Briarcliff Manor

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.

'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. The airport is served by three airlines, and offers non-stop flights from Reykjavik and cities in Florida and South Carolina. The airport offers several rental car options.

By car: Nearly the only way to travel into Briarcliff Manor. If renting a car from any of the rental car providers at the airport, make sure to inquire about EZ-Pass, New York's electronic tolling system, as part of the route involves a toll road. The general route is to follow I-84 east for about 19 miles until you reach the Taconic State Parkway at exit 52A, where you can head south for roughly 30 miles until reaching exit 6 for Briarcliff Manor.

By taxi: Taxi service is available at Stewart International through the Welcome Center in the main terminal, but is not recommended due to the long distance in between the airport and Briarcliff Manor.

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR IATA), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK IATA), and LaGuardia International Airport (LGA IATA) are the three major international airports in the New York City metro area and offer service to just about anywhere around the world. If you are a visitor to Westchester County, it is most likely that you will fly into one of these three main airports. While the central hub for downstate New York, it can be a real headache to get transport to Briarcliff Manor from these airports.

Briarcliff Manor is bounded on the east by the Saw Mill River Parkway (between the Bronx and Katonah) and the Taconic State Parkway (between North Castle and Albany). These highways are well connected with the Sprain Brook Parkway (at the termination of the Taconic), I-87 (accessed from the Saw Mill River Parkway South, running north to south from the Bronx to the New York-Montreal border), I-287 (accessed from the Sprain Brook Parkway, connecting Edison, New Jersey to Rye), and I-95 (at the termination of I-287, running north to south along the eastern seaboard).

Briarcliff Manor is well-served by the Metro-North Railroad. The village is conveniently located near three Metro-North stations – Scarborough, Ossining, and Pleasantville stations. All three stations provide regular, direct service to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan, as well as local service to other Metro-North commuter stations.

1 Scarborough station and 2 Ossining station are located on the Metro-North's Hudson Line. Express service between either station and Grand Central Terminal is about 50 minutes, although Ossining station provides more midday express service. Local service to Grand Central takes just over an hour. A one-way ticket to Grand Central costs $11.25 off-peak and $14.75 peak. On-board train fares are subject to a stiff surcharge, so buy your tickets online or from the vending machines in the station overpass. Full weekday and weekend Hudson Line schedules are available online. The Scarborough train station has no bus access, but the Ossining station can be reached by Bee-Line Bus routes 14 and 19.

3 Pleasantville station is located on the Metro-North's Harlem Line, and is close to the eastern portion of the village. Express service between Pleasantville station and Grand Central Terminal is about an hour. A one-way ticket to Grand Central also costs $11.25 off-peak and $14.75 peak. On-board train fares are subject to a stiff surcharge, so buy your tickets online or from the vending machines on the platform. Full weekday and weekend Harlem Line schedules are available online. The station can be reached by Bee-Line bus route 19.

Briarcliff Manor, along with the rest of Westchester County, is serviced by the Bee-Line Bus Service. Standard fares are $3 and include one transfer. The following are the bus routes operating through Briarcliff Manor, along with links to timetables and route maps:

Bee-Line Bus Route 14 ($3) connects White Plains to Peekskill. Heading towards Peekskill, there is one stop in Briarcliff, situated 125 ft (38 m) from the intersection of Pleasantville Rd and Poplar Rd, while the southbound route has three stops along Pleasantville Rd in downtown. The bus operates hourly on weekdays from 7AM to 11PM, on Saturdays from 7AM to 10PM hourly, and on Sundays from 10AM to 7PM every other hour.

Bee-Line Bus Route 15 ($3) serves as local route operating from White Plains to Peekskill, with one stop 500 ft (150 m) north of the intersection of Pleasantville Rd and North State Rd. The bus operates every other hour on weekdays from 7AM-5PM, with only three scheduled buses between 11AM-6PM on Saturdays.

Bee-Line Bus Route 19 ($3) is a local route operating from the Ossining Railroad Station to Katonah, with stops along Pleasantville Rd in downtown. The bus operates every hour and a half on weekdays from 6AM-6PM, and every other hour on Saturdays from 7AM-6PM.

NY Waterway, +1-800-53-FERRY, runs weekday trips from Haverstraw to nearby Ossining through the Haverstraw–Ossining Ferry from 6AM-9AM and 5-10PM. One-way tickets are $4.50 and can be purchased at the ticket booths or on the NY Waterway mobile app. The ferry is used primarily for commuters in Rockland County as rail connection to New York City is limited west of the Hudson River. The journey takes roughly 15 minutes.

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.

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. A Tudor Revival building built in 1925 by Oscar Vatet for Rev. Dr. Rufus P. Johnston (pastor of John D. Rockefeller's Fifth Avenue Baptist Church). The building later became home to Dr. Arthur O'Connor; then to Cognitronics, and later to Frank B. Hall, Inc. It is an empty and unused part of Briarcliff Corporate Campus.

7 St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. A Gothic Revival church built in 1851, the church has narrow lancelet windows created by Bolton Priory, one of America’s first stained glass manufacturers, and is the only complete set of Bolton windows in existence.

8 Vanderlip-Street house (Julian Street Jr. residence). A Modernist house designed by Wallace Harrison for Frank A. Vanderlip (who built it for his daughter and son-in-law) was one of the first contemporary-style homes in Westchester.

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.). A small patch of green that borders the Hudson and offers gorgeous river views across to the Palisades, one of the only riverside parts of Briarcliff. At sunset, the views over the Hudson River are gorgeous. A quiet place to relax, unwind and feed the geese or go fishing. (updated Mar 2024)

4 Chilmark Park. Large park in the Chilmark district, formerly the site of the Chilmark Country Club. Offers tennis and pickleball courts (permit only), a basketball court, soccer field, baseball field, and a large playground. (updated Mar 2024)

5 Sleepy Hollow Country Club, 777 Albany Post Road. Private 27-hole golf course on the National Register of Historic Places, and considered by many to be one of the best in Westchester County. The clubhouse, a Renaissance Revival mansion and formerly the private residence Woodlea, contains Beaux-Arts and Georgian Revival features, and was designed by Stanford White and built during the early 1890s. (updated Mar 2024)

6 Trump National Golf Club, 100 Shadow Tree Lane. Private 18-hole golf course located just southwest of Briarcliff's central business district, featuring a $1-million waterfall on hole thirteen. (updated Mar 2024)

7 North County Trailway (from the Briarcliff Manor Public Library parking lot, head towards the library and turn right at the bike racks). A 22.1 mi (35.6 km) paved, multi-use path that spans from Eastview to the Putnam County border. Built along the railbed of the former Putnam Division of the New York Central Railroad, the trailway provided rail service in the late 19th century and early 20th century from the Bronx to Putnam County. While on the trail, look out for old remnants of train tracks bisecting the trail. (updated Mar 2024)

8 Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park (from the Scarborough Engine Company, head north up Scarborough Road). A 26.2 mi (42.2 km) unpaved multiuse trail which follows the path of the Croton Aqueduct, built in the 19th century to fulfill New York City's need for fresh water. The park stretches from the Bronx County border to the Croton Dam in Cortlandt, and features numerous historical buildings along the trail. In the winter, the trail, snow dependent, can be used for cross-country skiing. (updated Mar 2024)

9 Briarcliff-Peekskill Trailway (50 ft (15 m) east of the Briarcliff-Peekskill Parkway on Ryder Road). 12 mi (19 km) of unpaved linear park, built on lands originally intended to become a parkway. Bisects many nature preserves, reservations, and parks. No bicycles allowed. (updated Mar 2024)

10 A Maze in Pottery, 76 North State Rd, ☏ +1 914-502-0088. Tu-Th & Sa 10AM-6PM, F 10AM-8PM, Su 11AM-5PM. Quaint pottery studio with a large variety of different pottery pieces available to paint. Great for beginners with little to no experience, with a large amount of tools and paints available to paint. (updated Nov 2024)

Briarcliff Manor-Scarborough Historical Society, One Library Road (left of the Briarcliff Manor Public Library, on the basement level), ☏ +1 914-941-4393. M-F 9AM-4PM. Usually held every few months, the society hosts events surrounding the local nature and history in Westchester County. They also have an extensive collection of maps, books, and memorabilia regarding the history of Briarcliff Manor. (updated Mar 2024)

Memorial Day Parade. Featuring Fire and Police Departments, boy and girl scouts, bands, and other groups, who march from the Briarcliff Manor Fire Department to the Tree Streets and back to Law Memorial Park for a brief remembrance ceremony, usually held in the Law Pavilion. There are multiple pedestrian areas where spectators can watch the parade throughout the village. (updated Mar 2024)

Briarcliff Manor Community Bonfire. Hosted at Law Memorial Park during the month of December by the village and the Recreation Advisory Committee, the bonfire features live music and a community Sing-a-Long, holiday craft projects for children, and small snacks and warm drinks. (updated Mar 2024)

Community Day. Held every September, it is one of the biggest events in the village every year. Local vendors, inflatable play areas, and food trucks are all brought out to Law Memorial Park, and there is always a firework show at the end. (updated Mar 2024)

Briarcliff High School Concerts, Dramas, and Musicals. Briarcliff Manor High School's Performing Arts Department presents annual free winter and spring concerts, as well as a paid fall drama and spring musical production. (updated Mar 2024)

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. Call ahead for fastest service, Lunch specials starts from $8, dinner entrees from $10. (updated Nov 2024)

3 The Patio Restaurant, 1133 Pleasantville Rd, ☏ +1 914-941-4414, thepatiorestaurant@hotmail.com. Su–Th 7AM–9PM, F Sa 7AM–10PM. Large diner located inside of the old firehouse in downtown. Fast service and friendly staff. Large menu with filling and affordable all-day breakfast options. Breakfast options around $10, lunch and dinner from $15-$20. (updated Nov 2024)

4 Euro Pizzeria, 103 N. State Rd, ☏ +1 914-762-0200. M-Sa 10AM-8:45PM, Su 10AM-7:45PM. Traditional New York style pizzeria with a large variety of slices, pastas, salads, and desserts. Sit-down service, take out, and delivery available. Try items from their value menu at lunch time, offering slightly smaller portions for much cheaper prices. $3-5 for a slice of pizza, $10 for lunch, $20 for dinner. (updated Nov 2024)

5 Janniello's Market, 1191 Pleasantville Rd, ☏ +1 914-923-3240. M–F 7AM–7PM, Sa 8AM–6PM, Su 8AM–3PM. Small Italian deli and market with a takeout counter at the back of the store. Fast service and outdoor seating available. Sandwiches under $15, entrees under $20. (updated Nov 2024)

6 Maya Riviera, 518 N State Rd, ☏ +1 914-488-5619. Su–Th 11AM–10PM, F Sa 11AM–11PM. Large menu of Mexican fare in an aptly themed atmosphere. Entrees from $20, cocktails from $10. (updated Nov 2024)

7 Squire's of Briarcliff, 94 N State Rd, ☏ +1 914-762-3376. M-Tu 4-10PM, W-Sa 11:30AM-10PM, Su 1-9PM. Locally renowned steak and seafood restaurant with a full bar offering large portions in a casual, New England coastal environment. Voted "Best in Westchester" for many years for the burgers. Walk-in tables get busy during the weekends. $15 for sandwiches and $20-$30 for seafood entrees. (updated Nov 2024)

8 Yama Fuji Sushi, 1914 Pleasantville Rd (Chilmark Shopping Center), ☏ +1 914-941-3100. M–Sa 11AM–3PM & 4:15–9PM, Su noon–3PM & 4:15–9PM. Chinese-owned Japanese restaurant with a small dine-in order and fast takeout. Offers sushi staples and standard American Chinese cuisine. Lunch entrees from $15, dinner entrees from $20, and specialty sushi rolls around $15. (updated Nov 2024)

9 Jaipore Xpress, 1116 Pleasantville Rd, ☏ +1 914-373-4821, info@jaiporect.com. Daily 11:30AM-9PM. Small BYOB Indian eatery with a variety of entrees, including vegetarian and vegan options. Servers are friendly and kind, and rice refills are free. $15-$20. (updated Dec 2024)

10 105-Ten Bar & Grill, 127 Woodside Ave, ☏ +1 914-236-3651. M–Th 11:30AM–9:30PM, F 11:30AM-10PM, Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM–9PM. Traditional American eatery with upscale appetizers and entrees. Large dining area with moody lighting. Sandwiches around $20, entrees ranging from $25-$35. (updated Nov 2024)

11 Flames Bar and Grill, 533 N State Rd, ☏ +1 914-923-3100, contact@flamesbarandgrill.com. Tu–Th 4–10PM, F Sa 4–11PM, Su 1–9PM. Upscale American steakhouse offering a variety of steaks, seafood, and pastas. Formal environment, reservation recommended. Steaks starting at $50, bottles of wine at $60. (updated Nov 2024)

12 Dive Oyster House, 1201 Pleasantville Rd, ☏ +1 914-236-3911, diveoysterhouse@gmail.com. Daily 11AM-10PM. Upscale white-linen seafood restaurant in downtown with outdoor seating in the summer. Offers a sizable happy hour menu and rotating weekly specials. Reservation usually not necessary. $30-50 for entrees. (updated Dec 2024)

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. (updated Nov 2023)

4 Tarrytown House Estate on the Hudson, 49 E Sunnyside Ln, Tarrytown (from downtown Briarcliff, take the Taconic State Parkway south and take exit three onto the Saw Mill River Parkway; approximately six miles down the road, take a sharp right hand turn onto Mountain Rd.; take a slight left onto East Sunnyside Lane and the hotel will be on the left), ☏ +1 914-591-8200, info@tarrytownhouseestate.com. Nestled within 26 acres of lush greenery, this historic hotel presents breathtaking views and a rich history that traces back to the mid-19th century. The hotel offers all the standard amenities, including a fitness center and a pool. Adding to its charm are reported sightings of a ghost near room 293! $150-300 per night for a single room. (updated Nov 2023)