Downtown New Rochelle New Rochelle, NY

New Rochelle’s first occupants were the Siwanoy Indians, but it was the French Huguenots in 1688 who named the area as such, inspired by their own city and seaport, La Rochelle. New Rochelle became incorporated as a city centuries later, in 1899. Over the years, the city’s social landscape changed drastically for reasons including an anti-slavery movement, getting on the rail network and the influence of swing music.

There’s plenty of history, culture and art to enjoy in downtown New Rochelle. Explore the past at Trinity-St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and Burial and Loew’s Theater Building, catch a show at the PAC House Theater and view art at Reverol & Co. Contemporary Art Gallery. If you happen to be in downtown New Rochelle on New Year’s Eve, celebrate with the family-friendly community at the New Roc City entertainment complex.

When it comes to eating and drinking in downtown New Rochelle, a large number and variety of options, conveniently located close to one another, allows foodies to browse to their heart’s content before they settle on a final choice.

New Rochelle’s first ramen noodle restaurant, Roc-N-Ramen on Anderson Street, spoils diners with attentive staff, reasonable prices and enjoyable ambiance. Go for a popular steamed pork bun as an appetizer, and follow it with your choice of ramen, whether Tonkotsu, Shoyu or vegetable.

Little Mexican Café, a favorite spot with locals, serves up fresh, authentic food. Regulars have good things to say about the restaurant’s wide variety of dishes, from traditional Mexican fare, such as homemade tortilla chips and mini-taco sampler platters, to more unique options, including the fish and steak entrées. Take the advice of locals, and be sure to order a side of fresh salsa or chunky guacamole.

If Japanese and Mexican don’t cause your mouth to water, go for homemade Italian fare. Locals rave about Posto 22, an Italian restaurant you can depend on to leave you in a fully satisfied state. After warm bread and eggplant rollatini for starters, opt for rich and hearty spaghetti Bolognese or your choice of pizza.

A variety of wine bars and pubs add to the choice of evening entertainment. One neighborhood favorite, Mc Kiernan’s Lawton Street Tavern provides patrons with a diverse drink menu in addition to an unpretentious, friendly atmosphere.

Evening entertainment can also be found at intimate wine bar, the Gnarly Vine, on Main Street. The elegant décor, fun vibe, and good selection of wine make this spot great for casual drinks with friends or a romantic meal for two.

Direct access from New Rochelle to Interstate 95 makes trips to Manhattan, New Jersey, upstate New York and Connecticut a breeze. Several taxis and limousine services serve the area, and taxis can often be hailed on the street. Car sharing presents another method of transport, with services such as RelayRides and Zipcar operating in the area. New Rochelle drivers have over 6,000 parking spaces available to them, including parking garages, parking lots and on-street, metered parking.

The Metro-North Railroad services the area. With New Rochelle on the New Haven line, downtown residents can be in Manhattan in 30 minutes. Another public transport option, Amtrak’s Northeast corridor service connects passengers to Penn Station, New York, in 30 minutes, Boston in under four hours and D.C. in just over four hours.

The area also welcomes bikers and walkers. Cyclists use covered and secure bike racks at the New Rochelle Transit Center, and bicycle-friendly roads give cyclists access to neighborhoods both north and south, the latter heading towards Manhattan, via the Bronx, where dedicated bike lanes improve conditions further. Plus, the close proximity between neighborhoods, parks, shops and restaurants makes cycling and walking attractive options to get around.

Locals gather for rest and refreshment at Ruby Dee Park at Library Green. The park was renamed in 2014 to honour legendary actress, civil rights activist and New Rochelle resident Ruby Dee after her passing that year. Residents also treasure Memorial Plaza, especially when it lights up in December for the annual Christmas lighting celebration. Just north, Lincoln Park provides fun for the whole family, with jungle gyms, swings, lighted basketball courts, baseball fields, and a public pool with a water slide and wading pool. Open from July to September, only residents have access to the pool. Dog owners can walk their dogs, on a leash, in most New Rochelle parks, unless otherwise prohibited.

It costs around 47 percent more to live in the New Rochelle area, compared to the average New York neighborhood, and gas in New Rochelle costs about 12 percent more than the national average. The average rental rate is $1,280 per month, a one-way, off-peak rail ticket to Manhattan costs about $7.50, and a bottle of beer at a local pub costs around $5.

An assortment of independent and family-owned businesses line downtown New Rochelle's streets and provide shoppers with great browsing potential across a range of products. R Cafe & Tea Boutique, inspired by the French tradition of "patisserie, salon de thé and café" has a gallery loaded with provocative works from contemporary artists. Enjoy rich, aromatic coffee, hand-blended teas and the very best pastries at special events which include live music and poetry readings in this sophisticated Westchester haunt.

Find jewelry with a difference at Just Funki on Division Street, where men and women purchase Rhonda Hamilton's handcrafted wearable art, as she proudly calls it. Locals especially enjoy the artist and designer's signature wire jewelry. Treat your special someone to a designer outfit and accessories from Sweet Preserves, or simply spoil yourself. Located on Main Street, this boutique specializes in high-quality ladies fashion.

After making yourself look stylish, you may want to turn to your refrigerator next. Stock up on your groceries at chain stores including Super Stop & Shop and C-Town Supermarkets, or choose from a range of area speciality food shops, green grocers and wine stores. For the freshest produce, visit the New Rochelle Farmers Market at Library Green on Lawton Street. Open every Saturday from June through November, the market also sells meats, baked goods, local wines and extra-handy products from fragrant soap to custom-blended spices.