Yonkers, New York Travel Guide
City City with diverse culture in New York
North of Manhattan, Yonkers attracts day-trippers for the Hudson River waterfront, Untermyer Gardens, and the Hudson River Museum. Cheap eats, old mills, and a growing brewery scene make it a practical escape from the city.
Why Visit Yonkers, New York? #
Just north of Manhattan, Yonkers offers riverfront culture and quick access to New York City while keeping a more relaxed pace. Untermyer Gardens and the Hudson River Museum provide landscaped gardens and exhibitions, and Getty Square serves as a lively downtown hub of restaurants and immigrant cuisines. Walkable waterfront paths, historic mills turned galleries, and a growing food scene make it a convenient urban escape.
Who's Yonkers, New York For?
Yonkers has waterfront parks, family attractions like Untermyer Gardens and the Hudson Riverfront esplanade. Quick subway and commuter-rail connections let families reach Manhattan museums and the Bronx Zoo for day trips.
Untermyer Park & Gardens is a standout with terraces, follies and river views; nearby Rockefeller State Park offers wooded trails and wetlands. The Hudson walkways are handy for birdwatching year-round.
Riverside strolls and dining at waterfront restaurants in historic downtown make nice low-key dates. Untermyer Gardens provides particularly romantic terraces and quiet corners for afternoon walks and seasonal events too.
Close proximity to Manhattan and the I-87/I-95 corridors makes Yonkers useful for regional business, with corporate offices and commuter rail to NYC. Conference hotels are modest but functional for mid-size meetings.
Top Things to Do in Yonkers, New York
All Attractions ›
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- Untermyer Garden and Park - Lavish Persian- and Italian-influenced gardens perched above the Hudson with formal terraces.
- Hudson River Museum - Art, history, and planetarium programs overlooking the river; great for family visits.
- Philipse Manor Hall - Colonial-era manor house museum in downtown Yonkers recounting local aristocratic history.
- Yonkers Waterfront Walkway (Larkin Plaza area) - Riverfront promenade with cafes and views across the Hudson to Manhattan.
- Lenoir Preserve - Riverside nature preserve with wetlands and easy trails, popular for birdwatching.
- Van der Donck Park - Small green space near Getty Square used by locals for festivals and weekend markets.
- Getty Square farmers' market - Busy local market offering regional produce, foods, and community energy on weekends.
- Carpenter Recreation Center skating rink - Community rink hosting local sports and public skating sessions during winter months.
- Manhattan, New York City - About 30-40 minutes by Metro-North, world-class museums, neighborhoods, theaters, and dining.
- Sleepy Hollow and Philipsburg Manor - Historic Hudson Valley sites under an hour away, rich in Revolutionary and colonial-era history.
- Bear Mountain State Park - Scenic park roughly an hour's drive offering lake views, hiking, and a riverside zoo.
- Tarrytown - Charming riverside village with shops and riverside walks a short train ride away.
Where to Go in Yonkers, New York #
Downtown (Getty Square)
Getty Square is Yonkers’ beating heart: restaurants, shops and the main commuter hub into Manhattan. It’s handy for short stays, people‑watching and catching the ferry or train into NYC, and has a growing food scene worth sampling.
Top Spots
- Getty Square - Yonkers’ main square with cafés and municipal buildings.
- Local restaurants offering international and American options.
- Yonkers Metro‑North station (GCT) - easy NYC access.
Hudson Riverfront
The riverfront offers green space, museum visits and peaceful views of the Hudson. It’s a great counterpoint to downtown, especially on sunny days when locals picnic or stroll along the water.
Top Spots
- Hudson River Museum - art, planetarium and river views.
- Riverfront promenades and parks for walks.
- Restaurants overlooking the Hudson - pleasant dining at sunset.
Untermyer & North Yonkers
North Yonkers and the Untermyer area feel leafy and residential, anchored by the stunning Untermyer Gardens. It’s an excellent spot for relaxed walks, historic architecture and escaping the rush of the commuter areas.
Top Spots
- Untermyer Gardens - historic landscaped gardens open to the public.
- Philipse Manor - historic house near the commuter rail.
- Quiet residential streets with local cafés.
Plan Your Visit to Yonkers, New York #
Best Time to Visit Yonkers, New York #
The best time to visit Yonkers is late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October), when mild temperatures make the Hudson waterfront, Untermyer Gardens, and outdoor dining enjoyable. Winters are cold and snowy while summers are hot and humid with frequent thunderstorms.
Best Time to Visit Yonkers, New York #
Yonkers, New York's climate is classified as Hot-Summer Continental - Hot-Summer Continental climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 30°C. Abundant rainfall (1184 mm/year), wettest in May, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 3°C and lows of -5°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -5°C. Moderate rainfall (75 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 4°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (110 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (92 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the warmest month with highs of 30°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm).
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August
August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm).
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September
September is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (103 mm).
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October
October is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (91 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -2°C. Regular rainfall (94 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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How to Get to Yonkers, New York
Yonkers is easily reached from the New York City area by air via LaGuardia (LGA), JFK and Newark (EWR), and by rail via Metro-North's Yonkers station on the Hudson Line. Grand Central Terminal is the main rail hub for trips into Manhattan; local Bee-Line buses and taxis handle shorter trips around Yonkers.
LaGuardia Airport (LGA): The fastest public-transit option from LaGuardia to downtown Yonkers is to take the M60 or Q70 bus into Manhattan/Harlem (or to a subway connection) and then transfer to Metro-North at Harlem-125th Street or Grand Central; plan on roughly 45-75 minutes end to end. Local MTA buses/subways cost about $2.75-$3.00; Metro-North fares into Yonkers are typically in the low single-digit range to under $10 depending on peak/off-peak and ticket type. A taxi or rideshare from LGA to downtown Yonkers usually runs in the ~$30-$60 range and takes ~25-45 minutes depending on traffic.
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): Take the AirTrain from terminals to Jamaica Station (AirTrain fare applies, around $8) and then a subway or LIRR into Manhattan, then Metro-North from Grand Central to Yonkers; total travel time is typically 75-100 minutes. Expect combined public-transit costs roughly $10-$30 depending on whether you use LIRR or subway plus Metro-North. Taxis/rideshares are considerably more expensive - often ~$70-$100 and 40-70 minutes depending on traffic.
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR): Use the AirTrain to Newark Liberty station and connect to NJ Transit or Amtrak into New York Penn Station, then transfer (subway or taxi) to Grand Central for Metro-North to Yonkers; allow 60-90 minutes. Combined fares for AirTrain + NJ Transit/Amtrak + subway/Metro-North commonly fall in the ~$15-$30 range (varies by provider); taxi/rideshare to Yonkers will usually be ~$70-$120 and 30-60 minutes depending on traffic.
Train: Metro-North Railroad’s Hudson Line is the primary rail link - Yonkers has its own Metro-North station (Yonkers Station / Main Street) with frequent service to Grand Central Terminal. The ride Grand Central ↔ Yonkers is usually about 20-25 minutes; one-way fares are generally a few dollars to under $10 depending on peak/off-peak and ticket type. Amtrak does not provide regular local service to downtown Yonkers; for Amtrak connections use New York Penn or Moynihan/Penn and transfer.
Bus: Local transit within Yonkers and Westchester County is served mainly by the Bee-Line Bus System (multiple routes that stop downtown and along Central/Warburton avenues), while express MTA buses connect Yonkers with Manhattan. Bee-Line local fares are modest (typically a couple of dollars per ride) and express fares to Manhattan are higher; travel times vary from 10-40 minutes within Yonkers to 40-90+ minutes for express runs to Manhattan depending on route and traffic. Check Bee-Line and MTA schedules for current fares and connections.
How to Get Around Yonkers, New York
The easiest way to navigate Yonkers for most visitors is Metro-North for regional trips and Bee-Line buses or rideshares for local travel. If you're commuting to Manhattan regularly, Metro-North is faster and more predictable; for short in-city trips, walking and local buses work well.
- Metro-North (Hudson Line) ($4-$8) - The Hudson Line runs frequent trains between Yonkers Station (Main Street) and Grand Central Terminal, making Metro-North the quickest, most reliable way to get to Manhattan and Westchester towns. Trains typically take about 20-25 minutes to Grand Central; schedules are denser in peak hours. Buy tickets via the MTA eTix app to avoid conductor lines and watch for peak vs off-peak fares.
- Bee-Line buses (local) ($2-$3) - Westchester County's Bee-Line buses cover Yonkers and the surrounding suburbs, serving Main Street, Getty Square and the riverfront. Buses are inexpensive and practical for short hops and destinations not on the rail line, but services can be less frequent evenings/weekends. Check the Bee-Line route map for connections to Metro-North and inter-county routes.
- MTA express & NYC subway connections ($2.75-$8) - Express MTA buses and NYC subways are useful when connecting to New York City or when Metro-North isn't convenient. Express buses to Manhattan take longer in peak traffic but can be direct; subways are best used after transferring into Manhattan (Grand Central / 125th St connections). Keep an eye on rush-hour congestion - trains are faster for most Manhattan commutes.
- Taxi & Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) ($10-$80) - Taxis and rideshares are convenient for door-to-door trips inside Yonkers and for airport runs where public transit would be slow or involve multiple transfers. Expect variable pricing driven by distance and surge; short in-city rides are cheap but airport trips can be costly. For airports, compare the fixed or estimated fare vs. the time savings before booking.
- Driving & parking ($3-$25) - Driving gives flexibility, especially for exploring suburbs or riverfront parks, but downtown Yonkers has limited on-street parking and garages that can fill during events. Allow extra time and budget for parking in busy areas; traffic into Manhattan is frequently heavy during peak hours. Use park-and-ride at some Metro-North stations if commuting to the city to avoid downtown parking hassles.
- Cycling ($0.00-$3.00) - Yonkers has a growing network of bike lanes, particularly along the waterfront and main corridors; cycling is a practical way to get around downtown and to nearby parks. Bring locks - secure bike parking can be limited - and be cautious on busy avenues where lanes are intermittent. For longer commutes consider combining cycling with Metro-North (some trains allow bikes off-peak or with restrictions).
- Walking - Downtown Yonkers (Getty Square, Main Street, riverfront) is compact and very walkable for errands, restaurants and the waterfront. Walking is often the fastest way to cover short distances and to explore historic streets and local shops. Wear comfortable shoes - some streets are hilly - and plan for pedestrian crossings on busy avenues.
Where to Stay in Yonkers, New York #
- Americas Best Value Inn Yonkers - No-frills, budget-friendly rooms
- Budget motels near Yonkers - Basic rooms, close to highways
- Local mid-range hotels near Yonkers and Mount Vernon - Comfortable options near transport
- Sheraton Yonkers (area option) - Reliable chain with good amenities
- The Ritz-Carlton, White Plains (nearby) - Luxury services, upscale dining
- The Westchester (nearby) - High-end resort amenities
- Hilton Garden Inn Yonkers - Convenient, easy transit access
- Sheraton Yonkers - Comfortable base near transport links
- Hilton Garden Inn Yonkers - Family rooms, free parking options
- Travelodge Yonkers - Affordable, family-friendly basic rooms
- Hilton Garden Inn Yonkers - Reliable Wi‑Fi, workspaces available
- Sheraton Yonkers - Business center and steady internet
Where to Eat in Yonkers, New York #
Yonkers has broadened beyond its industrial past into a place where you can enjoy a waterfront meal or grab solid neighborhood eats. For a special night, X2O Xaviars on the Hudson overlooks the river and serves a refined seafood-forward menu; closer to central Yonkers you’ll find comfort-focused grills, pizzerias and family-run international spots.
The city is best explored on foot along the riverfront and Central Avenue: check out a waterfront restaurant for views, then wander side streets for tacos, Asian takeout, and cozy cafés that do vegetarian bowls and salads.
- X2O Xaviars on the Hudson - Fine-dining on the Yonkers waterfront
- The Blind Pig - American gastropub with craft beers
- Lukas - Comfort Italian-American dishes
- Guiseppe's or local pizzerias - Neighborhood pizza and Italian options
- Mexican and Latin cafés along Central Ave - Casual tacos and tortas
- Asian takeout spots - Chinese and Korean-American lunch options
- Vegan-friendly cafés downtown - Plant-based sandwiches and bowls
- Salad bars at local delis - Build-your-own salads and grain bowls
- Bakery cafés - Pastries and vegetarian-friendly breakfast choices
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Yonkers, New York's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Yonkers, New York #
Yonkers’ nightlife is rising thanks to its riverfront revival and craft-beer scene. The Yonkers waterfront along the Hudson has restaurants and bars with views toward Manhattan; downtown Yonkers and the Getty Square area offer a mix of pubs, cocktail lounges and late-night eateries. Dress is city-casual and some spots run late into the night, especially on weekends.
Practical tip: check Metro-North schedules for late returns to Manhattan. Parking can be tight downtown on weekend evenings-use rideshares if you plan to drink.
Best Bets
- Getty Square downtown - Hub of restaurants, bars and the local nightlife scene.
- Yonkers waterfront promenade - Riverfront restaurants and bars with Manhattan skyline views.
- Local breweries and taprooms - Craft-beer spots popular for casual nights and tastings.
- Empire City Casino & Racetrack - Casino nightlife with restaurants and bars open late.
- Ethnic eateries and late-night diners - Diverse food scene kept busy well into the evening.
- Connections to Manhattan nightlife - Easy evening escape to or from New York City for shows.
Shopping in Yonkers, New York #
Yonkers mixes suburban shopping centres with a compact downtown and a resurgent waterfront area. Cross County Shopping Center and Ridge Hill are the major open‑air malls with national retailers and restaurants; downtown Yonkers around Getty Square has independent shops, bakeries and specialty stores. For antiques, flea markets and independent boutiques, walk the side streets; parking is easy at the malls, and you’ll find both discounted outlets and higher‑end stores at Ridge Hill.
Best Bets
- Cross County Shopping Center - Open-air mall with national retailers and quick-service restaurants.
- Ridge Hill (The Shops at Ridge Hill) - Mixed-use center with stores, restaurants and a cinema.
- Getty Square (downtown Yonkers) - Independent shops, cafés and small specialty food stores.
- Local antique and consignment shops - Scattered boutiques for vintage furniture and collectibles.
- Yonkers waterfront shops and galleries - Boutiques and galleries near the Hudson River redevelopment.
- Local farmers' markets - Seasonal markets with produce, baked goods and local vendors.
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