One of the best-kept secrets as far as suburbs go is New Rochelle in lower Westchester. Just North of Orchard Beach in the Bronx and the first stop on the Metro North New Haven Line Express, it’s an easy commute from New York City and the Bronx.
A city with approximately 80,000 people, New Rochelle consists of a very diverse population. The residents are buzzing with excitement because of all the development in New Rochelle’s downtown business district. This update will include retail space and housing that aims to attract the millennial generation and more. New Rochelle will also add to some of the mom-and-pop stores still thriving after 90 years, like Liebman’s, a uniform and specialty apparel store established as early as 1926.
New Rochelle is somewhat of a college town bordered by Iona College and Monroe College. Each is growing by leaps and bounds and all are involved in gentrifying their surrounding communities – they’re building, and with each brick, growing in the national rankings of colleges as well.
Monroe College added an award winning School of Hospitality to the New Rochelle campus that touts its own Culinary Institute. If you’re in the mood for a gourmet meal without the gourmet prices, call (914) 740-6421 for reservations. For less than $30 a person, you can dine at the Culinary Institute at Monroe. On most days, you can also walk into its Pastry Kiosk and buy a gourmet boxed lunch for only $6 as well.
Whether it’s the result of having a Culinary Institute right here in town, or due to its mosaic of cultures, restaurants are popping up all over the area. In fact, residents can eat at a different cuisine-themed restaurant every night. No matter what your appetite desires, you can find it here.
New Rochelle has several parks, mostly bordered by the Long Island Sound. At Glen Island Park, you can ride your bike along the glistening marina and the sound. At Five Island Park, you can utilize the kayak program on weekend mornings and at Pine Brook Tennis Center, you can play tennis surrounded by a beautiful hiking trail. At Hudson Park, there is a greenhouse that helps local students learn about horticulture.
Something truly unique in New Rochelle is its devotion to the arts. Every spring, the New Rochelle Opera performs an operatic production at the Ursuline School. Performances have ranged from “La Traviata”
to “Carmen,” and each is spectacular. For additional information, call (914) 576-1617. In July, the New Rochelle Opera presents a free production at the newly renovated band shell at Hudson Park. This
is a great introduction to opera.
Downtown New Rochelle is also home to many art studios. At Lord and Andra Gallery, you can peruse the varying exhibits after dining or attend one of their “sip and paint” sessions to unveil your inner artist.
If you’re interested in a little rest and relaxation, and just want to get away from the New York City hustle and bustle, contact the New Dawn Foundation. Its beautiful estate on the Long Island Sound is perfect for relaxation. It also offers sweat lodges, acupuncture and pain management classes. Visit NewDawnFoundation.com for more information.
Now that the secrets out, visit New Rochelle. Whether it’s for the food, the many parks, the arts, the entertainment or just to get away for the weekend, you’ll be happy you visited. You may even want to contact one of the many real estate agents in our directory to find a home or business.
The Department of Parks & Recreation
515 North Ave. | New Rochelle, NY 10801
Phone: (914) 654-2087 | Fax: (914) 654-2010
Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Montefiore New Rochelle Hospital
16 Guion Pl. | New Rochelle, NY 10802
Phone: (914) 632-5000
www.montefiorehealthsystem.org/NewRochelle