Explore the River Towns of Westchester County, NY

Westchester County resides along the Hudson River, and each town offers something unique to residents and passersby. Below, you can explore the eight main river towns along the Hudson River and learn what makes them special places.

Hastings-on-Hudson

Hastings-on-Hudson is a quaint village in Greenburgh. It’s a great place to live if you prefer not to own a car, as its 2-mile size makes everything walkable.

The village has quite a history, as it was originally a settlement of the Weckquaesgeek Algonquian people. During the American Revolution in the late 18th century, both warring sides declared the area that’s now Hastings-on-Hudson as neutral territory. After the war, Hastings-on-Hudson eventually became an official part of Greenburgh in 1879. A couple of years before this incorporation, Hastings-on-Hudson started in the stone quarrying industry, one of its earliest financial endeavors.

Today, Hastings-on-Hudson offers a unique assortment of homes. Its hilly streets feature homes in Tudor, Victorian, ranch, contemporary, and Cape Cod styles. Potential homebuyers can find houses of various sizes for sale, including riverside condos and single-family homes. If you want to feel more involved with the Hastings-on-Hudson community, you can live in one of the several available co-ops.

Yonkers

Yonkers is a bit unlike all the other cities in this list, as it’s quite large and has more of an urban feel. It’s New York’s third-largest city, trailing behind just New York City and Buffalo. However, its location on the beautiful Hudson River gives it a peaceful feel, even among all the bustling activities. Colloquially nicknamed “The Sixth Borough,” Yonkers has several attractions, including the Sherwood House, the Science Barge, the Hudson River Museum, Untermyer Park, and Tibbetts Brook Park.

You’ll find the Getty Square plaza in Yonkers’ downtown area. This is the site of the municipal government, as well as shopping areas like Westchester’s Ridge Hill and the Cross County Shopping Center. Outside of downtown, you’ll learn that Yonkers is known as “The City of Seven Hills.” These seven Westchester neighborhoods that feature hills are Church, Glen, Locust, Cross, Ridge, Nodine, and Park Hill.

We call Westchester County home just like you do, so we strive to help each resident navigate the area as best as possible with a new Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, or Ram vehicle that fits their lifestyle and preferences. Contact us today to discuss vehicle financing options or learn what we currently have available.

Dobbs Ferry

Dobbs Ferry is another small village like Hastings-on-Hudson. It got its name from Jeremiah Dobbs, a family descendant who led a ferry business along the Hudson River in the mid-18th century. Today, Dobbs Ferry is a hub of rich history. It has several attractions on the National Register of Historic Places, including its United States Post Office, the South Presbyterian Church, the Hyatt-Livingston House, and the Estherwood and Carriage House.

Dobbs Ferry is also a great place for environmentalists to call home. It was the first of New York State’s villages to receive a Climate Smart Community certification. Today, the village still implements measures to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and offers rebates to residents who have electric vehicles. If you live in Dobbs Ferry and are interested in getting a hybrid or electric vehicle, contact our team at Bill Volz Westchester to speak with a knowledgeable staff member about your options.

Irvington

Residents of Irvington enjoy this village for its 1800s-era architecture and picturesque sunset views over the Hudson. While this village lacks grocery stores and strip malls, it has plenty of natural beauty. You’ll find multiple nature trails and a delightful, relaxing downtown area that complements the surrounding scenery. The residential lots in Irvington are more spacious than those in the other river towns on this list. Expansive estates are on the village’s outer edges, while late-1800s row houses and colonial homes reside on the downtown streets.

Tarrytown

While all of these river towns have a sense of beauty, Tarrytown is truly a standout village. Forbes named Tarrytown one of “America’s Prettiest Towns” in 2015, and it’s easy to see why. This village has gorgeous greenery and waterfront views, no matter where you are. Tarrytown once drew the likes of factory workers and affluent industrialists alike, and this is evident in the remaining row houses, brownstone homes, and impressive estates. Today, dozens of newly constructed homes draw inspiration from these original residences.

Sleepy Hollow

Sleepy Hollow is an up-and-coming Hudson River town. It has both recent developments and historic homes for potential residents to explore. Edge-on-Hudson is Sleepy Hollow’s most recent waterfront development that features apartments, condos, townhouses, and some commercial properties. It’s also the subject of Washington Irving’s short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” so history buffs get a kick from the culture of this village.

Ossining

Ossining is the perfect dwelling place for first-time homebuyers. Its available homes range from average to large, and buyers can acquire beautiful riverfront views for modest prices. Ossining also has its train station, the Ossining station. It serves most trains and takes passengers to New York City for a day trip into the big city.

Briarcliff Manor

Briarcliff Manor is one of the quietest villages on this list, as it’s tucked away from some of its neighboring river towns. Scarborough-on-Hudson is one of Briarcliff Manor’s most famous neighborhoods. It has been home to affluent families like the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers, and Astors. Briarcliff Manor has some historic architecture, apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes available for purchase.

If you and your family want a vehicle to take you on your adventures around Westchester County, visit our dealership at Bill Volz Westchester. Upon arrival, one of our sales agents will greet you to show you all our pre-owned and new vehicles. We’re also happy to answer any questions you have about service packages, leasing options, and anything else on your mind.

Photo Credit: Hudson River at Sunset by David Brossard is licensed by CC BY-SA 2.0

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