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    Kensico Dam

    4.7 (90 reviews)

    Kensico Dam Photos

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    Yayi U.

    HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Interesting, historical..... free. We didn't realize this treasure was so close to home.

    Yeimi D.

    Absolutely my favorite place. Is perfect for a workout. Perfect family outing. Perfect for a date. Perfect view. Perfect dog park. Perfect kids park. Perfect for people watching. Just perfect!

    Amanda K.

    Kensico dam is just such an enjoyable place to go. The dam is beautifully built with multiple kinds of stone. You can just check it out from the bottom, you can take the trek up the stairs, or they have a slightly longer trail that's a little less intense to get up. (Actually I think there is a way to the top by car as well but I'm not super familiar with the road). On the top you can look over into the reservoir where the NYC drinking water comes from! On the other side you can see the park area with a great lawn where people are often playing with their kids, dogs,(hooray dog friendly!), or having a picnic. Often times there are people running/walking along the outer part of the lawn. They have a picnic area with tables/benches, kids play area, restrooms, and benches throughout the park to have a seat on. They also have a 9/11 memorial which is really nice. It truly feels like this is a place for anyone! And is open year round. I've seen/gotten food from food trucks but I'm not exactly sure what their schedule is. (I'll be sure to follow up when I know!) During Christmas time they have a holiday light show in the winter, but it's pretty pricy per car in my opinion. They also have a big tree and reindeer! They do a night out for the kids with the local police where they have gifts/games. There is a parking area (typically free except around the holidays) which is pretty large but when it's nice out it's hard to find a spot! Hope you enjoy it!

    Winter Santa Wonderland drive thru
    Monique S.

    This park is versatile by being great for families (kiddie park), nature enthusiasts, or individuals looking for burn off the quarantine weight! Hahah the walking paths range from beginner to advanced. The beginners should definitely start by walking up the slope at the entrance of the park. When they reach the top they are treated to beautiful Roman columns and water views! The intermediate and advanced individuals can club up and down the uneven and sloped stairs. Definitely a great glutes burn for anyone tired of the gym. I usually go around 10 times to really burn a sweat. For the Christmas holiday 2020 they had a Christmas drive thru that was really sweet and simple for anyone who enjoys drive through light shows!

    Aerik Von
    Aerik V.

    An awesome structure with an awesome view... I like it for morning atmosphere and incredible architecture.

    the 9/11 memorial
    Macy T.

    beautiful park, wide open spaces so you can easily socially distance. I visited on a weekday and walked to the top of the dam and all the way across. short walk about 1 miles in length. free parking and just off the bronx river parkway. i wished i had brought our bikes and scooters as it's a perfect spot for it. we had kites so we had fun either way.

    Chuck L.

    I don't know how one reviews a dam. To be specific, we came to walk in the plaza below the dam. I am told that it's the largest hewn stone dam in the world. Looked pretty large to me. We did three laps just under three miles including walking onto the lower walkway. It was a nice day with only a few barking dogs. We had fun and were able to get some exercise. We will go back.

    Veronica N.

    I needed an hour or so to kill before check in time and thanks to YELP I found the Kensico Dam to walk around after lunch. There is plenty of parking and even restrooms and porta potties. They even have a playground for the kids. There are steps to the right and left of the dam, the right side ( if looking at it straight forward ) has a ton of steps and railings, you definitely get a work out. After reaching the top it's roughly a quarter of a mile to the other side. There is less steps on the left side however after talking to someone they said it's harder to go up then the right side, so choose your steps wisely This was the perfect way to spend an hour, the weather was beautiful and that view and the start of fall in the trees was to die for!

    Dan R.

    Lost track of how far I've gone How far I've gone, how high I've climbed On my back's a sixty pound stone On my shoulder a half mile of line Come on up for the rising (Bruce Springsteen - The Rising) This is a review of The Rising, a September 11, 2001 Memorial. Kensico Dam Plaza is a gorgeous park. It was very crowded on a Thursday morning with dog walkers, a busy playground, people hanging out at picnic tables, bicycle riders and lots of baby carriages. But I didn't stop here to see all of that. I stopped here to see "The Rising". It's a 9/11 memorial dedicated to the memory of Westchester County's 109 residents who were lost that day. It's an 80' high circular structure that rises to a central spire. There are 109 panels with the names on the circumference, and from each panel steel strands rise upward in a tightening web until they all merge and continue upward to resemble one of the Twin Towers. Many of the panels are also adorned with a few words chosen by the families. The Memorial is way off to the right side of the park, and the walkway you take to get there is called "Westchester's Fallen Memorial Walkway". It honors the local American servicemen killed around the World fighting terrorism post 9/11.

    Leslie S.

    Love this place. This is my boyfriend and I's go to spot. It's a great place to just walk around and get some fresh air. It's honestly a place where I fall in love with my boyfriend all over again. There usually are a lot of people, but at this place, you never feel packed or overwhelmed. It's a great first date or just date location if you want to get to know the person you're with. You can go up and see the water one side. SO many trees. It's just beautiful. Make sure to look into events there. Those are also super dope. Their food events are to die for. Fireworks here is top notch. You have to come super early or you will not find a spot. Once you find your spot, does not disappoint.

    Top of the Dam rules
    Pat F.

    There's that one damn dam out West that everyone knows called Hoover, but if you ask most anyone else about the Kensico Dam you will more than likely get a blank stare. Well, that had been my experience while mentioning it to a few people. The Kensico Dam also known as the Kensico Reservoir is an amazing structure whose reconstruction was completed in 1917. To put it in a less dramatic way, without this dam White Plains and its surrounding areas would be the next Venice, Italy with elevated bridged walkways, ferries and gondolas everywhere. But thanks to man made engineering, White Plains is protected from 30 billion gallons of regulated water so curious explorers like myself can make use of this dual purpose structure allowing for athletic or chill mode use. So if you're like me, as well as some of my other Yelp peeps, come here to get to know the Kensico Dam Plaza and absorb the surrounding beauty of Mother Natures spectacular views and admire this massive, powerful structure. Visit this dam and explore its damn good looking facade of classical architecture, featuring curved colonnades anchoring each end up top to allow you a moment to breathe and stop at this wonderful place called Kensico Dam. Tips: 8:00am - 10:00pm (Summer hours) Free Parking Public Bathrooms Free Admission (Non-Event Days) Priceless water views

    Paul B.

    This review is for the dam but more about the lake. It is big, it is beautiful, and it is a place you want to check. And yes, in case you are wondering, to talk worth the drive. Lots of parking, even in the hot days. Lots if beautiful things to do and beautiful places to see. There are many beautiful places outside New York where you can connect to nature and see wild life and little less city concrete (although there is a huge concrete dam lol). I walked for an hour and got into places usually not visited. Sat by the water and watched the fishermen and just breathed the freshness. Worth a drive from the city.

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    4 years ago

    Fun place to walk/exercise and the people are friendly. Recommend To anybody who likes to exercise outdoors.

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    Page 1 of 3

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    Review Highlights - Kensico Dam

    It's a 9/11 memorial dedicated to the memory of Westchester County's 109 residents who were lost that day.

    Mentioned in 14 reviews

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