10 Best Things to Do in White Plains, NY

By VI Staff on June 20, 2020 - Updated

Edwin/stock.adobe.com

While the town of White Plains, New York is just a little more than thirty miles outside of the hustle and bustle of New York City, it can hardly be described as a “sleepy suburb.” From retail therapy to nature therapy and from culinary arts to fine arts and everything in between, White Plains has a little bit of everything. Located within Westchester County, often noted as the “Intellectual Capital” of New York, the area in and around White Plains is home to a wide variety of things to do throughout the entire year. CDC information for travelers. Hours/availability may have changed.

1.The Westchester

An upscale shopping mall operated by the Simon Property Group, The Westchester is situated within the downtown district of White Plains and offers both locals and visitors alike with an opportunity to shop for an array of upscale, luxury brands without having to deal with all the people in New York City. The mall is anchored by the first Nordstrom in New York State, Crate and Barrel, and Neiman Marcus. Other stores found in The Westchester include Louis Vuitton, David Yurman, Tiffany and Co., and Burberry. The Savor Food Hall boasts several eateries from Manhattan and a play area for children.

125 Westchester Ave, White Plains, NY 10601, Phone: 914-421-1333

2.White Plains Performing Arts Center

The White Plains Performing Arts Center has been an important resource for Westchester County’s dynamic educational and cultural programming for many years. The center produces and presents critically acclaimed dance, music, family programming, and theatre for White Plains and the surrounding communities, as well as hosts several special community events throughout the year. As for education and arts programs, the White Plains Performing Arts Center also operates a premiere theatre training organization, offering its Stage 2 theater programs and the Summer Theatre Academy for students, along with vacation day workshops, private coaching, after-school acting classes, and other performing arts classes.

11 City Pl, White Plains, NY 10601, Phone: 914-328-1600

3.Battle of White Plains Park

The Battle of White Plains Park is about an acre and a half in size, located at the site of the historic Battle of White Plains. The park, situated at the corner of Battle Avenue and Whitney Street was established in 1976 as a part of the country’s National Bicentennial Projects, built on the site that overlooks the White Plains. Interpretive historical signage can be seen throughout the Battle of White Plains Park, as well as a few amenities, such as a plaza-type seating area featuring several game tables, a trellised seating area with an overlook, and a playground for children.

76 Battle Ave, White Plains, NY 10606, Phone: 914-422-1336

4.Grapes The Wine Company

Grapes The Wine Company is a shop in White Plains, New York that features cubby-holed walls showcasing over 1,500 bottles of wine, bringing an extensive wine selection from vineyards throughout the world to hands of the area’s local wine connoisseurs. Awarded the title of “Best Wine Shop in Westchester,” Grapes The Wine Company boasts a wine list that includes everything from offbeat blends from Australia to cabernet sauvignons from South Africa to red Burgundys from France. Free wine tastings are offered at the shop on Fridays and Saturdays, with a goal of making the best wines throughout the world more accessible.

731 N Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603, Phone: 914-397-9463

5.Miller House

The Miller House is a Rhode Island-style farmhouse in White Plains, built during the eighteenth century. The house was used by General George Washington during the Revolutionary War as a headquarters, as well as a command post during the Battle of White Plains. The historic Elijah Miller House is now noted on several historic places lists, including the Westchester County Inventory of Historic Places, the New York State Register of Historic Places, and the National Register of Historic Places. This Town of North Castle landmark now houses a history museum containing numerous artifacts exhibited for public viewing.

140 Virginia Rd, White Plains, NY 10603, Phone: 914-231-4500

6.Percy Grainger Home

The Percy Grainger Home and Studio in White Plains, New York is a historic Westchester County home built back in 1893. The three-bay-wide, two-story house features a pyramidal-hipped roof, constructed using the American Foursquare style. The home Percy Grainger, a notable musician, from the year 1921 until he passed away in 1961, the Percy Grainger Home was added in 1993 to the United States National Register of Historic Places. Not much has changed with the rooms inside the house since Percy lived there with his wife, Ella. The dwelling features a Dutch door for the main entrance and a basement.

7 Cromwell Pl, White Plains, NY 10601, Phone: 914-281-1610

7.City Limits Diner

The City Limits Diner in White Plains aims to redefine the experience of the traditional American diner, creating a wide variety of sophisticated, yet comforting dishes with only the highest quality ingredients available. The eatery offers made-from-scratch dishes, along with gourmet pastries and bread made in-house every day. The meats and fish are also smoked on-site in the City Limits Diner’s traditional smokehouse. Like a “true diner,” breakfast is available all day, and burgers are100-percent Black Angus beef. The City Limits Diner is open 7:30am until 10:00pm Sunday to Thursday and until 11:00pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

200 Central Ave, White Plains, NY 10606, Phone: 914-686-9000

8.Alex's Bar & Grille

Alex's Bar & Grille offers Italian cuisine and an amazing steakhouse to the community of White Plains. Alex, the owner, has more than thirty years of experience in four-star restaurants in the United States and Europe. The sophisticated Italian restaurant and steakhouse serves homestyle dishes made with only the freshest ingredients possible, with several ingredients sourced locally. Alex's Bar & Grille also provides an extensive wine list, as well as a well-stocked bar with high quality spirits and liquors. From 4:00pm until 7:00pm on Monday through Friday, the restaurant’s Sports Bar and Lounge offers a Happy Hour.

577 N. Broadway, White Plains, NY 10603, Phone: 914-358-1444

9.Sam's of Gedney Way

Sam's of Gedney Way in the town of White Plains is a pub-style and spacious eatery that has been serving delicious burgers, along with other simple American fare, since the year 1932. When the restaurant opened in 1932, the United States was struggling with the Great Depression, however, optimism prevailed with Sam’. Sam's of Gedney Way now boasts a modern look as an American bistro, offering contemporary, refined cuisine, dependable service, and warm hospitality. The comfortable and friendly atmosphere and exceptional quality of service and food have made the dining establishment a local favorite for more than seventy years.

50 Gedney Way, White Plains, NY 10605, Phone: 914-949-0978

10.Westchester Burger

The Westchester Burger Company is known for one thing, burgers, specifically its eponymous burger that is made up of a ten-ounce burger patty that’s topped with a secret sauce, frisée, pickles, tomato, and smoked mozzarella. The burger has helped Westchester Burger receive a number of local accolades and has been a part of the community since 2010. In addition to the famous ten-ounce burgers, the restaurant also serves burgers between texas toast grilled cheese sandwiches, italian sausage burgers topped with broccoli raab and balsamic vinegar glaze, Kobe beef burgers, root beer braised short ribs, vegetable lasagna, and St. Louis-style ribs.

106 Westchester Ave, White Plains, NY 10601, Phone: 914-358-9399