Nestled in the middle of Long Island, an hour from Manhattan, a half day trip to the posh resorts and beaches of the Hamptons, historic and quaint Hicksville, New York, is more than just the home of luminaries, Long Island Medium Theresa Cutupo and favorite son, Billy Joel. It’s a fascinating and fun place for solo and family travelers alike, to experience museums and outdoor fun, and maybe even a few snacks from an Italian restaurant.
Historic Gardens and Museums
Start your Hicksville adventure at Old Westbury Gardens, the magnificent and historic mansion set amid 200 acres of formal gardens, woodlands, ponds, and lakes. Westbury welcomes visitors for guided tours, children’s and family programs and events, museum exhibits, classic car shows, classical concerts, pop concerts, book signings, horticultural demonstrations, and more.
How about a visit to the fascinating Hicksville Gregory Museum, the Long Island Earth Science Center, with plans afoot to display two 100-million-year-old dinosaur eggs found in China? Or, take a full-filled excursion to the fantastic Cradle of Aviation Museum. Part of Nassau County’s Museum Row, this location houses further fine destinations including the Long Island Children’s Museum and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Big Outdoors
Take a breath of fresh air not far from the Hicksville stop on the Long Island Rail Road, minutes from the classic New York middle-class factory neighborhoods still providing the workforce for industry old and new. Minutes from the bays along Long Island Sound, outdoor fun can be had among the 930 acres (bigger than Central Park!) of Eisenhower Park, one of the largest public spaces in the New York metro area. The monumental location offers a full range of athletic and family activities, including one of the finest swimming facilities in the U.S., golf, dozens of athletic fields and courts, picnic areas, summertime entertainment, playgrounds, fitness trails and more.
This park also includes the beautiful Veterans Memorial and Wall of Honor as well as the must-see 9/11 Memorial. And for those looking for big adventure, venture over to nearby Xcelerated Adventures or Shore Thing Rentals for fresh air lung-filling, maybe even heart-stopping, hang gliding, rafting, and bungee jumping fun!
The Nightlife Scene at an Italian Restaurant and More
Though Hicksville’s own Christiano’s, the locational inspiration for the Billy Joel classic, “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant”, has closed, plenty of New York style culinary delights and nightlife experiences can be enjoyed just about anytime day or night.
For fantastic steaks, seafood, fine wine, and more, try The Capital Grille, or try Round 1 Broadway for a more kid-friendly and fun fine dining experience including bowling, arcades, and a build-your-own pizza! For the full breadth of dining and lodging available, a great place to start is Hicksville Accommodations so you can make a vacation of it all.
We haven’t even scratched the surface of fun, fascinating, fantastic things to do in Hicksville. No matter what you’re in the mood for, this gem of a city is sure to meet your needs. The best thing to do is head there soon!