Garden City is one of the suburbs in New York City and is also one of the top hangouts for a weekend getaway. Garden City features the beautiful Garden City Community Park and is well-known for lovely flower gardens. That aside, there are other attractions and landmarks like Cradle of Aviation Museum and Long Island Children’s Museum. For visitors who are looking to eat, drink, and be merry on their weekend getaway, you’re in luck! Garden City is known for its quaint restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. Read on to find out about the top things to do in Garden City, New York.
1. Say a prayer at Cathedral of the Incarnation
Cathedral of the Incarnation is a beautiful church with impressive architectural design, stained glass, as well as a rich history. At times, this religious building is also used to hold concerts or events. This church is beautiful both inside and outside and is definitely worth stopping by if you’re in the area!
Cathedral of the Incarnation
Address: 50 Cathedral Ave, Garden City, NY 11530, United States
Website: Cathedral of the Incarnation
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 4pm; Sun: 8am - 1230pm (closed on Sat)
2. Marvel at the intricate architecture of Saint Paul's School
Saint Paul’s School was built by Cornelia Stewart, dedicated in honour of Alexander Stewart who founded Garden City. The architect followed a Victorian Gothic style and was designed the same architect who designed the Cathedral of the Incarnation so you might spot similarities in their styles. The building is currently not in use but is worth passing by if you want to check out its beautiful exterior.
Saint Pauls School
Address: 295 Stewart Ave, Garden City, NY 11530, United States
3. Bask in the sunshine at Garden City Community Park
This community park provides various facilities for the Garden City residents. You would find amenities like a miniature golf course, playgrounds, picnic areas, pools, baseball fields, and more! If you’re looking to see how it’s like to live like a local, you could spend an evening people-watching in this park. Do note however that some of the amenities like the pools are only open to Garden City residents.
Garden City Community Park
Address: 52 Cherry Valley Ave, Garden City, NY 11530, United States
Website: Garden City Community Park
Opening hours: 7am - 11pm (daily)
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4. Spend a day out with family at Nassau Haven Park
Nassau Haven Park is clean and well-maintained, and is a great place for families with kids. Like Garden City Community Park, there are amenities like playgrounds, football fields, basketball courts, and more here! This park can get crowded on weekends when there are soccer matches. The park is also filled with luscious greenery which makes it a good spot to lounge and relax at.
Nassau Haven Park
Address: Colonial Ave, Garden City, NY 11530, United States
Website: Nassau Haven Park
Opening hours: 6am - 9pm (daily)
5. Relish seafood galore at Waterzooi Belgian Bistro
Waterzooi Belgian Bistro has an extensive menu for brunch, dinner, desserts, and more! They pride themselves on their fresh mussels, huge variety of oysters, interesting concoctions of cocktails, and quality service. Though this restaurant is on the pricier side, you’ll be guaranteed bang for your buck as fresh ingredients are used and their portions are huge. To avoid disappointments or long waiting times, reservations can be made online on their website.
Waterzooi Belgian Bistro
Address: 850 Franklin Ave, Garden City, NY 11530, United States
Website: Waterzooi Belgian Bistro
Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 12pm - 9pm; Wed - Thu: 12pm - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 12pm - 11pm; Sun: 11am - 9pm
6. Have an interactive experience at Cradle of Aviation Museum
The Cradle of Aviation Museum is an aerospace museum that tells of the rich history of aviation. This museum is good for families with children as the planes are sure to leave them in awe! The museum is also pretty interactive with lots of videos and even a flight simulator. There are also knowledgeable staff on site to provide more information on the exhibits.
Cradle of Aviation Museum
Address: Charles Lindbergh Blvd, Garden City, NY 11530, United States
Website: Cradle of Aviation Museum
Opening hours: 9:30am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 16 USD
7. Shop till you drop at Roosevelt Field
Shopaholics in Garden City are in luck because Roosevelt Field is the largest shopping mall in New York City. This mall holds over 250 stores, brands, and over 40 restaurants. With its wide variety, it is indeed a one-stop shop where you’ll be able to find almost everything you need. No matter what your budget is, there is something for everyone as shops range from affordable brands to high-end ones. The mall also has a beautiful outdoor eating area for you to refuel after shopping. For families with young children, there is a play area for children aged under six. The mall usually gets crowded on weekends so do come early to avoid the crowd!
Roosevelt Field
Address: 630 Old Country Rd, Garden City, NY 11530, United States
Website: Roosevelt Field
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 9:30pm; Sun: 11am - 7pm
8. Have an enriching experience at Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center
Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center collects firefighting equipment and memorabilia, including that from 9/11. This is located within Cradle of Aviation Museum, though you need to pay a separate fee to enter. Though this is a rather small museum, it is one that is packed with history and displays of firetrucks. There are also interactive displays which makes it great for families with children.
Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center
Address: Charles Lindbergh Blvd, Uniondale, NY 11553, United States
Website: Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 5 USD
9. Enjoy a feast at Leo's Midway - Garden City Bar & Restaurant
Leo’s Midway is newly renovated with modern and chic decor, yet maintains a homely feel with its great customer service. It has a diverse menu serving dishes like steak, burgers, sandwiches, pasta, drinks, and more. Leo’s Midway is popular not only amongst the tourists but locals alike, making it a clear sign that the food and service here are of great quality! It might get crowded during meal times especially on the weekends so grab an earlier breakfast, lunch, or dinner to avoid long queues and waiting time.
Leo's Midway - Garden City Bar & Restaurant
Address: 190 7th St, Garden City, NY 11530, United States
Website: Leo’s Midway - Garden City Bar & Restaurant
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 8am - 2am; Fri - Sat: 8am - 4am; Sun: 8am - 2am
10. Take your kids to learn through fun and games at Long Island Children’s Museum
Long Island Children’s Museum is the perfect place for parents to bring their children to. It is a museum dedicated to play - offering hands-on exhibitions and activities for toddlers and children to engage in. It believes in fostering creativity and building confidence in children from a young age to nurture future generations of artists, scientists, musicians, and more. The activities also aim to foster parent and child interaction where parents encourage their children to think independently and get their creative juices flowing! The exhibits are always changing but there are permanent exhibitions like a radio station area, bubbles exhibit, outdoor garden, and more where children can simulate the experience of being a weatherman!
Long Island Children’s Museum
Address: 11 Davis Ave, Garden City, NY 11530, United States
Website: Long Island Children’s Museum
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 14 USD
An adventure awaits in Garden City, New York
If you’re planning on taking a trip to Garden City, New York, this is the perfect guide for you with several activities you can choose from. For families traveling with children, must-visits would be one of the park’s playgrounds and Long Island Children’s Museum. For students or young adults looking to unwind via retail therapy, you can do so at Roosevelt Field. If you’re more interested in the history and culture of Garden City, do check out the Cathedral of the Incarnation and various museums in the city. No matter what you’re here for, it’ll definitely be an exciting adventure!