Port Washington is located on the North Shore of Long Island in New York. Port Washington gained popularity in the 1870s as a sand-mining town since it’s home to the largest sandbank east of the Mississippi as well as easy barge access to Manhattan. The local sands were actually used to form the concrete for many New York skyscrapers including the Empire State and Chrysler buildings. More notably, Port Washington was depicted in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous classic “The Great Gatsby” as the area known as East Egg. Port Washington is an affluent area with much to offer visitors and locals year round!
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1. Glide across the ice on Port Washington Skating Center
Winter or not, you can enjoy a frosty adventure in this part of New York when you check out the ice skating rink of Port Washington Skating Center. This cool destination for indoor fun is the perfect place to learn or practice how to glide across an ice surface. It offers ice skating lessons to all sorts of skaters, hockey programs, and even ice skating parties! You can reserve a certain section of the place to have an exclusive skating session with family and friends.
It may seem like a pretty small and neighborly sort of attraction but its rink is the playground of local teams and athletes that have been able to compete in state and national tournaments.
Port Washington Skating Center
Address: 70 Seaview Blvd, Port Washington, NY 11050
Website: Port Washington Skating Center
Opening hours: 12pm - 6pm (daily)
2. See the exhibits at Polish American Museum
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
A visit to Polish American Museum is a unique educational experience. Established in 1977, the museum strives to communicate to visitors the history, culture, and industrial achievements in fields such as science, arts, and sports of Polish people and diaspora in the US. It brings their rich heritage and story to life through physical exhibits and cultural programs in a historical building that was previously home to Port Washington Public Library.
Some of the building’s 30 rooms are open to the public including 15 exhibit galleries, a research library, a performance hall, and a gift shop. During your visit, you’ll get to see a wealth of Polish army memorabilia from World War 1 including military medals, uniforms, camp jackets, and more on display.
Polish American Museum
Address: 16 Belleview Ave, Port Washington, NY 11050
Website: Polish American Museum
Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 10am - 2pm (closed on Tue - Sat)
3. Unwind in the green spaces of Baxter Pond Park
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The green setting of Baxter Pond Park is a great reflection of the city’s strengthened sense of community. The well-manicured park and preserve that locals and visitors get to enjoy today is a collective effort of Baxter’s Pond Foundation, Nassau County, and supportive individuals. It is mostly frequented by those who want to slow down with a good read or simply watch the geese cruise the calm waters.
On some days, park volunteers impart insights about the rich native flora and fauna species in the park’s ecosystem. The inviting setting is also the venue for the annual sailboat racing, among other community events.
Baxter Pond Park
Address: 1 Central Dr, Port Washington, NY 11050
Website: Baxter Pond Park
4. Explore the grandeur of Hempstead House
Walking into Hempstead House is like entering a set of a feature film. This grand castle might look familiar because it is a popular venue for many blockbuster films and TV productions such as Scent of a Woman and Malcolm X. With the place’s landscaped gardens, remarkable Tudor-style architecture, and sweeping vistas overlooking Long Island Sound, its easy to see why it’s a top choice as a film location and for sightseeing.
Hempstead House is one of the four mansions staged in the 216-acre (87.41-hectare) Guggenheim Estate, It is also a spacious venue for concerts and lectures, thanks to its 40 rooms and a 60-foot (18.29-meter) foyer. If you’re keen to have a tour here, you can check out its website for its social calendar.
Hempstead House
Address: D127 Middle Neck Rd, Sands Point, NY 11050
Website: Hempstead House
Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 11am - 6pm; Sun: 9am - 6pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
5. Attend an event at Landmark on Main Street
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Landmark on Main Street is a not-for-profit community center that encourages art and culture in the Port Washington region. Originally, Landmark on Main Street was built in 1908 as the Main Street School where Port Washington students were educated until the school closed in the 1980s. The building was saved from demolition and turned into a community center that now is home to local performances open to the entire community. Landmark on Main Street hosts musical, art, and theater performances, as well as special events.
Landmark on Main Street
Address: 232 Main Street, Suite 1, 11050 Port Washington, NY
Website: Landmark on Main Street
6. Splash around at the Blumenfeld Family Park
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Located just off of Main Street in Port Washington is the Blumenfeld Family Park. The park has a large central green complete with a paved path winding through the park. This park is perfect for a day of fun with the family, and there are a number of different play areas and activities for children of all ages.
The unique feature of Blumenfeld Family Park is the water playground at the back of the park which has different water features for children to play in! There are fountains in a splash pad, large buckets to spill water, and a mushroom waterfall! This park is perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day.
Blumenfeld Family Park
Address: Main Street, 11050 Port Washington, NY
Website: Blumenfeld Family Park
7. Step into The Great Gatsby at Sands Point Preserve
Sands Point Preserve was F. Scott Fitzgerald’s inspiration for the infamous East Egg of The Great Gatsby. Indeed, the Sands Point Preserve estate is like stepping into the pages of this classic novel. Sands Point Preserve is the original Guggenheim estate and it features all the luxury and style of the early 20th century.
Today, visitors can explore the large estate including both the magnificent mansion and the stunning grounds. Sands Point Preserve has made its TV and film debut as well, and you might recognize the estate from shows like Law and Order, The Blacklist, and Boardwalk Empire as well as films like The Godfather and Scent of a Woman!
Sands Point Preserve
Address: 127 Middle Neck Rd, 11050 Sands Point, NY
Website: Sands Point Preserve
8. Tour the historic Sands-Willets House
The Sands-Willets House is named after two influential Long Island families and it serves as an example of the typical farmhouses of the region. Originally occupied by the Sands family between 1735 and 1845, this home is one of the oldest homes still remaining on Long Island. The home was purchased in 1845 by Edmund Willets, a prominent Quaker and active abolitionist before the Civil War.
Today, the house is open to visitors as a museum. The museum features knowledgeable guides and collections of Victorian-era artifacts and style. The Sands-Willets House was even featured on the Emmy Award-winning show Boardwalk Empire which is set in Prohibition-era Atlantic City. This small slice of history is a must-see!
Sands-Willets House
Address: 336 Port Washington Blvd, 11050 Port Washington, NY
Website: Sands-Willets House
9. Try paddle-boarding with Kostal Paddle
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
If you’ve always wanted to try stand-up paddle-boarding, now’s your chance at Kostal Paddle! The best way to explore the coast of Long Island is by paddle-boarding, and Kostal Paddle offers tours, lessons, and private excursions for all skill levels! You don’t need any experience, and Kostal Paddle will even provide an on-land session to get accustomed to movements before you get started. If you want to see Port Washington from a new perspective, try paddle-boarding!
Kostal Paddle
Address: 158 Manorhaven Blvd, 11050 Port Washington, NY
Website: Kostal Paddle
10. See the coast at Manorhaven Beach Park
Manorhaven Beach Park is the perfect place for enjoying the coast of Long Island. The picture-perfect Manhasset Bay offers a number of outdoor activities like a boathouse, sunbathing, fishing, and a boat ramp. Take a break from the beach and try the newly opened North Hempstead Manorhaven Pool Complex which has both the main pool and a separate swim lap area. The pool complex also has its own water slides and a unique play feature in a separate kiddie pool area for younger kids. This isn’t your average community park!
Manorhaven Beach Park
Address: Manorhaven Blvd, 11050 Port Washington, NY
Website: Manorhaven Beach Park
11. Take lessons at the Port Sailing School
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Port Sailing School in Port Washington believes everyone has the ability to sail a sailboat! The Port Sailing School offers lessons for all levels of sailors. Once you master the ASA 101 Course, you’re welcome to sail any of their boats on your own. Owner Chris Nihill has been teaching sailing since 2001, and he hopes to pass his passion for sailing on to all his guests! Port Sailing School currently has over 30 boats amongst its three locations, and they regularly host trips to the Caribbean!
Port Sailing School
Address: 403 Main St, 11050 Port Washington, NY
Website: Port Sailing School
12. Try the pizza at Salvatore's Coal-Fired Brick Oven Pizza
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Salvatore’s Coal-Fired Pizza calls itself an old-fashioned pizza parlor. Salvatore’s serves the best pizza in Port Washington using a family tradition that dates back to the 1930s when the owners family opened Patsy’s on First Avenue in Harlem, New York City. Guests travel from all over New York to try this delicious pizza!
Salvatore's Coal-Fired Brick Oven Pizza
Address: 124 Shore Rd, 11050 Port Washington, NY
Visit the original East Egg
It’s easy to see why F. Scott Fitzgerald used Port Washington as his inspiration for East Egg in The Great Gatsby. Port Washington is a treasure trove of historical sights, art, beauty, and culture! This small town packs big sights, and Port Washington is one of the best destinations in Long Island!
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