State parks in a suburban hamlet on the North Shore
The tidal rush of the Nissequogue River is the soundtrack to the forests, trails and waterways of its namesake state park. Standing shuttered far back on the grounds, the former Kings Park Psychiatric Center discharged its last patients in the 1990s. The Smithtown hamlet of Kings Park that grew alongside this medical facility for over a century, however, continues to flourish on the edges of state parks, along a quaint Main Street and between the rush of the Sunken Meadow State Parkway and the trains traversing the Long Island Rail Road. “Kings Park is a great community. The most interesting thing I found was that all the neighbors we met seemed to have grown up in the area, and nobody moved,” says John Cinque an associate broker with Signature Premier Properties who has lived in the same house in Kings Park for 35 years. “People think living north means it’s hard to get anywhere, but that’s not true. The Sunken Meadow Parkway takes you to all the major highways, and you can go canoeing – it's great out here.”
Launch your boat at Nissequogue River State Park.
Take a ride on the boardwalk at Sunken Meadow State Park in Kings Park.
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Sunken Meadow and Nissequogue River state parks
The northern edge of Sunken Meadow State Park turns to sand and pebbles where it meets the Long Island Sound, inviting beachgoers to go for a swim. Those not looking to get their toes wet might opt for scenic views of the surf from the nearby boardwalk before splitting off onto more forested trails. The biking and walking trails at Nissequogue River State Park are a chronology of striking vistas, shifting from tide-swept marshes to birdsong-filled forests to the cracked pavement approaching the abandoned, vine-covered facilities of the Kings Park Psychiatric Center. Canoers and kayakers can launch their own craft from Kings Park Bluff’s boat ramp and set out into the Long Island Sound or Nissequogue River, or call up businesses like Nissequogue River Canoe & Kayak Rentals Inc. “You can leave your car in Smithtown, paddle all the way down the river, and they’ll come pick you up and drive you back when you’re done,” Cinque says. Smaller community parks like Kings Park Memorial Park pepper the hamlet, placing baseball fields and playgrounds within reach of neighboring subdivisions.
Sunken Meadow State Park is teeming with wildlife.
Its a beautiful summer day at Sunken Meadow State Park Beach.
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Century-spanning single-family homes in Kings Park
While winding suburban blocks and subdivisions dominated by lawns and front yard landscaping are the norm throughout Kings Park, a long history means that housing styles range from the cozy historic revival styles of the prewar era to the straightforward suburban styles of the midcentury to the sprawling New Traditional designs that filled larger lots from the 1990s through 2020s. Smaller single-family homes with three or fewer bedrooms, like Cape Cods, ranch-style homes, split-levels and Colonial Revivals, sell for $415,000 to $865,000. Larger homes with four or more bedrooms, as well as smaller homes with backyard views of the Nissequogue River, sell for $500,000 to $1.1 million. Kings Park has a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Kings Park also has exquisite colonial homes, often with extensive driveways.
Beautiful colonial homes can be found in Kings Park.
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Music Moments in Kings Park and Kings Park Day
The facade of Ralph’s Italian Ices becomes a backdrop for band sets on Friday evenings each summer, the Musical Moments in Kings Park concert series drawing crowds of lawn chair-wielding fans to settle in for an evening of music presented by the Kings Park Civic Association. The Kings Park Chamber of Commerce takes the lead on shutting down Main Street, attracting hundreds of art vendors and lining up all the food truck and live musicians needed to fill a summer afternoon at Kings Park Day, an annual tradition that has brought the community together each June for nearly 50 years. Plenty of other local organizations get in on event planning, including St. Joseph’s Church which hosts a Ferris wheel, firework and funnel cake-fueled Parish Family Festival for three days each August.
Ride the ferris wheel or grab dinner at the Family Festival at Church of St. Joseph.
The annual Veterans Day Parade is held in Kings Park.
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Shopping and dining on Main Street
Red brick and cement sidewalks front storefronts along Main Street, connecting the restaurants and specialty businesses in Kings Park’s central business district. On one side of the street, Ciro’s is known for their authentic Italian cuisine and Relish is beloved for classic diner fare and ambiance. Across the way, Cafe Red combines both Italian and American fare on its menu, but plating and recipes trend toward the trendier and more creative. At the nearby Kings Park Plaza strip mall, shoppers stop for groceries at Key Food Supermarkets and pick up essentials at T.J. Maxx and the Kings Park Pharmacy.
Enjoy a delicious Ralph's frozen ice in Kings Park.
For a great sit down dinner stop into Ciro's in Kings Park.
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School-run heritage museum at Kings Park Central School District
Park View Elementary School serves kindergarten through third grade and earns an A from Niche. R.J.O. Intermediate School serves fourth through fifth grades and earns an A-minus, doubling as the site of the district-run Leo P. Ostebo Kings Park Heritage Museum. William T. Rogers Middle School serves sixth through eighth grades and earns an A, and ninth through 12th graders finish up at Kings Park High School which earns an A-minus.
William T Rogers School has plenty of space for students to achieve their best results.
RJ O Intermediate School's main entrance has artwork near the doors.
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Kings Park LIRR and commuting on the Sunken Meadow State Parkway
The western edge of Kings Park is the snaking path of the Sunken Meadow State Parkway, offering a straight shot south to the Northern State Parkway on the 50-mile drive to Manhattan. Accessing the Port Jefferson Branch of the Long Island Rail Road from the Kings Park Station provides a 1 hour and 30-minute train ride into Penn Station.
Grab a train to the city at Kings Park Train Station.
Written By
Bryan Winter
Photography Contributed By
J. Michael DeMeo
Video By
Bryan Winter
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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On average, homes in Kings Park, NY sell after 41 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Kings Park, NY over the last 12 months is $670,000, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Impeccably Maintained 3/4 Bedroom, 2.5-Bath Cape in Kings Park! This beautifully updated home features a bright and spacious layout with gleaming hardwood floors, quartz countertops, a sunlit living room, and a formal dining area. The kitchen was tastefully renovated in 2015 and recently refreshed with a new floor (2024) and faucet (2023). A full basement with outside entrance and full bath
Welcome to Lakebridge Club – A Lifestyle of Comfort and Community!Come inside to this beautifully maintained and tastefully updated 3-bed, 2.5-bath Chatam model, offering over 2,000 sq ft in the highly sought-after Lakebridge Club gated community. Enjoy the benefits of a well-run community with resort-style amenities and low, low taxes!. Tucked away on a quiet interior loop, this home
Welcome to 119 Whittier Drive! This Brand New Construction is Ready for Your Personal Touches! This Home Features 3 Bedrooms, 2.5 Bathrooms with a Primary En-suite with a 2nd Floor Walk Out Covered Trex Deck to Soak up the Stunning Water Views! There is a Large Family Room With Tons of Natural Light and Large Windows Throughout. New Owner Still Has The Ability To Pick Paint Colors and Appliances.
Impeccably Maintained 3/4 Bedroom, 2.5-Bath Cape in Kings Park! This beautifully updated home features a bright and spacious layout with gleaming hardwood floors, quartz countertops, a sunlit living room, and a formal dining area. The kitchen was tastefully renovated in 2015 and recently refreshed with a new floor (2024) and faucet (2023). A full basement with outside entrance and full bath
Indulge in the epitome of elegance with this Colonial home, boasting a picturesque front wrap-around porch with pavers. 2,000 square feet of living space features 4 spacious bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms. Kitchen with Refaced Cabinets, Stainless Steel appliances, and a dining area. A large formal living room, perfect for entertaining and a formal dining room. Cathedral ceilings in the Primary
A quaint property tucked away just moments away from the town of Kings Park. Fairfield At Kings Park boasts exquisite finishes and a beautifully maintained living environment.
For rent in Kings Park. One bedroom, one full bath, kitchen, living room. All utilities included as well landscaping and snow removal. Street parking, room for one car in driveway.
At Kings Park Manor, you will find plush landscaping, waterfalls, fountains, BBQ's, an enormous clubhouse, and attractive yet functional architectural design. Come visit our Leasing Office on-site. The convenience of Kings Park Manor is an added attraction; located within walking distance from the Long Island Railroad and neighborhood shopping facilities which include supermarkets, United
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