East Massapequa - Massapequa, NY

A writer once referred to Massapequa as one of the 13 tribes of Long Island. The Lenape, an Algonquian-speaking tribe, inhabited the area prior to settlers’ arrival. Several landmarks still stand in the Massapequa area, reminding residents of the older settlements and of the extensive history of the region. Today, locals find pride in East Massapequa’s development and status as a seaside hamlet on the South Shore of Long Island.

People interested in Massapequan history can enter a few landmarks in the region. The Old Grace Church, Elbert Floyd-Jones Servants Cottage and Delancey Floyd-Jones Free Library stand as 200-year-old buildings accessible on certain days of the week. Art lovers can travel west to Empire State Studio in Oceanside. Keep an eye on the Massapequa Historical Society’s calendar for events, and stay in town for festivals year-round.

Most restaurants and bars in East Massapequa lie near Highway 27, which bisects the hamlet. Locals find other music venues and eateries just over the hamlet’s border in Amityville. Long Islanders take advantage of the range of restaurants in East Massapequa, from ethnic diners to fresh seafood.

Have a Spanish experience without having to leave Long Island at Salumi Tapas & Wine Bar. Pick from a variety of cheese and meat boards to pair with wine. The pork belly bocadillo provides a heavier option for a tapa, while the charcuterie board feeds a group of several wine lovers. Eat polenta with mushrooms for a lighter appetizer, and finish with the chocolate sea salt fondue.

Drive a short way to Amityville to stop by B&B Fish and Clam. Get shrimp Parmesan for a mixture of Italian and undersea tastes, or order the lobster bisque in a bread bowl for lunch. The lobster roll even comes with fries. Don’t forget about the lightly fried calamari, which avoids being too greasy.

East Massapequans find Amityville to be the home of Cornucopia’s Noshery. This hip cafe serves up great food while also providing a pseudo art gallery and concert hall. But while this is the place to go day and night, the breakfast menu is famous. Try something decadent -- such as the French toast made with Brioche -- or try something healthier, like the tofu curry scramble.

Once you’ve had your fill of restaurants, try a beer at McCann’s Pub & Grill. Watch the Giants game, or eat a burger and try out some of the beers on the bar’s large menu. Toomey’s Tavern in Amityville satisfies those who want a drink and great BBQ. Listen to local Massapequan groups at Revolution Bar & Music Hall, or drive to Freeport and dance at Tropix on the Mile. For more dancing and music, take a day trip to New York City and have your fill.

Getting around East Massapequa mostly requires car travel. While walking around the south end of the hamlet may fit those who like nature, walking to shopping areas close to Highway 27 may prove to be more difficult. Bicyclists can ride around East Massapequa into Amityville, but residents still find driving to be the safest mode of transportation.

Nassau Inter-County Express serves the Massapequa area, mainly west of East Massapequa. The Long Island Rail Road also has stations in Massapequa and Massapequa Park. Locals can hail various cabs traveling around the region, but they cannot take advantage of the ridesharing service Uber, which does not have a location in Long Island.

Highway 27, which runs through East Massapequa, gives locals an easy route to hop onto the highway and travel to other parts of the island or to mainland New York. Long Islanders find fairly plentiful parking in the hamlet, though traffic can jam up near the Peninsula Golf Club due to its proximity to the water.

Marjorie R. Post Park in East Massapequa serves as the community park for the neighborhood. Children can play in play areas and in various fields, including handball courts and basketball courts. Kids especially love to visit the park’s swimming pool in the summer. Young children can even play in a kiddie wading pool, and others can practice diving.

Skate in the ice-skating rink in the winter, or engage in roller hockey in the rink in the summer. This free park has something for everyone, from athletes to those who just want to enjoy a day out with their on-leash pooch.

Others like to go out even farther into nature at the Massapequa Preserve, a long stretch of wetlands with a 2-mile trail. Bikers and hikers can walk along the trail and watch birds. Enter the preserve from several locations, and take your dog on a walk.

The parks do not host individual events, but East Massapequans celebrate several festivals year-round. The Massapequa Italian Festival features food, carnival rides, music and entertainment to celebrate Italian culture in the hamlets.

The hamlet of East Massapequa, similar to many areas in Nassau County, has a much higher cost of living than the national average. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment in the hamlet costs $1,880. Anticipate spending $2.50 in cash on a bus ticket with NICE and $2.75 using a mobile ticket via MetroCard. Reduced-fare tickets cost $8.40 for a packet of four.

Most East Massapequans spend about $4 on beer in the town of Oyster Bay and surrounding neighborhoods. On par with other places on the South Shore of Long Island, the average gas price in East Massapequa costs about 5 percent more than the national average.

East Massapequa’s local mall, Westfield Sunrise, houses retailers such as Macy’s and Sears for those who need to do a lot of clothes shopping. Visit a number of fragrance stores and high-end places like Windsor and Periwinkle Boutique for designer handbags. Pick up an ice cream at Haagen-Dazs.

If the Haagen-Dazs proves to not be sweet enough, try Grandma’s Candy Kitchen in Wantagh. Pick up Tabasco-flavored jelly beans and various chocolates for a treat. In addition, go to the shop to pick up ingredients to make your own candy. Gamers like the Comic Book Depot, also in Wantagh, where they can purchase and read an assortment of comic books. Magic: The Gathering fans congregate in the shop for tournaments. Women who want to continue shopping should visit Denim Rehab for an assortment of clothes and jewelry. Keep visiting intermittently to find new clothes each time.

Residents of East Massapequa get their food at large grocers such as King Kullen. Others visit smaller grocery stores, like Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace and Organic Corner, for fresh meats, ethnic food and produce. Some Long Islanders prefer to buy organic food from farmers' markets, such as the Seaford Farmers Market.