From Croton Gorge Park to the Paramount Center for the Arts, from Playland to the Peekskill Museum—Westchester County is looking to promote its popular destinations as tourist attractions this fall.
"In Westchester County, the tourism industry is $1.7 billion," Westchester County Executive Astorino revealed at a press conference today. "It is very significant to the economy of Westchester County—24,000 jobs are supported by tourism here in Westchester."
Speaking to a crowd at non-profit farm Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture, Astorino and Westchester County Director of Tourism and Film Natasha Caputo unveiled "Falltastic Favorite Escapes" compiled by the County Executive, Stone Barns, resident and Desperate Housewives' Vanessa Williams, the Headless Horsemen and other "notable" county residents.
“Who better to act as tour guides than those who know the best places and the hidden gems in each of our towns?” Astorino said of the campaign that is meant to "tell people about all the great things there are to see and do in Westchester County.
"And fall may be really one of the best times to visit Westchester," he added.
The initiative is part of the "Meet Me in Westchester" campaign and allows visitors to view and compile their own Westchester-based itineraries online.
Astorino's family-friendly itinerary included destinations like Playland, the Hudson River Museum in Yonkers, Muscott Farm in Katonah and the Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze in Croton.
Vanessa Williams picks featured Le Jardin Du Roi in Chappaqua, Pleasantville's Fox Hill Farms and Blue Hill at Stone Barns.
"There is a lot to love about this county, so it was not an easy task for us to whittle it down to a one-day itinerary," said Mara Flanagan, Stone Barns' marketing and communications mananger.
She recommended visitors check out the Pleasantville Farmers' Market to pick up some fresh snacks to enjoy before a hike at Rockefeller State Park Preserve.
Said Caputo, "Today is just the beginning. As we officially welcome fall this Saturday, I would like to remind all of our Westchester residents and visitors to share their favorite escapes with us online...I'll meet you in Westchester this fall."
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