Stretching between the tranquil waters of Long Island Sound to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, Long Island harmonizes diversity and affluence, sophistication and serenity. Picture-perfect images are waiting around every corner of Nassau County, where picturesque wharfs and seaside restaurants contrast with quaint colonial villages and the summer mansions of the wealthy. This water-oriented home encourages ocean water sports, boating, sailing, and fishing as well as golf, tennis, and horseback riding. Miles of white-sand beaches caressed by sea breezes, thoroughbred racing, major league baseball, and professional hockey appeal to the outdoor enthusiast or sports fan. Those who prefer an evening of cultural enrichment can look forward to dinner theater, concerts, live stage productions, popular night spots, and fine dining in elegant or casual settings.
Nassau County manages nearly 85 parks, preserves, museums, historic properties, and athletic facilities for a wide spectrum of attractions. Eisenhower Park in East Meadow covers 930 acres with premier sports facilities that include one of the finest aquatic centers in the nation. One of the three 18-hole golf courses hosts the Commerce Bank PGA championship, and Harry Chapin Lakeside Theatre provides a full calendar of concerts and classic movies under the stars. Other popular destinations include the Garvies Point Museum and Preserve in Glen Cove and the two-acre jewel of Centennial Park recently renovated in Roosevelt. Cantiague Park has an outstanding indoor skating rink that once served as the practice site for the New York Islanders and more recently hosted Olympian Nancy Kerrigan. Both Christopher Morley and Grant parks have outdoor skating rinks. Other highlights include the playground at Cedar Creek Park and the superb facilities at the Mitchel Athletic Complex. In a densely populated area like Nassau County, a well-managed parks system greatly enhances the quality of life for residents of all ages. In addition to natural habitats that offer a window into Long Island's environs, museums like The African American Museum and the Aviation Museum preserve the region's rich heritage.
Newcomers to Nassau County will discover a kaleidoscope of communities, from bustling cities to cozy villages and hamlets or long-established towns. The entire county is divided into three towns—Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay—and the cities of Long Beach and Glen Cove. Within the three towns are 64 incorporated villages, although another 100 unincorporated communities dot the county. Home settings and architectural styles vary as widely as the lifestyles, ranging from exclusive manors and mansions to bungalows and historic properties. Regardless of where you choose to live on Long Island, the glittering "Big Apple" of Manhattan will be a short commute from home, ensuring easy access to some of the finest cultural attractions and dining opportunities in the world.