Spotlight on Westchester :: Rye

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We all love our cozy little corners of Westchester. There are many things to do and see, places to eat, and parks to visit. Who doesn’t love exploring the county and “finding” the kid-friendly gems! We are spotlighting some of those incredible places so that other moms can take advantage and get a glimpse into the awesomeness that is Westchester! Read all posts in our Spotlight on Westchester Series.

RyeNestled on the Sound, near the border of Greenwich, Connecticut, is the beautiful city of Rye. When I first moved to the area from Manhattan and stumbled upon Rye, I was taken aback by its beauty and many offerings. Rye’s elegance is second to none, and this charming city has many things to see and do for adults and families.

What To Do For a Fun Family Day

Rye Playland is a county-owned amusement park with classic roller coasters and rides, a kiddie land, mini golf, a concert area, game booths, and more. Patrons must pay to enter, and rates differ depending on your level of participation (in other words, if you are going to be a spectator, you can pay a different rate than a regular riding adult). Families can often take advantage of coupons that come in mailers or online to offset entrance costs. County residents with identification can also enjoy a cheaper rate. Parking is ample in their paid lot, though it can get crowded, especially on nights when there is a fireworks display. There are many bathrooms, benches for resting, and classic amusement park food and snacks are available. Playland also has a great boardwalk overlooking the Sound that was used to film scenes in the classic 1980s movie Big. This is a must-visit for families during the summer.

Playland Ice is also home to a great ice skating rink on the boardwalk. The ice rink was the practice home to the NY Rangers once upon a time. Now it is open for lessons, free skate opportunities, and birthday parties! They have skate rentals there as well.

When the summer heat makes you tired and worn out, Playland also has a county-owned beach and public swimming pool. Prices for the beach and pool are reasonable. Outside food isn’t allowed at the pool, but coolers can be used at the beach. They offer chair rentals and more, making this a great way to spend the day, then head over to the amusement park at night!

Playland’s boardwalk is also home to the Westchester Children’s Museum. There is something there for your child no matter what their age. Toddlers can enjoy a safe space, while older children can explore lots of hands-on exhibits that will engage their brains while having fun! Children can try out the arts and crafts station, enjoy the challenges in the maker space, and cozy up in the book nook. Check it out on a cold winter day, or book your next birthday party in this wonderful, interactive, and clean space.

Charlie’s Pier Restaurant and Tiki Bar is a fun restaurant at the end of the boardwalk that is family-friendly but can also be a great place for a night out without the kids. There are indoor and outdoor seating options and the option to sit at their huge tiki bar. The view is amazing, and eating there during sunset or fireworks is a visual treat. There are many seafood options but also classics like burgers and wings. On certain nights they will also host events like live music nights or will bring out the big screen to watch the big game, so check their website for a fun, relaxing night out. Oh, and did I mention the drinks? The drinks are poured large and strong and always delicious! Their frozen selections hit the spot after a long, hot day of summer fun.

More Natural Splendor

Rye Town Park is a 62-acre oasis in the middle of residential Rye. Half of the park is an open grassy park with trails, a dog area, and a quaint duck pond. The flowers and budding trees make this a truly spectacular sight in the springtime. The other half of the park is Oakland Beach. The beach has beautiful, flat sand and a large area of the Sound to swim in, with a large area shallow enough for young swimmers.

Oakland beach has a snack bar and public bathroom, and changing areas. During the off-season, parking is free but does cost money in the late spring and summer. You can see Playland’s fireworks on Friday evenings from the beach or the park. There is a restaurant space above the beach that is currently in the process of opening and is sure to be a great summer hot spot.

You also may like the Rye Nature Center. This beautiful forest oasis is home to many trails of varying lengths that are great for hikers, walkers, and photographers alike. There is a natural wooden playground for children and an indoor area. Animals are kept in the center, and there are many educational programs and workshops for children who want to learn more about our natural environment. Parking is free, and the bathrooms are clean. Rye Nature Center also offers unique birthday party opportunities for those tired of going to the same 5 or 6 places over and over for every kid in the class’ birthday.

Small Town Charm

I always find myself heading to Rye most often for the variety of lively restaurants and shops, which you will find lined up and down Purchase Street. There is street parking and lots that make it easy to spend a few hours in the area. To start the day, head to The Granola Bar of Rye for a selection of coffees, teas, and their tasty granola or varieties of avocado toasts and eggs. You can sit in their newly designed restaurant that turns into “The Bar” at night, which touts a creative menu with many shareable plates, or take the items to go.

After being full and caffeinated, I like to pop into Sammy and Nat to check out their newest items for children, including their well-known prima cotton pajamas that make memorable gifts. If you are looking for the latest trends in women’s clothing, stop into Great Stuff for various options for your wardrobe. Continuing my walk up the street, I like to enter Dabney Lee, a perfect store that sells items to add extra pizzazz to your next party or an out-of-the-box gift for a host/hostess.

For dinner, I often eat at Oko Kitchen’s counter, watching the sushi chefs create their visually pleasing and delicious omakase selections. However, if you’re feeling more like a cozy Italian meal, then may I suggest Rafele or Aurora. A drive to Rye is never complete unless I bring home some unique sweets and treats, including gluten-free options from The Snackery.

There are so many reasons to visit Rye! It has a little something for everyone to enjoy. You will not be disappointed with this beautiful Westchester city.

Where is your favorite spot in Rye?

To read all posts in our Spotlight on Westchester series, click here.

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beckyk
Originally from Massachusetts, Becky is a mother to three kids ( Ben-8, Sabina-6, Sam-2.5) and has been with her husband, Aaron for almost 18 years. Recently, they took the leap from Manhattan to suburbia after living in the city for half their lives. Becky is a former elementary school teacher and administrator, holding a MEd in education and is a certified reading specialist. Although she has been out of the classroom for quite some time, she dusted off her teacher hat during Covid while home schooling her kids. You can often find Becky doing things with her husband and family in and around their new community of Scarsdale. She tracks local events, new restaurants and stores on her personal Instagram @beckyinburbs In addition, Becky is a “Camp Specialist” who offers a free service to help parents find the ideal summer camp for their children. Excited to be a part of the westchester county mom community!

1 COMMENT

  1. Hi Kristen,

    I would like to invite you to check out the Community Snapshots offered by Westchester Children’s Association. We are the only independent nonprofit that focuses on advocacy for children ages 0 to 25 in Westchester and we developed these interactive data platforms for each school district in the county. The information may prove useful for future communtiy spotlights at Westchester County Moms Blog. Feel free to contact me with any questions at owest (at)wca4kids.org with any questions. Here’s an example for Rye – https://wca4kids.org/our-work/interactive-data/2018-community-snapshots/

    Hope it helps!

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