Top 21 Things To Do In Rye, New York - Updated 2024

things to do in rye new york
Sonia
Sonia 
Updated
| 9 min read

Rye in New York is a beautiful place that will help make your journey a great and memorable experience. There are so many things to do here that you will never fall short of fun moments. Whether you are traveling with your friends, family, or significant other, there is something for everyone. There are various activities for children as well. Visit Playland Park, an amusement park that has over 50 exciting rides that you will surely love. There is also the wonderful Westchester Children’s Museum where kids can surely have a great time. Rye offers a strategic location for your accommodation needs. It serves as a gateway to quaint hideaways in neighboring cities and towns, including the Airbnb vacation rentals in Greenwich, Connecticut, located just 11 minutes away from Rye proper. Also enjoying proximity to Rye are the Airbnb vacation rentals in White Plains. If you’re planning your itinerary for your trip to Rye, we got you covered. Continue reading for a list of the top things to do in Rye, New York.

1. Take a stroll along the waterfront at Oakland Beach and enjoy the scenic views

Rye Beach house jeh
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Jim.henderson used under CC0

Right by the Rye Town Park, Oakland Beach encompasses a sprawling 34.5-acre (13.96-hectare) oasis that effortlessly marries natural beauty with human-made charm. This scenic retreat boasts a gently rolling terrain, accentuated by charming stone walls, creating an enchanting backdrop for leisure and recreation.

The focal point of the park and public beach in Rye, New York, is the captivating terrace that offers a breathtaking view of the landscape and the serene waters of Oakland Beach. Meandering pathways wind through the park, inviting visitors to take in the picturesque surroundings, and manicured lawns provide ample space for picnics, outdoor games, and strolls.

The park caters to dog lovers with specific guidelines, allowing off-leash hours between 6am and 9am on the North End Hill, while requiring dogs to be on a leash at all other times throughout the park. Please note that dogs are prohibited on the beach/sand area at all times.

Rye Town Park-Bathing Complex and Oakland Beach

Address: 95 Dearborn Ave, Rye, NY 10580, United States

Website: Rye Town Park-Bathing Complex and Oakland Beach

Opening hours: 8am - 11pm (daily)

Price: 5 USD (residents on weekdays); 15 USD (non-residents on weekdays); 10 USD (residents on weekends); 20 USD (non-residents on weekends)

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2. Check out a variety of goods at Rye Country Store


You just cannot skip a store like this. It has so many different varieties of goods to offer that all you would want to do is fill up your basket. Everything from homemade dinners to candies and from salad platters to grilled chicken is available at the store. No matter what is it that you are craving for, this store has everything for you.

Rye Country Store

Address: 41 Purchase St, Rye, NY 10580, USA

Website: Rye Country Store

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 7pm; Sat: 7:30am - 7pm; Sun: 8am - 4pm

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3. Taste exquisite seafood at Ruby's Oyster Bar & Bistro

TAG someone you’d like to share our #SeafoodTower with...

Posted by Ruby's Oyster Bar & Bistro on Wednesday, 17 April 2019

Ruby’s Oyster Bar & Bistro is the perfect place to visit for great ambiance and exquisite-tasting seafood. This is quite a comfortable restaurant that has a casual setting to make sure you enjoy each and every moment that you spend here. The service provided is very professional and polite. This is a great place to have a wonderful time. Whether you want to go for a romantic dinner, family dinner, or dinner with friends, this is great for any occasion.

Ruby's Oyster Bar & Bistro

Address: 45 Purchase St, Rye, NY 10580, USA

Website: Ruby’s Oyster Bar & Bistro

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11:30am - 9pm; Fri: 11:30am - 10pm; Sat: 11:30am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 9:30pm

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4. Dine at Water Moon for authentic sushi


Do you love Pan-Asian food but haven’t been able to find the most authentic taste? Try Water Moon. This Pan-Asian restaurant serves authentic food that is sure to satisfy your taste buds. The restaurant is quite stylish with excellent decor. The most exquisite part about the restaurant, apart from its food, is the indoor waterfall. It is quite an attraction that adds to the whole ambiance. Try their authentic sushi and pad thai among other delicious dishes.

Water Moon

Address: 66 Purchase St, Rye, NY 10580, USA

Website: Water Moon

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 11pm; Sun: 12pm - 10pm

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5. Find French delicacies at June & Ho


This gourmet specialty shop in Rye is a great place to catch French delicacies. It opened in 1982 and has been one of the most popular places for all kinds of delicacies since then. They have fresh meat and produce; everything that they make is made from scratch. One of their specialties is their in-house smoked salmon. If you are in Rye, you must visit this place for some of the most delicious French delicacies you have ever tried.

June & Ho

Address: 70 Purchase Street Rye, NY 10580

Website: June & Ho

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 7:30am - 6pm; Sun: 9am - 4pm

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6. Go on exciting rides at Playland Park


Known as Rye Playland or simply Playland, this amazing amusement park is great fun for people of all age groups. There are over 50 rides that can be enjoyed to your heart’s content. The wonderful rides are going to bring out the inner child in you and make you want to do everything all over again. There are carousels and other rides that you can enjoy with your kids.

Visiting this place is a fun thing to do in Rye, New York, as it brings back childhood memories and creates new core memories with friends and family.

Playland Park

Address: 1 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY 10580, USA

Website: Playland Park

Price: From 30 USD

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7. Hike the trails at Rye Nature Center

Posted by Friends of Rye Nature Center on Wednesday, 20 February 2019

Rye Nature Centre is a great way to connect with nature. This is a great place to go on hikes and be one with nature. This is an amazing spot in Rye where there are various activities for children. You can have a lot of fun with your kids here while they learn so much about nature. There are many trails here for kids. This is a place where you can have a lot of fun while learning so much from and with nature.

Rye Nature Center

Address: 873 Boston Post Rd, Rye, NY 10580, USA

Website: Rye Nature Center

Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)
:

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8. Catch up on some reading at Rye Free Reading Room


Do you love reading and are looking for a great place where you can simply relax and cozy up with a book? Rye Free Reading Room is the place for you. There is a lot of room in this place, which is perfect to work at or simply read a book for hours. It is quite a comfortable place that you are sure going to love. You can also take your kids here to give them a feel of reading quietly in a library and to get them acquainted with the reading culture.

Rye Free Reading Room

Address: 1061 Boston Post Rd, Rye, NY 10580, USA

Website: Rye Free Reading Room

Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 9:30am - 8pm; Fri, Mon: 9:30am - 5:30pm; Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm

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9. Spot magnificent birds at Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary


The pristine and majestic Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the shore of the Long Island Sound with a varied and diverse marine life. The stunning mixture of salt and fresh water lake plays host to over 5,000 ducks during the winter months. Due to its significant bird habitat and flyaway, the sanctuary has been recognized as an important bird area by the National Audubon Society of New York. Enjoy the marvellous nature here while taking a refreshing walk.

Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary

Address: 1 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY 10580, USA

Website: Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Sun)

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10. Let your kids have fun at Westchester Children’s Museum

Posted by Westchester Children's Museum on Sunday, 7 October 2018

Westchester Children’s Museum is one of the best places to take your children to. The museum offers hands-on experience in an interactive environment that is great for your children. The environment is welcoming and is perfectly apt for children from the preschool age to middle school age; this whole place is a great way to make your kids learn through play.

Westchester Children’s Museum

Address: 100 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY 10580, USA

Website: Westchester Children’s Museum

Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 10am - 4pm (closed on Mon & Tue)

Price: 7.50 USD

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11. Experience the tropical vibe at Pier Restaurant & Tiki Bar


Pier Restaurant & Tiki Bar is a great place to visit if you are looking for a place to give you that tropical island vibe. Experience the Caribbean vibe with their seafood dishes and tropical drinks at the tiki bar. They have an extensive menu for lunch and dinner with late-night options also available. There are also special events and musical shows happening almost every other day to keep you lively and entertained. Keep a lookout for their amazing ladies night.

Pier Restaurant & Tiki Bar

Address: 1 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY 10580, USA

Website: Pier Restaurant & Tiki Bar

Opening hours: 11am - 1pm (daily)

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12. Have a bite of organic burgers at Bareburger

Messy perfection ??

Posted by Bareburger on Wednesday, 24 April 2019

Burgers–who doesn’t love them, right? But Bareburger is not just any other local burger joint. This place serves burgers that are made with the freshest local produce and ingredients to give you a platter full of wholesome and sustainable goodness. Over one-third of their menu is vegetarian and plant-based. Apart from burgers, they also serve delicious shakes, crispy fries, salads, and sides. They have a fun concept with an excellent organic menu. Head over for some mind-blowing deliciousness.

Bareburger

Address: Long Island City, New York, United States

Website: Bareburger

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 11pm

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13. Step back in time at Jay Heritage Center

The Jay Estate in Rye, NY
Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user JayHeritageCenter used under CC BY-SA 4.0

A not-for-profit organization, Jay Heritage Center is a great way to get back in touch with the lands of America and its political history that seems to have gotten lost somewhere in this modern world. It is one of the oldest National Historic Landmarks and of great importance as it was the house of John Jay. He is one of the nation’s greatest patriots, diplomats and jurists; he was an antislavery advocate, spymaster, governor of New York, and co-author of the Federalist Papers. At this centre, you will gain an appreciation for preserving and protecting the heritage that we have got, both natural and manmade.

Jay Heritage Center

Address: 210 Boston Post Rd, Rye, NY 10580, USA

Website: Jay Heritage Centert

Opening hours: Sun: 2pm - 5pm; Wed - Fri: 10am - 4pm (closed on Sat, Mon & Tue)

Price: Free admission, suggested donation of 10 USD

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14. Indulge in a homemade ice cream from Longford's Ice Cream

Cup of Dirt!! Fat free chocolate yogurt #oreo crunch # neon worms

Posted by Longford's Own-Made Ice Cream - Rye on Thursday, 12 February 2015

Longford’s Ice Cream has been providing delicious cold treats since 1992. They have a wide range of options available with them such as ice creams, sorbets, frozen yogurt, and gelato. They are known to be the providers of ice creams to various chefs and hotels. Ever since its establishment, it has managed to win hearts with its delicious taste and quality. If you would like to taste ice cream that will make you drool, you must visit this place without delay.

Longford's Ice Cream

Address: 4 Elm Place Rye, New York 10580

Website: Longford’s Ice Cream

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 12pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 10:30pm

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15. Enroll in a class at Rye Arts Center


Rye Arts Center is a joyful place that lets you enjoy the sheer pleasure of being surrounded by of all kinds of art. Whether you would like to enroll in a class or just attend performances, this place is a happy place to get lost in. Witness the lovely children getting engaged in arts, which, we are sure, will bring back memories of childhood. Take your kids to this place for moments that they will never forget while learning a thing or two about their chosen craft.

Rye Arts Center

Address: 51 Milton Rd, Rye, NY 10580, United States

Website: Rye Arts Center

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 7pm; Sat: 9am - 3pm (closed on Sun)

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16. Enjoy the sun and sand at Rye Town Park and Beach

?? We would like to wish you all a Happy Memorial Day! ?? While this is famously known as the start of summer ☀️, we...

Posted by Rye Town Park on Monday, 27 May 2019

Located right next to the Playland amusement park, Rye Town Park & Beach is one of the most beautiful areas for outdoor activities in Rye. It is a great place to spend a day out with your family or friends. The kids would especially love playing around here. Walk through the sand or just laze on the warm sand soaking up the brilliance of the sun. Whatever you choose to do, this place shall not disappoint you.

Rye Town Park and Beach

Address: 95 Dearborn Avenue Rye, New York

Website: Rye Town Park and Beach

Opening hours: 9am - 9pm (daily)

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17. Chill out at Rye Grill & Bar


Rye Grill & Bar is an elegant place that lets you enjoy a wonderful evening in a beautiful ambiance. They serve delicious American food and drinks that will surely make your time a great one with your friends and family. The location of the grill and bar is also quite good since all forms of transportation are nearby. Be sure to stop by to spend an evening just hanging out and enjoying some good conversation with your family and friends over good food and drinks.

Rye Grill & Bar

Address: 1 Station Plaza, Rye, NY 10580, United States

Website: Rye Grill & Bar

Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 11:30am - 9:30pm; Thu - Sat: 11:30am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm

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18. Sample some European treats at Patisserie Salzburg


Do you love eating Austrian and Swiss specialties? Patisserie Salzburg is the perfect place for such delicacies. They have some of the most lip-smacking desserts that will certainly leave you wanting more. You will find a huge lineup of customers waiting to get their hands on their favorites, especially during the holiday season. Some of their most popular desserts include the golden-brown krapfens, and fist-sized jelly doughnuts with a sweet, golden apricot center.

Patisserie Salzburg

Address: 77 Purchase St, Rye, NY 10580, United States

Website: Patisserie Salzburg

Opening hours: 6am - 10pm (daily)

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19. Shop till you drop at Palmer & Purchase

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account


Everyone loves to shop, especially when visiting a new place. There’s always exciting things to discover and souvenirs to take back home that would always remind you of the place. Palmer & Purchase is a wonderful place in Rye for shopping. They have a wide range of products that will satiate all your needs and will make sure that you get whatever it is that you are looking for. You will find everything from clothes and handbags to accessories, making it a one-stop destination for all your fashion needs. Get to this place today if you are in the vicinity and shop till you drop without an ounce of guilt.

Palmer & Purchase

Address: 34 Purchase St, Rye, NY 10580, United States

Website: Palmer & Purchase

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9:30am - 6pm; Sun: 12pm - 4pm

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20. Look for a one-of-a-kind book at Arcade Booksellers


Books are something that takes away your loneliness and becomes your companion when you need one. Everybody needs a book at some point in their lives and even if a person does not like reading much, there is always a book that instantly becomes your soulmate. Arcade Booksellers is the only independent bookstore in Rye. It is owned and managed by a jolly person who is always happy to help you out. They have all kinds of books that you may need, whether fiction, non-fiction, children’s books - you name it, they have it. If you cannot decide upon any book, ask the owner and he will be happy to help you find your perfect match. He also gifts wrap for free so that is definitely a bonus.

Arcade Booksellers

Address: 15 Purchase St, Rye, NY 10580, United States

Website: Arcade Booksellers

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9:30am - 6pm (closed on Sun)

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21. Learn to ice skate at PlayLand Ice Casino


What is life without some fun and games? Complement your holiday in Rye with a day full of fun and excitement at PlayLand Ice Casino. This place lets you have a wonderful time with your friends and family. You can goof around in the ice and have a wonderful time laughing around and creating memories. Take your kids here for a lifetime experience that they will always remember. It is an experience that you cannot afford to miss.

PlayLand Ice Casino

Address: 100 Playland Pkwy, Rye, NY 10580, United States

Website: PlayLand Ice Casino

Opening hours: 9:30am - 4pm (daily)

Price: 9.75 USD

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Plan your Rye holiday today

There is so much more waiting to be discovered in this wonderful place. Use our guide to the best things to do in Rye, New York, for this weekend’s trip or your next holiday. Start planning today!

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Frequently asked questions about things to do in Rye


  • What are the top tourist attractions in Rye?

    Make your trip to Rye as worthwhile as possible by including these attractions and hotspots in your travel itinerary: i) Rye Town Park and Beach, ii) Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, iii) Playland Park, and iv) Rye Nature Center.

  • Which activities in Rye are ideal for families with kids?

    The little ones can similarly enjoy the trip to Rye if you allow them to: i) go on exciting rides at Playland Park, ii) spot magnificent birds at Edith G. Read Natural Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, iii) have fun at Westchester Children’s Museum, and iv) indulge in homemade ice cream from Longford’s Ice Cream.

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Sonia is a voracious reader, a passionate writer, and a connoisseur of all things unique, colorful, and exotic.

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