Located about two miles north of Manhattan along the Hudson River, Yonkers is often referred to as the “Sixth Borough of New York,” because of its proximity to the city. While it is certainly convenient to many wonderful things that New York City offers, Yonkers is also a city with plenty to offer in its own right. It is a city full of culture and diversity, many wonderful neighborhoods, and much to see and do.
A Bit of Yonkers History
Yonkers originally began as a farming community with an industrial waterfront. Today, much of the architecture and the city still reflects the original structures built last century. Since its founding, Yonkers has always been a city welcoming to people of all kinds, from all backgrounds. It's home to a very large Irish-American community and has thriving Italian and Slavic neighborhoods as well. As a result, there is a lot of culinary diversity in the city, including restaurants and cultural entertainment and activities of all kinds. Its vibrant LGBTQ community only further adds to the wonderful diversity of the city, making it a wonderful place to call home.
A Few Fun Facts About Yonkers
Read more fun facts about Yonkers here.
Yonkers’s LGBTQ Community
Yonkers is a city that loves and supports its LGBTQ community with a variety of resources, including:
PFLAG Westchester serves Westchester County, New York, where Yonkers is located. It is the Yonkers local chapter of the national PFLAG organization, which is the largest grassroots organization of its kind in the country. PFLAG is well-known for its mission of supporting LGBTQ people, friends, family, and allies across the country in a wide variety of ways. With 500 chapters and more than 200,000 members in the United States, PFLAG plays a critical and important role in providing advocacy, support, and resources to the LGBTQ community.
The Loft LGBTQ Community Center
The Loft Community Center is a LGBTQ community resource center that has been serving Westchester County since the 1980s. This center is dedicated to supporting, advocating for, and uniting the LGBT community in the Yonkers area. It does this through a variety of community events, educational opportunities, outreach programs, and more. It is truly a staple of the LGBTQ community in Yonkers.
What's the Weather Like in Yonkers?
Those who live in Yonkers can expect to experience all four unique seasons each year. Summers can be quite warm, with highs in July reaching around 83°F, while winters can be cold and snowy with temperatures in January dropping down to around 21°F on average and receiving about 28 inches of snow. Spring and fall are typically the mildest and most pleasant seasons to enjoy the outdoors, with spring promising beautiful flowers and fall bringing brightly colored leaves. Yonkers receives an average of 50 inches of rain per year and experiences around 200 sunny days.
The Best Events in Yonkers
Yonkers Pride is the largest LGBTQ pride celebration each year in Westchester County. It is a wonderful chance to celebrate all that the LGBTQ community adds to the greater Yonkers area. It’s a wonderful celebration including entertainment, food, activities, parades, and numerous other options for having fun. It’s one festival you'll want to put on your calendar!
The Best Neighborhoods in Yonkers
Unlike some larger cities that have one particular “gayborhood” where most of the LGBTQ community lives, Yonkers’s LGBTQ community is somewhat spread out across the city. There are several popular areas that you may want to consider.
The northeast section of town, which is primarily Irish American and Italian American, has a variety of home styles varying from mid-century bungalows and tract houses to large historic mansions. This area is home to Sarah Lawrence College as well as the popular upscale Tanglewood shopping center.
Northwest Yonkers is also a great neighborhood to consider. It is characterized by its beautiful Victorian-era homes and great views of the Palisades, which are a line of steep cliffs along the lower Hudson River. This area is also known for having many wonderfully preserved vintage shops and businesses.
Southeast Yonkers is another predominately Irish American neighborhood that is within walking distance to many of the neighborhoods in the Bronx. Homes in this area are located on older cobbled streets and similar in style to many homes in nearby Brooklyn. This area is known for its strong sense of community and true neighborhood feel.
Southwest Yonkers is an up-and-coming area of town that is being rapidly revitalized. Located on the Hudson River, it has many new glassy condos and upscale luxury rentals, as well as some older historic homes as well. This area also has a great deal of diversity.
Arts and Entertainment
The Hudson River Museum is the largest cultural institution in Yonkers. It includes galleries displaying a variety of artwork as well as history and science exhibits, a planetarium, an amphitheater, and many educational spaces. It’s a wonderful place to spend a day learning, feeling inspired, and having fun.
Untermyer Performing Arts Council
The Untermyer Performing Arts Council is a performing arts theatre group in Yonkers known for putting on a wide variety of shows of all kinds each year. Whatever your taste or personal preference, you’re sure to find a show (or several!) that you enjoy.
Parks and Recreation
Untermeyer Park and Gardens is a historic 43-acre public park located in Yonkers. It is a beautiful outdoor space known for its unique gardens, special events, and peaceful beautiful spaces to enjoy. It’s definitely a wonderful place to spend a beautiful day in Yonkers.
Tibbetts Brook Park is a 161-acre park located in the city. It was one of the first parks developed in the county, and currently provides a wide variety of activities to residents including swimming, sports, hiking, nature watching, fishing, and more. It even features an amazing swimming pool and a beautiful lazy river in addition to all of its natural outdoor beauty.
Yonkers Nightlife
Club Feathers is one of the most popular and long-standing gay nightclubs in the cities. The club features two floors offering DJs, drag shows, dancing, and friendly crowds. It’s a great place to enjoy a night out in the city!
Silkies Saloon is a popular bar with a cool and friendly vibe. It’s known for its welcoming atmosphere, friendly bartenders, lively crowds, and strong drinks. You’ll definitely want to put it on your list of nightspots to try in Yonkers.
Contact a Yonkers Gay Realtor Today
If you're ready to make a move to Yonkers, at www.gayrealestate.com, we're here to help you take the first step toward finding an agent who knows and loves the community, and who can help you find a home and a neighborhood you'll love. We're proud to have a network of excellent realtors in Yonkers, and we would love to help connect you with the right one. Contact a Yonkers gay realtor today for a free, no-obligation consultation!
