Yonkers

Yonkers is one of those towns that get by-passed, but it shouldn’t because it is a pretty spot with a lot to offer visitors. Founded in 1646 by Dutch explorer Adriaen Van der Donck, Yonkers sits at the junction of the Hudson and Nepperhan Rivers. Today, several historic homes that belonged to the town’s first settler families — Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, Sherwood House, and Glenview — are open for tours. The Manor Hall is a Georgian style mansion built in 1680 for Frederick Philipse III and is filled with furniture of that period. Sherwood House, built in 1740 for Thomas Sherwood, a tenant of the Philipse’s, is one of the few ...

Yonkers is one of those towns that get by-passed, but it shouldn’t because it is a pretty spot with a lot to offer visitors. Founded in 1646 by Dutch explorer Adriaen Van der Donck, Yonkers sits at the junction of the Hudson and Nepperhan Rivers. Today, several historic homes that belonged to the town’s first settler families — Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site, Sherwood House, and Glenview — are open for tours. The Manor Hall is a Georgian style mansion built in 1680 for Frederick Philipse III and is filled with furniture of that period. Sherwood House, built in 1740 for Thomas Sherwood, a tenant of the Philipse’s, is one of the few pre-Revolutionary War tenant farmhouses remaining in the state. Glenview dates to 1877, and has six restored Victorian rooms overlooking the Hudson River. Today the house is home to the Hudson River Museum holding an extensive collection of American art. There are hands-on programs for children at the Beczak Environmental Education Center where they can also learn about the Hudson River’s ecology. Tibbetts Brook Park offers swimming pools, hiking and walking trails and is known for its bird-watching opportunities.

About the Expert

Frances Folsom is the author of CitySpot Palermo, a contributor to the Reiskits guides to Milan and Italy's Lakes Region, and Thomas Cook's Independent Traveller USA.