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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
1/2
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.
Written By
Hannah Rainey
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Rainone
Video By
Austin Lewis
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Christine Ambrosio,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Cold Spring Harbor, NY sell after 46 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Cold Spring Harbor, NY over the last 12 months is $1,509,500, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Beautiful private lot and location in Huntington SD 3. This expanded 4 bedroom/2.5 bath colonial sits at the end of the cul-de-sac on a meticulously maintained and professionally landscaped 1 acre lot that provides the ultimate in privacy and natural beauty. The traditional colonial layout with an elegant foyer has been expanded twice to include a possible 1st floor Primary Bedroom or Home
Welcome to 37 Soundview Road... This totally renovated home is "Much Larger"then it appears and is a MUST SEE! The home you have been waiting for ...located just minutes from the center of Huntington Village. Expanded Cape offering 4 bedrooms, 3.5 baths, sun filled bright interior featuring large windows and skylights. Beautiful front entry leads to this spacious open plan that features new
Welcome to Cold Spring Sunsets, where luxury meets tranquility in this completely renovated 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom waterfront retreat. The home just went through a full renovation from roof to floors. New roof, New siding, new windows, new bath rooms, new kitchen and all new kitchen appliances, 2 new full baths with radiant floor heating. This Cold Spring Harbor gem is perfectly positioned to
Timeless Waterfront Colonial in Cold Spring Harbor VillageStep into the past with this fabulous circa 1842 waterfront Colonial, perfectly situated in the heart of Cold Spring Harbor Village. Set on a private .33-acre lot with sweeping western Waterviews, this 5-bedroom, 4.5-bath home captures the spirit of the area’s historic whaling village roots while offering the comfort and updates of modern
Welcome to this completely renovated custom ranch nestled on a beautifully flat and professionally landscaped half-acre, just minutes from the heart of Huntington Village and Cold Spring Harbor. This turnkey 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home features a bright and open layout with high-end finishes throughout. The brand-new chef’s kitchen boasts quartz countertops, custom cabinetry, and stainless-steel
Set on 3.1 acres of serene property this 4 bedroom, 3 bath home is full of charming and character in the desirable Cold Spring Harbor School District. At the heart of the home is the warm and inviting eat-in kitchen that seamlessly flows into the family room which offers a dramatic cathedral ceiling, hardwood floors, charming knotty pine paneling, and a stunning wood-burning fireplace. The formal
This immaculately renovated Ranch is set on 2.86 acres down a long and tree-lined private road, one-third of a mile off Woodbury Road. Boasting a bright and airy formal living room with a bay window, built-in cabinetry and patio doors, this charming residence also has a lovely formal dining room with an additional patio door to the exterior. The thoughtfully remodeled kitchen features custom
Amazing opportunity to live in the this exceptional custom designed 7 Bedroom Estate home is situated in the esteemed Jennings Beach neighborhood. Rarely offered for a Cold Spring Harbor address, with Lloyd Harbor Village included this refined living space encompasses a sprawling 3.78-acres. A dramatic two-story entry foyer greets you which opens to an expansive living area open to the breakfast
Mint, Completely Renovated, 1 Bedroom apt in the Heart of Huntington Village. Wood Floors, EIK with Wood look Vinyl Flooring, Stainless Steel Appliances (Stove, Refrigerator, Microwave) White Kitchen Cabinets. Full Bathroom with Tub & Shower, White Tile and Window, Large Livingroom with Ceiling Fan, Multiple Windows, Bedroom with Closet and 2 Windows. No CAC, Window Units Allowed, Gas Heat
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
