We all love our cozy little corners of Westchester. There are 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.
Mamaroneck is a scenic waterfront town in lower Westchester, located along the Long Island Sound coastline in what is known as the Sound Shore. It is a vibrant community with small-town charm that offers a wide variety of experiences. With natural beauty, parks, quaint shops, delicious food, and more, Mamaroneck has something for everyone.
How to Get There
With both I-95 and Boston Post Road running parallel throughout Mamaroneck, it is easily accessible by car. Just a short Metro-North ride from Grand Central, it is also a great day trip for those looking to get out of the city, especially during the warm weather months. The quick commute to Manhattan is a significant reason why many families have chosen Mamaroneck as their home.
The Harbor
Mamaroneck is fortunate to have a 44-acre public park for all to enjoy. Harbor Island Park is a hub of activity. A working harbor where you can fish from the docks, it is also home to various youth and adult sports leagues, indoor and outdoor tennis and pickleball courts, two playgrounds, a summer camp, a beach, and a splash pad. Harbor Island is host to many community programs, celebrations, and gatherings throughout the year. The biggest is The Fireman’s Carnival (held in late June through July 4). It culminates with an impressive fireworks display, with people coming from far and wide to enjoy.
While there, history buffs may enjoy a peek into the one-room 1816 Schoolhouse, situated off of Boston Post Road, or the Marine Education Center for children and adults who are interested in learning about conserving the marine life in the harbor and the Sound waters.
You’ll find benches scattered throughout the park, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the peaceful scenery as you walk along the trails that meander through nearby nature preserves. Each spring, the cherry blossom trees burst into vibrant pink blooms, a cheerful reminder that warmer days are just around the corner.
Take a Hike
The Leatherstocking Trail, which some say is named for Mamaroneck’s James Fenimore Cooper’s literary work, Leatherstocking Tales, stretches through parts of Mamaroneck, connecting several local towns. A relatively easy trail with some hilly areas, it offers a lovely way to experience nature, conveniently nestled within the community. There are a couple of loops with several entry points, some of which have parking.
Ice Skate or Swim
Hommocks Middle School features an ice skating rink, as well as indoor and outdoor pools, and a sprinkler system. Memberships and day passes are available for residents and non-residents alike. Check the website first to determine their operating hours and days, especially since they are seasonal. There are also lessons for skating and swimming that can be purchased separately. The pool locker rooms are finishing a major renovation, slated to be completed at the end of June 2025.
A Day at the Theater
The Emelin Theatre is a performing arts center just off Mamaroneck Avenue and right before the harbor. The cultural performances range from hyper-local to world-renowned, all at very accessible prices. On any given day or night, you may catch a musical act, comedy line-up, film series, magician, dance troupe, or a fun, high-quality, family-friendly show! The staff is always very accommodating, especially with children. Parking is ample, and the theater is attached to the Mamaroneck Public Library. Be sure to check out the beautiful children’s library room and programming while you are there.
Movie Theater
See a show at the meticulously renovated Mamaroneck Cinema, which was originally built in 1925. Located directly on Mamaroneck Avenue, it features a rear lot for parking. The concession stand includes alcoholic beverages if you are there for a date night or a moms’ night out. You will catch the latest shows and, on occasion, special screenings. Wednesdays are matinee days with $5 tickets, and you can rent out one of their theaters to host your movie party with snacks and luxurious reclining lounge seats.
Get Creative
Let your inner artist out at MADE: My Art + Design Experience. At MADE, you can walk in, pick one of the many options to work on, and dive right in! Choose from pottery wheels, mosaics, and paint-your-ceramics and canvases. MADE is for artists of all ages and abilities. They host fun theme nights and offer custom party options, after-school and summer camp programs, and projects tailored to your group or organization. If you can’t stay and create, grab a “to-go” art bag, and they will pack up everything you need to let your inner Picasso out at home.
Where To Shop
Robert’s Department Store has offered high-quality men’s wear at affordable prices since 1931. An anchor on Mamaroneck Avenue, because of these values and excellent customer service, they stock good basics with brands you know and trust. Robert’s is a great place for quality boots and shoes, from rugged to refined. They also carry women’s and children’s footwear, which comes in handy when your child has a growth spurt or there’s suddenly a foot of snow on the ground. Harkening back to its past as an Army-Navy store, you will also find a wide assortment of all-weather clothes, uniforms, and workwear (they have an expansive Carhartt and uniform selection). You can order custom-printed shirts and other items, too. You will find Manny Enes, the owner, chatting with his customers, who are also friends at this point, pretty much any time you are there. He has generously supported many Mamaroneck community groups over the years.
Siren is a local gem with a cult following. The shop has a unique vibe that stays on trend, offering a variety of price points to suit everyone’s budget. The boutique is filled with colorful, stylish women’s clothing and accessories, all personally curated by the owner, Maria, who is almost always on hand, styling clients or helping to pick out the perfect gift for someone special. I have personally witnessed her coming to the rescue of frantic last-minute shoppers. The relationship she has saved might be your own!
For the serious sneakerhead, Direct Kicks is a must-visit shop. They carry authenticated, rare, or hard-to-find sneakers and street-style apparel. They will buy, sell, and trade, so bring your used and unworn items to Mamaroneck Avenue to be appraised. Direct Kicks values being part of the Mamaroneck community, providing competitive prices, and building relationships within the sneaker-collecting community.
Miller’s is another longstanding Mamaroneck Avenue fave, having been in business since 1948. It stocks a wide variety of thoughtful and fun toys and books for all developmental levels, ranging from the popular to the crafty, educational, and unique. A selection of high-end, quality children’s clothing and footwear is available, changing seasonally. Miller’s is also a bicycle shop located on the lower level, where they sell and repair bikes. In addition, you can amp up your at-home entertainment and order outdoor play sets, trampolines, and sports training equipment. They offer a loyalty program for customers, as well as complimentary gift wrapping.
The Toy Box, located directly across from Harbor Park on Boston Post Road, boasts that it is “The Largest Toy Store in Westchester.” Stocking a wide variety of popular and trending toys, along with longstanding favorites, it offers seasonal items such as sleds and water toys, collectible cards and figurines, non-electronic games, stuffed animals, sports equipment, dolls, crafts, and books. Check the website for in-store special events like “The Teddy Bear Parade,” “Community Doodle Day,” and “Photos With Santa,” in addition to sales announcements.
Buy homemade pasta, ravioli, lasagna, meatballs, soups, sauce, and more from Mercurio’s on Mamaroneck Avenue. In business since 1942, the Mercurio family has been bringing the cuisine of Gruma, Italy, to you with food prepared from only fresh, preservative-free ingredients. Delicious fresh mozzarella is made daily. They also make gluten-free meatballs and pasta. A small storefront with a big footprint, regulars stop in to grab something in a pinch or to stock up. Too good to keep to yourself, you can special-order large trays for your next party. MOM TIP: Keep a box of Mercurio’s frozen mini-raviolis on hand so there’s something quick to eat that everyone will like!
Family Friendly Restaurants {there are A LOT! This is just a sample.}
There are numerous excellent pizza places to choose from in Mamaroneck. Our family’s favorite spot for a slice is Sal’s Pizzeria, located at 316 Mamaroneck Avenue. They have been a Mamaroneck mainstay since 1964. There is no better place for a plain pie or a Sicilian corner fresh out of the oven. My kids love the garlic knots, and my husband and I order salad slices for a change of pace when we want something lighter, a little healthier, and still delicious. Sal’s is cash only. They have a cash machine on the premises for your convenience. You can also have it delivered through Uber Eats and use a credit card.
Frankie & Fanucci’s is a great spot for a casual meal with table service. In addition to brick oven pizza, they have a well-rounded menu with affordable options for the whole family. It’s a good choice after taking in a show at the Emelin when you are with the grandparents or for a modest-sized shower.
Smokehouse Tailgate Grill features a great children’s menu, offering tasty options with smaller portions tailored to discerning young palates. There are plenty of flavor-packed options for all ages and appetites. The smoked wings truly shine, and they have seven homemade sauces to choose from. Wash everything down with a selection of craft beers and specialty cocktails or Mexican cokes. It’s a game place destination as well as a great home base for viewing one of Mamaroneck’s holiday parades.
Mister Chen is an upscale Chinese restaurant on Mamaroneck Avenue that has the most delicious soup dumplings. If you are lucky, you can watch as the dumplings are prepared in front of your eyes. All of their tasty fare is made from traditional recipes from cities throughout Asia, using the freshest ingredients. It’s a good thing Chinese food is usually served family-style, as you’ll want to try all of their dishes.
Walter’s is a Mamaroneck institution. Look for the unmistakable pagoda-style roof across from the high school on Palmer. It has been serving up its trademark hot dogs on buttery, toasted buns, and thick ice cream shakes for over a hundred years. This Mamaroneck experience is not to be missed! The best times to go are when the lines are short. Try to aim for a little before or after main dining times. A walk-up restaurant, they have outdoor seating at tables with picnic benches shaded by umbrellas and the tree canopy. Choose from three different types of fried potatoes – crinkle, seasoned spirals, and tater tots. There is also a sweet potato option. Customize your dog to your appetite. Your child might order a puppy dog – half a hot dog – and your husband a double. Walter’s hot dogs and mustard are so good you can now purchase them at DeCicco’s. In colder weather, my father orders the clam chowder. They even have food trucks you can hire when you want to bring the dogs to you! Otherwise, walk over or park on Palmer or in their lot behind the shop and get in line!
La Herradura Mexican Grill & Restaurant, situated on Mamaroneck Avenue, offers a diverse menu that combines Mexican-American and authentic Mexican cuisine. Enjoy good food at reasonable prices, with complimentary salsa and chips. The Mexican-themed decor is bright and inviting and is a friendly backdrop for family dining. Traditional menu items, such as Chicken Tortilla Soup, stand out. They have a kids’ menu, and the staff is happy to cater to the pickiest of eaters (AKA my kids).
Nautilus Diner on Boston Post is a classic American diner experience, offering big menus and big plates, so be sure to bring a big appetite. Slide into a booth and order from an extensive menu of comfort food items. The kids’ menu, which includes children’s activities and crayons, is always a plus. If you’re indulging, they offer creative signature shakes and sundaes to satisfy the most extreme sweet tooth.
Trying to eat healthier? Green Life has the solution! Choose from their delicious custom salads and protein bowls or shakes, and feel good about what you eat. There are also healthy options for kids, such as baked chicken fingers and sweet potato fries. Conveniently located on Mamaroneck Avenue with seating and free cups of water.
Grab a sandwich from Cosmo and Alex Pisano Bros on Mamaroneck Ave. This classic Italian-American deli specializes in cold cuts, homemade Italian specialties, and Italian imports. Order your sandwich by number or name, or customize your own. The “Mamaroneck, Number 11” is a breaded chicken cutlet topped with roasted peppers, fresh mozzarella, and balsamic dressing, served on a wedge roll from Boiano’s Bakery next door. It’s enough to share or save some for later. They have a box of salted baccala around the holidays and other authentic Italian delicacies. Lunchtime is standing room only, but the seasoned employees move quickly, and you are soon headed out the door with a bag of delicious food at a reasonable price.
Boiano’s Bakery is a bakery that makes all of the traditional Italian cookies and pastries, including the ever-popular rainbow cookies, several types of biscotti, and our favorite lemon knots, in addition to American favorites like strawberry shortcake and chocolate layer cakes. Boiano’s has the same owner as Cosmo and Alex. Join the local seniors sipping coffee at Boiano’s tables and enjoy your purchases from either shop.
For an extra-large, hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagel with seasonings on both sides for an outsized taste explosion, head toward Mamaroneck Avenue west of the Metro-North train station, cut through Columbus Park, and arrive at Brooklyn Bagel & Coffee Company. This addition to the local food landscape has been met with unbridled enthusiasm. These ginormous, tasty bagels have been exactly what Mamaroneck has been waiting for. Eat it there, or bring it to Columbus Park or Harbor Park for some bagels on a bench.
Duck Donuts is just a little further down the road from Brooklyn Bagel. Here, you have your choice of cake-based donuts that can be finished with a myriad of eye-popping and taste-bud-pleasing toppings, or you can pick one of their classic combos like Bacon in the Sun or cinnamon sugar. Watch them make your treat in front of your eyes. Mini donuts and custom catering ordering are also available.
Back on Mamaroneck Ave, closer to the harbor, have a frozen treat at Paleteria Fernandez on a hot day. These all-natural traditional Mexican desserts have an unbelievable selection of flavors to choose from, even some spicy ones! The shop is family-owned and operated. Many of the pops are individually wrapped, allowing you to take them to go. The best part is that they have something for everyone–fruit pops or ice cream and no one will leave disappointed.
Not in the mood for a cold treat? Pop into Boleria Brazilian Bakery along Mamaroneck Avenue for Brazilian baked cheese bread or dessert made by a Brazilian Le Cordon Bleu and ICE (Institute of Culinary Education) trained pastry chef. Their sweets, especially their brigadeiros, are little bites of heaven. They can be enjoyed with a fresh cup of coffee or on their own. You will also find gluten-free, sugar-free, and vegan options like mousses, flan, brownies, and banana bread. The brigadeiros, which are also gluten-free, make a great gift and can be customized for selection and box size. Order ahead for the holidays.
And that’s just a small sample of activities and eateries in Mamaroneck! There is so much to see, do, and savor in the ‘Friendly Village.'” It’s a great family destination!
