Welcome to Pleasantville
The village of Pleasantville sits squarely in the center of Westchester County, New York. At only 1.9 square miles of land, Pleasantville is locally known as the “Walking Village” because you can walk anywhere within the town, including the train station. The population is about 7,100.
Pleasantville is the literary and cultural center of Westchester County, and despite the small size, there’s always something to do. It’s conveniently located about 30 miles north of Midtown Manhattan.
The History of Pleasantville
Pleasantville was inhabited by an Iroquois Tribe until the land was settled in 1695 by a Frenchman under the agency of Frederick Philipse. The village claims the historic capture of British spy Major John André, which ultimately turned the tide of the American Revolution in favor of the American forces.
Pleasantville is also rumored to have been a stop on the Underground Railroad. Prior to the construction of the Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem Line, most residents were farmers. Pleasantville has strong roots in film, music, and literature. American playwright Lillian Hellman lived here, as did detective and noir novelist Dashiell Hammett. It is also the birthplace of Reader’s Digest. The Jacob Burns Film Center located in the landmark Rome Theatre, one of the first movie theatres in Westchester County, currently features classic films, documentaries, and indie films from around the world.
Pleasantville Union Free School District
Pleasantville is served by two school districts. The first, Pleasantville’s very own Pleasantville Union Free School district, serves over 1,700 students from grades K-12. There is only one elementary school, middle school, and high school in the area due to the close proximity of residents and the size of the village. Most residents live within this school district.
The second school district is part of Mount Pleasant’s school system. Mount Pleasant Central School District enrolls around 2,000 students each academic year and has four schools. The two elementary schools are especially interesting in that they split between 2nd and 3rd grade, effectively teaching two different age groups. Most students come from the neighboring town of Mount Pleasant with a few from Pleasantville and surrounding towns and villages.
Elementary Schools (Grades K-4):
Pleasantville Union Free School District
Mount Pleasant Central School District
Middle Schools (Grades 5-8):
Pleasantville Union Free School District
- Pleasantville Middle School
Mount Pleasant Central School District
High Schools Grades 9-12):
Pleasantville Union Free School District
- Pleasantville High School
Mount Pleasant Central School District
Both school districts have exceptional STEM and Arts programs with national accolades. Pleasantville Middle School was named a “School to Watch,” in 2012, and the high school has received a multitude of awards for its academic curriculum, including the ‘NYS Reward’ award.
Mount Pleasant’s schools are members of the Tri-State Consortium along with other high-ranking school districts. They even partner with the Reading and Writing Program from Teachers College of Columbia University. Both districts offer exceptional extra and inter-curricular activities in sports, the arts, science, and community service.
Pleasantville Commute Times to the City & The Pleasantville Train Station
Pleasantville is about a 44 minute ride to Grand Central Station in New York City via the express train on Metro North’s Harlem line. The station is located downtown, and since this is the “Walking Village,” you can probably just leave your car at home instead of driving to the station.
If parking is a must, then you’ll be happy to know that it’s free to park in the downtown district for residents. The station also supplies its own 292 metered parking spaces for commuters, which are free after 3 PM and on weekends. Round trip tickets are around $28.00 for the 30-mile trek, or you can purchase monthly tickets for $311.00.
With the Saw Mill River Parkway running directly through Pleasantville, access to a network of local and state highways is simple and direct.
Places to See and Things to Do in Pleasantville
This village is a cultural center invested in the arts. Pleasantville residents are great at keeping the town active and engaged. In this “Walking Village,” it’s impossible to not feel the energy in the air. New residents will be quick to hear about the fresh produce available at the local farmers market every Saturday. And people of all ages can be found playing baseball at Parkway Field, fishing at Opperman’s Pond, and swimming at the village pool. Pleasantville is also known for its annual music festival which headlines local and international singers and bands. As you can probably guess, the summer months are full of a variety of things to do.
There are also plenty of local highlights:
- Rockefeller State Park Preserve A refreshing state park that was originally established for the horse-drawn carriages of times past. This free-of-charge nature area offers winding paths that will take you through forests, fields, and along the Pocantico River.
- Jacob Burns Film Center This is a popular theatre that doesn’t show the typical Hollywood titles. If you’re looking for some good oldies or something fresh and original, this is the film theatre for you.
- The Lil’ Chocolate Shoppe A charming and old-fashioned chocolate shop located in the business district of the village featuring delicious imported chocolates and candies.
- Graham Hills Park This is a large wooded park in Mount Pleasant that features great woodland trails and is perfect for backpackers.
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.
