This small, charming rural community features heavily-wooded greenery, several horse farms, orchards, and a winery in addition to residential development. Well known for the quality of its schools and for National School Achievement Awards, the community of North Salem offers a good balance of new construction and well-kept older homes that feature elegant Victorian and Colonial architecture. The local retail activity is expanded by the larger shopping centers and malls nearby in Danbury, Ridgefield, or Mount Kisco. Mountain Lakes Camp provides 1,000 acres of prime land for camping, cabin rentals, hiking or biking, ice skating, ice fishing, nature study, cross-country skiing, and picnics. Among the other recreational opportunities are lush parks, nature centers, lakes, sports play, playgrounds, hiking/biking trails, bridle paths, equestrian activities, country clubs, tennis, golfing, and supervised programs.