Carmel offers recreation, good schools and transportation
Set in the Hudson Valley, Carmel is 31 miles from White Plains and 62 miles from New York City. This Putnam County seat is mainly residential and is known for its lakes, recreation, highly rated schools and proximity to transportation. Carmel and nearby Mahopac have homes that border lakes, reservoirs, golf courses and woodsy parks. U.S. Route 6 passes through the area and residents are close to plenty of shopping and dining. Commuters have access to several train stations near Carmel on the Hudson Line.
Homes near lakes and reservoirs
Homes here are often set along winding roadways and have spacious, manicured lots. Many surround lakes and reservoirs, so buyers should consult maps to assess flood risks. While most of the homes here are single-family, there are some condo and townhouse communities and a few multi-family properties. Most are in the minimal traditional, split-level and Colonial Revival styles. Single-family homes have a median sale price of $599,000, and townhouses have a median sale price of $470,950.
Highly rated schools in Mahopac and Carmel
Most students attend school in the Mahopac Central School District, which gets a B-plus from Niche. The district has three elementary schools, including Lakeview Elementary, which gets a B-plus. Students continue to Mahopac Middle and Mahopac High School, which both get a B-plus.
The Carmel Central School District, which receives an A-minus, serves the rest of the area. Children in Carmel may attend either Kent Primary, which gets a B-minus, or Matthew Petterson Elementary, which gets a B, for kindergarten through fourth grade. Students continue to George Fischer Middle, which gets a B, and Carmel High, which gets an A-minus. The high school has a technology education and engineering department and offers the opportunity to earn college credit. Students in the area also have access to career and technical education through PNW BOCES, a cooperative education service that supports a number of school districts. Areas of study include architecture, graphic design, cosmetology and construction.
Boating, fishing and golfing
Lake Mahopac’s shoreline is private, but boaters and anglers may access the lake by renting a boat through the Mahopac Marina and MacDonald Marine. Golf is a popular pastime here. The Mahopac Golf & Beach Club has an 18-hole course, a lakefront beach and a clubhouse for its members. Putnam County Golf Course, a public 18-hole course with scenic views. The private Centennial Golf Club, in Carmel, has a 27-hole course, a restaurant and offers lessons.
The Fred Dill Wildlife Sanctuary is overseen and maintained by Putnam County has trails and a covered picnic area that are open to the public. Across from the refuge, Lake Gleneida is open for fishing and boating. Parks throughout town include Baldwin Meadows Park, Sycamore Town Park and Camarda Park, which have playgrounds, basketball or tennis courts and room for baseball and soccer. Sycamore Town Park also has a beach area and access to Long Pond for fishing and swimming. The Gilead Cemetery is a historic graveyard within Carmel that houses the graves of 24 Revolutionary War veterans. History buffs may visit the cemetery and view artistic headstones dating back to the 1760s. Another historic landmark is the 1814 Putnam County Courthouse, which is still used today.
Shopping and dining near lakes and along US Route 6
The Lake House Restaurant & Bar sits on the shore of Lake Mahopac and specializes in seafood and craft cocktails. Near Lake Gleneida is George’s Place, a diner serving American fare. The Carmel ShopRite Plaza is up the street, with a ShopRite for groceries and other retailers, restaurants and specialty services. More shopping and dining lines US Route 6, including a Stop & Shop.
Events at local libraries and markets
The Reed Memorial Library was built in 1913 and hosts events year-round, such as exercise classes, arts and crafts, storytimes and book clubs. The Mahopac Library offers similar activities, including virtual learning labs for computer programs. The Carmel Farmers’ Market runs every other Sunday from May to October. The Putnam County Golf Course hosts concerts and festivals throughout the year, including a BBQ Buffet Dinner with live music in July.
Commuters use US Route 6 and Interstates
U.S. Route 6 and Interstate 84 lead 15 miles from Carmel to Danbury, Connecticut. Interstate 84 leads 25 miles to Beacon and 30 miles to Stewart Air National Guard Base in Newburgh. Interstate 684 leads to the White Plains area, 31 miles away, and New York City, 62 miles away. Southeast, Brewster and Croton Falls are stops less than 10 miles from Carmel along the Metro-North Harlem Line. The Harlem Line arrives at the White Plains station in under an hour and Grand Central Terminal in 90 minutes.
Putnam Hospital is 3 miles from Carmel, and the New York Stewart International Airport is 36 miles away. The Auliya Council of North America, Temple Beth Shalom, St. James the Apostle & Our Lady of the Lake Mount Carmel and other houses of worship are along U.S. Route 6.
Written By
Isabella Pontecorvo
