Welcome to Briarcliff Manor
With the motto of “A Village between Two Rivers,” Briarcliff Manor is an affluent riverside suburban village in West-Central Westchester County. It’s settled between the Hudson and Poncantico Rivers with around 8,000 residents. The village is mainly residential and includes both the Scarborough and Chilmark communities. Briarcliff itself is nestled between the towns of Ossining and Mount Pleasant.
The 5.9 square miles of land is home to the famous Vanderbilts, Astors, and Rockefeller family estates. With a historic downtown district, Briarcliff Manor offers a rustic community with its brick sidewalks, period lighting, and convenient commercial center. A short commute to the city offers the best of both worlds when it comes to small-town living and city life.
Historical Facts about Briarcliff Manor
The land once belonged to Wappinger Native American tribes until the land was purchased by Frederick Philipse. It was later named Briarcliff Manor based on the Irish home of an ecclesiastical history professor by the name of John David Ogliby. Briarcliff Manor is mainly known for its ties to some of America’s wealthiest families. The Vanderbilts, Astors, and Rockefeller names are the most recognized of the village. The families often entertained guests and hosted parties on their estates on the banks of the Hudson River.
The Briarcliff Lodge, built in 1902, has been a popular lodging for affluent patrons such as Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. The village still maintains most of its original infrastructure in order to keep the history alive. Briarcliff Manor has also been a location of interest for popular novels and movies such as Honeymoon and Briarcliff Manor. Its downtown was even the site of Saturday Night Live’s pilot episode in 1975.
Briarcliff Manor School Districts
Two excellent school districts serve residents of Briarcliff Manor: the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District and the Ossining Union Free School District. Residents within Briarcliff Manor proper fall within the Briarcliff School District, whereas residents in Scarborough and Chilmark are part of the Ossining School District.
Over 1,500 students attend Briarcliff Manor’s three schools: Todd Elementary School (K-5); Briarcliff Middle School (6-8); and Briarcliff High School (9-12). The schools are proud of the world-class curriculum that places them competitively among some of the most focused and prestigious private schools in the state. The high school has many Advanced Placement, college-credited, and honors-level courses available for its achieving students, and it also boasts over 50 clubs and co-curricular programs. These programs include music, dance, sports and interior design.
Students in the Ossining School District can also hold their own when it comes to scholastic excellence. The district has five schools and an early childhood center to help get children an early start on their education careers. The school system has a high distinction when it comes to science leadership programs. It has even been awarded the title of 2012 Star Innovator and School of Distinction.
No matter which district residents are in, parents are assured a quality education for their kids!
Briarcliff Manor Commute Times to the City & The Scarborough Train Station
When commuting to NYC from Briarcliff Manor proper, you’ll have to use the nearby Scarborough Train Station. The station takes the North-Metro Hudson Line south 30 miles to reach New York City’s Grand Central Station. The bayside ride next to the river takes about an hour to reach its destination. The average round ticket costs $28.00, or regular commuters can buy a month pass for $311.00.
Parking is valet-only with a private lot set aside for additional parking. There are no metered lots at this time at Scarborough Station, but the community has put forth initiatives into making parking more available and accessible in the near future.
Places to See and Things to Do in Briarcliff Manor
Being mostly residential, Briarcliff Manor organizes activities and programs for residents of all ages. Families will find plenty of clubs and recreational facilities, and the historic downtown area offers shopping centers and boutiques.
Outdoor recreation is the most popular pastime in the area. There is a large local swimming pool that’s great for all ages. You can go fishing in Scarborough Park out on the Hudson River, and hiking and biking trails wrap around the village and along the scenic Hudson and Poncantico rivers. The classic mom-and-pop stores and eateries complete the scene for cozy small-town living.
Some popular things to do near Briarcliff include the Tarry Music Hall, the Rockefeller State Park Preserve, and the Great Jack-o Lantern Blaze in Croton on Hudson in the fall.
Pleasantville offers a wide assortment of American and International Cuisine for restaurant dining and take home options. There’s Jean Jacques Culinary Creation, Mediterraneo Café and so many more choices.
