Armonk

Armonk offers a rural feel with modern conveniences. The small hamlet blends seamlessly into the countryside as residential streets become winding roads lined with maples, sugar oaks and beeches. The trees offer welcome shade in the summer and a glorious palate of reds, oranges and yellows in the fall. Only 35 miles from New York, commuters have several travel options, including trains and several highways. Westchester County’s Bee-Line bus service runs a shuttle to the city and serves several local routes.

“There’s a lot of interest in the area now because so many people can work from home. People want to come here because of our great neighborhoods and engaging community,” says Stacey Sporn a broker with William Raveis Real Estate. “Because of that, we’re experiencing high demand and low inventory. If a house is ready to go, it will sell quickly.” Single-family homes in Armonk include a range of styles from ranch to contemporary to modern colonials. Home prices in the area range from $475,000 for a small colonial in the historic district to more than $5 million for a stone Tudor mansion on several acres.

Armonk’s public schools fall under the Byram Hills School District, one of the best districts in New York state. The school-ranking website Niche gives the district an A+ for its schools. Wampus Elementary School holds an A rating and is ranked in the top 5 percent of New York state elementary schools. H.C. Crittenden Middle School serves grades 6-8 and has an A rating. Byram Hills High School also earns an A. Its test scores are impressive: 77 percent of students are proficient in math and 90 percent in reading. In early 2023, a senior at the school was awarded $1,000 and a trip to Boston to present her cancer research to the American Academy of Neurology.

For those who enjoy spending time outdoors, there are more than 350 acres of parks in Armonk. Lombardi Park is a local favorite. With basketball and tennis courts, a climbing wall and a large playground, it’s a perfect place to spend the day. North Castle Town Park is also popular. Some points of interest in the park include a large swimming pool, tennis courts, baseball fields, and playgrounds. The park also has several picnic areas, hiking trails, and a lake for fishing and boating. Betsy Sluder Nature Preserve is a 70-acre conservancy with a 1.5-mile loop trail popular with bird watchers, hikers, and dog walkers.
There’s a lot to do in the area all year long. “Even the winters are fun here,” says Sporn, “We have many indoor activities, including tennis and racquetball.” Main Street in Armonk is where most of the social life in the area happens. It’s where the neighborhood holds parades, festivals, and celebrations. Steve Nelson, who wrote “Frosty the Snowman,” lived in the community. Every year, the neighborhood celebrates “Frosty Day” with a parade, a tree-lighting ceremony, clowns, and more.

Friends of the North Castle Public Library sponsor a community theater group, “The Armonk Players,” and they hold an arts fair every September.

Armonk Town Center is an outdoor shopping space in the heart of downtown. The retail area has several boutiques, including Beginnings Bleus, which offers trendy adult clothing. Little Rags to Riches, a children’s shop, carries upscale fashions from some of Europe’s top clothing designers. Wine Geeks specializes in small-batch organic wines and spirits.

After working up an appetite shopping, several restaurants in the area will appeal to almost every foodie. Meraki Taverna, named by Open Table as one of the top 10 restaurants in the Hudson Valley, serves a wide selection of modern and traditional Greek dishes, from saganaki to Greek meatballs. The Beehive is a local favorite for families, couples and singles. It prides itself on being a restaurant run “by a family that loves to eat.”

Written By

Robin Beres

Photography Contributed By

Elma Kukaj

Video By

Ruo Zheng