Welcome to New Rochelle
Located on the Long Island Sound, the City of New Rochelle is bordered by Eastchester and Scarsdale to the north, Pelham to the south, and Larchmont to the east. The city is graced with miles of magnificent waterfront, enhanced by lovely parks, picturesque marinas, and an abundance of recreational opportunities. The shoreline measures 2.7 miles, but with its many irregularities and offshore islands, the actual length of the waterfront is 9.3 miles.
The spectacular features of this splendid coast have, over the years, earned New Rochelle the name, “the Queen City of the Sound.” Celebrated for its hometown personality, New Rochelle offers the small-town feel of a friendly, charming historic city - over 300 years old - with a vibrant mix of cultures and architecture. It is comprised of various neighborhoods, both large and small, each with its own diverse qualities.
Historical Sites
New Rochelle is home to several historical landmarks and attractions. Execution Rocks Lighthouse, built in 1849, includes a 55-foot-tall tower and the ‘keeper’s house.’ Leland Castle, a 19th century gothic revival castle, was built as the summer residence of Simeon Leland, a wealthy New York City hotel entrepreneur.
The Thomas Paine Historical Site comprises the country home of the American Revolutionary War hero, his burial site, monument, and a museum. Paine’s Cottage was built in 1793 and is a National Historic Landmark.
Transportation
New Rochelle is a stop on the Metro-North Commuter Railroad with a commuting time of approximately 30 minutes to New York City’s Grand Central Terminal.
History
For almost 300 years, New Rochelle’s waterfront has played a significant role in the development of the community. Its earliest residents were Native Americans of the Siwanoy tribe, who sustained themselves with the abundance of fish along the shore of Long Island Sound.
A group of Huguenots, fleeing religious persecution, purchased the land in 1688 and named it after their former French seacoast city, La Rochelle. Settling along the water’s edge, they used the water routes to transport locally grown produce into New York City.
The era for suburban living began in the late 1800’s, when the New York and New Haven Railroad opened a line with a stop in New Rochelle. The city became a famous summer resort, attracting people from New York and the surrounding areas. Some, who came to the waterfront seeking peace, tranquility, and scenic beauty, built grand homes. Others came to “play,” leading to a growth of entertainment venues, including Glen Island Casino, which drew musical artists and entertainers for the increasing summer audience.
The town was officially incorporated in 1899, making it one of the oldest cities in the Northeast. By the end of the century, the city had begun a massive revitalization of its downtown, and the population continued to soar.
Recreation
New Rochelle offers many indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities for residents of all ages. Through its Department of Parks and Recreation, the City manages 38 public facilities, including parks, lakes, nature areas, tennis facilities, playgrounds, hiking trails, and a senior center.
There are baseball, basketball, and softball leagues and scouting programs for children and teens, along with numerous athletic fields, picnic areas, hiking trails, and fishing spots, as well as an abundance of private beaches and tennis clubs. It also offers a large selection of classes and programs that include athletics, hobbies, activities, summer, and school programs.
New Rochelle boasts one of the largest and finest municipal marinas on Long Island Sound, with over 300 boat slips and 150 mooring spaces that are rented on a seasonal basis, primarily for residents. The Marina acts as a gateway to the beautiful Long Island Sound for canoes and kayakers, and offers a fuel dock and state-of-the-art pump-out station, which is vital for recreational boating.
New Rochelle’s parks and outdoor recreational areas are dispersed throughout the City. Glen Island, a 105-acre island property connected to the mainland by a drawbridge, features picnic areas, a playground, a boat launch, and a beach offering access to Long Island Sound. Additional parks include Five Islands Park, Davenport Park, Flowers Park, and Hudson Park.
Arts & Culture
New Rochelle Council on the Arts sponsors a number of community exhibitions, theatrical productions, dance recitals, film screenings, lectures, and concert series. There is a very vibrant community of artists and performers in New Rochelle, many owners and residents of one of the only Artist-in-Residence Condominiums in Westchester County.
In 1999, part of downtown New Rochelle was rebuilt with a $190 million entertainment complex, New Roc City. It features an 18-screen movie theater, Westchester’s first IMAX theater, a glow-in-the-dark bowling center, billiards, arcade, laser tag, bumper cars, carousel, retail shops, restaurants, a hotel, loft apartments, and a mega supermarket.
Be sure to stop by Westchester Yoga Arts, a community-oriented yoga studio that also offers bellydance and zumba classes.
Nature & Conservation
Ward Acres: A combination of untouched forest, wild lawns and meadows, acres of hiking, exercise trails, horse stables, and a dog park.
Leatherstocking Trail: 2-mile-long, inter-municipal hiking trail situated between New Rochelle and Mamaroneck.
Sheldrake Lake: 60-acre park and nature conservancy. Huckleberry Island: Nesting site for birds such as egrets and night herons.
Davenport Neck Bird Sanctuary: Home to many species of birds.
Twin Lakes Park and Nature Study Woods: Together, they total 220 acres of woods, marsh, lakes, ponds, and some fields. There are many foot trails weaving around two large lakes.
David's Island: 78-acre island off the coast of the city that is being transformed from a former American military base into a park and environmental preserve to support valuable wetlands and beaches
Shopping & Dining
New Rochelle’s downtown has exploded with new and exciting dining opportunities over the last year. There is now a diversity of authentic ethnic dining choices that are all within walking distance of each other. Be sure to check out Friday’s Farmer’s Market in front of the Twin Lakes and Saturday’s Farmer’s Market on the library green.
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