Immersing oneself in the buzz of a major metropolitan area can be exciting, but it also can be stressful and tiresome. That’s why White Plains, New York, only about an hour drive from Manhattan, is the perfect compromise. The town provides the serenity of suburban communities without sacrificing the benefits of urban amenities. While giving residents and visitors room to breathe, the area offers convenient access to the largest city in America and the thrill of being in the heart of New York City. However, White Plains very much holds its own with vibrant commercial districts, highly-rated restaurants, tranquil nature refuges, and a wide selection of education options for its residents.
Overview of White Plains, NY
White Plains, the county seat of Westchester, is an inner suburb of New York nestled along the Hutchinson and Bronx rivers.
The town was established in 1683 after settlers from Rye, New York bought over 4,000 acres of land from the Weckquaeskeck Indians. Named after the Indian “Quarropas,” which translates to white marshes or plains, the purchasers dubbed the land “White Plains.” In 1721, King George II granted a patent to White Plains to 18 settlers. Development of homes, businesses, and churches took place along “Village Street” or what’s now known as “Broadway.”
Today, approximately 61,000 people live in White Plains.
The Schools in White Plains, NY
White Plains belongs to the White Plains Public Schools district, which is made up of nine schools: five elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools. White Plains Public Schools has a few unique curriculum departments, including family and consumer science, INCubatoredu Entrepreneurship, world languages and multilingual learner programs, and White Plains Basics focused on parenting and caregiving principles.
Additionally, parents have plenty of private education options to choose from, including The Windward School, an independent day school for children with language-based learning disabilities like dyslexia, and German International School New York, a bilingual college preparatory school. Fusion Academy, a 1-to-1 private school for grades six to 12, teaches students who struggle to learn in a traditional school setting. And these are just a handful of the private schools families in White Plains have access to.
Transportation in White Plains, NY
Getting around White Plains and to the surrounding areas is simple as there are a lot of public transportation options. White Plains has a station for MTA Metro-North trains, which connects to the Grand Central Terminal in New York City and travels as far north as the Wassaic Station in Amenia. The station is part of the TransCenter, serving as a pick-up and drop-off spot for the Bee-Line buses and other transportation options. The Bee-Line buses make service stops to several different locations in New York, including Port Chester, Scarsdale, the Bronx, and Armonk.
Those seeking adventure elsewhere can easily access many airports nearby, including Westchester County Airport, which is about seven miles away from White Plains. Also commonly called the “White Plains Airport,” this airport is convenient for business travel and getaways for residents. With connections to major hubs, Westchester County Airport makes it simple for passengers to travel locally and globally. A few other airports are only a few miles away from White Plains, including LaGuardia Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, Teterboro Airport, and Newark Liberty International Airport.
Recreation & Parks in White Plains, NY
Outdoor lovers have a plethora of parks and green spaces in White Plains to visit and unwind from the stresses of daily life.
Saxon Woods Park, spanning 700 acres, provides a variety of activities for patrons, including an 18-hole golf course, a miniature golf course, a large swimming pool, a children’s aquatic playground, and picnic areas. Trails twist and curve throughout the park, surrounded by hardwood forests, and extend along the Hutchinson River Parkway to Twin Lakes Park and north to Maple Moor Golf Course. Visitors also can explore Silver Lake Preserve, 236 acres of unmowed fields and woodlands featuring trails, small streams, and old stone foundations.
Or stop by Turnure Park with the family and enjoy its many amenities, including playgrounds, a bandstand and performing arts area, a large asphalt play area, a bocce court, and a grassy open space. In the springtime, this park is a sight to behold with over 100 Japanese Cherry Trees in bloom.
You can check out the variety of wildlife and plants at Cranberry Lake Preserve, a 190-acre park, which serves as a refuge for migratory birds and turtles. The park is home to many diverse habitats, such as scrubland, cliffs, swamp, vernal pools, and a four-acre lake. Park visitors can time travel to the past on the History Trail, leading to a 19th-century farmhouse and early 20th-century stone-mining operation.
Dining and Shopping in White Plains, NY
With all of its shopping centers, White Plains is considered a thriving commercial hub in Westchester County. The Westchester is a mecca for upscale shopping with prominent luxury stores, such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Coach, Tiffany & Co., Marc Jacobs, Rolex, and more. Of course, there are other familiar retail stores at the mall, including GameStop and Bath & Body Works.
City Center contains many popular stores, including Target, Burlington, Nordstrom Rack, and Barnes & Noble. It’s also home to a few restaurants, a movie theater, and the White Plains Performing Arts Center. Meanwhile, The Source at White Plains has three floors of stores, including Raymond & Flanigan Furniture and Dick’s Sporting Goods, located downtown, serving as a haven for avid shoppers.
If you’re craving a delicious bite to eat, then you’re in luck. White Plains has superb choices for eating out, whether that’s casual eateries or fine dining. Some local favorites are Rooster’s Market for breakfast, where diners can order omelets, pancakes, French toast, and the Hungry Man Wedge special, and Walter’s for signature hot dogs and potato puffs. For gourmet dining, you can satisfy your taste buds at the acclaimed Benjamin’s Steakhouse with a dry-aged New York sirloin or a mouthwatering filet mignon. Or sit down and eat award-winning Northern Italian cuisine, such as Pollo Excelsior or Bruschetta Toscana, at Mulino’s of Westchester.
Culture and Arts in White Plains, NY
Locals and visitors are spoiled with a burgeoning culture and arts scene in White Plains.
ArtsWestchester hosts multiple programs, including a jazz festival, folks art, an arts mobile, and a series celebrating food, dance, and music across Westchester County. The center displays a variety of exhibitions in its contemporary art gallery.
Or catch a theatrical production or a show by a nationally-recognized performing artist at the White Plains Performing Arts Center. Shows fall under the genres of children’s programming, stand-up comedy, dance, music, and theater. The center also offers an educational theater program and provides rental space to local arts organizations, businesses, and special interest groups.
Music enthusiasts have a few venues to explore and enjoy, including the Music Conservatory of Westchester, New Westchester Symphony Orchestra, and Downtown Music at Grace.
Considering Moving to White Plains, NY?
Who says you can’t have it all? White Plains is as close to having everything you need or want: a wide selection of education choices, several shopping centers, convenient modes of transportation, an abundance of peaceful green spaces, and a flourishing culture and arts scene.
Interested in discovering more about White Plains, NY? Contact a local expert strategist to learn more about the community or to find your next home in White Plains.
