A Weekend Away In Historic Oyster Bay
Fall is one of the best times to visit Long Island, especially the town of Oyster Bay. This historic town holds the East Coast’s biggest waterfront festival, the Oyster Fest. This year will mark the 35th Oyster Festival, which will be held October 13th and 14th at Theodore Roosevelt Park. For those who have never visited Long Island this is a perfect weekend to do so, and it is a perfect time for families to enjoy quality time away together. Not only will you be able to enjoy one of Long Island’s most iconic events, but explore all of the rich history and places that Oyster Bay has to offer.
Friday
Oyster Bay is a convenient town to get to from most locations. It is the northernmost town located in Nassau County, Long Island, New York. Airports to choose from are LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy international. Both airports are roughly a 40 minute drive from Oyster Bay. JFK Airport is equipped with the Air Train, which leads directly to the Long Island Railroad. You can take the Long Island Railroad directly into Oyster Bay. Most attractions within Oyster Bay are walking distance or a short cab ride away.
The most local and affordable accommodations are the East Norwich Inn, (1.6 miles) Comfort Inn Syosset (4 miles) Tides Motor Inn (3.9 miles) and Days Inn at Woodbury (4.7 miles). The mileage represents the distance of these locations from the heart of Oyster Bay. These hotels range from $80-$100 per night, and are highly rated as well as family friendly. The East Norwich Inn is the pricier of the lot but its convenient location and quaint appeal are worth the extra dollars.
After check-in and settling down at the hotel, the first thing on the agenda should be where to get a bite to eat. The Homestead is one of Oyster Bay’s signature restaurants, an American eatery that has been around since 1896. At an affordable $11-$18 dollars per meal, The Homestead offers a variety of fresh seafood and traditional American cuisine. Be sure to try one of their popular gourmet burgers. Most Friday nights The Homestead offers live music, with a selection of some of the best local bands.
Saturday
The main attraction for the weekend, the Oyster Festival, will take place on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m to 6 p.m and is located in Theodore Roosevelt park. There are free shuttles to and from the Oyster Fest available at many designated locations, as parking is limited. Admission and most activities are free.
The Oyster Festival boasts an entire day of family friendly activities, such as arts and crafts, children’s entertainment, pirate shows, top-notch artisans, oyster shucking and eating contests, and two stages holding live bands and entertainment. For lunch the food court is filled with the best food vendors in the Long Island area, offering an array of all different kinds of food.
Although you can spend an entire day at the Oyster Festival, there are dozens of other attractions to explore, as this small town is home to some of the best historic attractions and state parks.
One of the most iconic attractions in Oyster Bay is the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. Known as the “Summer White House”, Sagamore hill was home to Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, from 1885 until 1919. There is no fee to enter the Sagamore Hill grounds, but this location does offer guided tours of the house itself. The admission fee for the Roosevelt home is $10 for adults over 15, and children under 15 are free. Ticket reservations can be made over the phone at (877) 444–6777, and same day tickets can be purchased on a first come first served basis. Guided tours are offered from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Enjoy the beautiful fall foliage at Nassau County’s largest nature preserve, the Muttontown Preserve, located within walking distance of Oyster Bay and the East Norwich Inn. This preserve contains 550 acres of fields, woodlands, ponds and estate grounds as well as miles of marked nature trails. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, and brochures and maps are available for self-guided tours. Admission is free.
After a long day of activities and explorations you are sure to be famished. Enjoy a classic top-rated and reasonably priced Italian cuisine at Angelina’s of Oyster Bay, prices ranging from $15-$30 per person. If you are looking for a cheaper, quicker option rather than a sit-down restaurant, Greek Cove offers some of the best Greek food on Long Island, entrees around $5–$12.
Sunday
Nothing says “Sunday Funday” like a stellar breakfast/brunch. Most hotel checkout are around 11 a.m., and instead of that cheap continental breakfast why not enjoy one of the great breakfast places that Oyster Bay has to offer? Before you depart stop for a bite at Sweet Tomato, located right in the village of Oyster Bay. Enjoy the breakfast specials, sandwiches, and salads served at this quaint New American cafe. Kids menu included, meals range about $8 each.