Isle Of San Souci - New Rochelle, NY Area Guide

The Isle of Sans Souci was originally the site of the Davenport family mansion and grounds. In 1784, Newberry Davenport bought the land and constructed the mansion of Sans Souci, a French phrase for "no worries" or "carefree", and the area remained under the family's estate until the 20th century.

Beginning in the 1950s, modern-day Sans Souci began to take form, as the land that once made up the Davenports' family grounds gave way to suburbanization. Most of the current homes in the neighborhood were constructed in this period between the 1950s and 1960s. The mansion still stands as the Davenport House, however, modern homes encompass it. Declared a historical location in 1980 by the National Register of Historic Places, the house remains largely untouched by renovation, as of 2015.

Residents interact through the Surf Club on the Sound, which maintains private pools, tennis and basketball courts, and other events.

Residents of the Isle can take a short walk to New Rochelle's downtown area, where good food and nightly entertainment can be found year-round.

The Little Mexican Cafe provides a mixture of dinner fare, cafe pastries and pub drinks. The cooks put serious effort into presentation of every product, which always results in a fun and dynamic appearance on your plate. Each meal comes with complimentary homemade chips and salsa. Finish off your meal with dessert options such as the Tres Leches Cake, fried ice cream or a Mexican coffee.

Even if you don't want to take the stroll into town, the Marina Grille stands just off the Isle on Drake Avenue. Whether you're looking for grilled salmon with a glass of wine, or just some wings and a beer, this casual waterfront pub has just the right thing. The porch affords an amazing view of the Sound and the harbor with outdoor seating.

When looking for an adventurous experience in taste as well as a night of music and conversation, look up Dubrovnik on Main Street in New Rochelle. The chefs serve authentic Croatian cuisine, including crepes, sardines, pastas, and a wide variety of wines and mixed drinks. The elaborate interior decoration, matched with their artful presentation, gives off a high-class ambiance. Events such as wine pairings happen regularly.

Residents of the Isle of San Souci can take a ride into New York City through New Rochelle's Amtrak Station. At the New Rochelle Transit Station, residents can utilize the Bee-Line bus service that serves all of Westchester County to reach New York City, Yonkers and other locations. Both Route 1 and Interstate 95 pass directly through New Rochelle, and the Isle of San Souci awaits only a short drive from the exit.

The community does not maintain any public parking, however the neighborhood sits a walkable distance from parking in New Rochelle. No amenities exist for cyclists, however, several bike paths can be found nearby in New Rochelle. While Uber does not service the area, other local taxi services such as Future Cab can be reached by phone.

While any spot along the Sound may be a wonderful location to sit and enjoy its view, several locations stand out in and around the Isle of San Souci.

The Glen Island Park, southwest of the Isle and New Rochelle Harbor, provides a casual green space for walking, jogging or an afternoon picnic. Whether you look to the coast or to the sea, beautiful views completely encompass this park. Originally built as a summer resort, the park houses artifacts such as the Glen Island Castle, providing another touch of beauty and history to the area. The island proves easily accessible through the Glen Island Approach. Dogs with leashes are welcome and provided with waste bags. The park charges no usage fee, however parking nearby costs $5.

From summer to winter, the neighborhoods around New Rachelle host lively outdoor events. In July, come see the Spark the Sound Extravaganza that celebrates Independence Day with fireworks from the New Rochelle waterfront. Weather permitting, Ozzie David Park hosts a musical event every Thursday in July. Once every summer, the New Rochelle Council on the Arts transforms San Souci's Davenport Park into a theater stage with their annual Shakespeare in the Park.

While the average rental costs on the Isle of San Souci stands at $1,499, the average cost for the New Rochelle general area remains $1,154. The median cost of living in all New Rochelle neighborhoods averages 49 percent higher than the average cost of living in New York.

The Bee-Line bus service charges $2.50 for a regular one-way ticket, which allows passage to New York City or Yonkers. Gas prices fall about 7 percent higher than the national average. At local pubs, customers expect to pay around $5 for a beer.

With shelves of fashionable hats lining every wall, the Fitted Gallery provides the place to go for customers looking for new and exciting headwear. Not just a normal hat store, the Fitted Gallery has a selection of unique and high-quality hats that prove difficult to find elsewhere. It also stocks hoodies, tees, and crewnecks.

The Down to Earth Markets, a group that brings together local farmers and local food makers, serve towns all across Westchester County and New York City including New Rochelle. New Rochelle's Down to Earth Market takes place in Hugenot Park on Fridays from late June to late November, and sells fresh tomatoes, pastries, meats and other goods. Grocery markets can also be found at the local Stop & Shop Supermarket on Lispenard Avenue in New Rochelle.