Cedarhurst, NY

The Long Island Railroad brought an influx of people to the Rockaway Peninsula. Even back then, residents wanted a clean and attractive town. Cedar trees planted near the post office gave to the town its name.

The village has remained virtually the same racially, with the first African-American family arriving in the 1980s.

The Rock Hall Museum in nearby Lawrence celebrates Cedarhurst’s past. Previously occupied by Joseph Martin, the house tells the story of his arrival on Long Island and his connection to neighboring town, Hewlett. History enthusiasts enjoy events at the residence, including craft workshops and an annual country fair.

Owl 57, an art gallery in Malvin Mall, gives a more contemporary interpretation of art. Children and adults take part in the regular art programs, while community members take advantage of the ceramics studio.

Most restaurants in the area cater to the standard tastes of shoppers. Wok Tov meets the needs of residents who require Glatt Kosher Chinese food. Customers find every item that they may find in a traditional Chinese food menu, but without pork. The owners are Shomer Shabbos, meaning they keep the 7th-day Sabbath, and are ready to go back in business an hour after sunset.

Nice weather calls for outdoor cafes such as Qcumbers. The cafe also has quiet places inside to sit and eat. Vegetable pizza makes the perfect meal for friends to share. Onions and other vegetables star on this dish, perfect for the lactose intolerant. Another bestseller layers garlic with three different kinds of cheese. The menu features an array of pasta dishes, including penne pesto with grape tomatoes and sun dried tomatoes in a fresh sauce.

Tamburino’s Deli on Central Avenue serves a “Tamby special” that piles on meat, just like a real New York deli. Ham capicola and pepperoni combine with lettuce and cheese with a drizzling of olive oil and vinegar on top. Other Italian specials include homemade fresh mozzarella cheese. Six different varieties of Panettone bread come direct from Italy.

A brothers and sisters team from Staten Island came up with the unique idea to have customers name sandwiches at Holy Schnitzel. The restaurant makes tasty schnitzel, but owners Bennaltba and Ofeer also encourage diners to think up the ingredients of their ideal sandwich. If picked, it is created and placed on the menu. Previous winners include the Franky schnitzel, crushed garlic and Italian breaded schnitzel on a baguette with lettuce and tomatoes.

Known for shopping above all, Cedarhurst residents have to go a little further out on the island for their night time entertainment needs.

The Vibe Lounge in Rockville Centre stays open until 4am and allows patrons to decide how they'd like to party. On Kick Back Tuesdays, retro music rocks the crowds. Techno music brings out people who love the beat. Each night brings good drinks and dancing with music by local bands provided on occasion.

The Cedarhurst Business Improvement District invites visitors to stroll on Central Avenue to take in all of the beauty of their stores and walking really affords the perfect way to experience each business. People who choose to drive enjoy fee parking each weekend. Biking is not discouraged, but there are no bicycling lanes in this busy area.

The Nassau Inter-County Express bus system runs up Central Avenue. Taking a NICE ride to Cedarhurst from Far Rockaway costs less than $2. The Long Island Railroad has a Cedarhurst stop as well. The price for tickets depends on where passengers get on and off. New Yorkers trekking to the island for a day of shopping will pay $11 during peak time and $8 during off-peak time. Uber does not run on Long Island, but the local car service Cedarhurst Taxi will transport passengers where they need to go. Central Avenue runs into the Nassau Expressway, which easily connects to the Belt Parkway. Central Avenue also runs parallel to Peninsula Boulevard, which intersects with the Southern State Parkway, the main path to eastern Long Island.

Cedarhurst Park has activities for everyone in the family. Adults can dance at the “Under the Gazebo” series of summer concerts held at the park. The jungle gym keeps young children entertained, but sadly dogs are not allowed. Though there are pavilions to keep picnickers under cover, should it rain, there are no exercise-centric activities or bicycle paths in this park.

Beside the “ Under the Gazebo ” summer series, the park hosts local high school bands playing for park patrons.

The cost to live in Cedarhurst is high compared to most parts of Long Island. A one-bedroom apartment in this swanky town starts at $1,500 a month, while a beer at a deli on Central Avenue costs $2. Gas prices are 11 percent higher than the national average. Less than $2 takes shoppers to the action down on Central Avenue via the NICE bus system.

Within the six blocks of Central Avenue shoppers encounter hundreds of stores. Vendors as varied as high-end bridal shops juxtapose with non-profit thrift stores like Plum. Boutiques and specialty stores go up and down the Avenue including Jacadi, a french women's and children's clothing store

The Cheese Store of Cedarhurst features a wide selection of fine cheeses as well as a wide selection of other specialty-food and latest-trend items. The Gourmet Glatt Emporium not only takes care of the special dietary needs of the areas large Jewish population, but also has groceries for those without dietary restrictions. All customers should know that they open and close early on Fridays.

The Blue Ribbon Farmer's Market on Spruce Street opens on weekends and sells standard fare. Fresh fruits and vegetables stand alongside the kosher foods that the area demands. Other chain grocery stores in the area include Trader Joe's and Foodtown.