Larchmont is a suburb located in Southern Westchester County. It is just a quick jaunt from the city, but it’s not a typical suburb and is worthy of a day trip from NYC.
Why? It’s on the Long Island Sound, so water aligns the town. Larchmont used to be considered a beach getaway, much like the Hamptons. If you like the water, it’s ideal for a stroll and a swim. Its population largely consists of international residents, many coming to America to work for the United Nations and international banks, giving the town a multi-cultural flavor. There are French restaurants, cheese shops and wine shops which cater to the many French residents. Manor Park, located on the water, has a European look and feel. On weekends, you’ll find soccer games happening in every park, with the sport being played by children and adults alike.
Larchmont has its share of famous residents. Comedian Joan Rivers grew up in Larchmont and film director Ang Lee has a residence. There are Broadway producers, actors, TV executives, and authors living in Larchmont, who appreciate it’s small-town vibe and proximity to the city.
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
Read on and see why Larchmont has plenty to offer.
Get Outdoors
Bring your bike on Metro-North (a lifetime permit costing $5 is required). Larchmont is flat and it’s a lovely town to cruise around on a bicycle. Ride from the train station down Larchmont Avenue all the way to the water, to Larchmont Manor. It’s the oldest and most beautiful part of town, with large Victorian, Mediterranean, Tutor and Colonial-style homes on the park’s rim. Park your bike on a rack outside the beach and walk along the path or climb on the park’s rocks. Sit in a gazebo along the way and enjoy the stunning views. There’s a small beach in the park, but it’s only open to residents. If you know someone who belongs to the Larchmont Yacht Club, you may be lucky enough to get taken on a sailboat ride around the Sound. Nothing beats that on a breezy day.
When you’re done strolling, ride all around the Manor. If you’re a lover of architecture, the houses will amaze you. If you bring a loaf of bread, you will be able to feed the ducks swimming peacefully on the Long Island Sound.
If you have kids, there are playgrounds all round town, in Flint Park, Memorial Park, and Turtle Park. Flint Park is closest to the water. Head to the back of the park for a lovely hike on a well-marked trail.
In spring and summer, consider a picnic in one of these parks, just not Manor Park as they have strict rules regarding food and beverages in the park for preservation purposes. There are weekly musical concerts at Memorial Park on Monday nights. July 4th is quite special, complete with activities, such as live music and fireworks.
Eats + Drinks
There are several places for a mean cup of coffee in Larchmont. Bradley’s Desserts & Cafe has many regulars who come for the homemade muffins and omelets. La Parisienne French Bakery and Estelle Gourmet are also good for French food, the latter offering up French cooking classes. Stanz is a staple for residents, thanks to bottomless cups of coffee and wholesome food. Sunshine Coffee Roasters is the new kid in town, serving great cups of java and avocado toast.
Watch this video for some more tips:
Hit Polpettina for yummy thin crust pizzas and kale salad. Tequila Sunrise is another family fave, serving enchiladas and other authentic Mexican food, with traditional music and excellent guacamole. Encore offers a menu of French food for the town’s many French residents and Francophiles.
One of Larchmont’s oldest establishments is Larchmont Tavern,known for its hamburgers. Coriander serves Indian food with modern flare. Marjan Kebob House is a new option for authentic Persian food.
Insider Tip
Walk around the village and support the local shopkeepers. Pink on Palmer for lovely bath and body products, or Stitch by Stitch, a needlepoint shop.
How to Get to Larchmont from NYC
Larchmont is approximately 21 miles and a 35-minute train ride from midtown Manhattan. From Grand Central, take Metro-North’s Stamford line and get out at the Larchmont stop. Tickets should be bought in advance to avoid fees on the train at the station’s ticket machine or online, using an app which makes it effortless.
Featured Image: June Marie
Holly Rosen Fink is a marketing consultant and culture and travel writer living in Larchmont, New York
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram