If you are looking for a great beach on the north shore of Long Island, New York, then North Hempstead Beach Park, also known as Bar Beach, is a good option. With 34 sprawling acres of sandy shores that are typical of the northern areas of the island, the beach overlooks Hempstead Harbor, a quiet bay in Nassau County.
You might also be interested in Long Island Beaches for a photo tour of some other sprawling sands in Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Things to do in North Hempstead Beach Park
Stroll on the sand, enjoy the water during the summer or meander along the boardwalk while gazing at the boardwalk. The 60-acre park is adjacent to the waterfront property and offers a variety of courts for games including handball, basketball, and paddleball. There are also shuffleboard courts and areas to play horseshoes. You can jog through the countryside, and there are picnic areas where you can relax and eat or even grill your food, and a playground for the kids.
There is also a boat ramp, a bathhouse, a fishing pier, and much more for visitors.
Please note that all of these facilities are for residents, and non-residents must pay a fee to enter the beach and other areas. Permits are required to use the fields and picnic areas. There are also parking fees to visit this beach and park. (Seasonal parking permits are available to all Nassau County residents, or you can pay a daily fee.)
During the summer, there are free concerts here and at other Town of North Hempstead parks.
How to get to North Hempstead Beach Park
North Hempstead Beach Park is located at 175 West Shore Road, Port Washington, New York. (Note: if you are using your GPS to find the beach park, enter “175 West Shore Road, ROSLYN, New York” for directions). For more information, call (516) 869-6311 or call the Nassau County general number at 311.
Directions to the beach and park: Coming from Northern Boulevard, turn onto North Willis Avenue. Then turn left on Old Northern Boulevard. Then turn onto West Shore Road where you will see the entrance to the park.
If driving on the Northern State Parkway, get off at Exit 29 North (Roslyn Road). Then continue on Roslyn Road until you reach the end. You will see the famous Roslyn clock tower on your right. At the traffic light, turn left onto West Shore Road and continue for approximately three miles. The beach and park will be on your right.
If taking the Long Island Expressway (LIE), get off at Exit 37, heading for Willis Avenue / Mineola / Roslyn. Then merge onto Powerhouse Road / South Service Road. Turn left on Mineola Avenue / Willis Avenue and continue on Mineola Avenue. Turn right onto Wallbridge Lane and then turn onto Old Northern Boulevard. Then turn onto West Shore Road.
While visiting the beach and park, you can also visit the nearby Sandminers Monument Park, which tells the fascinating story of how millions of tons of sand from Long Island were excavated and transported to Manhattan to be mixed into concrete for skyscraper construction and more. There is FREE entry to the monument park.
