Valhalla—also the name of a heavenly paradise for slain warriors in Norse mythology—is a hamlet within the town of Mount Pleasant. The origins of Valhalla’s namesake are quite fitting, given that the village is home to the Kensico Cemetery, which serves as the resting place for many notable figures such as Lou Gehrig.
The village area of Valhalla is relatively small in area, with a strip of restaurants and stores, but on the outskirts are some of Westchester’s largest destinations. The county’s park-goers flock to the beloved Kensico Dam, which often hosts outdoor movie screenings and cultural heritage festivals. Other major county institutions include the Westchester Medical Center and Westchester Community College’s main campus.
A central dining spot is the Valhalla Crossing restaurant, which is located within the historic train-station building adjacent to the village’s Metro North station. With close access to the Taconic State Parkway, Valhalla residents can easily visit some of the county’s acclaimed cultural and artistic hotspots, such as the Neuberger Museum of Art in nearby Purchase.