The hamlet of Port Washington is within the Town of North Hempstead. Port as it is affectionately known, is home to four incorporated villages: Baxter Estates, Manorhaven, Port Washington North and Sands Point, plus part of the village of Flower Hill. Port Washington occupies over 5.6 square miles of land bordered by Hempstead Harbor on the East shore and Manhasset Bay on the west. Yacht Clubs and Marinas look out onto Manhasset Bay while the drive along West Shore Road brings travelers to the entrance of North Hempstead Beach Park and past the par 72 Harbor Links Golf Club with a Grill and Pro Shop which runs alongside Hempstead Harbor.
Port Washington offers one of the most diverse assortment of architectural styles on the North Shore. One can purchase a two-bedroom Bungalow or an expanded Ranch as well as a waterfront condo, stylish Tudor or Mediterranean estate without ever leaving the zip code. Main Street is abounding with many boutiques, an abundance of great restaurants and independent shops selling all kinds of wares. A local favorite for entertaining is historic Landmark on Main Street known for bringing personality to the shores of Port including authors, comedians, entertainers and world class performers. All have graced the stage for performances that finish to standing ovations and rousing applause.
The LIRR makes its first (or last stop) at the Port Train Station; it is the only rail line to circumvent the Jamaica transfer. Door to door peak travel time into Manhattan is approximately 35 minutes. For those wishing to drive into Manhattan, its a short 17 mile via the Long Island Expressway.
SANDS POINT
Bordered almost entirely by the waters of Long Island Sound to the north, Manhasset Bay to the west and Hempstead Harbor on the east, the Village of Sands Point is located at the northernmost tip of the Cow Neck Peninsula (also referred to as Port Washington Peninsula or Manhasset Neck) within the Town of North Hempstead. Less than 25 miles from Manhattan, its quiet idyllic atmosphere and sparkling water views are enjoyed by residents year round. While building codes were lax enough at one point for homes to be built on one-acre plots, todays homes must occupy a minimum of 2 acres.
Sands Point does not have one commercial store whatsoever but it does have its share of opulent estates situated on expansive landscaped lawns with stunning water views. Architectural styles vary greatly from neo-modern geometrical structures of driftwood and glass to Norman-style chateaus of gray fieldstone, to large white colonials with black shutters. Almost all residents have private beach rights as well as private pool and tennis courts.
The 216-acre Sands Point Preserve, a former Guggenheim estate overlooking a beach, offers guided hikes, a learning center and docent-led tours of Falaise, an art-filled 1920s mansion built to resemble a Norman manor. In addition, The Village Club of Sands Point, built as an Italian Renaissance Mansion by Isaac Guggenheim, is now home to an 18-hole golf course, tennis center, Olympic sized swimming pool and banquet center for formal dining and corporate events.
There is an active Sands Point Civic Association, Inc. ("SPCA") whose principal focus is on issues of interest to the residents including educational and social events, newsletter, new resident outreach, planting of trees and flowers, advocates on important beautification and other important issues concerning Sands Point.