Known as the "City in the Park," White Plains, New York, offers visitors a relaxing destination filled with cultural attractions, green space and a music conservatory that attracts world-class performers. Whether it's spending the evening at the symphony, hiking nearby beaches or playing a round of golf, White Plains offers an escape to the city without the congestion of New York City, located about 30 miles south of White Plains.
At nearly 80 years old, the Music Conservatory of Westchester has provided White Plains and Westchester County residents with musical and cultural experiences. The conservatory is a community school of arts and attracts students of all ages. If staying in White Plains for an extended amount of time, check out the individual lessons and group classes offered at the conservatory. If only visiting for a few days, concerts and musical theater performances are held at least quarterly throughout the year. Past performers have included the New York Philharmonic, pianist Hiroshi Yamazaki and flutist Harold Jones.
Music Conservatory of Westchester
216 Central Ave.
White Plains, NY 10606
941-761-3900
musicconservatory.org
While it's normal to find parks within a city, White Plains manages 14 play areas that span 76 acres, two nature areas that cover 23 acres, three outdoor swimming pools and an ice skating rink. There are baseball and soccer fields, tennis and racquetball courts, 50 acres of open space and a public golf course. The city also features nature trails for walkers and joggers, including the Greenway Nature Trail. This trail is located on 5.3 acres of wooded property and links two other greenways in the city, the Highland Avenue Nature Trail and the White Plains Greenway. White Plains also is surrounded by 18,000 acres of parks, hiking trails and beaches throughout Westchester County. Bicyclists can take advantage of several paths near White Plains, including a five-mile path from Valhalla to Hartsdale, New York, and a one-mile circle in Mount Vernon, New York.
City of White Plains Parks and Recreation
255 Main St.
White Plains, NY 10601
914-422-1336
cityofwhiteplains.com
This 410-seat theater is home to performances year-round from local and traveling theater productions to the Westchester Philharmonic and regular concert series. The performing arts center was renovated in 2003 as part of a 20-year plan set forth by the city to revitalize the downtown White Plains, New York, area. Past productions have included holiday performances featuring Tony award winner Melba Moore and touring Broadway performances of "Camelot," "Ragtime" and "Oliver!"
White Plains Performing Arts Center
11 City Place
White Plains, NY 10601
914-328-1600
wppac.com
Visitors looking for a shopping experience will enjoy the Westchester, a shopping center home to the state of New York's first Nordstrom department store. The shopping center features skylights, sculptures throughout the complex and marble floors. There are also salons and spas and more than 150 other stores. The mall is open seven days a week and is located at the corner of Bloomingdale Road and Westchester Avenue in downtown White Plains. The mall is within a few blocks of downtown hotels and restaurants, including the Crowne Plaza Hotel and White Plains Coach Diner, and is located across the street from the New York Hospital Golf Course. There are more than a dozen restaurants in the mall.
The Westchester
125 Westchester Ave.
White Plains, NY 10601
914-683-8600
simon.com/mall
Maple Moor Golf Course has a rich history as the first public golf course in Westchester County. In 1927 it opened to the public and has since become a popular tourist destination. An improvement program by the golf course renovated and expanded each of the 18 tees and added a restaurant and club house food service. The par-71 course stretches for 6,374 yards and has a golf shop on premises. Reservations can be made up to four days in advance. Rates vary depending on the tee time, number of holes played and day of the week but range from $10 to $39 as of March 2010. Golfers have the option of playing the only back nine. The course allows unrestricted walking as well as carts.
Maple Moor Golf Course
1128 North St.
White Plains, NY 10605
914-946-1830
maplemoorgolf.com
