Wantagh’s sign proudly declares itself “The Gateway to Jones Beach,” and while this is certainly true, with the famous beach less than 10 minutes away on Wantagh State Parkway, the community is so much more than a place to just drive through. Its massive parks and beautiful nature preserve, which is full of lakes and freshwater wetlands, take up a combined 428 acres — nearly a third of Wantagh’s land. Abundant shops and restaurants, many of them in a walkable downtown area, also provide plenty to do in the tight-knit community. “The [community] is very, very friendly,” says Laura Dupkin Memisha, a 30-year resident and associate broker at Realty Advisors. “It’s a little niche [hamlet] that people specifically come to me for and ask me for. I notice a lot of times that they’re generational. Generation after generation after generation. I’ve never seen anything like it.” Memisha, though, understands the pull the area seems to have on its residents. “I love the close proximity of everything,” she says. “I love that I know the people in the stores, I love that I know the people at the post office, I love that I know the postman’s name. I love it here. Actually, I’m not moving, ever.”
Visitors to Wantagh Park in Wantagh, NY love to go for a stroll along the water and enjoy the salt air.
Claim your spot on the beach as the US Navy's Fat Albert C130 thunders overhead.
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Swimming and boating at Wantagh Park
Twin Lakes Preserve is a favorite spot for catch-and-release fishing, hiking and bird watching, while Cedar Creek Park has extensive athletic fields and courts as well as a bike path. “You can ride down 2 miles and get to Jones Beach,” says Al Iaquinta, a licensed real estate broker and the owner of Iaquinta Real Estate with nine years of experience selling in the area. “Now they made it so you can ride all the way out to Robert Moses.” Hobbyists also enjoy its regulation-sized archery range and aerodrome field for flying radio-controlled model airplanes. On the waterfront, Wantagh Park is a popular spot to play sports like hockey, take children to the playground or launch boats and kayaks. The park has boat slips where some residents dock their boats when they’re not in use. Residents can also pay a fee to enjoy its miniature golf courses or community pool. “You can bring your kids to the pool; it’s got a slide,” Iaquinta says. “There’s a kiddie pool and an Olympic-sized swimming pool if you want to get your laps in. You get your workout and then the kids have the slide. It’s a lot of fun for them.” Cedar Creek and Wantagh parks both have dog parks; dogs love playing in the dirt and mud at Cedar Creek, but they’re more likely to need a bath after their play session than when they go to Wantagh Park, which has a turf surface.
The dog park at Wantagh Park, in Wantagh, NY separates large and small dogs.
The Bethpage Airshow at Jones Beach gives panoramic action throughout the entire weekend.
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Fixer-uppers occasionally start below $600,000
A wide variety of home styles are stretched along Wantagh’s sidewalk-lined streets, including colonial, new traditional, hi-ranch or ranch-style homes and Cape Cods. Fixer-uppers typically start around $650,000, though those needing extensive work sometimes dip into the high $500,000 range. Even an inland home can climb well over $1 million if it’s new or has been recently renovated. On the water, homes usually have private pools and cost between $800,000 for a fixer-upper and nearly $3 million for an updated seven-bedroom house. “In the south part of Wantagh, you have boater’s delight,” says Vanessa Ambrosecchia, a Realtor at Compass who has over 20 years of experience selling homes in the area. “They like boats, they like the water, they don’t mind paying flood insurance. In the north you get a larger house, you get a little bit more land, but you’re closer to the parkways.” Ambrosecchia also says that homes to the north tend to be less expensive than those in the south, and often have lower taxes. The CAP Index crime score is 1 out of 10, which is lower than the national average of 4.
Large colonial style homes with well maintained front lawns are visible throughout Wantagh, NY.
Single level ranch style homes are seen throughout Wantagh, NY.
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Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations, weekly live music
The community also holds regular big events, including the biggest Saint Patrick’s Day Parade on Long Island. According to Memisha, who is also a trustee for Wantagh’s Chamber of Commerce, the event drew 60,000 people in March of 2023. In 2024, attendance spiked to 75,000 attendees. Other events take place throughout the year, too. “They’re doing Thursday Night Live at Mulcahy’s this year,” Iaquinta says, adding that the event takes place every other Thursday until Labor Day from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. “They’re going to shut down the street under the railroad, and they’re going to have vendors, a bar outside, live music.”
Shopping, dining and music along Wantagh Avenue
“I love that you can go anywhere for anything — shops, stores, restaurants — and not have to leave the community,” Memisha says. “When you live here, lots of things are in walking distance.” Dirty Taco + Tequila serves fusion tacos and margaritas, but customers rave over the tres leches cake. Beyond restaurants, Wantagh’s wealth of pubs and bars gives the little downtown a good nightlife. Craft Kitchen and Tap House is popular for its lively atmosphere, trivia and taco Tuesdays and live music performances every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. Mulcahy’s, though, is perhaps the area’s most well-known establishment. Although it serves food, it’s best known for its drinks and its role as a music venue, hosting anything from dance parties to concerts. “It’s a staple in Wantagh,” says Darab Lawyer, a Realtor and Ambrosecchia’s partner at Compass who has lived in the area for nearly 60 years and has been selling homes here for 24 years. “One of my high school friends, he plays in a band called Dokken, and they’re very famous. They play like Madison Square Garden, that’s how big the band is. He requested that the band play Mulcahy’s so he could give a concert for cheap and have all his friends from all over Long Island come, and we went to that and it was great. He killed it.” Residents often run by King Kullen after work to pick up groceries or head to its smattering of local shops.
A fresh croissant with Bavarian cream at The French Workshop in nearby North Wantagh.
A pizza made fresh at Francesca's Pizza in Wantagh.
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Music and other extracurriculars at Wantagh High
According to Memisha, local schools are a big draw for many potential residents. Niche gives the Wantagh Union Free School District an A. Children can attend Wantagh Elementary School and Wantagh Middle School, which both have A-minuses, before moving on to Wantagh High School. With an A from Niche, the high school is a 2020 National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence that offers students the chance to participate in over 60 extracurricular activities and nearly 30 sports teams. In 2024, Wantagh High was also honored among the Best Communities for Music Education by The National Association of Music Merchants.
The Wantagh High School in Wantagh, NY first opened its doors in 1954.
Located on the same campus as the Sr. High School, Wantagh Middle School is in Wantagh, NY.
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Major highways, LIRR to Manhattan
Wantagh State Parkway and Sunrise Highway run through the community, and it’s just under 7 miles to Jones Beach from Wantagh’s center. From the Long Island Rail Road’s Wantagh Station, the train reaches the city in just under an hour. “You can hop on the train and get anywhere in a very short amount of time,” Iaquinta says.
Written By
Hannah Rainey
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Siegel
Video By
Rebecca Askin
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Thomas Caramanno,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Wantagh, NY sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Wantagh, NY over the last 12 months is $762,500, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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