Oyster Bay
Quick Facts
County: Nassau County
Town: Town of Oyster Bay (hamlet is the Town Seat)
Zip Code: 11771
Approximate Population: 7,049 (2020 Census, hamlet CDP)
Distance to Manhattan: ~35 miles
LIRR Station: Oyster Bay (terminus of the Oyster Bay Branch)
Nearest Major Roadways: Route 25A (Northern Boulevard), Route 106, Berry Hill Road
Designation: Preserve America Community
Community Overview
Oyster Bay is a hamlet on the North Shore of Long Island and the seat of the Town of Oyster Bay — one of the largest townships in Nassau County. The hamlet itself is a compact, historic waterfront community of approximately 7,000 residents, centered on a downtown that runs along Main Street toward Oyster Bay Harbor. It is not to be confused with the much larger Town of Oyster Bay, which encompasses 18 villages and 18 hamlets across central and northern Nassau County.
The hamlet's identity is defined by two things: its waterfront and its connection to Theodore Roosevelt. Roosevelt built Sagamore Hill in neighboring Cove Neck in 1886 and used it as his home and "Summer White House" during his presidency (1901–1909). He is buried at Youngs Memorial Cemetery in nearby Oyster Bay Cove. The Roosevelt legacy runs deep in the community — from Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park on the waterfront to restored landmarks like Snouder's Drug Store and Moore's Building (now the Wild Honey restaurant).
Dutch explorers named the bay in 1615 for its abundance of shellfish. English colonists settled the area in 1653. Today, Oyster Bay Harbor remains Long Island's traditional source for farmed oysters, producing up to 90% of all oysters harvested in New York State. That working-waterfront heritage gives the hamlet a character distinct from the more residential Gold Coast communities to the west.
Downtown Oyster Bay has a walkable Main Street with restaurants, shops, galleries, and historic buildings. The Oyster Bay LIRR station, the eastern terminus of the Oyster Bay Branch, sits at the edge of the downtown. The hamlet is a designated Preserve America Community, recognizing its commitment to historic preservation.
Things to Do / Lifestyle & Amenities
Downtown Oyster Bay's Main Street offers a mix of restaurants, shops, and historic attractions. Wild Honey, housed in the restored Moore's Building (once used by Theodore Roosevelt), serves seasonal New American cuisine with an emphasis on seafood. Other dining options include local seafood spots, cafes, and casual eateries. Billy Joel's 20th Century Cycles, a motorcycle shop owned by the musician, is a local landmark.
Raynham Hall Museum, on West Main Street, is a colonial-era house that served as the home of the Samuel Townsend family and was used as a British headquarters during the American Revolution. Robert Townsend, a family member, was part of the Culper Spy Ring — George Washington's intelligence network. The museum offers tours and programming year-round.
The Oyster Festival, organized by the Oyster Bay Rotary Club, is the East Coast's largest waterfront festival, drawing over 200,000 visitors annually. Held on the second weekend of October, it features live music, oyster vendors, craft exhibits, and boat tours of the harbor.
The WaterFront Center, a nonprofit marine education center on the harbor, offers sailing lessons, environmental education programs, and public sails aboard the Christeen, a National Historic Landmark — the oldest operating oyster sloop in North America.
The Oyster Bay-East Norwich Public Library provides community programming and resources. Theodore Roosevelt helped with early fundraising efforts for the library, which was originally constructed in 1901.
Outdoor Recreation
Oyster Bay's waterfront location and proximity to preserves make outdoor access one of the hamlet's strongest features.
Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park
A waterfront park on the harbor with a beach, marina, sports fields, basketball and tennis courts, and open green space. The park provides direct access to Oyster Bay Harbor and is one of the most used public spaces in the hamlet.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
Theodore Roosevelt's home in neighboring Cove Neck, now operated by the National Park Service. The 83-acre property includes the restored Victorian mansion, a museum, nature trails, and views of Cold Spring Harbor and Long Island Sound. Open for guided tours.
Planting Fields Arboretum
A 400-acre New York State historic park in nearby Upper Brookville, featuring Coe Hall (a Tudor Revival mansion), greenhouses, cultivated gardens, and walking paths through woodlands and meadows.
Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center
Located in Oyster Bay Cove, this 12-acre wildlife sanctuary is operated by Audubon New York and offers nature trails, bird watching, and environmental education programming.
Oyster Bay Harbor
The harbor supports sailing, kayaking, fishing, and oyster harvesting. The WaterFront Center provides public access to the water through sailing lessons, environmental programs, and trips aboard the Christeen.
Nearby Communities
Oyster Bay sits at the northeastern edge of Nassau County's North Shore. Locust Valley is to the west along the Oyster Bay Branch. Glen Head and Sea Cliff are further west. The incorporated villages of Oyster Bay Cove, Cove Neck, Centre Island, and Mill Neck surround the hamlet and share the 11771 zip code. Old Westbury and Muttontown are to the south.
For a broader look at all the communities we cover, visit our communities hub.
Commute to Manhattan
Oyster Bay is the eastern terminus of the LIRR's Oyster Bay Branch. The branch is diesel-powered and non-electrified beyond Mineola, which means most trips to Manhattan require a transfer at Jamaica or Mineola.
LIRR Station: Oyster Bay (terminus of the Oyster Bay Branch)
Branch: Oyster Bay Branch
Typical Travel Time to Penn Station: ~70 to 85 minutes (including transfer at Jamaica or Mineola)
Service to Grand Central Madison: Available via transfer at Jamaica or Hicksville
Train Frequency: Approximately hourly during peak hours; less frequent off-peak
Driving to Midtown Manhattan: Approximately 33 to 37 miles. Without traffic, the drive takes roughly 45 to 55 minutes via Route 106 or Route 25A south to the Long Island Expressway (I-495) to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel. During peak commute hours, expect 70 to 100 minutes depending on route and conditions.
Primary Driving Routes: Route 25A west through North Shore communities; Route 106 south to I-495 (LIE) westbound; Northern State Parkway west via connecting routes.
Bus: NICE bus routes serve portions of the Oyster Bay area, connecting to Hicksville and other Nassau County hubs.
History
The first European mention of Oyster Bay comes from Dutch Captain David Peterson de Vries, who anchored in the bay on June 4, 1639, and noted the abundance of shellfish. English colonists Peter Wright, Samuel Mayo, and Reverend William Leverich came from Cape Cod and settled near the harbor in 1653, purchasing land from the Matinecock people. The bay sat at the boundary between the Dutch New Amsterdam colony and the English New England colonies.
During the American Revolution, British troops occupied the hamlet and fortified a hill overlooking it. Raynham Hall, the Townsend family home, served as a British headquarters. Robert Townsend, a member of the family, secretly served as a key operative in George Washington's Culper Spy Ring — one of the most significant intelligence operations of the war.
In the 1880s, the LIRR extended service from Locust Valley to Oyster Bay. Around the same time, Theodore Roosevelt chose to build his home, Sagamore Hill, on a hilltop in neighboring Cove Neck. Roosevelt lived there until his death in 1919. During his presidency, Oyster Bay became known nationally as the location of the "Summer White House." He is buried at Youngs Memorial Cemetery in Oyster Bay Cove.
A less well-known historical connection: in 1906, an investigation into Typhoid Mary's employment at a summer home in Oyster Bay led to the discovery of her role as a disease carrier — one of the landmark cases in American public health history.
Notable residents and connections include musician Billy Joel, tennis players John and Patrick McEnroe, author Thomas Pynchon, and actress Heather Matarazzo.
Real Estate Overview
Oyster Bay's housing stock reflects its long history. The hamlet includes colonial-era homes, folk Victorians, bungalow Craftsman-style homes, post-war capes and ranches, and newer construction. Many of the older homes feature large front porches and period details. The downtown area includes some co-op units and smaller multi-family properties, while the residential streets offer single-family homes on modest to mid-sized lots.
Within the hamlet proper, single-family homes generally range from the high $500s to $1.2 million, depending on size, condition, and proximity to the waterfront. Co-ops are available starting in the $300,000 to $400,000 range. The broader Oyster Bay zip code (11771) also includes portions of surrounding incorporated villages — including Oyster Bay Cove, Cove Neck, Centre Island, Mill Neck, and Muttontown — where estate-scale properties can reach $2 million to $5 million and above.
Buyers should verify whether a property with an "Oyster Bay" mailing address is located within the hamlet or within one of the surrounding incorporated villages, as this affects governance, zoning, lot size, and pricing significantly.
The market moves at a moderate pace within the hamlet, with homes typically spending 30 to 70 days on market depending on price point and condition.
Search homes for sale in Oyster Bay | Get a free home valuation
Schools
Oyster Bay is served by the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District (OBEN CSD), which was created in 1960. The district encompasses the hamlets of Oyster Bay and East Norwich and portions of the incorporated villages of Centre Island, Oyster Bay Cove, Cove Neck, Mill Neck, Muttontown, Laurel Hollow, and Upper Brookville.
The district operates three schools: Roosevelt Elementary School (grades K–2), James H. Vernon Middle School (grades 3–6), and Oyster Bay High School (grades 7–12).
Private school options in the area include St. Dominic High School.
For additional details, visit the Oyster Bay-East Norwich CSD website or review district information on GreatSchools.org.
Who Considers Oyster Bay?
Buyers consider Oyster Bay for its waterfront setting, historic character, and the kind of small-town atmosphere that's increasingly rare on Long Island.
The walkable downtown with its mix of restaurants, historic sites, and harbor access appeals to buyers who want a community that functions as a destination, not just a residential address. The Oyster Festival, the WaterFront Center, Raynham Hall, and the Roosevelt legacy give the hamlet a cultural dimension that most suburban communities lack.
The harbor and the working oyster industry give Oyster Bay an authenticity that distinguishes it from the more manicured Gold Coast communities to the west. Buyers drawn to waterfront living — sailing, kayaking, fishing, harbor views — find a setting here that feels more like a New England coastal town than a Long Island suburb.
The hamlet's location at the end of the Oyster Bay LIRR branch means commute times to Manhattan are longer than from communities further west. Buyers who prioritize lifestyle and setting over commute optimization tend to be the strongest fit.
Buyers from other North Shore communities — including Port Washington, Manhasset, and Glen Head — sometimes look east to Oyster Bay for more land, lower density, and waterfront access at comparable or lower price points.
Buying or Selling in Oyster Bay?
Eric Berman and The Eric Berman Team at Compass serve buyers and sellers across the North Shore, including Oyster Bay and the surrounding villages. The team understands the distinction between the hamlet and the incorporated villages that share the 11771 zip code — a detail that matters for pricing, school district, and governance. Whether you're buying a colonial near Main Street or selling a waterfront property, the team brings local knowledge and real transaction experience.
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Why list with The Eric Berman Team
Call Eric Berman directly: 917-225-8596
Frequently Asked Questions About Oyster Bay
Q: How far is Oyster Bay from Manhattan?
A: Oyster Bay is approximately 35 miles from Midtown Manhattan. The LIRR's Oyster Bay Branch terminates at Oyster Bay station, with service to Penn Station in approximately 70 to 85 minutes including a transfer at Jamaica or Mineola. By car, the drive takes 45 to 55 minutes without traffic and 70 to 100 minutes during peak hours.
Q: What is Sagamore Hill?
A: Sagamore Hill is the home Theodore Roosevelt built in 1886 in neighboring Cove Neck. It served as his family home and as the "Summer White House" during his presidency (1901–1909). Now a National Historic Site operated by the National Park Service, the 83-acre property includes the restored Victorian mansion, a museum, nature trails, and views of Cold Spring Harbor.
Q: What types of homes are available in Oyster Bay?
A: The hamlet of Oyster Bay includes colonial-era homes, folk Victorians, Craftsman bungalows, post-war capes and ranches, co-ops, and newer construction. Single-family homes in the hamlet generally range from the high $500s to $1.2 million. The broader 11771 zip code includes surrounding villages where estate properties can reach $2 million to $5 million and above.
Q: What school district serves Oyster Bay?
A: Oyster Bay is served by the Oyster Bay-East Norwich Central School District, which operates Roosevelt Elementary School (K–2), James H. Vernon Middle School (3–6), and Oyster Bay High School (7–12). The district also covers East Norwich and portions of several surrounding incorporated villages.
Q: What is the Oyster Festival?
A: The Oyster Festival is the East Coast's largest waterfront festival, held annually on the second weekend of October in Oyster Bay. Organized by the Oyster Bay Rotary Club, it draws over 200,000 visitors and features live music, oyster vendors, craft exhibits, and boat tours of the harbor.
Q: Are oysters still harvested in Oyster Bay?
A: Yes. Oyster Bay Harbor remains Long Island's traditional source for farmed oysters, producing up to 90% of all oysters harvested in New York State. The working-waterfront heritage is a defining feature of the community.
Q: What is Raynham Hall?
A: Raynham Hall Museum is a colonial-era house on West Main Street that served as the home of the Samuel Townsend family and was used as a British headquarters during the American Revolution. Robert Townsend, a family member, was part of George Washington's Culper Spy Ring. The museum is open for tours and programming year-round.
