Welcome to Locust Valley
This lush and lively hamlet offers a quaint escape from Manhattan
Often compared to idyllic country towns like Greenwich and Darien, Locust Valley has well-earned its reputation as a gorgeously-appointed hamlet amongst Long Island’s rolling green fields. City-dwellers flock to Locust Valley for the large homes, the acclaimed school district, and the charming New England-esque feel. Residents claim the area is just as relaxing as heading to the Hamptons for the weekend.
What to Love
• Its small, shop-filled downtown
• Friendly familiar faces wherever you go
• Well-appointed homes and acreage and beauty galore
Local Lifestyle
Locust Valley residents often commute into Manhattan via the Long Island Railroad or by car. The people here have a “work hard, play hard” mindset and take full advantage of the area's many green spaces and famed country clubs. The town is mainly made up of young families whose kids all attend school together, making for a close-knit community of parents who are involved in both the school district and the community at large.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Any local will tell you that Birch Hill Market is the go-to spot for fresh meat, seafood, prepared foods, and gourmet meals; they are the perfect place to head if you’re planning a party at home or a big dinner with family. Basil Leaf Cafe is a fabulous Italian restaurant with inventive Sicilian fares, perfect for a family celebration out. The Brass Rail will be your go-to for a date night out with their delicious drinks and excellent small plates. Barney’s touts a cozy fireplace and finely-crafted French dishes and Stuey’s Smokehouse & BBQ is the popular spot for some southern home-cooking. For late night, head over to The Valley, for live piano music and some dancing.
Besides restaurants, Locust Valley is known for clothing boutiques, antique shops, and interior design showrooms. Locust Valley Bookstore is a local haunt for book lovers and is set in a charming and cozy shop downtown, adjacent to (back to great restaurants!), a fantastic cheese shop and the favorite local coffee shop, Karmic Grind. For lunch, don't miss the best deli around, affectionately and appropriately known as The Million Dollar Deli; or find comfort within the fan favorite pub, Buckram Stables.
Things to Do
As with most of the Gold Coast, the water is the place to be during the summer. For those lucky enough to live within Lattingtown Harbor, residents enjoy private beach privileges, extended to friends and family. As part of the Town of Oyster Bay, Locust Valley residents benefit from the gorgeous Stehli Beach and Centre Island beach in nearby Bayville. For some, elite country clubs like Piping Rock and the Creek Club (with private beach for kids!) are a major draw to the area where golf remains a hugely popular pastime, if not a right of passage, for many residents in town. In winter months, the Beaver Dam Winter Sports Club keeps incredibly busy.
The Grenville Baker Boys and Girls Club attracts 200 children a day to its gymnasiums, art classes, homework help, and playing fields. Every year, St. John’s of Lattingtown puts on the St. John’s Fair, a three-day event with rides, food booths, raffles, a silent auction, antiques, and more.
Along the woodland paths at dog-friendly Bailey Arboretum, a 42-acre park and preserve, are dawn redwoods, landscaped gardens, and ponds for when you need to grab a breath of fresh air. Shu Swamp Preserve is another hugely popular spot to take a weekend stroll year-round, just beware of mud season!
The Locust Valley Cemetery resembles a strolling garden, once commissioned and created by the Olmstead Brothers, of Central Park fame, and is documented in the Smithsonian Archives of American Gardens.
Schools
There are just over 2,000 students in the Locust Valley Central School District who come from Locust Valley, Bayville, Lattingtown, Matinecock, the Brookvilles, Muttontown, and Mill Neck. Young children attend one of two primary schools, Ann Macarthur Primary or Bayville Primary, and 3rd through 5th grades attend one of two intermediate schools. Kids matriculate to Locust Valley Middle School and ultimately Locust Valley High School, which has 100 percent graduation and college acceptance rates.
There are two private schools in the area, The Portledge School and Friends Academy. Both are highly-rated college preparatory schools and have excellent testing scores.
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