Named after its naturally cold freshwater springs, Cold Spring Harbor is a waterfront community that got its start as a whaling town in the 1600s and now serves as a haven for recreational boaters — even a few music legends in its time. In the final year of his life, John Lennon lived in a large Tudor house here called Cannon Hill, drawing inspiration from his time there for his last album, and Billy Joel named his debut album after the community. “You feel like you’re living in those towns that people talk about in books about living along the beach shoreline but an hour from the city,” says Sari Eidelkind, a licensed real estate salesperson at Lucky to Live Here Realty who grew up in nearby Huntington and has been selling homes here for about 10 years. “Cold Spring Harbor reminds me of East Egg in The Great Gatsby. It’s definitely something so special that we have here.” For many, its beauty is the source of the inspiration and wonder they experience here. “There are areas you can just pull over, park and watch the sun set over the water,” says Elyse Mayer, a licensed real estate salesperson at Douglas Elliman who has sold homes in the area for over 31 years. “It’s just beautiful; you get the feeling when you’re there that you could just take a breath.”
Colonials and harbor has gorgeous land nearby the water in Cold Spring Harbor.
This beautiful Chris Craft is ready for its next adventure in Cold Spring Harbor.
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Boating on Cold Spring Harbor, hiking
Boating, sailing and fishing are all popular here. “Living in Cold Spring Harbor, you’ll have Eagle Dock,” Eidelkind says of the local beach. “You pay a fee, but you have a right to be a member. They have the lifeguards, picnic tables, the kayak rack and boat launch, small mooring fields and then a ton of community events.” Cold Spring Harbor State Park, also called Billy Joel Park, offers a boat ramp and nearby marina alongside hilly hiking trails with harbor views. The park provides access to the 32-mile Greenbelt Trail and is popular among cross-country skiers and bird watchers. The 97-acre Uplands Farm Sanctuary, an old dairy farm transformed into a nature conservancy, offers a 2.5-mile trail through bird and butterfly meadows that meets up with the 20-mile Nassau-Suffolk Trail.
Spend the day in a calming way casting lines in Cold Spring Harbor.
This osprey just caught dinner at Billy Joel Cold Spring Harbor Park.
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Homes starting at around $1 million
Grand traditional colonials, Colonial Revivals, Dutch Colonials and Garrison Colonials reign supreme here, but ranch-style houses and Cape Cods are also common. Some homes date back to the early 1800s, but a few are even older than that. “There’s a lot of history behind the buildings and the structures and Cold Spring Harbor itself, being almost a 400-plus year town,” Eidelkind says. “It’s not unheard of to find houses that are older than our country. I’ve been in some of them.” Most houses here are on at least half an acre of land, though several sections of the community are zoned for at least 2 acres. Luxury estates with extensive acreage and amenities like pools are scattered throughout the area. “It’s very hard to find something under $1 million anymore — it’s like finding a unicorn,” Eidelkind says. When homes do make it onto the market for under $1 million, they often need major renovations. Homes selling in the $1 million range are much more common, but they vary greatly; a four-bedroom on half an acre selling for $1.2 million may need some renovations, while a smaller three-bedroom with a similar lot size and asking price could be largely updated. A three-bedroom fixer-upper on 2 acres costs nearly $2 million. Larger five- or six-bedroom homes cost between $2 million and $10.5 million, depending on size, acreage and renovation status. The CAP Index crime score is 2 out of 10. The national average is 4.
A beautiful Colonial style home with beautiful land near the water of Cold Spring Harbor.
Luxury homes have a large presence in private neighborhoods in Cold Spring Harbor.
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Witches Night Out, summer concerts
According to Eidelkind, Witches Night Out is one of Cold Spring Harbor’s biggest events. “Everyone dresses up like witches or warlocks or just overall embraces the Halloween spirit,” Eidelkind says, adding that participants start at the Lucky To Live Here’s office to get a list of participating shops. “If you spend a certain amount, you get a raffle ticket and then we have a bunch of raffle baskets that we give out. Several years in a row we’ve had a ‘Guess That Pumpkin’ with an extra-large pumpkin. We’re told by the merchants that it’s usually the largest day for shopping that they get.” Summertime concerts in local parks are also a big draw.
Enjoy a fun night with friends at Witches Night Out.
Witches take over the town on Witches Night Out.
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Shopping, dining and occasional hauntings on Main Street
The historic buildings dotting the Main Street Historic District, built between 1855 and 1890, now house quaint local shops and restaurants. The Gourmet Whaler offers a café and bakery, while Sweetie Pies on Main is known for its delicious coffee and pastries. Grasso’s is a local staple known for hosting jazz nights and live music every week, and Sandbar is a newer fine-dining spot. Right on the water, Harbor Mist Restaurant offers tables with sweeping views of the harbor — and maybe a ghost or two, since some believe it’s haunted. “It is actually the original brothel of Cold Spring Harbor,” Eidelkind says. “It was the original place where the whaling captains would come in and dock their boats.” And although Main Street lacks major retailers or name brands, its local shops are still worth visiting. “They’re all small, unique little stores where you can pick up little knick-knacks or clothing,” Mayer says. “It doesn’t take you long to walk through town, but it’s cute. You feel like you’ve stepped back in time just a little bit.” The Whaling Museum and Education Center also offers a glimpse of times gone by. For more shopping, including groceries, locals drive to Huntington’s village center less than 2 miles away.
The Gourmet Whaler in Cold Spring Harbor is a great spot for lunch or a quick snack.
Tey the delicious baked goods at Sweetie Pies in Cold Spring Harbor.
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Scientific discoveries at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Although it’s technically in nearby Laurel Hollow, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory is a key part of the community's landscape. Founded in 1890, it’s been the site of major discoveries in genetics, cancer research and more ever since. “The labs draw in highly intelligent minds to help work on all the different work,” Eidelkind says.
Small class sizes at Cold Spring Harbor High
According to both Eidelkind and Mayer, the Cold Spring Harbor Central School District, which Niche gives an A-plus, is another major draw to the community. Children can attend Goosehill Primary Center, which has an A-minus, from prekindergarten through first grade and Lloyd Harbor School, which has an A, from second through sixth grade. They then move on to Cold Spring Harbor Junior/Senior High School, which Niche gives an A and lists among the top 10 public high schools in Suffolk County. It boasts a student-to-teacher ratio of 9-to-1. The Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory hosts educational programs for middle and high school students, college undergraduates and teachers.
Cold Spring Harbor High School features a variety of sports fields for its students.
Lloyd Harbor School has a student-teacher ratio of approximately 11 to 1.
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LIRR to New York City
“You’re a little further away from the expressways and the parkways, but I think that’s also the beauty for some people,” Mayer says. “For people who don’t have to travel to the city every day, it’s lovely.” New York State Route 25A, also called Main Street, is the town’s main thoroughfare, and for those who do travel to the city, Cold Spring Harbor has a station on the Long Island Rail Road. From there, the train reaches Penn Station in just over an hour — and now heads to Grand Central Station as well, reaching it in an hour and 20 minutes.
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