What to Do in White Plains
December 08, 2022
Open gallery
One of the most underappreciated aspects of attending Purchase College, at least in my opinion, is the proximity to White Plains, a nearby city that holds so much value for Purchase students. It is the eleventh-largest city in New York, and has an incredible amount to offer, with three massive shopping centers, a bevy of local restaurants, and a diverse series of parks and outdoor spaces.
White Plains is incredibly easy to travel to from campus, whether it be via your own transportation or one of Purchase’s free shuttles. All you need to do to board the shuttle is provide your Purchase ID to the driver, and you’re ready to ride. Shuttle schedules vary depending on both the day and time, but the Purchase website has detailed information about the specifics of travel time and destination.
Perhaps the most popular stop amongst Purchase students is Mamaroneck Avenue, a long boulevard home to several top-notch eateries. There, you’ll find everything from Mexican taquerias to All-American hot dog joints. I, myself, have eaten up and down Mamaroneck, and have been satisfied with my meal no matter where I’ve decided to go.
Not only can you grab a great bite, but you can also grab a great deal. Not only are there shops for all occasions, including a Dollar Tree, a music store, a tattoo parlor, and, ironically enough, a tattoo removal parlor, there’s also the City Center, home to a ton of recognizable eateries and retail outlets. Inside, you’ll find five floors of emporium after emporium. There’s a Barnes & Noble, a Burlington, a Nordstrom Rack, a movie theater, and...perhaps most significant of all, a Shoprite and a Target. These two in particular are incredibly popular spots for Purchase students to shop for groceries and dorm décor.
The Galleria and The Westchester are two other shopping centers nearby, each with their own unique selection of clothing stores, gyms, and restaurants. Amongst the three malls, you’ll find a Lego Store, a Newbury Comics, a P.F. Chang’s, a T.G.I. Friday’s, a Whole Foods, a Cheesecake Factory, an H&M, an American Eagle, a Planet Fitness, a Buffalo Wild Wings, a Chipotle, and a Five Guys (just to name a few!).
There’s even more to find, however, amongst the skyscrapers; there’s the White Plains Performing Arts Center, staging iconic theatrical titles; the year-round White Plains Farmers’ Market with live music and vendors; and the Metro North train station, which can take students directly to NYC in about 45 minutes to an hour.
Especially with the holidays upon us, White Plains is becoming a lovely place to soak up some cheer, with the streets beginning to be lined with colorful lights. I know that I’ve had some wonderful times there, and my family certainly loves having a variety of places to go with me when they come up to visit. There truly is something for everyone in this bustling metropolis that’s only 10-15 minutes away from the campus that Purchase students call home, and it can be nice to escape from the same few sights every now and again and explore someplace new with friends.
–Spencer Scalamoni