Rye

Let's Take a Walk

The first thing that might strike a visitor entering Rye along the Boston Post Road is the lack of commercialism and the abundance of open space along this busy causeway.  Due to zoning restrictions, there are few businesses along Route 1 until you reach the edge of the downtown area.  Rye boasts its own municipal golf course and Olympic-size pool at the municipal Rye Golf Club.  A unique dining facility, Whitby Castle, overlooks the 18^th hole of the golf course.  Rye boasts three nature preserves within its borders:  The Marshlands Sanctuary, along an inlet of Long Island Sound; the Rye Nature Center, which offers children’s programs; and The Edith Read Bird Sanctuary, which edges the Long Island Sound and provides private walking trails for bird lovers and other naturalists.  Rye has its own marina at the Rye City Boat Basin; many a boating enthusiast will rent a slip or kayak mooring and obtain easy access to the Long Island Sound.

Downtown offers a variety of small shops with a few of the typical larger chain restaurants and coffee houses.  There are plenty of restaurant options for either fine dining or casual meals.  Small shops and restaurants are scattered throughout the neighborhoods of Rye.  For example, near the marina you can pick up a lunch at the deli to take with you on the boat.  On the way to historic Playland Amusement Park, you might stop at the market for a sandwich or pick up sunscreen at the pharmacy.

Near downtown is an assortment of cooperative and condominium units as well as two-family homes.  Milton Point and Forest Avenue out to Port Chester are lined with many grand homes, both new and antique.  The charming tree-lined streets offer an architectural abundance of gracious Colonials, imperial brick homes, and stunning Tudors.  Other neighborhoods, such as the Glen Oaks section or Rye Gardens have a combination of more typical mid-century split-level and ranch homes as well as recently renovated houses.