Located just north of New York City, Westchester County is home to more than 940,000 residents. There are a large number of small town, cities and villages in Westchester that are home to commuters that travel the trains into the City. Westchester has acquired an image as a center of wealth and affluence. This may have come about from the large number of country clubs and beautiful homes. However, Westchester is as diverse a community as any other in the region. The famous Sing Sing prison is located in Westchester County.
Westchester County is in the southeastern part of New York State. It is bordered to the south by the borough of The Bronx in New York City, to the west by the Hudson River, to the east by Connecticut and the Long Island Sound and to the north by Putnam County.
There are 19 towns in Westchester County. Bronxville, Larchmont, Rye, and Scarsdale in the southern portion are among the wealthiest communities in the entire U.S. Chappaqua is the home of former president Bill Clinton and New York Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Westchester County is served by Interstate 87 (the New York State Thruway), Interstate 95, Interstate 287 and Interstate 684. Commuter train service in Westchester is provided by Metro-North Railroad. Bus service is provided by the Bee-Line Bus System. The Westchester County Airport is adjacent to White Plains.
Westchester location near New York City has much to do about some of the attractions of this region. PepsiCo world headquarters are located in Purchase NY. The estate called Kykuit, home to four generations of Rockefellers is located in Sleepy Hollow. Of course, one of America’s early writers, Washington Irving, is buried in Tarrytown near his famous home called Sunnyside. Westchester is also the home of the only government owned amusement park in the country. Playland Park in Rye NY is owned by Westchester County. There is no admission fee, but you do pay for the rides. However, feel free to enjoy the grounds, use the picnic tables and beaches that are open to all visitors.
There are several well know colleges in Westchester County. The best known is Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville. Some of America’s best known celebrities have attended this school. Barbara Walters, Alice Walker, Carly Simon and Brian De Palma are among the hundreds of alumni that have become known throughout the world.