Rye

Welcome to Rye

About the Area:

Rye is a coastal suburban city in Westchester County that offers a unique blend of old and new, along with a wide array of amenities for modern living. It retains the traditional charm of tranquil village life and is home to many historic landmarks that reflect its 300-year history. Rye’s remarkable natural features—protected harbor along Long Island Sound, rolling landscapes, tree-lined streets, and winding brooks—enhance its many attractive neighborhoods. Housing options range from charming apartments and duplexes to stunning multimillion-dollar homes. Zoning regulations controlling density, height, and land use have successfully kept out tower apartments, motels, shopping centers, and manufacturing plants.

History:

Rye is the oldest permanent settlement in Westchester County. It began in1660 when a small group of settlers came from Greenwich and created a treaty with the Mohegan Indians giving them the land between Milton Point and the Byrum River. In 1770, Rye became part of New York by royal decree for the second and final time. For two centuries, Rye was a secluded community with farms. Rye became a popular summer resort in the mid-1800’s after the completion of the New York Steamboat service and the New Haven Railroad. In 1904, a special election was held at Theodore Fremd’s Market, and the taxpayers voted in favor of Rye becoming a village. The Village of Rye received its charter as a city in 1942, making it the youngest city in New York State.

Population: 16,614 - 2025 U.S. Census Bureau population (estimate)

Size: 6 square miles

Neighborhoods: Hix Park, Glen Oaks, Indian Village, Milton Point, Kirby North, Kirby Lane, Grace Church, Rye Gardens

Education/Academics:

The public school system is nationally acclaimed, and there are also multiple private schools. The three elementary schools and Rye Middle School are all NYS Schools of Excellence. Newsweek consistently ranks Rye High School among the top 100 high schools nationwide. Rye City School District is made up of approximately 3,000 students.

• Milton Elementary (K-5)
• Osborn Elementary (K-5)
• Midland Elementary (K-5)
• Rye Middle School
• Rye High School
  • Rye High School has an A+ rating (niche.com)
  • Ranked #21 is Best Public High Schools in New York
  • Ranked #8 in Best Public High School Teachers in New York

Preschools in the Area:

• Early Childhood Center/Synagogue
• Rye Presbyterian Nursery School
• Christ Church Nursery School
• Resurrection School (Pre K-8)
• Rye Nature Center
• Rye Recreation

Private Schools in the Area:

• Rye Country Day School (Pre K-12)
• Resurrection School (Pre K-8)

Fine & Casual Dining:

• Aurora
• OKO
• Rye Grill & Bar
• Watermoon
• Bareburgers
• Averna Italian Steakhouse

Recreation & Arts:

1/5 of the land in Rye is devoted to recreation and conservation. Community interest in recreation and preservation of spaces has been considerable. Rye has seven private clubs on Long Island Sound as well as Rye Golf and Pool.

• Rye Town Park & Beach
• Edith Reed Sanctuary – 179 Acres
• Marshland Conservatory – 151 Acres
• Rye Reading Room
• Rye YMCA
• Rye Arts Center
• John Jay Estate – 23 Acres
• Rye Nature Center – 47 Acres
• Playland Park
• Private Beach and Yacht Clubs
• Westchester’s Children Museum – 4,000 sqft of interactive, hands-on exhibits designed to create a space for children to pretend, play, explore, learn, climb, build, and examine.
• Rye’s Newcomers and Neighbors Club – provides varied social activities throughout the year to meet new people and socialize with friends.

Historical Landmarks:

• The original site and burial place of John Jay, first Chief Justice of the United States, is in Rye.
• The historic Square House, built in the 1700’s, is now a museum. As a public inn for a century, it housed distinguished guests such as George Washington and John Adams. It became Rye’s first post office and then Village Hall.
• Built in the 1660’s, the Timothy-Knapp house is the oldest home in Rye.

Transportation:

• Interstate I-95 - New England Thruway
• Hutchinson River Parkway
• I-287 - Cross Westchester
• Metro North Railroad – New Haven Line

Commute Times:

• Manhattan - Approximately 52-minute drive by car
• Grand Central Terminal - 43-minute by express Metro-North train
• Greenwich, CT - Approximately 10 minutes by car
• Westchester County Airport - Approximately 13 minutes by car
• LaGuardia Airport - Approximately 30 minutes by car
• JFK International Airport - Approximately 40 minutes by car