Yonkers sits immediately north of the Bronx, on the Hudson River, and functions as an urban extension of New York City rather than a separate destination. Its downtown is compact and centred on Getty Square, while the rest of the city spreads across the ridges and valleys that give it its nickname, the City of Seven Hills.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple. Downtown and the waterfront hold the civic core, the historic sites and the riverfront; the shopping districts sit further inland along Central Park Avenue and at Cross County and Ridge Hill; and the northern and eastern edges of the city are largely residential and commercial. This guide covers which of these areas makes sense as a base, depending on how you plan to spend your time and how you intend to get around.
Best areas to stay in Yonkers
1. Downtown Yonkers and Getty Square
Downtown is centred on Getty Square, where the municipal government sits alongside local businesses and nonprofit organisations. It is the city's retail hub and the most urban part of Yonkers, with the waterfront and its green space a short distance west. If you want to be within walking distance of the historic core, this is the area to choose.
It suits first-time visitors and anyone who prefers to be on foot rather than dependent on a car. The trade-off is that downtown has seen significant gentrification, and the western part of downtown has been the subject of long-running debate over development and displacement, so the character of individual blocks varies. A planned rail trail, the Yonkers Greenway, is intended to link Van Cortlandt Park to Getty Square.
2. Cross County Shopping Center area
The Cross County Shopping Center is one of the city's major shopping areas, and accommodation here puts you directly in a retail and commercial zone rather than a residential one. This is a car-oriented part of the city, convenient if shopping is part of your trip or if you want easy access by road.
It suits travellers with a vehicle and those who prefer a predictable, amenity-heavy environment over a historic streetscape. Because it is a shopping district rather than a sightseeing one, you will need to travel to reach the waterfront, the museums and the parks.
3. Central Park Avenue and the Ridge Hill area
Central Park Avenue and the Ridge Hill Mall are the other main shopping corridors, lined with commercial development along a long arterial road. Staying here means trading walkability for space and parking.
This suits families and anyone planning to drive to the attractions rather than rely on public transport. As with Cross County, the sights themselves — Untermyer Park and Gardens, Tibbetts Brook Park, the Hudson River Museum — are elsewhere in the city, so treat this as a base rather than a location.
4. Tuckahoe Road and the northern commercial parks
The northern part of the city, along Tuckahoe Road and the corporate and executive parks, is where much of Yonkers' hotel accommodation is concentrated. These are business-park and arterial-road settings, not neighbourhoods you would wander for pleasure.
It suits travellers who value quiet, parking and easy road access, including those breaking a longer journey or visiting on business. You will be dependent on a car or taxi for almost everything, including reaching downtown and the river.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Expect limited options in Yonkers itself. The city's accommodation is dominated by chain hotels at the mid-range level, so the lowest prices tend to come from booking outside peak periods rather than from a distinct budget category.
- Mid-range: This is the bulk of what Yonkers offers — chain hotels and extended-stay properties in the commercial districts and along the northern arterials, generally with parking, fitness facilities and breakfast included.
- Splurge: There is no distinct luxury tier in the city. The upper end of the local market is represented by larger suites and longer-stay rooms within the same mid-range chains, so if you want a higher category you would look outside Yonkers.
Best area for a first visit
Downtown Yonkers and Getty Square is the best base for a first visit. It puts you at the civic and retail heart of the city, close to the waterfront and within reach of the historic sites, rather than in a commercial park where a car is essential for everything. If you want to understand Yonkers as a place rather than simply sleep near a highway, start here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Yonkers walkable?
Downtown around Getty Square is the most walkable part of the city, with local businesses, government buildings and the waterfront in relative proximity. Much of the rest of Yonkers, including the shopping centres and the northern hotel districts, is spread along arterial roads and is far easier with a car.
Where do most visitors stay in Yonkers?
Accommodation is concentrated in the commercial and business-park areas, particularly along Tuckahoe Road and the executive parks in the north, and around the Cross County Shopping Center. Downtown has less hotel accommodation than these outlying commercial zones.
Do I need a car to get around Yonkers?
If you base yourself downtown, you can cover the immediate area on foot. For the parks, the shopping centres and the northern hotel districts, a car or taxi is the practical option, as these are separated by hills and arterial roads.
Which part of Yonkers is closest to New York City?
The city sits immediately north of the Bronx, and downtown Yonkers is the part closest to the city line. A subway extension linking Getty Square to the line terminating at 242nd Street was planned in 1942 but was never built, so the connection today is by road and rail rather than subway.
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