Briarcliff Manor, NY Road Trips

While the village of Briarcliff Manor was established in 1902, the area has been home to Wappinger tribes of Native Americans since the precolonial era. Established on the eastern bank of the Hudson River on the former land of Walter W. Law, the village's name originated from that of the summer home of John David Ogilby, a professor from the nearby General Theological Seminary, who named his summer home Brier Cliff, after the name of his family home in Ireland. When Law bought the land encompassing the village in the late 19th century, he kept the name Briarcliff, and after being jokingly referred to as the "Laird of Briarcliff Manor" by his friend Andrew Carnegie, the name stuck. The village has a humid continental climate, with cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. During the summers (June to September), the daily high averages in the low 80s Fahrenheit (upper 20s Celsius) and lows averaging around 60s Fahrenheit (Upper 10s Celsius). The summers in Briarcliff Manor are humid, usually around 80% during the day. Winter (December to March) has highs in the low 40s Fahrenheit (lower single digits Celsius) and lows slightly below freezing. While snow is somewhat common during winter months, the above-freezing daytime highs lead to an inconsistent snowpack and regular intervals of rain.

Briarcliff Manor is an architectural haven, from historic buildings to churches and temples, Briarcliff Manor has plenty to see and marvel at. 1 All Saints' Episcopal Church, 201 Scarborough Road, ☏ +1 914-941-6955. An English Gothic church built by Richard Upjohn in 1854, with a Stick Style rectory dated to 1883 and an Arts and Crafts-style Old Parish Hall built in 1904. The church is on the National Register of Historic Places. 2 Beechwood, 1–3 Beechwood Way. A neoclassical Federal mansion, with a more ornate Colonial Revival addition by R. H. Robertson. The building has two large porticoed entryways, a two-story octagonal library, numerous porches, verandas, and over 100 interior rooms. Beechwood was the filming location for Savages, a 1972 Merchant Ivory film and the 1970 film House of Dark Shadows. 3 Briarcliff Congregational Church, 30 South State Rd. An English Parish-style church founded in 1896 by Walter Law. Renowned for its Tiffany stained glass windows and its Norman-style tower. (updated Nov 2024) 4 Briarcliff Manor Public Library, 1 Library Road. A Tudor Revival library, built by Walter Law in the style of his Briarcliff Lodge in 1906 as a train station. It became a library in 1959, and an expansion was completed in 2009. 5 The Clear View School. A Neoclassical-style school building completed early in 1917 as the Scarborough School. The building has a grand porticoed entry and French windows. Also on the property is a 1960s Modernist schoolhouse and an 80-acre parkland designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. 6 Manor House.

When compared to other municipalities in Westchester County, Briarcliff Manor stands out for having a wide range of different outdoor activities. Being a Rivertown, many areas of the village have striking views of the Hudson River, including outdoor spaces like the Sleepy Hollow Country Club and Scarborough Park. Although small in comparison to the larger county parks in Westchester, Briarcliff's parks and trails are well maintained and often have scenic vistas akin to parks in northern Westchester County, without being as physically strenuous and popular. 1 Law Memorial Park, 1031 Pleasantville Rd (just south of the village center). A charming park, with a public pool, racket sports courts (permit only), a soccer field, baseball field, and a pond with benches, walkways, and period lighting. The pool is usually open Memorial Day to Labor Day, although non-residents are not generally allowed unless accompanied by a village resident. In the summer, the pavilion next to the pool sells ice cream, cold drinks, and small finger foods. (updated Mar 2024) 2 Pocantico Park, 2 Laurel Lane. The largest park in Briarcliff, offering two hiking trails of moderate difficulty with a total of one mile of hiking trails. At the top of the hiking trail, there is a scenic vista with views over Briarcliff. Parking is available along the side of Laurel Lane. (updated Mar 2024) 3 Scarborough Park, 156 Scarborough Station Rd (from the train station, walk up the street past the US Post Office, turn on Locust Rd.).

For a relatively small village, Briarcliff Manor offers a large variety of cuisines, thanks in part to the diverse community that lives in the village for the exceptional school district. One thing that becomes apparent for first-time visitors in Briarcliff is the lack of nationwide fast-food chains, something that the town prides itself for. During the summer, nearly every eatery offers some form of outdoor seating, from outdoor patios to streetside dining. With the proximity of the village to New York City, you can expect to find good New York-style pizza slices and bagels, although no "dollar slices" exist in the town - the average price of a cheese slice being around $4. In fact, a few of the pizzerias in the village have won county-wide awards for their pizza slices, a distinction marked by a "Best in Westchester" plaque. All bagel shops and delis offer a variety of different cream cheese spreads, sandwich stuffings, and bagels, and it's hard to go wrong with any of the bagel shops in the village. 1 Briar Bagels & More, 549 N State Rd, ☏ +1 914-432-0005. M–F 6AM–4PM, Su 6AM–2PM. Small bagel shop offering traditional New York style bagels, sandwiches, pastries, and affordable Italian lunch specials. Welcoming staff with plenty of interior seating. $5-$10 for a filling sandwich. (updated Nov 2024) 2 Hunan Garden, 86 N State Rd, ☏ +1 914-923-1628. M–Th 11AM–9:30PM, F Sa 11AM–10:30PM, Su noon–9:30PM. Generous portions of classic American-Chinese cuisine. Offers take-out only, and vegetarian and diet options are available.

While Briarcliff Manor does not feature traditional hotels or motels, it offers unique accommodation options including a well-equipped conference center, along with various lodging choices within a fifteen minute drive. 1 Edith Macy Conference Center, 550 Chappaqua Rd, ☏ +1 914-945-8000. Situated among 405 wooded acres on a mountainside. They promote the country setting as a good location to conduct corporate work sessions in a relaxing environment without distractions. 2 Comfort Inn & Suites, 20 Saw Mill River Rd., Hawthorne (starting from downtown Briarcliff Manor, travel south along NY-9A for approximately five miles; after passing the first stop light, continue to the second stop light on NY-9A and make a left turn there), ☏ +1 914 592-8600. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. Small chain hotel located right off of the Saw Mill River Parkway and NY-9A. A few chain restaurants in the nearby area. The hotel includes all the standard amenities including Wi-Fi, free hot breakfast, and a pool. $100-200 per night for a single room. (updated Nov 2023) 3 Extended Stay America - Elmsford, 118 W Main St, Elmsford (from downtown Briarcliff, turn left onto the Taconic State Parkway South, and take exit three onto the Saw Mill Parkway; take exit 22 and turn left at the traffic light; the hotel is on the right-hand side), ☏ +1 914-347-8073. Small chain hotel with easy access to the Saw Mill Parkway. I-87, and I-287. Central location with many nearby restaurants. Included standard amenities like breakfast, Wi-Fi, and a full kitchen. $100-200 per night for a single room.

'Westchester County Airport ('HPN IATA) is located 12 miles southeast in the city of White Plains. The airport receives regular service by five airlines and offers direct service to over ten cities on the eastern seaboard in addition to Puerto Rico and Bermuda. The airport offers many rental car options. By bus and train: From the airport, take the 12 bus ($3) towards White Plains. At Martine Ave. @ Court St., exit the bus and walk to Main St. @ Court St. and board the 6 bus en route to Pleasantville. At Bedford Rd. @ Wheeler Ave., transfer onto the 19 bus ($3) en route to Ossining. Total travel time is 1.5-2 hours. The Bee-Line Bus allows one free transfer, so two fares will be necessary for the trip. By car: From Westchester County Airport, merge onto I-684 south and take the exit onto I-287 west towards White Plains. Then take exit 3 onto the Sprain Brook Parkway North, exiting at exit 6 after the merge onto the Taconic. By taxi: To schedule the service of a taxi while at the airport, you can dial one of seven companies licensed by the Westchester County Taxi and Limousine Commission. While taxi service is allowed, taxi companies are unable to cruise around and the hailing of unoccupied taxis is not allowed. 'Stewart International Airport ('SWF IATA) is 40 miles northwest of Briarcliff Manor in the town of New Windsor. While a nice alternative to the congestion of the three main airports of New York City, public transportation into Briarcliff Manor is scarce, time-consuming and expensive.

Getting around Briarcliff Manor and Westchester entirely depends on where you are staying and what you want to see. If you plan on spending most of your time within the village, most downtown sights are within walking distance of each other. While Briarcliff Manor is a small village, it is recommended that visitors have access to a car. Most areas outside of downtown are without sidewalks, and crossing the road in these areas can be difficult. All parking in downtown is free, including the lots on the west side of Pleasantville Road directly across from the fire station and next to the clock, and nearly all shops and restaurants have parking lots. While neighborhood parks allow street parking, it is not allowed at night time during winter, and police officers regularly fine offenders. The use of the Bee-Line Bus Service for intracity travel within Briarcliff Manor is generally not recommended, as most attractions are within walking distance or have no bus service. The one main exception is connection to the North State Road business district, which can be easily accessed via Bee-Line Bus Route 15.