Getty Square - Yonkers, NY

Originally colonized thanks to industrialisation when the Saw Mill River powered grist mills in the early 1600s, Getty Square was the site for several key rail stations. The area grew thanks to increased water traffic along the Hudson River and was the site of the Otis Elevator Company, which was established by Elisha Graves Otis, inventor of the safety elevator.

The area declined during World War II and suffered until the 21st century, when reinvestment brought advanced industrial initiatives, and the area begin to prosper. It now hosts the Science Barge, a renowned science center that draws thousands of researchers and students each year.

You’ll find just one museum in the Getty Square neighborhood: the Philipse Manor Hall, a building constructed in the 1600s that features historical information about the area. Mark your calendar for the yearly tree lighting ceremony every Christmas as well as the annual Harvest Fair.

You'll find an abundance of dining locations with all manner of cuisine styles on offer in Getty Square, located primarily along North Broadway and near the pier. X2O Xaviars on the Hudson sits on the still-in-use Victorian pier and features a lavish three-story dining area with bold glass walls that afford diners a great view while they enjoy their artfully prepared meals. Try the Hudson Valley Chicken, which combines roasted root vegetables, beans, baby carrots and garbanzo beans served with chicken jus and basil oil.

Nawab Restaurant serves traditional Indian cuisine in a boldly styled environment clearly influenced by the Indian subcontinent. The extensive menu may seem daunting at first, but locals claim that you'll find yourself compelled to return time and again to sample menu items such as the Akbaree Seekh Kabab, tender chicken seasoned with a hint of mint and cilantro, or the always popular naan bread.

For a no-frills dining experience and pizza rumored to be the best in all of New York, the Pizza Place has just the thing. With unique pizza options on the menu and the ability to create your own to match your mood, as well as pasta, calzones, garlic knots and more, you will be hard-pressed to leave this restaurant hungry. You may also enjoy the specialty pie, lovingly referred to as Grandma's Pizza, which features chunky tomatoes topped with fresh mozzarella on a seasoned thin crust.

When it comes to nightlife in Getty Square, the options you'll find within the immediate vicinity are largely limited to bars, pubs and lounges. Beso Lounge offers a great selection of drinks, food and a mature atmosphere all coupled with friendly and efficient service, while the signature aspect of Tyrone House is its focus on homestyle food options and friendly service.

Because the Getty Square neighborhood lies within Yonkers, you’ll find that access to, from and within the city is possible by all means imaginable, which means that there’s no real primary method of transport around the neighborhood. You can make use of any of the 10 metro railroad stations that serve Yonkers, with several of them located in Getty Square itself, while five major highways connect Yonkers to the rest of Westchester County and nearby New York City. Additionally, you can reach the iconic Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan by train in just a 25-minute ride, while the city's bus routes are serviced by the Westchester Bee-Line bus lines.

A number of taxi cab businesses service the area, and each of them are available when you need to call for a pickup. Uber operates in this neighborhood as well. While this area welcomes pedestrians, you’ll find that very little biking infrastructure exists, which means few locals think of cycling as an ideal alternative.

Bisected by a major highway, North Broadway, you can expect easy access to and from the neighborhood by personal vehicle. You’ll find limited on-street parking and several available parking garages, all of which require a pass or ask you to pay a fare in order to park.

Take advantage of the handful of parks within or near Getty Square. The largest of the lot, War Memorial Field includes outdoor opportunities for exercise enthusiasts and families alike, with three baseball diamonds, basketball courts, bench seating, a track, jogging access, an open grass area, playgrounds, a softball little league diamond and swings. Much smaller at 3.9 acres, Grant Park provides seating, playground, open grass area and swings for the kids.

Additionally, you’ll find small parks dotted around the neighborhood intended only to be green spaces. These include Dunn Park, Smith Park and Van Der Donck Park. Regular events held in these parks include coordinated sports team play that can be viewed at War Memorial Park. Head east to find a sizable dog park for canine members of the family to enjoy at Tibbets Brooks Park.

New York City and the surrounding area has never been known for its cheap prices, and Getty Square does not buck this trend. The median cost to rent a one-bedroom apartment sits at $1,080, and you can expect to pay over $10.50 for a pint of beer at a local bar. The price of gasoline hovers around 13 percent higher than the national average, making public transportation all that more attractive.

As well as the usual chain and department stores, Getty Square hosts plenty of unique shopping options throughout the neighborhood, the majority of them located along the North Broadway route that bisects the neighborhood. Local chain C.H. Martin, one such shopping stop, carries clothing fashions, electronics, seasonal decorations, and more. If you find yourself in need of some expertly arranged flowers for a loved one or special occasion, Fly Me to the Moon fits the bill. Here you can order hand-arranged flowers in all types of styles and bloom types.

When it comes time to fill out your grocery list, you can choose from plenty of options. Try ShopRite, a chain store that sells all major brands as well as house brands, or one of the many specialty markets around the North Broadway to Prospect Street loop. You’ll find a farmers market located near Getty Square called the St. John’s Farmer’s and Flea Market, which operates from July until November at the Saint John’s Episcopal Church.