Hofstra Colour Logo
Hofstra - Long Island - Living page - Hero image

Living on Long Island

Living on Long Island gives students the peace of mind that they can live and study comfortably in the New York Metropolitan area. Set 40 km outside the city, students can explore Long Island's famed beaches, including the Hamptons and Long Beach. The sparkling coast makes the perfect backdrop for having fun with friends at the boardwalk or dining at restaurants offering fresh seafood and other local favorites. Lush forests also make their home on Long Island, giving students with an adventurous side the chance to hike and discover natural beauty just outside of campus. For more exciting tips about living on Long Island, visit our City Guide.

Campus community, with a view

Integrated seamlessly into Hofstra's campus and career opportunities, New York City provides students with further opportunities for exploration. Students can experience endless restaurants, sites, and diverse activities. Whether they are enjoying international cuisine, soaking in cultural sites, or proving their worth at a competitive internship with top organizations, students will benefit greatly from their connection to New York City.

Hofstra - Long Island - Living page - Carousel - Image1
Hofstra - Long Island - Living page - Carousel - Image2
Hofstra - Long Island - Living page - Carousel - Image3
Hofstra - Long Island - Living page - Carousel - Image4

Explore, relax, adventure

Long Island, New York is full of local favorites and well-known attractions. You'll find many shops, restaurants, sites, and natural beauty within minutes of the university. Take a quick study break or spend an afternoon experiencing your local surroundings. Campus is centrally located on the island, and you can easily access these hotspots:

  • Roosevelt Field

  • Jones Beach Island

  • Nassau County Museum

  • Old Westbury Gardens

  • Long Island Aquarium

  • NYCB Theatre at Westbury

  • Hofstra University Museum

  • Long Island Explorium

  • Montauk Lighthouse

  • Fire Island

  • Long Beach

  • The Hamptons

  • Splish Splash Water Park

  • Smith Point Park

  • Islip Art Museum

  • Adventureland

  • Long Island Sound

  • Belmont Park

Nightlife in the City and Long Island

If you prefer to stay away from New York City and closer to campus, you will still find plenty to do. Whatever you are in the mood for, there's omthig for everyone. For a fun night on Long Island, try one of the following:

  • The Paramount

  • Governor's Comedy Cabaret

  • Monaghan's Bar & Restaurant

  • Croxley Ale House Smithtown

  • Babylon Carriage House

  • Food Done It?

  • Still Partners

  • K.J. Farrell's Bar & Grill

  • Leo's Midway - Garden City Bar & Restaurant

  • Napper Tandy's

  • The Refuge

  • Atlantis Hall

  • The Velvet Lounge

  • Lizard Lounge

  • IV Generation

  • 841 East Lounge

  • Tainos Cafe & Lounge

  • 89 North Music Venue

  • The Harbor Grill

  • Dublin Deck Tiki Bar and Grill

  • CJ's

  • The Founder's Room

  • That 70's Band

  • Painters' Restaurant

  • The Jazz Loft

Sports to participate in and watch

In the New York Metropolitan area you will find plenty of sports teams to cheer on. You can easily get to the city for a game any time of the year, as various teams always have something going on. Root for the Giants or Jets in the National Football League in the fall. In the winter, choose from the Rangers or Islanders in the National Hockey League or one of several National Basketball Association teams in the area: Knicks, Nets, or Liberty. In the spring and summer, enjoy a Major League Baseball game watching the Yankees or Mets play.

If you're a fan of playing sports, Hofstra has athletics teams year-round. Choose from football, basketball, running, golf, field hockey, and more.

Tastes from around the world

Living on Long Island offers students an affordable and easy way to dine. From friendly restaurants to quicker meals, there are food and beverage options for every taste. If you crave something more adventurous, New York City offers unlimited restaurants, which you can explore at your leisure. There are over 20,000 restaurants within the five boroughs on New York City, according to the NYC Department of Health.

Live near the shopping capital of the world

Shopping on Long Island boasts a range of options. From chain stores and name brands to boutiques, you'll find shopping that meets your needs. While large shopping malls offer a variety of shops, including brand name designers and department stores, smaller boutiques offer local and unique finds. Explore more Long Island, New York shopping below:

  • Westfield Sunrise Mall

  • Roosevelt Field

  • Americana Manhasset

  • Walt Whitman Mall

  • Smith Haven Mall

  • Westfield South Shore Shopping

  • Nordstrom

  • Urban Outfitters

  • Zara

  • JC Penney

  • Michael Kors

  • Neiman Marcus

  • Madewell

  • Apple

  • Microsoft

  • Adidas

  • Express

  • Free People

  • H & M

  • Gap

  • J. Crew

  • Banana Republic

  • American Eagle

  • Bloomingdale's

  • BCBGMaxazria

  • Hugo Boss

  • Burberry

Festivals and events on Long Island

Fairs, festivals, and events fill the annual calendar on Long Island, New York. You and your friends can join the fun and participate in a number of activities. Learn about other cultures, enjoy food and drinks, or simply relax and enjoy the scene. Some of the annual festivals and events include:

  • Annual Dragon Boat Race Festival

  • Oktoberfest

  • Long Island Fall Beer Festival

  • The Long Island Fair

  • Fall Festival at Hicks Nurseries

  • Annual Shinnecock Indian Powwow

  • Brookhaven Country Fair

  • Harbes Orchard Apple Festival

  • Colonial Day at Raynham Hall Museum

  • Long Island Garlic Festival

  • Italian Experience Festival

  • Pal-O-Mine’s Fall Festival and Open House

  • Egyptian Festival

  • Wildwood Fall Festival

Transportation on Long Island and into New York City

Nearly every form of transportation services Long Island, New York. These include three major airports, railroads, highways, and subways. Air travel to Long Island is easy. The three large airports with regularly scheduled commercial airline service are the John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport, both in Queens County (in New York City), and the Long Island MacArthur Airport (sometimes referred to as Islip Airport), a smaller airport in Suffolk County on Long Island. Travelers heading to or from Kennedy Airport may use AirTrain to connect with the Long Island Rail Road in Jamaica or the New York City Subway in Jamaica or Howard Beach.

If driving, the Long Island Expressway, Northern State Parkway, and Southern State Parkway make east–west travel on the island straightforward. There are currently 10 road crossings out of Long Island. There are also 11 subway and railroad crossings. The Long Island Rail Road has 728 daily trains. The Nassau Inter-County Express provides bus transportation throughout Nassau County and part of Suffolk County.