Fort Montgomery, NY

Tucked along the western bank of the Hudson River, Fort Montgomery is a quiet hamlet in Orange County's town of Highlands. Home to about 1,600 people, the community offers a relaxed, small-town atmosphere surrounded by the dramatic scenery of the Hudson Highlands. Local history is everywhere, taking its name from the Revolutionary War defense that once stood over the river. Today, the Fort Montgomery State Historic Site gives residents easy access to hiking trails, historic ruins, and beautiful water views right next to Bear Mountain State Park.

ATTRWar Department. Office of the Chief of Engineers. 1818-9/18/1947 / Public domain

Families are served by the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District, which includes Fort Montgomery Elementary right in town and James I. O'Neill High School nearby. Daily travel revolves around Route 9W and the Bear Mountain Bridge, connecting residents to West Point, neighboring towns, and the eastern side of the Hudson. With the Appalachian Trail running nearby, outdoor recreation is a major draw, though newcomers should be ready for steep hillside roads, chilly river winds in winter, and weekend visitor traffic around the bridge. For those looking for a scenic and tight-knit corner of the Hudson Valley, it makes a peaceful place to land.