Discover Long Island’s Famed

Gold Coast

Towns and Communities
That Define the Gold Coast

Plot Your Perfect Long Island Escape

If you’re looking for classic historic estates, luxury shopping and waterfront dining, the famed Gold Coast on Long Island is a great place to visit. Spanning Nassau and western Suffolk counties on Long Island’s North Shore, this area offers a unique mix of accessible history, modern-day luxury and everything in between.

Spanning Revolutionary history to Gatsby-era luxury, the Gold Coast of Long Island, which stretches across Nassau and western Suffolk counties, is a one-of-a-kind destination. This historic region is defined by seven primary waterfront towns and villages, each offering its own unique piece of local history.

Great Neck

The real-world inspiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald's "West Egg" in The Great Gatsby, featuring historic waterfront estates on the western edge of Nassau County.
Port Washington

A picturesque peninsula community known for its deep maritime history and vibrant marina culture along Manhasset Bay.
Sands Point

An exclusive enclave at the tip of the Port Washington peninsula, famous for the Sands Point Preserve and the Guggenheim estates that inspired Fitzgerald's "East Egg".

Oyster Bay

A sprawling hamlet rich in Revolutionary War history and home to Sagamore Hill, the historic "Summer White House" of President Theodore Roosevelt.
Huntington

A vibrant cultural hub in western Suffolk County that perfectly blends historic Gold Coast heritage with a modern downtown dining and arts scene.
Centerport

A scenic, quiet harbor-front hamlet home to the Eagle's Nest estate, which houses the famous Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium.

Aerial view of the Vanderbilt Museum mansion on Long Island's North Shore

Tour Historic Gold Coast
Mansions and Estates

Walk the halls of the famous Gold Coast-era mansions that housed New York’s elite in the 1920s. Known for their opulence and unique architecture, these mansions, castles, estates and gardens are as iconic as the wealthy and powerful people who lived and partied in them. Enjoy public tours, botanical walks and private events at some of the most famous Gilded Age mansions of Long Island, including Oheka Castle, Old Westbury Gardens, Planting Fields Arboretum, Sands Point Preserve and the Vanderbilt Museum.

The Real-Life Inspirations
Behind The Great Gatsby

If you think the glamorous mansions of the legendary novel The Great Gatsby sound a lot like those on Long Island’s Gold Coast, that’s because they are. Sort of. While the communities, West Egg and East Egg, and characters in the story are fictional, they are based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s real-life experiences living in Great Neck and visiting local waterfront estates during the Roaring Twenties era. And you can experience and explore this Great Gatsby estate history today by touring the Gold Coast mansions and estates.

Things to Do
on the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast of New York isn’t only historic estates. There’s a variety of things to do throughout the North Shore of Long Island, both inside and out. Whether you are planning a multi-day getaway to explore pristine coastal trails or diving into world-class local culture, the region offers an immersive escape for every traveler. From premier open-air luxury shopping to scenic waterside excursions, extending your stay allows you to experience the true lifestyle of the Gold Coast New York.

Luxury open-air shopping

At Americana Manhasset

Family walking through autumn foliage on Long Island

Coastal trail hiking

At Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve

Harbor cruises

out of Port Washington

Fine art displays

at The Heckscher Museum of Art

Where to Stay on the Gold Coast

There’s a wide range of places to stay on the North Shore, from luxurious hotels in historic castles like the Oheka Castle to charming bed and breakfasts and boutique village inns. And the great part is, no matter where along the Gold Coast on Long Island you choose to rest, you’ll have quick access to all of the surrounding towns and attractions.

Annual Events on the Gold Coast

No matter what time of year you visit Long Island, there’s bound to be something happening along the Gold Coast. From the Gold Coast Book Fair, Long Island’s largest annual literary event, to the Gold Coast Garden Tour, the calendar is full of annual festivals, literary fairs, outdoor concerts, garden walks at historic Great Gatsby-era estates and more.

Discover More

Frequently Asked Questions About the Gold Coast

: The Gold Coast nickname dates back to the 1920s and the Gilded Age. Because of the massive concentration of wealth, grand estates and prominent high-society families who settled along the coastline, this area of Long Island was dubbed the Gold Coast.
: Long Island’s Gold Coast is roughly 25-45 miles east of New York City and can easily be reached in under an hour by car or via the Long Island Rail Road.
: There’s never a bad time to visit the Gold Coast. But spring through autumn provides the best weather for walking estate gardens, enjoying outdoor events and experiencing waterfront dining along the shore.
: The Gilded Age Gold Coast era on the North Shore of Long Island lasted from the late nineteenth century through the late 1920s. This era of extravagance ended because of changing tax structures, the Great Depression and rising estate maintenance costs, which led owners to subdivide land or donate properties to state park systems and historic preservation nonprofits.

SHARE YOUR #DISCOVERLONGISLAND MOMENTS

From beach days and scenic escapes to local favorites and unforgettable adventures, we want to see Long Island through your eyes. Share your favorite moments for a chance to be featured and inspire others to explore, experience, and discover all that Long Island has to offer.