Rye Brook/Port Chester - Port Chester, NY

The Town of Rye’s establishment dates back to 1640, when land was purchased from Native American inhabitants. Over time, distinct communities became evident within the area. Port Chester and the village of Rye Brook remain two such communities and join a portion of the village of Mamaroneck to make up the Town of Rye. Port Chester encompasses a diverse and vibrant place due to industrial and commercial growth over the years. Rye Brook, too, has expanded, yet manages to maintain its village charm and picturesque surroundings.

Understand the area’s unique character by visiting attractions such as the Rye Arts Center, The Capitol Theatre and the Clay Art Center. Various events held throughout the year also provide ways to get better acquainted with the community. A popular one remains the beloved Port Chester Fest in June, which celebrates the community’s diverse art, music and culture scene.

For the best variety in eating and drinking, head to Rye Brook's southern corner and continue on toward Boston Post Road, which leads into Main Street of Port Chester. A large number of choices line the main road, providing hungry and thirsty wanderers with anything from wholesome American food to an authentic Japanese steak house.

Rye Brook forms one of the county's four lucky locations providing a home to local chain Westchester Burger Company. Located on South Ridge Street, the casual restaurant treats diners to juicy burgers, homemade fries and excellent service. Choose from a range of burgers, from Tex-Mex to train wreck, or get creative and build your own with your choice of meat, toppings and bread. From there, enter the village of Port Chester, and take a stroll down the main road past the station, stopping at Tandoori Taste of India. Serving fresh, high-quality Indian fare, the restaurant provides diners with consistently good food, knowledgeable and friendly staff and great ambiance. Visit on a Sunday for the Tandoori buffet, and wash it down with a refreshing mango lassi. Another popular neighborhood spot, Frankie & Louie's Pizzeria and Restaurant on Willett Avenue warms customers with a friendly welcome, indicating the quality dining experience awaiting them. The restaurant doesn't disappoint, with reasonable prices, unforgettable pizzas and what locals call the best veal Parm they've ever tasted. If veal doesn't do it for you, the lobster ravioli may be the ticket. Manhattan and its world-renown nightlife scene may be just a short distance away, but the area also provides its fair share of neighborhood bars and evening entertainment options. Davy Byrnes Restaurant on Willett Avenue serves food during the day and expertly mixed drinks, along with a casual party atmosphere at night. Show off your singing voice at Wednesday night karaoke. Another option in the area, Polish United Club on Locust Avenue features a bar as well as an upstairs party room available for rent.

From the villages of Port Chester and Rye Brook, easily access major U.S. routes, including the Hutchinson River Parkway, U.S. Route 1 and Interstate 287, leading to Manhattan, Connecticut, surrounding Westchester neighborhoods and much further afield, should you so desire. Find parking on most local streets in Port Chester. Rye Brook also provides drivers with street parking, some with parking meters. If you prefer to take a taxi, choose from a small number of taxi services in the area, usually found at main public spots, such as the train station. Taxis in Rye do not cruise for fares, and must be called ahead of time or hailed at taxi stands.

Both rail and bus services serve Port Chester. From the train station, connect to the Haven line for New Haven in one direction and Manhattan in the other, with the Big Apple reachable in under an hour. Additionally, a bus service provides transport between the village and downtown Stamford, Connecticut.

Although Rye Brook residents rely heavily on their cars to get around, with fewer public transport options available to them, the village enjoys close proximity to Port Chester’s network. You can also use the Bee-Line bus service in Rye Brook, with routes to Harrison, the Westchester County Airport, Port Chester and White Plains.

The area lacks bike infrastructure, such as dedicated bike lanes, making it less popular for biking as a form of commuting. However, sidewalks and the close proximity of local grocery stores, shops, public transport, restaurants, cafés and other public amenities, especially in Port Chester, make the area attractive for biking and walking.

Outdoor enthusiasts feel at home in Rye Brook, where an abundance of municipal and village-owned parks, as well as recreational facilities, cater to sport fanatics, nature lovers and restless children. Rye Brook’s green jewel, the 36-acre Crawford Park located between North Ridge Street and Lincoln Avenue, features lawns, woods, gardens, trails for walking and jogging, playing fields and the historic Crawford mansion. Residents flock to the park throughout the year, especially during community events, such as the Annual Rye Brook Birthday Party, which celebrates the villagers’ community spirit, and summer day camp.

Another very popular park, Pine Ridge Park provides visitors with 9 acres of Little League fields, tennis courts, a tennis wall, basketball courts, a playground, a sandbox, a walking path and bathrooms. During the summer, the community gathers in the park for movie nights and theatre. Walkers enjoy the walking trail at Rye Hills Park. A hit with dog owners, the park also houses a basketball court, game tables, a circle ring for storytelling, and wonderful views overlooking Long Island Sound.

Port Chester, although not as leafy as Rye Brooke, certainly does claim its fair share of green spaces. Over 10 acres, Abendroth Park provides for picnickers with a pavilion and bathrooms, and also features a playground and softball field.

Columbus Park often hosts community events and festivals, and provides visitors with facilities for basketball, volleyball and picnicking. Further amenities include a playground with a small rock climbing wall, a water spray playground during the summer and an artificial soccer facility.

Facilities at Joseph Curtis Recreation Park include a playground, baseball field and batting cage, roller skating rink, lit and fenced bocce courts, a basketball court and bathrooms.

The parks remain free to use, however, visitors need permits for some facilities, including picnic pavilions.

Residents of Port Chester and Rye Brook pay, respectively, around 35 percent and 62 percent more than the average New Yorker for living expenses. The average rental rate in the area comes to around $1,800, while the price of gas costs about 11 percent more than the national average. Getting to Manhattan costs $9 on the train during off-peak hours or $7.50 on the bus, and having a beer at the pub sets you back by about $5 or $6.

The area’s wide variety of shops, from well-known chains to locally owned boutiques, as well as products, from designer clothes to home furnishings, spoils shoppers for choice. The big centers include Rye Brook’s Rye Ridge Shopping Center, Khols Shopping Center and The Waterfront at Port Chester. Bargain shoppers can head to numerous destinations, with second-hand shops and The Flea Market in Khols as just some options.

Deja Vu Consignment Boutique on Port Chester’s Main Street provides potential buyers with new and gently worn designer labels in clothing, handbags, accessories and shoes. Brand lovers on a budget love this spot, with helpful customer service as an added bonus.

The beautiful Bow & Rose on Main Street specializes in flowers, home interiors, gifts and events. In between browsing, treat yourself to a sit-down, and snack at the shop’s café.

Grocery shoppers enjoy stocking up their kitchen at a number of options in the area, including Super Stop & Shop and Whole Foods Market, as well as a wide array of grocers, specialist food stores and the Boston Farmer’s Market on Boston Post Road.