Bohemia, NY

The earliest inhabitants of the Bohemia area were the Algonquian Secatogue tribe. The first Europeans to explore and settle into the territory were Slavic immigrants of Bohemian descent. This had been part of a wave of Bohemian immigration to the United States, coming here after having revolted against autocratic rule in their own country in 1848. For a century, Bohemia endured as a small village comprised of mostly Czech descendants. Following World War II, Bohemia experienced huge population growth along with the rest of Long Island.

The Bohemia Historical Society, a non-profit organization that pursues the goal of preserving Bohemia's history, established a museum in 2009 to help further its cause. The museum has old-time house room exhibits, such as a kitchen and bedroom. It also features a photograph, book and manuscripts collection along with a stockpile of old Czech dolls. Tours of the museum are by appointment only.

Within the immediate vicinity of Bohemia, restaurant options tend to favor more quick, casual eating as opposed to upscale high-priced locales. Saviano's, located in a strip mall on Sunrise Highway, serves specialty pizzas and Italian food, ideal for a small lunch. The strip mall background belies the quality of the restaurant, a place the Bohemia residents consider a staple pizza spot. There's always a lot of traffic in the restaurant, with people either picking up takeout or sitting down to eat. The pizza sauce comes in on the sweeter side, with fresh mozzarella, loads of toppings and your choice of thin or thick crust. Besides the pizza, Saviano's serves a significant number of additional Italian dishes. Large portion sizes and friendly staff are just more of the key qualities that keep Bohemia residents coming back for more.

Golden Dragon Kitchen on Smithtown Avenue serves quick and tasty Chinese food. A small, nice family owns the place, and has cultivated the Chinese restaurant into a favorite of many locals. This spot's cheap, filling lunch specials make it a great candidate for a fast takeout meal. Favorite items on the menu include the must-try boneless ribs and the steamed dumplings, both considered a cut above the local competition.

Enjoy a night out at one of the local bars, such as the Twisted Tavern on Sunrise Highway. The place serves foods such as ribeye, wings, burgers and a unique giant pretzel, and the drink selection is vast. A great assortment of beers on tap as well as a large selection of bottled beers such as "Golden Draak" and "Innus & Gunn" await at Twisted Tavern. Catch a big game on one of the many big-screen televisions in a comfortable environment. Staff at the bar is always courteous and willing to let you try a free sample of a beer that interests you. Good for happy hour, dinner or just for drinks, the Twisted Tavern stands as a friendly, clean area bar.

One of the more interesting nightlife locales, the Lizard Lounge, enables you to unwind and sing karaoke. The establishment was chosen to host Oprah Winfrey's Karaoke Challenge in 2010, and celebrities across the world have visited the lounge. The karaoke spot unsurprisingly draws a sociable and affable crowd, joined together for the common purpose of belting out classic tunes. Sing and dance to the music, enhanced by one of the best DJs in the area. The Lizard Lounge has an impressive hundreds of thousands of English songs, the largest karaoke selection in the world.

Transportation in the Bohemia area features a fairly typical central Long Island range of options. Car travel remains most prevalent, and Bohemia's location allows for unhindered access to your desired destinations. New York State Route 454, Veteran's Memorial Highway, borders the northern section of Bohemia, and takes you to the Long Island Expressway. The southern border of the hamlet runs along Sunrise Highway, New York State Route 27, a 120-mile major stretch of highway that connects and spans all the way to New York City.

Like most nearby hamlets, it is inadvisable to bike or walk along these aforementioned major roads as they lack sidewalks and sufficient safety for such activities. Other transportation options include riding a Suffolk County Transit bus to nearby places for a small fee. Cab services include the fast-growing Uber car business and Village Taxi, which serves Suffolk County. The nearest train station resides in Patchogue, a short drive away. This Long Island Railroad station carries commuters as far as Penn Station in New York City. The nearest airport, Long Island MacArthur Airport, can be conveniently accessed by Bohemian residents, as it sits partly in this hamlet and partly in neighboring Ronkonkoma.

The large wooded grounds of the Connectquot River State Park Reserve provide the opportunity to bask in nature's glory. Located between Veteran's Memorial Highway and Sunrise Highway, the park caters to those who enjoy hiking and exploring trails. Miles of territory makes for a substantial expanse, and the multiple trails in the park accommodate all skill levels. There are even trails dedicated specifically to horseback riding, which you will see often. Visitors receive a trail map at the front gate, and can choose to take on trails of varying lengths. Lots of wildlife roams the area, and there are several good fishing spots. The park charges a small fee for parking, and has season passes available for frequent guests. There may also be small fees to participate in certain activities in the park, such as fly fishing or house tours.

The AHRC Suffolk County organization provides support, programs and events for mentally handicapped individuals on Long Island. The not-for-profit organization often hosts events to raise awareness and funds, including an Annual Holiday Fair at Bohemia Campus. Crafts, baked goods, decorated wreaths and gift items mark the festive occasion. Later, a menorah presentation and tree-lighting event commences, with a barbershop quartet singing the soothing sounds of the holidays and hot chocolate to warm things up.

Bohemia's cost of living matches the generally expensive nature of life in south-central Long Island. The cost of living in Bohemia sits at roughly 22 percent greater than the state average and 49 percent greater than the national average. As compared to the rest of the town of Islip, Bohemia matches up as slightly less expensive, with a cost of living of about 7 percent less. Housing prices can be steep in Bohemia, with the rent for an average one-bedroom apartment costing around $1,400 per month.

While housing, health care and services are at a premium in Bohemia, some of the daily living expenses are not too unfavorable. It will only cost you a bus fare of $2 to get from Bohemia to Central Islip. The average price of gas in Bohemia comes in at about 11 percent higher than the national average. When driving out to a local pub or bar in the area, you should expect to pay between $5 and $6 for a pint of beer.

Shops in Bohemia are bunched across its two major surrounding roads, Veteran's Memorial Highway and Sunrise Highway. Go West, located on Sunrise Highway, is a men's clothing and accessories store with a country flavor. It features the biggest brands in western boots, belts, clothing, jewelry, home decor items and cowboy hats.

The Music Smith is the local music retail shop in the area. Offering both rental and retail instruments, this local shop caters to musicians with personal and friendly service. As a musician himself, the owner understands the unique needs of both new and seasoned musicians seeking the perfect instrument. He was also born and raised in the area, which makes him in tune with and knowledgeable about the local music scene. Rental prices are reasonable as compared to other music stores, and the shop also repairs, tunes, maintains and cleans every instrument rented out. You can even take lessons at the store.

Grocery store options in the Bohemia area include franchises such as Stop & Shop on Sunrise Highway. The Locust Avenue Farm Inc is a locally owned farm with greenhouses that provide a huge variety of seasonal plants, flowers, herbs, garden supplies and vegetables. The farm opens every day of the week, and features several seasonal specials.