Welcome to Armonk
As the corporate headquarters for IBM and Swiss Re, Armonk is the “business district” of Westchester County, but that’s not all it has to offer.
Its Main Street is lined with great restaurants and boutiques, top-notch school district and the beautiful surrounding woodlands help to make this hamlet a top contender for home buyers.
The hamlet of Armonk is nestled inside the larger town of North Castle and has a small community of about 4,800 citizens. It is comprised of 6.1 square miles of rolling hills and forests and sits only 39 miles from Midtown Manhattan.
The History of Armonk
The hamlet of Armonk was established in the mid-1800s. Though it maintains some historic structures, Armonk has benefited from many revitalization efforts in recent decades. New developments make the town’s infrastructure more modern and efficient for a booming community. These updates have added yet another layer of character to Armonk.
It’s a small historic town with a modern feel.
Steve Nelson, who wrote the lyrics to “Frosty the Snowman” in 1950, lived in Armonk and references the village square in the song. Ever since, Armonk has celebrated “Frosty Day” in honor of the famous snowman.
Armonk School Districts
The Byram Hills Central School District enrolls students from surrounding North Castle, New Castle, Mount Pleasant, and Bedford. However, all four of its schools are located in Armonk, making the hamlet the center of education in the broader community.
Of its four schools, Byram Hills Central School District has two elementary schools (Wampus Elementary and Coman Hill Elementary), one middle school (H. C. Crittenden Middle School), and one high school (Byram Hills High School). For many residents of Armonk, these schools are close enough to walk to. The district collectively enrolls a total of 2,300 students, which keeps class sizes small with a focus on individual instruction and achievement. The school district has an excellent reputation for both academics and athletics. The Middle School recently won the National Blue Ribbon Award for Academic Excellence from the US Department of Education. The track, soccer and baseball teams are especially notable.
Armonk Commute Times & Rail Access
Armonk Commute Times & Rail Access Armonk is only 39 miles from New York City.
The North White Plains Train Station, located about 10 minutes away from Armonk, provides access to the Metro-North Railroad’s Harlem line, and the 33-minute ride to Grand Central Terminal. The station recently added 391 parking spaces to its lots with a brand-new parking structure. Its five levels include three for permit parking and two for metered parking. The bottom level also has spaces reserved for handicapped persons with the proper permits.
This comes to a total of 500 parking spaces for one of the busiest stations on the Harlem Line. Tickets cost $24.50 for a round-trip day ticket and $268 for monthly passes. Armonk is also a convenient commute to White Plains as well as Stamford and Greenwich Connecticut. It offers easy access to Routes 684, 287, 87, The Saw Mill, Bronx River Parkways and Merritt Parkways. Armonk is also just minutes from the Westchester County Airport.
Places to See and Things to Do in Armonk
As a business center and one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Westchester County, Armonk sponsors plenty of activities for people of all ages.
The Fol-de-Rol is the annual charity event that brings in business vendors, carnival rides, and a parade in order to support the local Lion’s Club chapter. The annual 5k helps to fund the local public library and other community efforts.
The main attraction is Armonk’s Town Square, right off of Main Street in the downtown district. You can stroll around, shop unique local businesses and eat all in the same area. Must-try restaurants in the square include the Armonk House, Tazza Café, and Bowls Handcrafted Salads and Soups.
The Outdoor Art Show which has taken place every September for more than 55 years draws visitors from far and near and features many local artists.
Some outdoor and recreational places include:
- Smith’s Tavern The pre-Revolutionary War structure is the most acknowledged historic landmark of Armonk. Its significance comes from being a headquarters for the local militia during the war. It’s currently operated by the North Castle Historical Society.
- Wampus Pond A park with plenty of paved paths and a gazebo. Though it’s beautiful year-round, it looks best in the fall with the changing colors of the leaves.
- Kensico Reservoir A man-made river that flows through Armonk. The reservoir is part of the much larger New York City Reservoir system.
