Filled with fascinating history and an overall breathtaking landscape, the Sands Point Preserve on Long Island is an amazing hidden gem. The source of inspiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby , this beautiful park in New York is a magical place that everyone should visit. Open year-round, this unique 216-acre park is the perfect place to visit during the summer when everything is green and fully in bloom!
Ready to find out why visiting this spectacular place will give you an unbelievable day? Let’s take a look at all there is to see at the beautiful Sands Point Preserve:
Greeting you as you arrive to Sands Point Preserve is the Medieval-style structure, Castle Gould.
The long history behind the property of Sands Point Preserve is one that is quite fascinating. In 1900, a man named Howard Gould purchased the undeveloped property along the Long Island Sound and soon began building the structure you see pictured above, Castle Gould. Price to park/Entrance fee: $10.00.
Designed to resemble the stunning Kilkenny Castle in Ireland, Castle Gould was completed in 1904.
Howard Gould had the enormous 100,000 square foot castle built in an effort to try and please his wife, but pleased she was not! Some of us girls just want a bouquet of flowers or nice gesture of any sort, but apparently a castle is not what Mrs.Gould had in mind. In a second attempt to try and capture the heart of his wife, Howard began building the structure we now know as the Hempstead House.
Half the size of Castle Gould, the gorgeous Hempstead House was completed in 1912.
One of the most stunning features of Hempstead House is the beautiful display of 1,500 red rose bushes.
Another thing that's interesting about Hempstead House? A ton of films and TV shows have used the house as a set! In more recent years you've seen the beautiful estate pop up on your television more than you may know, making appearances in HBO's Boardwalk Empire, Gotham, The Blacklist, and was even used in the film Malcolm X.
Hempstead House has guided tours available almost every Saturday and Sunday throughout the entire year.
Make a call to the Gate House before you make your visit to
Hempstead House to be sure that guided tours are available for the day! Tours run at 12PM, 1:30PM and 3PM.
Also on the Sands Point Preserve Property, the lovely living museum, Falaise.
Featuring a terrace with the most perfect view of the Long Island Sound and an incredible courtyard, Falaise was built for the son of the property's second owner, Harry Guggenheim.
The now living museum is open for guided tours on Thursdays through Sundays from May 19th until November 20th, at 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, and 3PM. Indoor photography isn't allowed, but the gorgeous antique furniture and amazing architecture will forever stay in your mind.
Price to tour the living museum: $10.00.
Aside from the 3 impressive architectural structures on the property, you'll also find 6 marked trails you can explore!
Featuring a freshwater pond and serene woods, any one of the 6 hiking trails are perfect to explore on a sunny day!
Sands Point Preserve is open to the public year-round, with hours that vary for every season. Their current summer hours that run through Labor Day Weekend are 8AM to 7PM daily.
There's plenty of wildlife to be seen at this park. Keep your eyes open for the Honeybee hives!
Throughout the preserve you'll find a generous amount of picnic tables and benches for you to enjoy.
While there is so much to see here, sometimes all our visitors need is to sit in the sun and enjoy a beautiful day outside by the ocean. Soaking in the unforgettable views at this park will quickly remind you why this area was referred to as The Golden Coast during the early 20th century.
Overlooking the Long Island Sound, you can conclude your visit with a stunning walk along the white sandy beach!
There's nothing like the beautiful consistency of having the Long Island Sound steal your breath away.
Sands Point Preserve is so fascinating! Did you know this castle on the beach was right here in New York?
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