Rye Playland: Rides & Restoration Tour

Rye Playland: Rides & Restoration Tour

Archival Photos Courtesy of Westchester County Archives, Current Photos Courtesy of Rye Playland

Say hello to summer at one of New York’s most historic amusement parks! On this tour of Rye Playland, you’ll learn about its history and explore its latest attractions with Barbara Davis, Co-Director of the Westchester County Historical Society!

  • Learn about the “ups-and-downs” of Rye Playland’s iconic rides like the Carousel, the Whip, and the Derby Racer
  • Peek at inner mechanisms and take a ride on original attractions that date back to the 1920s and 30s
  • Get a first look at recently completed renovations to the Art Deco pool that opened in 1929 with water “safe enough to drink!” and electric lights that illuminated night-swimming from above and below
  • Learn about the A-listers who have joined in on the park’s fun over the years, and find out which pop icons have immortalized the place on film and video

About the event:

Playland is a historic, award-winning, and unique waterfront destination with panoramic views of the Long Island Sound, located in Rye, New York. Since 1928, serving generations of families and creating a lifetime of memories, Playland provides a diverse range of offerings from recreation, leisure, dining, and entertainment, featuring a lively show fountain at the park’s entry plaza, a serene lake with paddle boats, a spacious zero-depth entry pool, beaches, over 1.5 miles of public boardwalk, scenic walking paths, fishing pier, various dining establishments, numerous events and activities year-round – and of course – its iconic amusement park with over 50 rides and attractions.

With the summer season ahead, Playland and Untapped New York will host an “Insiders Tour” with a focus on Playland Beach and Pool, which most recently underwent a major renovation and reopened within the year. Playland Pool included critical infrastructure improvements, as well as upgrades to the bathhouse, pool, and so much more.

The group will meet at the welcoming fountain at Playland’s front entrance of the amusement park, then will stroll down to the boardwalk to take in panoramic views of the Long Island Sound, followed by the pool and amusement park with an opportunity to experience some of the iconic (and new!) rides at Playland’s amusement park.

Westchester County Historical Society Co-Director Barbara Davis will host the tour, providing insightful history and fun facts of this historic site in Rye.

About Barbara Davis

Barbara Davis is the Co-Director of the Westchester County Historical Society and the City Historian of New Rochelle. Since 1993 she has served on the Westchester County Historic Preservation Advisory Committee, which advises on all county-owned historically significant properties. Barbara’s career has included positions in libraries, schools, colleges, and museums. She is a writer and producer of educational exhibits and films, and has conducted numerous history tours—by walking, bus, boat, kayak, and bicycle. As a child growing up in Northern Westchester, her biggest summer thrill was competing in the County swim competitions at Playland.

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