Meet The Long Island Town Responsible For 'The Great Gatsby'

Sands Point is a village at the tip of Port Washington Peninsula in Nassau County in New York. It covers almost 3000 acres and is home to about 2675 residents who love living in a quiet and rural environment by the shores of the sky blue and vast waters of the North Atlantic Ocean. Sands Point is about 29.4 miles from Manhattan. Although primarily a residential village there are schools, golf and village clubs, and a nature preserve maintained by Nassau County. In popular culture, Sands Point is believed to have inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald's fiction novel "The Great Gatsby." In the novel, the author referred to Sands Point Village as the East Egg settlement where the "rich" and "materialistic" people resided.

What can you do at Sands Point Village?

At Sands Point Village and around, there are many places to explore with recreational experiences suited for individuals, adults, and children.

Village Club of Sands Point

This family-friendly private club is on 210 acres of lush land with beautiful lawns and gardens and is open to residents and non-residents of Sands Point. However one has to register online to be put on a waiting list for an opening. At this club, there is an 18 hole golf course, swimming pool, tennis and pickleball courts, deluxe lodging rooms, plus dining and tented barbeque facilities. The Grille a restaurant within the club serves delicious cuisines and signature drinks every week.

Sands Point Preserve Conservancy

Originally the Guggenheim Estate the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy managed by Nassau County is nestled on 216 acres of lush and scenic land. The conservancy has grand mansions built in the early 20th century by rich American families during the opulent Gold Coast period. The Hempstead House, Castle Gould, and Falaise House are the historic mansions at this conservancy. There is also the Phil Dejana Learning Center where young children and students can visit to learn about nature by exploring the ponds, trails, gardens, and habitats there. A safe climbing area for children to run, jump, climb and play is also available. Private and corporate events are also hosted at the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy. Other things to do and places to explore there include:

Picnic at 6 sites
Hike, jog or walk the 6 trails there
Learn beekeeping at an apiary there
Tour the Goddard Connection Exhibition and learn about Robert H Goddard the inventor of liquid fuel rocket
Playground for young children
Tour the historic mansions
Dog Walk

Walk-in visitors to the conservancy are charged $4 and those with vehicles $15 but it's free for members. Visiting hours from Wednesday to Saturday is 11 AM and on Sunday it's 9 AM for the general public.

Manorhaven Beach Park

This beach park is nestled in scenic Manhasset Bay and is 1.3 miles away from Sands Point Village. Manorhaven Beach Park is an ideal recreational beach for individuals and families with young children. The park has a 25,000 square foot main pool area with shallow sections where children and beginners can swim. There also are two giant water slides and a sandy beach children's playground. Visitors can also go stand-up paddleboarding, sailing, and fishing. Other recreational amenities there include basketball, tennis, volleyball, handball, racquetball, and bocce ball courts plus a roller and board skating area. There are different fees for the various recreational activities at Manorhaven Beach Park. The park opens at 7:30 AM and closes at 9:45 PM.

Port Salt Cave

Port Salt Cave is a relaxation and wellness spot offering salt therapy (halotherapy) with salt imported from Poland. The benefits of halotherapy offered there to the body include reduced stress, detoxification, increased energy, improved respiration, and better sleep. Halotherapy also boosts immune, lymphatic and nervous systems and manages allergies, asthma, and arthritis. Inhaling the salt within Port Salt Cave helps manage skin conditions like dermatitis and psoriasis. Different salt therapies at Port Salt Cave last 45 minutes. Appointments for therapies are booked online and cost as little as $20 for students and up to $260 for six adults. Port Salt Cave is open to adults and children and weddings can be conducted there.

Landmark on Main Street

Built in 1908, the Landmark on Main Street is a center in Port Washington that hosts arts and cultural events for audiences of all ages and economic backgrounds. It serves its immediate community by hosting the Parent Resource Center, Port Washington Children's Center, and the Port Washington Children's Center. Inside there is also the Doctors' Gymnasium and the famous 425 capacity Jeanne Rimsky Theatre that hosts up to 40 arts events annually. Music, cabaret, roots rock, stand-up comedy, speaker series, and theatrical plays are some shows the theatre hosts for audiences that include children. Tickets to different shows at the Jeanne Rimsky Theater can be purchased online or at the door.

Shopping

Port Washington has shops for visitors who love antiques, artifacts, jewelry, and furniture. At Stam Gallery, visitors can buy pottery, fine art paintings, medallions, sculptures, walrus tusks, pottery, antique utensils, treasure and tobacco boxes, and furniture. Some items there date back to the 18th century. There is also the Wit and Whim shop that sells handmade and vintage items like sculptures, soaps, serums, fragrant oils, and clothes made by over 50 local Port Washington artists.

Tour Museums Near Sands Point Village

There are museums in and around Sands Point Village worth visiting to delve into the rich history behind their existence from Port Washington's context. These include: