Port's nautical presence in Long Island's North Shore
A Long Island hamlet that used to thrive with fishermen and sand miners, Port Washington takes on a more modern nautical aesthetic through harbors and beaches along the coasts and sailing memorabilia throughout town. Referred to as “Port” among locals, this community on the Cow Neck Peninsula of the North Shore is a multigenerational area with a suburban feel. “Port Washington has something for wherever you are in life. It’s a place where people come and fall in love and stay well into retirement,” says Frances Lisner with Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty. Lisner was born in Port, moved to the city and then moved back. “When I envision a good upbringing, I think about my childhood here,” Lisner says. The community offers top-rated schools, family-friendly park spaces and festivals, affordable homes in comparison to neighboring areas, social clubs and senior living communities. “There’s that cultural influence you’d find in Brooklyn, while also having that suburban lifestyle.” And thanks to local train access, it’s common for residents to work in New York City and build a life in Port Washington.
Port Washington has a long Main Street with many historic buildings.
Harbor Links executive golf course in Port Washington receives excellent reviews.
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Community events at Town Dock and North Hempstead Beach
Living on the North Shore, residents are surrounded by water. This nautical aesthetic drives the town’s green spaces, as many popular parks are located on the coast. On the eastern shore, North Hempstead Beach Park has a sandy and rocky beach area and playground. The park hosts highly-anticipated community events in the fall, like the Italian Festival and the Greek Festival. “There are rides and carnival food,” Lisner says of both festivals. “The whole town comes out, and they even draw in a crowd from outside the community.”
On the western shore, there are a couple of yacht clubs that offer swimming and sailing lessons. Town Dock, usually used as a fishing pier, is the location for Harborfest. This June event showcases local businesses and food vendors, as well as children-friendly rides. Port Outdoors is a monthly event that turns Main Street into an open-air shopping and dining destination. “They shut down Main Street, and all the restaurants and stores spill out onto the street,” Lisner says. “There’s a huge push to support small and local businesses.” The Port Washington Farmers Market is open through the summer at Town Dock. “We have a lot of foodies here in Port Washington,” says Patti Wood, founder and executive director of the local nonprofit Grassroots Environmental Education. “People here really understand food systems and food supply and eating locally and seasonally.” The market has grown to be a popular stop for many residents. “They meet friends there, they get a cup of coffee or tea and something to eat, and they sit on one of the benches overlooking Manhasset Bay. It’s a very picturesque place to have a market.”
There are also a few smaller parks with playgrounds scattered throughout the neighborhood. Lisner mentions that some residents have private access to Long Island Sound, where they can walk their dogs along the water's edge or launch their kayaks. Harbor Links Golf Course is open to the public, and North Hempstead County Club is private.
The Town Dock in Port Washington is host to outdoor activities and festivals.
It is always fun to watch the crew boats at North Hempstead Beach Park in Port Washington.
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Local boutiques and bistros line Main Street
Port Washington’s walkable Main Street has an abundance of international cuisines that range from takeout spots to upscale eateries, and retail establishments that vary from niche boutiques to high-end salons. “There are no strip malls, but there are a few popular markets like North Shore Farms,” Lisner says, referring to the centrally-located grocer. “There’s a Whole Foods in Manhasset, and across the street from there is Americana, where you can find any label from Gucci to Cartier.” North along Shore Road, Soundview Marketplace has retailers such as Target and T.J. Maxx, and Stop & Shop is next door.
Toward the western shore, Landmark on Main Street is a 425-seat performance venue located inside a former schoolhouse. This theater doubles as a community center with parenting resources and childcare. Just south of Port Washington, the award-winning St. Francis Hospital is one of the many hospitals that serve the North Shore community.
Yamaguchi is an attractive Japanese Restaurant on Main Street in Port Washington.
The Jeanne Rimsky Theater at Landmark on Main in Port Washington is a historic 425 seat venue.
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Historic homes and contemporary condos throughout Port Washington
The residential landscape is densely suburban, with homes ranging from condominiums to Colonial-inspired homes with vintage charm to contemporary builds. “You have folks who buy their starter home here and then expand,” Lisner says. “You can also downsize within the community while still having space for hosting.” Sizes typically range from 1,000 to 3,000 square feet, and it’s rare to find a property with more than four bedrooms. The median price for a home in Port Washington is around $1.25 million, compared to about $4 million in neighboring Sand’s Point and about $2 million in neighboring Manhasset. Despite being lower than its neighbors, Port Washington’s median price is higher than that of Nassau County, which is around $850,000.
The Harborside is a large senior living condo complex in Port Washington near Hempstead Bay.
Colonial Revival homes in Port Washington offer plenty of room for growing families.
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Port Washington public schools receive an A rating
Port Washington Union Free School District is rated an A-minus by Niche. All five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school earn an A rating or higher. “All the elementary schools are Blue Ribbon Schools,” Lisner says. “The school district supplies good support and gives a lot of attention to alternative learning methods.” Alternatively, Vincent Smith School is a first-through-twelfth-grade private school with an A from Niche.
Guggenheim Elementary School received an A rating in 2024, according to Niche.com.
Shoot some hoops at Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School in Port Washington.
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Train commutes into the city from the Port Washington station
Residents have a convenient commute into New York City thanks to the Port Washington train station. “The Port Washington line is one of the more desirable lines because it doesn’t go into all the city stops,” Lisner says. “You can be in Manhattan in less than 40 minutes.” The Nassau Inter-County Express, or NICE, bus system services the town with several stops along Main Street and Port Washington Boulevard. John F. Kennedy International Airport is about 18 miles south, and LaGuardia Airport is about 18 miles west.
Port's stormwater improvement plans and low crime rates
Port Washington experiences all four seasons, with warm and humid summers that peak in the low 80s, and cold and snowy winters that drop to the high 20s. April sees the most rainfall at about 4 inches, and February sees the most snowfall at about 6.5 inches. The area has a presence of contaminated water, presumably from stormwater runoff and old septic systems, but a recent $5.8 million grant will support the improvement of Nassau County’s wastewater treatment plant.
According to information submitted to the FBI from 2022 to 2024, the property crime and violent crime rates in Port Washington remained significantly lower than the national average.
On warmer days, residents of Port Washington enjoy the scenic views found at Mill Pond Park.
Murals adorn many buildings throuhgout Port Washington.
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Written By
Mary Beth Greene
Photography Contributed By
Joseph Popovich
Video By
Daniel Willingham
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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