Quaint commercial center between North Shore villages
Those familiar with Long Island's North Shore hear Locust Valley and think of old money estates, many of which still crown rolling acreages in nearby villages like Matinecock and Lattingtown. Lovers of the television series "Gilligan's Island" may be familiar with the Locust Valley lockjaw, an aristocratic accent that actor Jim Backus used to communicate the old-fashioned, upper-crust sensibilities of Thurston Howell III.
Along the hamlet’s main drag, preserved historic architecture, nostalgic specialty businesses and a modern generation of residents broadcast how Locust Valley has both retained and evolved its Main Street beyond the Gold Coast identity. “The Locust Valley lockjaw is so gone, it’s rare you run into it. That was the old country club crowd, now it’s their kids and grandkids,” says Greg Lanza, vice president of the Locust Valley Chamber of Commerce. “We’re basically a two-traffic-light town. Everybody knows everybody, and that’s not cliche. It’s true.” Across more than a century, Locust Valley has remained a center of commercial, commuter and community life among the far-flung manors, private clubs and country roads that fill the ridges ranging toward Long Island Sound.
Seasonal events with the Locust Valley Chamber of Commerce
As the seasons and leaves change in Locust Valley, so, too, do the decor and events that adorn store windows and lampposts at the intersection of Birch Hill Road and Forest Avenue. “Summer is always the best in this town. A lot of places die down in the summer, but we get traffic from the surrounding villages,” Lanza says. “Christmas is always charming. Everyone does a great job decorating – nice balsam wreaths, a garland and some lights. Natural decorations that don’t disguise the architecture – that speaks for itself.” Merchants spill deals out from storefronts to sidewalk displays each August during the Sale Under the Sun, also aptly called the Sidewalk Sale. The Locust Valley Annual Fall Festival returns each October, bringing live music, pumpkin-themed crafts and kids' activities like face painting to town. The Matinecock Neighborhood Association helps put on the Annual Christmas Tree Lighting, inviting the surrounding communities to Thomas Park in December for free cider, cocoa and performances by the Locust Valley High School band and choir.
Shopping and dining on Forest Avenue and Birch Hill Road
The intersection of Forest Avenue and Birch Hill Road takes on the roles of a town square and downtown shopping district, drawing shoppers down sidewalks toward artisan stores and restaurants. Commercial buildings with old-fashioned brick facades and the occasional Tudor-inspired design don’t crest three stories in height, housing businesses like the Locust Valley Bookstore and the One Last Look Consignment Boutique. Banks, dentist offices and Pilates studios share the sidewalk with the local butcher shop and supermarket. “It’s specialty shopping, very personalized service. The aisles are small at the Locust Valley Market. Even the carts are mini,” Lanza says.
Karmic Grind, the local coffee shop, is down the street from Curds & Whey, a one-stop shop for charcuterie boards, acai bowls and ice cream. Buckram Stables Cafe is a go-to for American staples served in an equestrian-themed dining room or out on a garden-like patio. Disassembled and moved from Manhattan to New Jersey to Locust Valley, a preserved 1880s bar set-up reflects golden lantern light at The Brass Rail.
Single-family homes built from the 1900s to 2000s in Locust Valley
While early 20th-century estates in a range of stately and creative styles stand on the outskirts of Locust Valley, plenty of simpler single-family homes filled the hamlet’s quiet, sidewalk-lined streets during the same period, through the midcentury and into the 21st century. Smaller homes, like bungalows, Cape Cods and ranch-style homes, and those that need renovation sell for $600,000 to $1 million. Homes that sell for $1 million to $2.5 million are either larger, a New Traditional home built in the past couple of decades, or set on a small acreage toward the edges of the hamlet. Locust Valley’s name comes from the locust trees present in the 19th century, and shady, mature trees still canopy roadways, hedges and homes farther from the main drag. Tidy landscaping supplements the lessened greenery on smaller, more densely plotted lots close to the hamlet’s center. Locust Valley has a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Robotics and music at highly rated Locust Valley schools
Ann Macarthur Primary School serves prekindergarten through second grade and earns an A from Niche, and Locust Valley Intermediate School serves third through fifth grades and earns an A. Kids finish up at Locust Valley Middle School and Locust Valley High School, which each earn an A. Locust Valley Central School District carries high ratings across its K-12 pipeline, thanks in part to extracurriculars and programs that span age groups. Aspiring engineers can join FIRST Lego League teams all the way from Ann Macarthur Primary School to Locust Valley High School, competing in robot task tournaments against teams from across Long Island. District musicians enjoy excellent support across bands, choirs and orchestras, as evidenced in 2024 by Locust Valley’s designation as one of the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for the sixth year in a row.
Preserves and golf clubs near Locust Valley
Ann Macarthur Primary School serves prekindergarten through second grade and earns an A from Niche, and Locust Valley Intermediate School serves third through fifth grades and earns an A. Kids finish up at Locust Valley Middle School and Locust Valley High School, which each earn an A. Locust Valley Central School District carries high ratings across its K-12 pipeline, thanks in part to extracurriculars and programs that span age groups. Aspiring engineers can join FIRST Lego League teams all the way from Ann Macarthur Primary School to Locust Valley High School, competing in robot task tournaments against teams from across Long Island. District musicians enjoy excellent support across bands, choirs and orchestras, as evidenced in 2024 by Locust Valley’s designation as one of the nation’s Best Communities for Music Education by the National Association of Music Merchants Foundation for the sixth year in a row.
Long Island Expressway and Locust Valley LIRR commuting
Commuters have to travel nearly 10 miles south to hit the Long Island Expressway on the 30-mile drive to Manhattan. From the Locust Valley Long Island Rail Road Station, train riders can be at Penn Station in around an hour and 15 minutes. Glen Cove Hospital is less than 2 miles from the intersection of Birch Hill Road and Forest Avenue, and LaGuardia Airport is nearly 25 miles away.
Mike Carroll is a veteran RE/MAX professional who has been part of the network for over 30 years. He is a savvy real estate professional who understands markets and trends. Mike has been a Sales leader on Long Island since 1989 and has previously been in the Re/Max top 10 salespeople in the Country He works closely with many lenders, attorneys, financial advisors, accountants, and fellow real estate professionals to sell Long Island properties quickly.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
