Welcome to Port Washington
A bustling hamlet with proximity to Manhattan while retaining a close-knit community
Bordered by the Long Island Sound on one side and Manhasset Bay on the other, and just 17 miles from New York City, or 38 minutes by rail, Port Washington is admired for its location and pulse. It is studded with marinas, yacht clubs, and golf courses, and Main Street’s business and restaurant district runs all the way down to Manhasset Bay.
Steeped in tradition, Port Washington is now heralded as a hip and eclectic section of Long Island’s Gold Coast with a massive list of town events and happenings. Families flock here for the well known schools and beautiful homes, and stay for the lifelong friends they meet.
Port Washington’s real estate market is highly sought after, with a range of properties that reflect the town's charming character and vibrant atmosphere. From historic homes and colonial estates to more modern townhouses and luxury waterfront properties throughout Sands Point (of Great Gatsby’s East Egg notoriety), there is something for every buyer. Many homes feature scenic views of the bay or are nestled along the tree-lined streets of the community, offering both privacy and a strong sense of connection to the town.
What to Love
• Diverse, hip, and unpretentious
• Well-manicured neighborhoods and homes
• Wide array of social activities and events
Local Lifestyle
Residents in Port Washington are hospitable and kind, first and foremost. They take great pride in their town and make a point to welcome newcomers. Many residents are young families who seek to take advantage of the school district, mixed with long-time residents who have never left.
As with most hamlets in the area, many people in Port Washington love being on their boats or by the water. You’ll find a strong sense of maritime appreciation here and many residents who love to fish.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Any local will tell you that Tiga (perhaps the best sushi on the North Shore), and Wild Goose are the popular buzzy spots to enjoy a date night out or dinner with friends. Along the water, the iconic Louie's is the place for a celebratory meal, where Long Islanders and residents of Connecticut alike pull up their boats for a summer sunset and some steak and seafood. For a more relaxed, just-off-the-boat feel, Butler’s Flat is a must-go for a lobster roll and cold Narragansett beer. Locals are mixed on their favorite hometown pizza; it's a tossup between Carlo's and Gino's.
Things to Do
Port Washington is one of the most lively places to live on Long Island. It offers an exceptional quality of life, an urban lifestyle that magically retains a sense of community. The 1908 Main Street School building has been transformed into the
Landmark on Main Street, a well-attended community center and 425-seat theater which offers more than 35 performances a year.
For music lovers,
John Phillip Sousa Memorial Band Shell waterfront concerts in Sunset Park on the shores of Manhasset Bay are perfect for kids and adults. They also host family-friendly movie nights on summer Friday evenings, appropriately
dubbed “Cinema on the Bay.”
The
Port Washington Farmers’ Market is the only completely organic market in New York State. It's open Saturday mornings June through October, and has something for everyone.
Manorhaven Beach Park provides outdoor recreation activities such as basketball, tennis, handball, horseshoe pits, and racquetball and bocce courts along with picnic areas, a boat ramp, stand-up paddle-boarding, kayaking, a skate park, and playground. The Manorhaven Pool Complex features a 25,000-square-foot main pool area with a lap swim area, general swim sections, zero-depth entry for children and beginners, as well as two giant water slides and a separate kiddie pool with state-of-the-art play features like palm tree fountains. On the hottest summer days, residents from throughout the North Shore can cool off at the splash pad at Port's Blumenfeld Park.
Beloved by all is
Port Washington’s Harborfest, an annual summer family-friendly day featuring a Children’s Fun Park, Model Boat Regatta, musical entertainment, cruises on the bay, art in the park, crafts, food, and more.
The 216-acre
Sands Point Preserve, a former Guggenheim estate overlooking a beach, offers nature trails, guided hikes, a learning center, and docent-led tours of Falaise, an art-filled 1920s mansion set atop 90 acres of waterfront.
Schools
With 5,290 students, the district has five elementary schools plus the Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School and the Paul D. Schreiber High School. The Daly School runs from pre-kindergarten through Grade 5; the Guggenheim, Manorhaven, Sousa, and South Salem schools start at kindergarten. The district boasts high SAT and ACT scores, and Schreiber High prides itself on its impressive roster of college destinations for its grads, including many Ivy League schools.
The
Vincent Smith School is a nearby private day school for students in grades 1-12 dedicated to providing a small, nurturing, and supportive setting for students with learning disabilities.
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