Nassau County

 

 

After living in New York City for a while, some people decide it’s not for them. The City that Never Sleeps can sometimes grow old for some, especially those looking for a quieter slice of life. This is why many folks decide to move to Nassau County.

 

All of the amenities NYC offers can be found here. Outstanding restaurants and shops? Check. Concerts and sporting events? Check. A huge public park? Check. It’s a dream and a great place to raise a family.

 

• A variety of world-class restaurants
• No shortage of places to shop
• Many opportunities to see live entertainment
• A park bigger than Central Park

The hustle and bustle of NYC extends a little eastward into Nassau County, but not too much. There’s a bit more of a relaxed vibe with a slower pace. Many families decide to call this county home because it provides an easy commute into Manhattan, and it makes sense that many professionals live here.

 

There are ample shopping opportunities in Nassau County, and you can spend a whole day perusing the many different stores. If you like to do all your shopping in one place, Green Acres Mall has over 150 stores selling clothing, accessories, and anything else you’ll need. There are also several restaurants. For the trendiest wares from high-end stores, take a trip to Americana Manhasset, located on the Miracle Mile of Manhasset.

 

When you’re ready to eat, Nassau County won’t disappoint. Here you’ll find quite a few Italian restaurants, and Café Baci is one of the best. SMOK-HAUS will fill your belly with ribs, pulled pork, and other goodies if you're itching for barbecue. Waterzooi Belgian Bistro & Oyster Bar is the place to go if you're craving seafood, especially oysters.

 

If you’re looking for live entertainment, the Gold Coast Arts Center puts on year-round concerts from a variety of different musicians, as well as comedy shows. It also has an art gallery with revolving exhibits. And if you want to see movies you won’t be able to catch at a regular cinema, the center hosts a yearly international film festival.

 

While there are certainly quite a few sporting events in and around Manhattan, you don’t have to leave Long Island to see some pros. You can catch the New York Islanders playing their home games at UBS Arena. And in addition to hockey, here you can also see other sporting events, along with concerts from some of the top musicians in the world.

 

If you love getting outside for some activity, Nassau County has many parks you’ll enjoy. One of the most prominent public spaces in all of New York – larger even than Central Park – is Eisenhower Park. Consisting of 930 acres, it has many walking trails, picnic areas, and a variety of sports fields and courts. Wantagh Park may be a little smaller – it sits on 111 acres – but it still has plenty to do. In addition to great water views, it has paths for walking and biking, a playground, picnic spots, a pool, and an 18-hole miniature golf course.

 

Nassau County also has many things to do indoors. For a day spent looking at masterpieces, you’ll want to visit the Nassau County Museum of Art. Located on a 145-acre property once the Frick Estate, the mansion now houses work by American and European artists. The grounds also contain many nature trails to explore. For more hands-on stuff, the Science Museum of Long Island has several interactive exhibits to teach children about all things science. The Long Island Children’s Museum is another fun place to check out if you have little ones.

 

Jones Beach State Park is calling when the sun is beating down, and you’re looking to cool off. It is comprised of six-and-a-half miles of beautiful white sand and has a long boardwalk with many shops and places to eat. You’ll also have the chance to play basketball, miniature golf, shuffleboard, corn hole, paddle tennis, ping pong, and pickleball. And if you want to do some zip-lining or try an aerial obstacle course, you’ll need to check out WildPlay Adventure Park.

Nassau County has 56 school districts overseeing kindergarten through 12th-grade students. Schools of note include: