Without a downtown area, the restaurants and bars in Hauppauge are primarily found on Motor Parkway and Nesconset Highway. As with most Long Island towns, the neighborhood's restaurants include a mix of fast food chains, local pizza places and Chinese takeout joints, but there are some fine dining establishments as well.

A Hauppauge institution for over 20 years, Pace’s Steakhouse serves up prime steaks alongside a carefully crafted wine list. With prices just shy of those found in a Manhattan steakhouse, Pace’s is favored for special occasions or by those on expense accounts. Diners rave about the marinated shell steak, the cooked-to-perfection Porterhouse for two, Jackson’s lobster mac and cheese, and spinach sautéed in garlic and olive oil.

Another longtime favorite, Kotobuki has been tantalizing diners with innovative Japanese cuisine since 1987. Despite long waits at peak times and a minimalist décor, this popular spot is well worth it. Fresh-from-the-sea sushi and sashimi join spectacular cooked dishes, such as teriyaki with your choice of beef, chicken, salmon, shrimp or mixed seafood. The menu’s “super special list” features concoctions such as the Beach Monster, spicy scallop, eel, yamagobo and a scallion roll topped with torched super white tuna, and the Grinch, spicy tuna, yellowtail, and a crunchy scallion roll with avocado and cayenne pepper.

For classic Northern and Southern Italian fare, locals choose Sempre Vivolo, an elegant spot on Motor Parkway. The chef combines the regular menu with thoughtful, creative daily specials. Handsome wood paneling and a granite-topped bar create a stylish atmosphere where diners enjoy favorites, including Farfalle Positano, bow tie pasta with olives, broccoli and sun-dried tomatoes, Filetto di Manzo alla Gorgonzola, broiled filet mignon in a melted gorgonzola cream sauce with wild mushrooms, and Cotoletto Valdostano, a veal chop stuffed with prosciutto and fontina cheese.

Nightlife in Hauppauge can be pretty low key and best enjoyed at one of a handful of bars and clubs in the area, such as Mixx, an ultra-lounge with a New York City vibe, located on Adams Avenue in the heart of the Hauppauge Industrial Park. The Grafton Street Pub provides its patrons with a true taste of the Irish. Bar grub includes shepherd’s pie and the self-proclaimed best burgers in town. Every night features a special event at Grafton Street; bring your best vocals on Wednesdays and Fridays for Karaoke night, or try a special martini on Thursdays.

Once a waypoint where Native Americans enjoyed water from underground springs, the name Hauppauge was derived from the Algonquian word meaning “the land of sweet water.” Families settled in the area around 1730, and the name of the town changed to Wheeler after one of the more prominent families. In 1860, the area was once again called Hauppauge.

Hauppauge residents can take advantage of a wide variety of cultural activities in nearby towns. Less than half an hour away, in delightful Northport Village, the John W. Engeman theatre presents a wide variety of plays, musicals and children’s programming. The Long Island Museum in Stony Brook has a permanent collection of over 40,000 items, including American artifacts, works of art and carriages, many with a Long Island connection. The collection at the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington spans 500 years, with an emphasis on the 19th and 20th century.

As with most towns on Long Island, you need a car to get around in Hauppauge. The Northern State Parkway, a major east/west route, ends at Veterans Memorial Highway (Routes 347 and 454) in Hauppauge; the Long Island Expressway and Sunken Meadow Parkway are also easily accessible. Uber is not available on Long Island, and none of the major car rental companies have offices in Hauppauge.

Public transportation can be unreliable and sporadic. Suffolk Country Transit operates several bus lines with stops in the Industrial Complex and at the government office buildings, but they have a limited weekday schedule and do not run on Sunday. The Long Island Rail Road does not have a station in Hauppauge, so commuting by train to New York City or other parts of Long Island can be difficult. Residents can utilize either the Smithtown or Central Islip stations, but Central Islip has more frequent trains in and out of Penn Station.

Just six miles from Hauppauge, MacArthur Airport offers service from Southwest Airlines and USAirways Express; for other carriers, Hauppauge residents can fly out of either LaGuardia or JFK Airports, each about 45 minutes away without traffic. All three airports have long-term parking available, or travelers can opt to use an airport shuttle or car service.

Two rental communities, Devonshire Hills and Fairfield, lease studios and one- and two- bedroom apartments with a median rent of nearly $1,600 per month. Hauppauge, like most of Long Island, has a high cost of living: it’s nearly 30 percent higher than the New York average and over 58 percent greater than the national average. Gas prices hover around 12 percent higher than the national average, while beer drinkers can expect to pay $6 for a pint and $7 for a craft brew.

Hauppauge does not have a reputation as a shopping mecca, and most of the area stores are national chains located in strip malls along Route 347. One exception, Cavalli Jewelry, located in the Hauppauge Shopping Center, has been serving the community for more than 35 years. This upscale store specializes in all types of jewelry, gold, GIA diamonds, precious stones and designer pieces. The jeweler also provides services, including watch battery replacement, appraisals, repair and custom orders. Located in the same shopping center, Lacrosse Unlimited has everything for the lacrosse player, including apparel, footwear, equipment, and gifts for men, women and kids.

Hauppauge residents have several choices when it comes to supermarkets. In addition to a Waldbaum’s and a Shop Rite, one of the most popular stores in the area is Giunta’s Meat Farms. Focusing on friendly customer service and offering top quality produce, prime meats and a full service deli, Giunta’s remains committed to giving customers the best all-around shopping experience on Long Island.

A long, tree-lined road leads visitors to Blydenburgh County Park. Part of the Nassau Suffolk Greenbelt System, the park remains open year round but only to Suffolk County residents with a Green Key during the summer months. With 627 acres of forested hills and valleys, the park offers visitors a wide range of activities, including hiking, camping under the stars and horseback riding on numerous bridle paths. Rent a rowboat or go fishing in man-made Stump Pond. Dogs, allowed on-leash throughout the park, can go off-leash in the two-acre dog park, entirely fenced in with separate areas for small and large dogs. Be sure to visit the grist mill in the historic trust area of the park. Bob Richards Memorial Park, run by the Town of Smithtown, is accessible through the main entrance to Blydenburgh.

The Town of Islip operates three parks in Hauppauge, including Bretton Woods and Northfield Woods, both neighborhood parks. Beautiful Hidden Pond Park on Terry Road has baseball fields, tennis and handball courts, and an Olympic-size swimming pool, as well as miles of scenic nature trails. Two indoor ice rinks at The Rinx provide residents open skating sessions, lessons and hockey leagues. Throughout the year, the Rinx hosts numerous programs and events, including a preschool and a summer day camp, the Stoll and Run to benefit the Guide Dog Foundation, and the annual Thunder Run and Family Fitness Day, which raises money for the Rolling Thunder Special Needs Program.