visit. Stop by during a beautiful day or when you long for a peaceful escape.
Address: 99 Dock St
16. Observe Nature At Van Der Donck Park
It is a really beautiful little park with big important features located right across the Yonkers station on Buena Vista Avenue. This is where the Saw Mill River exits into the Hudson River along the tidal pool.
There are ducks, turtles, birds, fish, and other wild animals that freely roam or swim and sunbathe in the same place. Other main attractions are the "Open Classroom" arena and the "Sound Bridge".
Eating joints, fine restaurants, train stations, banks, and fast food are all closely accessible by walking. It is one of the best places for a nature stroll in the afternoon, jogging in the morning, or just sitting and watching nature at work.
Address: 41 Dock St
17. Walk Around The Lenoir Preserve
Lenoir Preserve has a paved path you can follow with various branching points. The unpaved paths are hard to follow, but since the place is contained, it's difficult to get lost.
While Google Maps currently lacks routes in the preserve, you can orient yourself about landmarks. The castle ruins and the nature center are fun to look at.
It is a well-maintained small park with only one trail to walk and it's less than a mile. There is a butterfly garden which will be nice to see in the warmer weather. Also, look for a couple of old homes/mansions.
Address: 19 Dudley St
18. Book A Room At Hampton Inn & Suites Yonkers
Hampton Inn and Suites Yonkers is an up-to-date hotel that provides guests and travelers with many choices of comforts to entice travelers to Yonkers. All are free for guests, including hot breakfast, parking, and Wi-Fi for the whole area of the hotel.
It has a swimming pool, which is indoors, a fitness center, and business facilities and so would attract people going on both business and holiday. Furthermore, there are two conference rooms provided with all the required technology for meetings or other purposes.
Convenience is also felt through the easy access to major features with Empire City Casino close by and Ridge Hill for shopping.
Address: 160 Corporate Blvd
19. Experience Shopping At Stew Leonard's
Stew Leonard's is one interesting supermarket that resembles more of an amusement park than the supermarkets that we normally know. It belongs to the family-operated group of grocery stores selling fresh dairy products.
However, the variety of the food offered also ranges from meat to sushi. The layout of the store pretty much panels a maze, making it fun to follow around and they have numerous samples.
You can get your fresh bagels, quality deli meats, and sandwiches. In addition, if you have purchased over a hundred dollars, you receive a scoop of ice cream or coffee before you leave.
Address: 1 Stew Leonard Dr
20. Indulge In Monster Mini Golf Yonkers
Stop in for some monster mini golf while in the area and have a blast. The place is super laid back and empty on a weekday.
The mini golf course is set up in the back with all the black light action, props, and paintings on the walls to set the glow-in-the-dark vibe.
It is a full 18-hole golf course and you might need to space yourself a bit so you don't crowd others but other than that it's good. They also have arcade games and bowling.
Address: 221 Market St 2nd floor - Cole Street Parking Lot - Level 4
