Armonk, New York is a serene suburban hamlet with the convenience of urban amenities. With its rolling hills, walkable business district, and proximity to neighboring towns and cities, it’s no surprise that Armonk draws in transplants from New York City.
The surrounding greenery and small population provide relief from the commotion of a jam-packed city. Yet, the closeness to the largest city in the U.S. gives residents access to the metropolitan excitement and buzz they might occasionally desire.
Overview of Armonk, NY
Armonk is one of the three hamlets of North Castle, NY, located in Westchester County. It’s situated on the border of New York and Connecticut.
Early European settlers purchased the land of North Castle from the local Native Americans. By 1730, North Castle became an established settlement, and it was incorporated on March 7, 1788, deriving its name after a protective barrier on a hillside constructed by the Siwanoy Indians. The Siwanoy Indians called the site “North Fort,” to which the settlers decided to rename it “North Castle.” The settlement became a refuge for Quakers and other people escaping religious persecution from Long Island and Rye. The 19th century brought about a gradual transformation of North Castle from an agricultural community to a town focused on “cottage industries,” such as shoemaking.
The village of Armonk later housed one of the earliest small country airports with weekend air shows that attracted thousands of spectators and prominent aviators, including Charles Lindbergh. The opening of Interstate 684 in the area drew in a slate of companies, such as IBM, which set up a corporate headquarters facility in Armonk in 1964.
Today, fewer than 5,000 people reside in Armonk.
Schools in Armonk, NY
All of the schools within the Byram Hills Central School District are located in Armonk. The district comprises four schools.
- Coman Hill Elementary School
- Wampus Elementary School
- H.C. Crittenden Middle School
- Byram Hills High School
Both Coman Hill and Wampus schools are highly rated, and each serves around 500 students.
H.C. Crittenden Middle School ranks in the top 50 of New York middle schools, according to U.S. News. The middle school educates about 500 students, with 83% of them scoring at or above the proficient level for reading and 85% scoring at or above the proficient level for math.
Meanwhile, Byram Hills High School not only ranks statewide, but nationally, a testament to its top notch education infrastructure. U.S. News ranked the high school as 21 out of 1,210 high schools in New York and 168 out of 17,655 high schools across the country for 2024. Nearly 90% of the students at Byram Hills High School are enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses or have taken AP exams.
Although the public schools in Armonk are clearly first rate, parents do have several other options for early education. The Montessori Children’s Room is a small private school that was founded in 1968. The Westfield Day School, also located in Armonk, is a therapeutic school for students in grades 7-12.
Transportation in Armonk, NY
If you’re looking to explore outside of the area, Armonk is about 40 miles from New York City and less than 10 miles from the Long Island Sound in Westchester County.
By car, it takes about an hour to drive from Armonk to New York City. You have a number of options to get to NYC via public transit. You could catch a bus ride to a few different Metro-North train stations, including in Stamford, CT and White Plains and Port Chester, NY, which all lead to the Grand Central Terminal. The commute via public transit could take anywhere from an hour and a half.
The accessibility to regional, domestic, and international airports makes it easy to travel within the US or abroad.
- The Westchester County Airport is approximately 5 miles away from Armonk.
- The LaGuardia Airport is about 33 miles away.
- The Teterboro Airport is approximately 44 miles away.
- The John F. Kennedy International Airport is about 43 miles away.
Outdoor Spaces and Recreation in Armonk, NY
No matter the season, Armonk boasts endless outdoor activities. Each winter, the hamlet hosts a Frosty the Snowman holiday celebration, a tribute to Steve Nelson, a former resident and co-composer of the song. For two weekends in September, an annual arts fair is held in the North Castle Community Park, sponsored by the Friends of the North Castle Public Library.
Families can enjoy a few local parks, including North Castle Community Park and John A. Lombardi Park, or take a swim at an outdoor pool called the Anita Louise Ehrman Pool. Wampus Brook Park is chalk full of events, such as outdoor summer concerts and a yearly Cider and Donut Festival 5K race and carnival.
If you’re into bird watching or hiking, the Betsy Sluder Nature Preserve off of Old Route 22 provides 70 acres of open space for lovers of the outdoors.
Dining and Shopping in Armonk, NY
Searching for a spot to spend your extra pocket money or to snag a bite to eat? No need to look further than Main Street in Armonk, a walkable town center dotted with mom-and-pop shops and trendy eateries. Armonk Square, a centralized location within the district, is a retail hub containing a mix of various types of residences, restaurants, and specialty shops. The square also serves as the site of annual summer and winter festivals and parades.
Residents can step into boutiques like HipChik Home for house accessories, fashion, and more, or browse Hickory & Tweed for high-quality skiing, snowboarding, and cycling gear.
Once you’re all shopped out, you can grab food at Armonk Country Kitchen, which serves soups and sandwiches, or pop into Amore, an Italian restaurant that offers brick-oven Bronx style pizza and craft cocktails. Or residents can dine at Casa Tequila, a boutique Mexican restaurant that serves traditional, gourmet Latin and Mexican cuisines.
Cultural and Arts Scene in Armonk, NY
Armonk hosts a nationally recognized outdoors arts festival, held annually in September. The show displays artworks that span a range of mediums, from printmaking to sculpture. Attending families can enjoy free children’s activities, such as art lessons, and choose from a large selection of food and drink from vendors at the show.
Some of the net proceeds from the outdoors event support a community theater group called The Armonk Players. The Armonk Players stage two full productions each year, including one that is typically a musical. The group also offers four free Simply Theatre play readings and programs to the public and extends an invite to attendees to chat about the play over cake and coffee. All performances are hosted at the Whippoorwill Theater Hall close to the North Castle Public Library.
For those seeking a bit of history, you can visit the iconic Smith’s Tavern on Bedford Road. The tavern is a museum that belongs to the North Castle Historical Society. It served as the former militia headquarters during the Revolutionary War. The building also operated as a taproom, post office, stagecoach shop, town hall, and voting place in the 18th and 19th centuries. In the 20th century, it was converted into a restaurant, Sunday school, and private residence.
So, Is Armonk, NY the Right Choice for You?
Armonk has everything anyone could ever want, whether you’re a young professional looking for an outdoor adventure or a family searching for a close-knit community. With top-rated schools, a thriving cultural scene, proximity to major cities, and excellent culinary and shopping options, Armonk, New York is the way to go.
Want to discover more about this wonderful hamlet? Chat with a local expert strategist to learn more about available properties or to find your ideal home in Armonk, NY.
