We all love our own little cozy corners of Westchester. There are so many things to do and see, places to eat, and parks to visit. Who doesn’t love exploring the county and “finding” the kid-friendly gems! We are spotlighting some of those awesome places so that other moms can take advantage and get a glimpse into the awesomeness that is Westchester! Read all posts in our Spotlight on Westchester Series.
Pound Ridge is a quiet, rural gem nestled in Northern Westchester on the Connecticut border, spanning 23 square miles. The town has 17 nature preserves, a small commercial center known as Scotts Corners, and much more. There are, however, no traffic lights or public transportation.
What to Do
Food Truck Fridays: Between May and September, Pound Ridge Food Truck Fridays take place every month, offering the community a variety of tasty mobile food options, live music, and an opportunity to come together.
Harvest Festival: A beloved Pound Ridge tradition, the annual Harvest Festival draws people together to enjoy Oktoberfest-style food, beverage gardens, award-winning music, and kid-friendly fun like face painting, games, and contests. Alongside local performers, past musical acts include the Gin Blossoms, Everclear, Cracker, Rusted Root, the Spin Doctors, and more. In October 2021, the event attracted 6,000 attendees.
Shop Local: Downtown Pound Ridge is home to various local mom-and-pop shops.
Some of the wonderful offerings you’ll find on this picturesque stretch include:
Kahlo is a complete sensory mind/body/spirit experience, selling a curated mix of handmade clothing, jewelry, and home goods and an apothecary of natural remedies. The store also boasts a beautiful outdoor space and hosts events and workshops to bring together the community.
The Huntress is a “home furnishings store and lifestyle brand dedicated to reinforcing the feeling of home.”
Booksy Galore is a cozy shop with new, used, and vintage books, as well as vinyl and bookish gifts.
The Cottage, a unique “enchanted gathering place,” houses one-of-a-kind vintage and new treasures.
Design Solutions is your one-stop shop for hostess and housewarming gifts. Here you’ll find a variety of home accessories and décor.
SCOUT was founded by Jenn Streicher, one of the beauty industry’s most sought-after makeup artists. SCOUT sells beauty products from clean, sustainable, and responsible brands. Appointments can also be made for consultation and application.
Red Fox Gallery attracts art lovers with contemporary art from several acclaimed artists.
Head Outside
Pound Ridge Town Park provides warm weather and cold weather fun. The park is open to unsupervised ice skating and ice hockey until 10 p.m. daily during the winter months. Come summertime, Pound Ridge pool offers residents an opportunity to cool off.
The park also houses a large playground with various climbing structures, athletic fields, year-round tennis courts, and walking and biking paths and trails.
Ward Pound Ridge, Westchester County’s largest park, covers 4,315 acres, with varied terrain and landscapes and miles of wooded trails, popular with hikers and trail runners. There are even designated areas for picnicking, camping, fishing, and cross-country skiing. There’s also a Trailside nature Museum and Gallery in the park, with exhibitions of work by regional artists.
Zofnass Family Preserve is another beautiful place for a hike, with over seven miles of trails featuring hundreds of stepping stones for crossing streams and wetlands. In addition, there are dozens of educational signs and small notes pointing out the Preserve’s many interesting and fun features.
Where to Eat
The Inn at Pound Ridge: Renowned Chef Jean-Gorges opened this casually elegant restaurant with seasonal farm-to-table cuisine in 2014. Originally built as a residence in 1833 which later became Emily Shaw’s Inn, the restaurant is rustic and cozy, with refurbished stone and wood throughout. This is by far my favorite special occasion restaurant in the county.
North Star: This neighborhood restaurant has a lovely front porch, friendly staff, and live music in the summer months. The food, American fare, is consistently good. It’s an excellent choice for a date night or dinner with friends.
Kitchen Table: A small, farm-to-table café in Pound Ridge, Kitchen Table offers breakfast all day and lunch midday. Friends say that the breakfast burrito, BLT, and chocolate chip cookies are must-haves.
What happened to Danardos Restaurant
Thank you for sharing another great place to eat. It’s hard to include every local spot but we always love hearing our readers’ favorites too. We’ll be sure to check out DiNardo’s the next time we’re in PR!
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