Discover Yonkers
28 carefully curated photography spots with GPS coordinates, shooting tips, and local insights
Untermyer Gardens
Compact 40+ acre historic estate centered on the formal Walled (Persian) Garden, terraces, mosaics, fountains and sweeping Hudson River vistas. Shoot architectural details, reflecting pools, layered greenery and river panoramas. Best at golden hour or overcast for even light. Weekday mornings are quiet; limited parking on site, street parking nearby. No fee, paths are walkable but bring a small tripod; expect weddings on weekends. Restrooms at main entrance.
Untermyer Park and Gardens Lower Entrance
Formal terraces, classical colonnades, reflecting pools and lush perennial beds at the lower entrance offer architectural detail and framed landscape vistas. Best at golden hour for warm light on stone and mirrored water; spring and fall show peak color. Public, free entry with street parking on Warburton Ave; expect stairs—some paths are wheelchair-accessible. Weekday mornings are calm; check seasonal garden events that increase visitors.
Temple of the Sky
Small Persian‑inspired pavilion on the Left Trail of Untermyer’s Life of 4 Rivers. Photograph vibrant patterned flooring, the echoing central chamber, and the canyon/Hudson overlook with a crystalline pool below. Best light is golden hour (sunrise or late afternoon) for warm stone tones; weekdays or early mornings avoid crowds. Easy short walk from park parking at 945 N Broadway; no entry fee. Modest steps and open-air viewpoints — bring a wide lens for interiors and a tele for Hudson detail.
Temple of Love
Small classical pavilion set beside a reflecting pool within Untermyer Park offering symmetrical architecture, water reflections, formal plantings and Hudson River vistas. Best visited at golden hour or early morning for soft light and low crowds; spring/early summer brings peak blooms. Free entry and parking; no dogs. Paths and steps limit accessibility in spots; some areas may show light neglect.
Vista Overlook
Small hillside overlook on Warburton Ave with sweeping views of the Hudson River, George Washington Bridge corridor and Yonkers skyline. Best on clear days for long-distance river light; golden hour and blue hour deliver dramatic color and reflections. Small parking nearby and short walk; check park closure notices in winter (snow/ice closures reported). Weekend afternoons can be busy; accessible with minimal hiking.
Esplanade Park
Compact riverfront park at the foot of Main St in Yonkers with sweeping views of the Hudson River, the George Washington Bridge and the New Jersey Palisades. Ideal for sunrise and sunset panoramas, bridge-lit blue hour shots, and casual street-to-water compositions. Flat, wheelchair-accessible promenade with nearby restaurants and bars (no entry fee). Weekdays and early mornings are least crowded; parking available on-street and in nearby garages around Getty Square. Pet-friendly and popular for
Tibbetts Brook Park
Tibbetts Brook Park offers varied scenes—wooded trails, two lakes, Tibbetts Brook, seasonal foliage, wetlands and recreational features (pools, mini-golf, playgrounds). Best at golden hour or autumn for color; weekday mornings are quiet. Note Westchester residency checks in summer, paid parking when pool open.
Van Der Donck Park
Small urban-forest park where the Saw Mill River meets the Hudson — offers shaded trails, tidal pool wildlife, scenic overlooks and river/Palisades vistas. Easy access (across Yonkers Metro-North), street parking and nearby eateries. Best at golden hour or quiet weekday mornings; no fee.
Yonkers Riverfront Promenade
Riverside promenade along the Hudson with sweeping water vistas, industrial and urban backdrops, pedestrian bridges and docks — great for skyline, waterscape and urban-detail shots. Visit at sunrise or golden hour for warm light and reflections; weekday mornings are quieter. Fully accessible waterfront path with free entry; street parking and nearby municipal lots. Weather can be breezy; bring filters for long exposures.
Philipse Manor Hall State Historic Site
Philipse Manor Hall offers a compact, photogenic Georgian façade, ornate rococo ceiling, period portraits and wood floors — rich interior details for architectural and historical close-ups. Guided tours give access and stories that inform composition. Best photographed exterior at golden hour; interiors mid-morning on weekdays when tours are smaller. Small on-site lot; check camera/flash/tripod policy and accessibility before visiting.
Lenoir Preserve
Compact 40-acre preserve with wooded trails, seasonal butterfly/hummingbird garden, historic estate ruins and Hudson River viewpoints. Easy, mostly flat paths make it great for nature and wildlife shots, especially spring–fall. Best visited at golden hour or early weekday mornings for soft light and low crowds. Free parking on north and south lots; nature center has limited hours and restrooms may be closed during preschool sessions. Expect quiet, birdlife, occasional deer and strong fall color.
Malcolm Wilson County Park
Wooded trails, rolling hills and a small pond offer intimate nature scenes, seasonal foliage and quiet landscape compositions close to Yonkers. Best at golden hour or autumn for color; weekdays and early mornings reduce crowds. Park has free parking and easy trailheads; some paths can be muddy after rain—wear good shoes. No special permits for casual photography; bring macro gear for flora and birds.
Andrus Park
Small riverside park offering Hudson River viewpoints, walking paths, mature trees and seasonal foliage — good for waterscape and landscape shots, intimate nature compositions, and sunset silhouettes. Best at golden hour or blue hour for warm light on the river and skyline reflections. Weekday mornings are quieter; parking available on Central Park Ave and nearby street parking. Easily accessible on foot from Yonkers neighborhoods; no entry fee. Expect local walkers and dog owners — respect park
James P. Scotti Park
Small riverside park on the Bronx River offering wooded trails, river reflections, modest boardwalks and a pedestrian bridge — strong for intimate nature and waterscape shots, seasonal fall color and frost. Free entry; street parking and nearby residential lots. Best at golden hour or after rain for richer reflections; weekdays and early mornings minimize dog-walkers and joggers.
H F Redmond Junior Memorial Park
Small waterfront park with Hudson River views, benches, trees and a short promenade — strong for river panoramas, sunset silhouettes, seasonally rich foliage and intimate urban-landscape compositions. Best at golden hour and blue hour for warm light and reflections; weekdays and early mornings are least crowded. Easy public-access park with no entry fee; limited street parking on Cook Ave and nearby lots in downtown Yonkers. Flat, wheelchair-accessible paths; light can be harsh midday, and wind/
Sherwood House Museum
Sherwood House Museum is a historic stone house and grounds offering strong architectural detail, period interiors and intimate garden vignettes — ideal for heritage and detail photography. Visit weekday mornings or late afternoon for softer light and fewer visitors. Check museum hours and admission ahead; on-site parking is limited so allow extra time. Interiors require low-light techniques or a tripod if allowed; respect exhibit signage and staff directions.
LEGOLAND Discovery Center Westchester
Indoor, family-focused attraction with massive, colorful LEGO dioramas (MINILAND), build stations, rides and close-up detail shots. Best visited weekday mornings or early afternoons for lighter crowds; timed, ticketed entry and mall parking at Ridge Hill. Lighting is mixed artificial—plan for higher ISO and prioritize handheld shooting; be mindful of children and staff and some shows prohibit photography.
Wasicsko Park
Small neighborhood park in Yonkers offering tree-lined paths, open lawns and local street-front views—good for intimate urban-nature frames, seasonal foliage and golden-hour light. Easily accessible with street parking; no entry fees. Visit sunrise or late afternoon for soft side lighting and fewer people. Weekdays are quieter; check weather for colorful skies. Compact size makes it easy to scout multiple compositions in one visit.
Frank Egan Memorial Park
Small riverside memorial park offering tree-lined paths, benches and views over the water and nearby Yonkers shoreline — good for intimate landscape and waterscape shots, seasonal foliage and quiet sunrise/sunset scenes. Easy access from Mile Square Rd with on‑street parking and a small lot; no entry fee. Best visited at golden hour or during fall color; weekdays and early mornings avoid local foot traffic. Compact site—bring lightweight gear and expect city sounds.
Welty Park
Small riverside/wooded community park with walking paths, open lawns, mature trees and neighborhood views — good for intimate landscapes, seasonal foliage, portraits and golden-hour light. Best at sunrise/sunset for warm side-light and long shadows; fall and spring offer strongest color. Easily accessible from Barton Rd with street parking; no entry fee. Weekday mornings are quieter. Paths are flat and stroller/wheelchair-friendly in main areas.
Pavilion at Tibbetts Brook Park
Small lakeside pavilion in Tibbetts Brook Park offering clean architectural lines, reflective water, tree-lined paths and seasonal color — good for intimate architectural frames, water reflections and park landscapes. Best at golden hour or overcast for even light; weekdays and early mornings minimize crowds. Public park with on-site parking (check seasonal restrictions), no gate fee, wheelchair-accessible paths in main areas. Autumn and spring yield strongest color contrasts.
Kardash Park
Kardash Park is a small neighborhood green space with tree-lined paths, open lawns and playground elements — useful for intimate landscape, community life and seasonal foliage shots. Best during golden hour or overcast soft light for color saturation; weekday mornings offer minimal crowds. Street parking is available on Bretton Rd; no entry fee and flat, accessible paths make gear transport easy. Local residents use the park for walks and family gatherings, so look for candid community moments.
Henning Park
Henning Park is a small urban green space offering tree-lined paths, seasonal foliage and intimate compositional elements—benches, walkways and neighborhood backdrops—for portraits, environmental details and simple landscape frames. Best at golden hour or on crisp fall mornings for warm light and color. Easily accessible on foot or by street parking; no entry fee. Weekday mornings are quieter; check seasonal foliage for peak color.
41 Pier Street
41 Pier Street sits in a mixed urban-residential pocket of Yonkers with classic brick facades, utility lines, and nearby river/waterfront views—good for gritty cityscapes, architectural details, and environmental portraits. Visit at golden hour or blue hour for warm light and softer shadows; weekdays and early mornings are quieter. Street parking is available but can be limited — pack comfortable shoes for walking. Public transit reachable from Yonkers station. No special entry permits required;
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Indoor action-focused playground with colorful trampolines, foam pits, slam-dunk rigs and dodgeball courts — great for freezing airborne motion, capturing expressive faces and dynamic group shots. Best visited on weekday mornings or early sessions to avoid crowds. Lighting is mixed LED/fluorescent (often flat); expect restrictions: sign a waiver, wear grip socks, and check park rules about tripods/flash. Free parking available at the plaza; easy access from Central Park Ave.
Bregano Park
Bregano Park is a small neighborhood green space with mature trees, open lawns and seasonal color — good for intimate landscape, nature and portrait shots. Best at golden hour or autumn foliage; easy street parking and wheelchair-accessible paths. No entry fee; weekdays are quieter. Urban-residential backdrop can be used for environmental portraits.
Slide City Waterpark
Bright, family-oriented waterpark with colorful slides, splash pads and pool action — good for dynamic action and candid lifestyle shots. Best weekday mornings or late afternoons to avoid crowds and harsh midday sun; golden hour can add warm rim light on slides. Located at Cross County shopping area with mall parking; tickets and swimwear rules apply. Watch privacy laws and parental consent for photographing children.