This pretty village on the North Shore of Long Island offers a pleasant spot for strolling past historic sites and experiencing small-town living.
The small village of Roslyn is a jewel of Long Island’s Gold Coast. Visit the town on Hempstead Harbor, which was once a very active merchant port, with sailing ships arriving from other parts of the United States and Europe. Today enjoy the town’s historic roots and modern amenities.
Settled in the 1600s as Hempstead Harbor, the village was renamed Roslyn 200 years later. In the mid-1900s, the area was identified as a village worthy of preservation. Wander through the town to see numerous restored homes from the 1700s and 1800s, many now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Note the Robeson-Williams Grist Mill, once important to the town’s economy, now planned for future restoration. Check the schedule of events for the Roslyn Landmark Society to learn what tours and lectures are planned during your visit.
Stroll through Downtown Roslyn and mingle with village residents, fewer than 3,000. Shop at one-of-a-kind boutiques, drop into a café for coffee or lunch or enjoy a fine dining experience. Watch for geese and swans on Roslyn Pond and have a picnic overlooking the water or go to the movie theater along its northwestern shore. Relax at the 16-acre (6-hectare) Gerry Park for a summer concert or winter sleigh ride. Bryant Library offers book signings and hosts summer art shows.
Next to Long Island Sound, visit the Nassau County Museum of Art to admire pieces from famous artists from the 1800s and 1900s. Walk around the wooded estate once owned by a famous poet and known today as the William Cullen Bryant Preserve. Visit Bryant’s one-time mansion too, now the Cedarmere Museum.
Reach Roslyn by car in about 40 minutes from Midtown New York City. Take the Long Island Rail Road train from Pennsylvania Station for a relaxing commute.