Melo Villareal
Bucket List: 15 Best Places to Visit in Hempstead, New York
The Town of Hempstead is one of America’s oldest and largest townships with 25 museums and historical sites and more than 65 parks and marinas. The Town of Hempstead also has an array of recreational activities, like golfing, hockey, skating, and baseball, and wildlife and nature preserves for nature lovers out there. Here is a list of some of the best things to do in The Town of Hempstead and where to stay.
1. Hempstead Lake State Park
The park is a great choice for locals and tourists looking to get involved in nature, play sports or relax. Hempstead Lake State Park is a multi-use facility with tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts, children’s playgrounds, shaded picnic areas, bridle trails for horseback riding, hiking trails, and biking trails. The park is open year-round, sunrise to sunset.
Location: Eagle Avenue, West Hempstead, NY 11552
2. Eisenhower Park
Eisenhower Park is another park that has something to offer everyone and is open year-round, sunrise to sunset. Visitors can take the 1-mile and 3-mile walking trails or the bicycle trails situated throughout the park. There are also softball fields, baseball fields, batting cages, mini-golf courses, and the 9/11 Monument dedicated to Long Islanders who lost their lives.
Location: 1899 Park Boulevard, Westbury, NY 11590
3. Just Escape
Just Escape is an escape room center friends, families, and co-workers can work together and solve puzzles. There are 6 themed rooms, 175 locks, and 60 minutes for guests to escape. Guests can also hold birthday parties, corporate events, and fundraisers. Games involve pretending cases where guests must use all their senses, get blindfolded, and work undercover for the mob.
Location: 529 Broadway, Massapequa, NY 11758
Operating Hours: 12PM to 9:30PM, Monday through Thursday | 12PM to 12AM, Friday | 10:30PM to 9:30PM, Saturday | 10:30PM to 11PM, Sunday
Website: justescapeli.com
4. Long Island Children’s Museum
The museum is a great spot for children to have fun and get active. Exhibits include Sound Showers that introduce children to the world of percussion instruments, Community Gallery showcasing art by local schoolchildren, Tool Box where children learn safety measures and build their sculptures, and TotSpot ideal for toddlers and crawlers. The museum also has STEM Programs that provide science-themed activities and Early Childhood Programs designed for children from 3 years and below.
Location: 11 Davis Ave, Garden City, NY 11530
Operating Hours: 11AM to 3PM, Tuesday through Friday | 11AM to 5PM, Saturday and Sunday
Website: licm.org
5. Cradle of Aviation Museum
With a collection of more than 70 aircraft and spacecraft, this state-of-the-art recreational complex immerses visitors in the history of aviation. The museum offers tours and theaters, programs for children to learn more about space and flight and parents can host a birthday party for children aspiring to be astronauts.
Location: Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Garden City, NY 11530
Operating Hours: 10AM to 5PM, Tuesday through Sunday
Website: cradleofaviation.org
6. The Francis X. Pendl Nassau County Firefighters Museum & Education Center
With a collection of historic and contemporary Firematic memorabilia and equipment, The Francis X. Pendl Nassau County Firefighters Museum proudly displays the history of volunteer firefighting in Nassau County. The goal of the museum is to educate and inform the public about fire safety and prevention with fun, interactive galleries.
Location: 399 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11553
Operating Hours: 10AM to 5PM, Tuesday through Sunday
Website: ncfiremuseum.org
7. Jones Beach
Jones Beach is a popular oceanfront summer destination and is internationally famous for its white sand shoreline. The beach is great for children, with lots of sand and space to play and calm waves to swim. The boardwalk is a local favorite, with lots of stalls and a great view of the beach.
Location: 1 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh, NY
8. Lido Beach Golf Course
Another local favorite for its 18-hole course and greens, the Lido Beach Golf Course has beautiful waterfront scenery with challenging courses for everyone.
Location: 255 Lido Boulevard, Lido Beach, NY 11561
Operating Hours: 7AM to 9PM, Thursday through Tuesday
Website: lidogolf.com
9. Bay Park Dog Park
Bay Park Dog Park is a great place to bring family and fur friends. There are two areas for small and large dogs with cleaning supplies at hand when nature calls.
Location: East Rockaway, NY 11518
Operating Hours: 8AM to 5PM, Daily
10. Norman J. Levy Park & Preserve
Norman Levy Park and Preserve is a man-made nature preserve with a wide range of wildlife, Nigerian Dwarf goats, and walking trails. The park is located on a hill with breathtaking views of Long Island and the New York City skyline.
Location: 1600 Merrick Rd, Merrick, NY 11566
Operating Hours: 7AM to 7:30PM, Daily
11. Twin Lakes Preserve
Twin Lakes Preserve features five ponds and an extensive section of wet woodlands. There is a short walking trail that goes around the preserve. The peaceful location is great for birdwatching. Look for Green-winged Teal, Northern Shoveler, Mallard, American Black Ducks, Egrets, Glossy Ibis, and Great Blue Heron.
Location: 200 Park Avenue, Wantagh, NY 11793
Operating Hours: 7AM to 5:30PM, Daily
12. Northwell Health Ice Center
Northwell Health Ice Center is a multipurpose ice hockey facility that serves as the official training facility of the NHL New York Islanders. Containing two regulation-sized NHL rinks and one outdoor recreational rink, Training Center, Northwell Health STARS Rehabilitation, Allstar Children’s Center, and the New York Islanders Pro Shop. Public skating sessions, skating schools, and hockey leagues are held here.
Location: 200 Merrick Avenue, East Meadow, NY 11554
Rates: Entrance Fee: $15
Skate Rental: $5
Website: northwellhealthicecenter.com
13. Grant Park Skating Rink
Grant Park Skating Rink is a local outdoor skating rink within the ground of Grant Park available for public skating sessions. Most of the visitors that flock to the skating rink are locals with their children. With a town permit, visitors can also fish in the nearby pond.
Location: Broadway and Sheridan Avenue, Hewlett, NY 11557
14. Cathedral of the Incarnation
An Episcopal Cathedral and the seat of the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island in Garden City, the Cathedral of the Incarnation is popular amongst the tourists. The Gothic Revival architecture, accomplished choir, and garden outside the church are some of the reasons to visit the church. Some of the church’s services, Blessing of the Animals and Memorial Day Fair and Craft Show, often draw large crowds.
Location: 50 Cathedral Ave, Garden City, NY 11530
15. Have a Relaxing Stay in the Town of Hempstead
The Town of Hempstead has multiple accommodations for visitors. With a wide array of options, visitors can choose from Hyatt Place Garden City located near Roosevelt Field, Hilton Garden Inn Westbury near the Eisenhower Park, or the Long Island Marriott Hotel & Conference Center for business travelers.
Our Top Hotel Picks for Hempstead, New York
Batam Travel and Tour Packages
To help you plan out your vacation to Hempstead, we listed places to visit and other unique activities in Hempstead. We also listed some of the best travel deals, tour packages, and excellent flight deals and accommodation.
Searching for the best hotels, resorts, and affordable flights in the nearby Cities? Check out our list of cheap Hempstead NY hotels and resorts via Agoda, Booking, or you may also see available Airbnb properties in the city.
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- Top 20 Best Tourist Attractions In New York City
