History, Art and the Great Outdoors in Westchester County, New York

It may be right next door to the greatest city on earth, but that doesn’t mean New York’s Westchester County isn’t a winning destination in its own right. True, there’s no Statue of Liberty or Empire State Building – but the rolling hills and parklands, preeminent cultural institutions and meticulously preserved historic landmarks make for a perfect three-day family getaway any season of the year.

Historical Sightings

For a spirited adventure into early-American family life, there’s no better place than Westchester County. Sprinkled among a group of river towns including Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown and Croton-on-Hudson, you’ll find a network of six historical sites, operated by the Historic Hudson Valley educational organization, that bring the olden days to life. Stroll the winding paths of Phillipsburg Manor, the 18th-century home of a wealthy farming and milling family. Helpful guides in period costumes answer all your questions. Check out historic breeds of oxen, chickens and cows and enjoy an up-close look at a real, working gristmill.

Visit Sunnyside, once home to the legendary author Washington Irving, and relax with a picnic lunch as you gaze at the Hudson River and then catch a tour of the charming home designed by the author himself.

Those with more sophisticated tastes will love the extraordinary estate known as Kykuit, where four generations of Rockefellers lived. Be sure to check the Historic Hudson Valley Web site (see box) before visiting any of these sites, since each has its own operating schedule and all close for at least part of the winter. The Web site also clues you into special events, such as sheep shearing, cooking and weaving demonstrations and unique holiday-themed activities.

Sample the more serious side of Colonial life at St. Paul’s Church in Mt. Vernon. Nestled within an unlikely industrial area, the stone church, with a pew structure that replicates its 1787 layout, once served as a Revolutionary War hospital. The church was restored in 1942 with funds raised by Sara Delano Roosevelt, mother of President Franklin Roosevelt.

Adjacent to the church is a cemetery with gravestones dating back as far as 1704. There’s also a museum, where you can learn about the decisive role that Westchester County played in key Revolutionary War battles. Climb up the 225-year-old church tower and see a bell cast in 1758 at the same foundry as the Liberty Bell and listen to the penetrating music of a pipe organ dating back to 1833 – one of the oldest functioning organs in the country.

One-time Westchester resident and prominent thinker and writer of the Revolutionary period was Thomas Paine, author of the influential work Common Sense. Take a look at the life of this important historical figure at the Thomas Paine Cottage in New Rochelle. The two-acre site is home to some remarkable artifacts. See the cast iron stove given to Paine by Benjamin Franklin, himself, furnishings recreated to reflect late Colonial life and a collection of authentic 19th-century quilts. Take a guided tour of the cottage and grounds and see the deed to the land that eventually became the city of New Rochelle – a document that’s more than 300 years old!

Nature Calls

History isn’t the only thing that Westchester offers. Regardless of the season, Westchester County is a great place to be outdoors, with its plentiful supply of parks, farms and nature preserves.

Among the most delightful outdoor treasures is Muscoot Farm, located in the town of Somers. It’s a dairy farm dating back to 1880, but still in operation. Stroll through the original buildings and barns, including the dairy barn, the milk house and the blacksmith shop. You’ll see different breeds of cows, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, chickens and ducks; many are rare and typical of those on an early 20th-century farm. Muscoot also has hiking trails and seasonal activities such as hayrides, pumpkin picking, maple sugaring, soap making, bird watching and crafts.

Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, located in the picturesque town of Pocantico Hills, is a specialized plant and animal farm dedicated to producing and advocating for local foods and environmentally friendly farming. The center, founded by the philanthropist David Rockefeller and his daughter, Peggy Dulaney, has a greenhouse, gardens and pastures where livestock are raised for food. This is one place where you can actually visit a henhouse and grab a still-warm egg that was laid minutes ago, or cut some fresh herbs and greens for later preparation in the demonstration kitchen. For a real treat, make a reservation for dinner at the renowned Blue Hill at Stone Barns restaurant – an upscale eatery that serves food made with ingredients harvested right on the farm. If you have children in tow, try the small and relaxed outdoor café nearby.

For a different kind of nature adventure, visit the Teatown Lake Reservation in Ossining. It’s an 834-acre nature preserve with 15 miles of scenic hiking trails, a breathtaking wildflower sanctuary and a nature center that’s home to a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians.

Teatown offers seasonal programs for families, with activities such as maple sugaring, cider making, stargazing, bird watching, canoeing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Arts and Play

Ready for some entertainment? When you’re in Westchester don’t miss the Emelin Theater in Mamaroneck, the oldest continuing performing arts theater in the county. Founded in 1972, the Emelin offers concerts and live theater performances throughout the year with stars as diverse as Leslie Gore, Janis Ian, Isaac Stern and Idina Menzel. Bluegrass, folk, country and Indie Rock are all part of Emelin’s repertoire, as are children’s shows and dramatic plays for adults. This cozy theater is located just steps away from Mamaroneck Avenue, a busy downtown street where you can enjoy a tasty dinner or grab some coffee and dessert before or after the show.

If art’s your thing, drive to the grounds of the State University of New York College at Purchase, home to the Neuberger Museum of Art. This acclaimed museum has a permanent collection of more has 6,000 works of contemporary, modern and African art, including pieces by Edward Hopper, Georgia O’Keeffe and Mark Rothko.

When you’re ready to play, head over to the city of Rye, where you’ll find Playland, the historic, family-friendly amusement park that’s more than 70 years old. Located on the shores of the Long Island Sound, Playland is the only Art Deco amusement park in the country and part of the National Register of Historic Places. The park has more than 50 rides and attractions, including seven that date back to before 1930! Walk along the boardwalk, which moviegoers may recognize from the Tom Hanks movie Big, and enjoy standard amusement-park fare like frozen custard and cotton candy. If you happen visit in the fall or winter when the rides are closed, head right next door to Playland’s indoor “Ice Casino,” which is open for public ice skating.

If You Go …

Information on each of the Westchester County sites mentioned above:

• Emelin Theater, 153 Library Lane, Mamaroneck, 914-698-0098; www.emelin.org .

• Historic Hudson Valley – www.hudsonvalley.org  – This umbrella organization operates seven area historic sites: Phillipsburg Manor, Sunnyside, Lyndhurst, Kykuit, Union Church of Pocantico Hills, Montgomery Place and Van Cortlandt Manor. The Web site has information on addresses, hours, phone numbers and more for each destination.

• Muscoot Farm, 51 Rte. 100, Katonah, 914-864-7282; www.muscootfarm.org  

• Neuberger Museum of Art, Purchase College, State University of New York, 735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, 914-251-6100 (weekdays); 914-251-6117 (weekends); www.neuberger.org .

• Playland Park, Playland Parkway, Rye, 914-813-7000; www.westchestergov/com/playland .

• St. Paul’s Church, 897 South Columbus Ave., Mt. Vernon, 914-667-4116; www.nps.gov/sapa/ .

• Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture, 630 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, 914-366-6200; www.stonebarnscenter.org .

• Teatown Lake Reservation, 1600 Spring Valley Road, Ossining, 914-762-2912; www.teatown.org .

• Thomas Paine Cottage, 20 Sicard Ave., New Rochelle, 914-633-1776; www.thomaspainecottage.org .

Barbara Josselsohn is a Westchester-based freelance writer.