For centuries, this Dutchess County village has attracted residents to the banks of the Wappinger Creek for its central location. A small community with a quaint downtown, Wappingers Falls provides easy access to shopping, restaurants, and mass transportation while maintaining public green spaces and quiet neighborhoods.
The first inhabitants of the area were the Wappinger people, a Native American tribe that populated the east side of the Hudson River. The land was taken over by Dutch settlers in 1685, when Francis Rombout and Gulian Verplanck purchased 85,000 acres from the Wappinger known as the Rombout Patent.
Over time, the land surrounding the Wappinger Creek became a hub for both public and private endeavors; during the Revolutionary War, the mouth of the creek served as a port for General Washington’s fleet. In the 19th century, the waterfall on the creek (Wappingers Falls’ namesake) supported industrial development—at its peak, the falls provided power to over 20 factories.
Family Life
Children living in Wappingers Falls attend schools in the Wappingers Central School District, which has an overall grade of A-on niche.com. In the 2023-24 school year, the district had a total K–12 enrollment of 10,201 students across 10 elementary schools, two junior highs, and three high schools, one of which is an alternative campus that educates teenagers who have struggled with traditional schooling.
Wappingers Falls is also a welcoming destination for commuters due to its proximity to the Metro-North Hudson line. Less than three miles east of the village center, you’ll find the New Hamburg train station—a trip to Grand Central takes about an hour and a half.
You’ll find a wide variety of restaurants, bars, and small-town shops in downtown Wappingers Falls.
On the Town
A diverse array of restaurants lines the streets of Wappingers Falls’ downtown, from elegant wine bars (di’Vine Wine Bar and Coupe Champagne Bar) to casual pizza joints (Patsy’s Pizzeria) and everything in between. Local favorites include the Puerto Rican Café Con Leche; Mexican restaurants Café Maya and Casa Ortega; British-inspired fare from Braised Pies; American restaurant and bar County Fare; taquerias Loco Garibaldi and Mexicali Blue; Lopburi Thai Restaurant; tapas spot Flores Restaurant & Bar; Palace Dumplings; and Obercreek Brewing Company, which pours craft beers and frequently hosts food trucks on weekends.
Locally owned shops are sprinkled around the village, such as vintage clothing store Treasures of the Valley, But First, We Play! toy store, and Wild Blooms Bridal Boutique. Big box stores, groceries, and more are on Route 9.
Although the village is small, its cultural offerings are impressive. Just off of East Main Street lies the River Valley Arts Center, a multi-use facility with resident businesses that offer regular dance, yoga, karate, and music classes, as well as comedy improv workshops, watercolor demonstrations, and a children’s STEM program from Robotics4U. Community theater group the County Players puts on various shows at the Falls Theatre throughout the year; the troupe’s 68th season begins with performances of summer drama Lips Together, Teeth Apart in July.
Get out There
Around the village and the greater town of Wappinger, an extensive network of pedestrian trails runs alongside the Wappinger Creek, around Wappinger Lake, and near the Hudson River. The Wappinger Greenway Trail connects open land like Bowdoin Park and Reese Park with historic sites, including the Mesier Homestead and Grinnell Library. The Wappinger Lake and Creek also welcome boating and fishing; both are accessible by canoe or kayak from designated launch points.
Wappingers Falls has become a popular destination for those who want a bit of everything in Dutchess County—views, river access, easy transport to NYC, hidden gem restaurants and stores, and a rich community history.
Neighborhood Stats
Area: 1.12 sq. mi.
Population: 6,046
Median home listing price: $440,000
To find a real estate agent in Wappingers Falls or any HV town check out near-me.hvmag.com/realtors.
Related: Wappingers Falls Resident to Compete in Special Olympics World Games
