Mineola, NY

Long Island was originally part of Henry Hudson’s claim in 1609, and in the 1700s, settlers poured in to start new lives and clear the area for farmland. The land was named in 1858 after a former Algonquin Chief Miniolagamika, meaning “pleasant village”, and later shortened to “Mineola.” The area continued to grow, and when the Jericho Turnpike was built in the area, it became the village's main street and fueled not only more commercial growth in Mineola but also residential growth.

The Goudreau Museum of Mathematics in Art and Science can be visited for some fun learning; it has a huge resource center that hosts different exhibitions, special events and workshops. The neighborhood also hosts an annual Dia de Portugal parade, which takes place every June with music, food and parade floats to celebrate the Portuguese heritage of many of the areas residents.

The neighborhood has many popular areas for food and serves a wide variety of cuisine ranging from American and Chinese to the very popular Portuguese. The main two food areas sit right off of both the Mineola Avenue and the Jericho Turnpike, but more restaurants can be found on 2nd Street and Old Country Road.

Churrasqueira Bairrada Restaurant is one of the many Portuguese restaurants in the area, and the most popular spot for Portuguese locals in the neighborhood. They are a rodizio-style restaurant, and their must-try is the barbecue chicken, which comes roasted on their smoky wood grill. For a nice atmosphere and a place for a nice dinner or a date night try Vinoco Wine Bar and Tapas Restaurant. They have a really elegant yet simple layout, and their signature dish is the house tapa or patatas bravas, which tastes like it came straight from Spain. They also serve many fine drinks and have over 15 types of wine, many of which come from Italy. For some classic American fare, Gourmet Grill 5 is one of the most popular restaurants in all of Mineola. They serve all kinds of breakfast items from breakfast burritos to omelettes, and they also have a lunch menu with steaks, fish, and all kinds of other great meats and sandwiches. Their meat and produce comes from local vendors every day, so whatever dish you order, you can take solace in the fact that it was brought into the restaurant that day.

For nightlife in Mineola, The Black Sheep Ale House is one of the more popular night bars in the neighborhood. It has all kinds of events ranging from live music to trivia and even beer nights. There are over 100 different beers available with something for just about any beer lover. For a little more active atmosphere, Love Nightclub is one of the hottest spots in town for a fun night out. It features live dance music every night from all kinds of different popular DJs and also hosts a wide variety of concerts.

Both walking and biking can be done throughout the neighborhood, as the boundaries of Mineola do not stretch far. That being said, the Jericho Turnpike can get very busy and should not be walked or biked. For public transportation, the Mineola Intermodal Center sits in the center of the village, which contains both the Long Island Railroad station as well as the public bus station. In total, seven different train and bus routes serve Mineola, and make commuting throughout the island or into the city a breeze. Cabs can always be called, but unfortunately neither Uber or Lyft operate in the neighborhood, however they do operate throughout most of the metropolitan New York area. The Jericho Turnpike runs straight through Mineola and acts as the main street of the neighborhood, and also makes for an easy commute to New York City or to get off of the island. Parking can be done in most areas without issue, and the village also offers commuter-parking passes designed for specific areas but only for residents.

Two free parks sit very close to the Mineola area: Wilson Park and Hemlock Park. Wilson Park has the most recreational options with a lighted hockey rink, baseball and softball fields. The park recreation center also has many indoor activities that can be enjoyed for free including board games, ping-pong and other sporting equipment. Hemlock Park sits in the south end of Mineola and also has several recreational options. The park has baseball fields, basketball and tennis courts, a volleyball court and a large playground for the kids. Certain areas of both parks also allow dogs to be walked as long as they are on a leash.

The cost of living in Mineola is somewhat expensive in comparison to the rest of the country, but actually sits about 5 percent lower than in New York City. The average rent for a one-bedroom in the neighborhood is around $1,700 per month, slightly higher than the New York average. To get to New York City through public transportation from the neighborhood, it costs between $8 and $11 by bus. Gas prices in the area typically sit within 1 percent of the prices in the city, but usually around 16 percent above the national average. To grab a beer at a pub in Mineola, it usually costs between $6 and $8, and is typically the same cost throughout Long Island as well as in the city.

Mineola is a prime neighborhood for those that like to go to gigantic shopping malls. The Roosevelt Field Mall is the second largest mall in New York and has over 270 stores, including Coach, Armani, Bebe and Michael Kors.

The area also has some great specialty and boutique stores, such as Max Bridal and Designing Dreams. Max Bridal has some of the friendliest staff in all of Mineola, and it provides appointments for brides to plan every aspect of the wedding. The dresses come from a wide variety of famous designers, and they are always very reasonably priced, especially for being in the Long Island area.

Designing Dreams gives its customers the opportunity to design a custom dress and have it made on sight. Established in 1988, the expansive space is filled with one-of-a-kind creations. You can choose your perfect garment with the assistance of a personal shopper. Then, customize your selection, and carry home a truly unique dress.

For grocery shopping in Mineola, Food Market has tons of organic food options available as well as fresh meat and produce. Western Beef Supermarket in the area is a popular spot for buying food and choosing from the large selection of meats cut fresh every day. North Shore Farms Store also serves the neighborhood, with all kinds of produce, meat and even fresh baked bread.