Northeast Yonkers - Yonkers, NY

Yonkers takes its name from the city's founder and New York City's first lawyer, Adriaen Van der Donck. The city has a rich history of being the birthplace of many important inventions, including the FM radio, America's first golf course and the first elevated train line. In addition, the safety elevator that made the first skyscrapers possible was developed in Yonkers.

Northeast Yonkers residents can attend several annual events, including Riverfest, a free downtown festival where you can enjoy art, international cuisine and live music. In addition, you can explore renowned art, performances and poetry at Blue Door Art Center and Gallery. Be sure to visit Westchester County's largest museum, Hudson River Museum, to enjoy art and science exhibits and a state-of-the-art planetarium.

No matter what type of food you're craving, you are sure to find the perfect restaurant in Northeast Yonkers. Have lunch or dinner at Luciano's on Central Park Avenue. The Italian restaurant remains a favorite among locals for both family dinners and romantic date nights. Start your meal with fried zucchini, shrimp cocktail or an antipasto caprese salad made with fresh tomatoes, roasted red peppers and mozzarella. Dine on rich Italian specialities like chicken or veal parmigiana, homemade lasagna or gnocchi with pesto. Make sure you leave room for dessert; sip espresso while indulging in Tartufo or creamy cheesecake.

For a taste of Cuba, visit Havana Central in Westchester's Ridge Hill. Come for happy hour or to enjoy live music and entertainment on weekends. Begin with a refreshing cocktail, such as Havana Central's signature sangria, a frozen margarita or a tropical mojitos. The menu features Cuban classics, from empanadas to the classic Cuban sandwich, made with roasted pork, smoked ham, Swiss cheese, mustard and pickles. For something truly authentic, try the Mofongo, a popular Caribbean dish made with pork and garlic-infused mashed plantains.

If sushi or hibachi is what you're craving, dine at or order delivery from Little Buddha. The menu features gyoza, tempura, sushi and sashimi. Enjoy entrees like the honey-walnut crispy chicken and shrimp, crispy red snapper with miso-citrus glaze or Thai curry. The sushi menu includes classics and unique variations. For a unique sweet-and-salty combination, try the Angry Dragon Roll, made with crispy shrimp tempura, spicy tuna, crab, papaya and a sweet citrus sauce.

Northeast Yonkers residents have their pick when it comes to nightlife and entertainment. Travel into New York City, and choose from hundreds of dance clubs, music venues, restaurants, concerts and theater shows, or stay in town and visit one of the many local bars or lounges. Alamo Drafthouse Cinema on Central Park Avenue plays blockbuster releases and provides a full bar. Order your favorite glass of wine or an ice cold beer, and watch a movie at this unique theater.

Get around Yonkers by car, bus, train, bike or on foot. Residents who commute by car can enjoy easy access to major highways, including the Sprain Brook Parkway, the Saw Mill River Parkway and Interstate 87. In addition, ride-share services, such as ZipCar and RelayRides, are available in the area, allowing you to rent a car for a few hours or a few days. You cannot hail a cab in Yonkers, but you can call to schedule a taxi pick-up in advance or use the smartphone-based car service Uber. Both metered and non-metered street parking is available, and most restaurants and stores in the neighborhood have parking lots or garages.

Those who prefer to use public transportation can travel comfortably using the Metro-North Railroad's Hudson line, which services Yonkers and New York City and provides a 30-minute trip from Yonkers to Grand Central Station. You can catch the train at several nearby stops along the waterfront. In addition, the Bee-Line bus system also services the area with several local nearby routes.

Complete several daily errands on foot in this walkable neighborhood. Bicyclists can take advantage of designated bike lanes on both Saw Mill River Parkway and Bronx River Parkway. Yonkers even boasts its own bicycle club.

Northeast Yonkers houses two parks, Sprain Ridge Park and O'Moore Park, both ideal for enjoying the outdoors. Sprain Ridge Park sits on 278 acres and has a variety of heavily wooded areas, hiking and biking trails, and several recreational facilities. A favorite of local cyclists, the park provides 5 miles of mountain bike trails designed for every skill level. Bike the beginner trail, or venture through the intermediate and advanced trails, which provide more challenging terrain and taxing curves. In addition, residents can peruse the exotic woodland plants, cool off in the park's swimming pool, let children burn off some energy in the playground or picnic. A county park pass is required for admission, and dogs are allowed in all areas except the picnic grounds.

O'Moore Park sits on 35 acres and provides another great option for residents. The park houses a baseball diamond, multipurpose grass area and a nature trail perfect for leisurely strolls, jogging and exploring. Northeast Yonkers is also close to Westchester County's 50 other parks and the marina activities found along the Hudson River.

Northeast Yonkers residents can enjoy a lower cost of living compared to living in Downtown Yonkers or New York City while still being in close proximity to many prime destinations. An average one-bedroom rental costs $1,160.. Gas prices settle in at 11 percent higher than the national average, and public transportation costs vary. A one-way trip on the Metro-North costs an average of $10, although there are several off-peak, child, senior and monthly discounts available. A local ride on the Bee-Line bus costs $2.50. Expect to pay around $5 for a pint of beer at a local pub.

Westchester's Ridge Hill shopping center has dozens of stores, provides free half-hour parking and is accessible by Westchester County buses. Shop for the latest technology at Apple, purchase designer fashions at Lord & Taylor, and find kitchen and home essentials at Sur La Table. The shopping center also houses WineZetta, an extensive wine store that provides wines from all over the world at affordable prices. The mall is also home to LEGOLAND Discovery Center, a place to not only shop for your favorite LEGOs but to also provide your children with hours of fun. LEGOLAND features a host of entertainment, attractions, and rides and a 4D cinema.

Those looking for boutique shopping can visit Weezie D. The nearby boutique features fashionable, high-quality women's apparel, accessories, and more. The boutique also hosts Pilates fitness classes and an annual charity fashion show that benefits the Boys and Girls Club.

Residents can grocery shop at Whole Foods, Shoprite, Stew Leonard's, Trader Joe's, or Costco. Westchester's Ridge Hill center hosts a farmers market where residents can purchase fresh local produce and children can enjoy a variety of activities like the Ridge Hill Chef Series, an event providing food tastings and healthy recipe demonstrations using farm-to-table ingredients.