ABOUT MANHASSET
The Manhasset area, settled by 1680, grew quickly after it began being served by the Long Island Rail Road in 1898. The LIRR provides access to New York City via the Manhasset and Plandome stations with an approximately 40-minute commute to Penn Station. The hamlet of Manhasset is located 19.5 miles (29.2 km) away from midtown Manhattan.
East of the Great Neck peninsula, across Manhasset Bay on Long Island’s moneyed North Shore, Manhasset, with about 18,000 residents, covers about seven square miles and is the Town of North Hempstead’s seat. Port Washington is to the north, Roslyn to the east, and Herricks to the south.
Defined by its school district, the 11030 Manhasset ZIP code includes the incorporated villages of Munsey Park, Plandome, Plandome Heights, parts of Plandome Manor, Flower Hill and North Hills, as well as unincorporated areas.
ABOUT
Located on the North Shore in Nassau County, Manhasset is ideally situated just 20 miles from Manhattan, and 50 miles from Long Island’s famous world-class Hamptons beaches. Manhasset takes its name from a Native American term meaning “island neighborhood.”
HISTORY
Manhasset, a hamlet in the Town of North Hempstead, derives its name from the Native American word “Manhassett” which means “the island neighborhood.” Once part of Cow Neck (which now comprises of Manhasset, Port Washington, and a few surrounding villages) for its offering of exceptional grazing land, Manhasset attracted settlers associated with the Dutch West India Company and the British. (https://manhassethistoricalassociation.com/history)
19th century Manhasset was a farming community, but in the 1920s, a few pioneering commuters from the New York City began transforming the lowland rural community into a highland commuter town. Slowly, a commercial district developed along Plandome Road, and eventually, around Northern Boulevard, the current location for high-end stores at the open-air mall, the Americana Manhasset. By the mid-20th century, Manhasset was a growing community, with ample commerce, ideal access to Manhattan by car or by rail on the Long Island Railroad, and close to Long Island’s North Shore.
WORLD-CLASS SHOPPING
Today, Manhasset is well-known for its concentration of distinct local merchants and high-end premium shops. As friendly local shopkeepers beckon visitors with unique products and personalized service along Plandome Road, shoppers enjoy strolling through the town. A short drive away, Northern Boulevard’s Americana Manhasset offers open-air, world-class shopping.
The Miracle Mile houses the Americana Manhasset which is the most renowned shopping center on the Long Island Gold Coast. The Americana Manhasset began development in 1956 when it was purchased by Gerace & Catagna Inc, which is a masonry contracting firm that was founded in 1922. It was in the 1980s, that Frank Castagna began to increase the amount of high end boutiques found within the open air mall. The Americana is home to such luxurious boutiques such as Ralph Lauren, Williams-Sonoma, Brooks Brothers, Oilily, Prada, Giorgio Armani , Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, and Burberry, among others.
DINING OUT
Locals know that few towns can compare to the cuisine available in Manhasset. With dozens of restaurants, bistros and cafes sprinkled throughout the town, Manhasset offers fare to please every palate. From delicious New York pizza to five-star restaurants, visitors can sample some of the world’s best food right in Manhasset.
RECREATION
Located in the Town of North Hempstead, Manhasset offers easy access to some of the area’s most notable parks, pools, tennis courts, walking trails and beaches. Golfers may choose to play a round at Harbor Links, a challenging course just minutes away, in the town of Roslyn. Visitors may also stop by the Clark Botanical Garden, a short drive away in Albertson. Theater-goers can enjoy productions performed by the Herricks Community Theater Group or Landmark Theater in Port Washington. Locals can enjoy walks and dining by the water next town over in Port Washington, Manhasset Bay and Manorhaven Park.
MANHATTAN-BOUND
With convenient access to New York City, Manhasset visitors and locals are just a hop, skip and a jump from enjoying Manhattan’s bevy of attractions, including museums, zoos, parks, shopping, restaurants, nightlife, and of course, world-renowned theater.
Manhasset is on the Port Washington line of the Long Island Rail Road. The 28-minute express train makes one stop in Great Neck before heading straight to Penn Station.
The 23-mile drive from Manhasset to Midtown Manhattan via the Grand Central Parkway or the Long Island Expressway typically takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic.
GET TO KNOW MANHASSET
Whatever your interest, Manhasset is sure to provide an activity to engage you and keep you coming back for more. With friendly residents and merchants, our town invites you to come spend some time with us.
Check out our Membership Directory for local merchants and www.shopmanhasset.com for all you need to know about Manhasset!
