Port Washington
Quick Facts
County: Nassau County
Zip Code: 11050
Approximate Population: 16,750 (2020 Census, CDP)
Greater Port Washington Area: ~33,000
Distance to Manhattan: ~17 miles
LIRR Station: Port Washington (terminus of the Port Washington Branch)
Nearest Major Roadways: Port Washington Boulevard (NY-101), Northern Boulevard, Long Island Expressway (I-495)
Community Overview
Port Washington sits on the Cow Neck Peninsula, flanked by Manhasset Bay to the west and Hempstead Harbor to the east. Locals call it "Port," and the nickname fits — this is a community defined by its relationship to the water. You can see the bay from Main Street, smell salt air on your morning walk, and watch sailboats from the Town Dock on any given weekend.
The downtown runs along Main Street, where independently owned shops, restaurants, and cafes have operated for decades. The Dolphin Bookshop & Cafe has been in business since 1946. Finn MacCool's has anchored the bar scene since 1984. Louie's, a waterfront steakhouse at the northern end of Main Street, has served the community since 1905. This is not a town that turns over quickly — businesses stick, residents stay, and the sense of continuity is tangible.
The Greater Port Washington area includes several incorporated villages — Sands Point, Baxter Estates, Manorhaven, Port Washington North, and parts of Flower Hill and Plandome Manor. Each has its own character. Sands Point is known for waterfront estates and the 200-acre Sands Point Preserve. Manorhaven offers more accessible price points and direct beach access. Baxter Estates has tree-lined streets and a village-scale feel. The unincorporated hamlet of Port Washington ties it all together, serving as the commercial and commuter hub.
Port Washington is part of Long Island's Gold Coast — the stretch of North Shore communities made famous by F. Scott Fitzgerald. In fact, literary historians widely consider Port Washington the inspiration for "East Egg" in The Great Gatsby.
Things to Do / Lifestyle & Amenities
Main Street is the center of gravity. The dining scene runs deep for a community this size — La P'tite Framboise for French bistro fare, Restaurant Yamaguchi for Japanese, Sullivan's Quay for Irish-influenced fine dining, Toscanini for Italian, and Ayhan's for Mediterranean. Jade Eatery & Lounge recently opened at the corner of Port Washington Boulevard and Main Street, adding Pan-Asian to the lineup. The Port Washington Diner is a local institution.
The Landmark on Main Street is a nonprofit community center and performing arts venue housed in a restored historic building. It hosts concerts, theater, film screenings, and community events year-round, including the Jennie Rimsky Theater. The Dolphin Bookshop & Cafe operates as both a bookstore and a gathering place.
Shopping along Main Street leans independent — boutiques, specialty food shops, and local services rather than national chains. North Shore Farms on Port Washington Boulevard is a go-to for groceries.
HarborFest, held each June at the Town Dock, is one of the year's biggest events — a waterfront festival with craft vendors, boat tours, live music, and food. North Hempstead Beach Park hosts community festivals in the fall, including an Italian Festival and a Greek Festival that draw crowds from across the North Shore. Third Thursday events bring live music, dining specials, and extended shopping hours to Main Street.
The Port Washington Public Library is one of the more active public libraries on Long Island, with extensive programming and community resources.
Outdoor Recreation
Port Washington's geography — a peninsula surrounded by water on three sides — makes outdoor access a defining feature.
Waterfront Parks & Beaches
Manorhaven Beach Park offers a pool complex, sandy beach, kayak and paddleboard launch, tennis and basketball courts, a skate park, and picnic areas. North Hempstead Beach Park, on the eastern shore, has two miles of beach access, walking trails, and hosts outdoor festivals and summer concerts. Bar Beach Park provides a sandy beach, fishing spots, and playground access. Sunset Park offers quiet bay views.
Sands Point Preserve
Over 200 acres of wooded trails, gardens, and shoreline on the former Guggenheim estate. The preserve includes Hempstead House, a historic Gold Coast mansion, and hosts cultural events, concerts, and educational programming throughout the year. The trail system includes a loop trail with views of Long Island Sound.
Bay Walk Park
A waterfront walkway along Shore Road with public art installations and sculpture. It connects to the Town Dock and the northern end of Main Street — a popular route for walking, jogging, and taking in views of Manhasset Bay.
Blumenfeld Family Park
Located near Main Street, this park features playgrounds, a seasonal spray ground, and open green space. The adjacent Landmark building hosts community and cultural events.
Boating & Water Access
The Town Dock is the community's public waterfront access point and a popular fishing pier. Several marinas operate along Manhasset Bay, and boat rental and charter services are available at Inspiration Wharf on Main Street. Yacht clubs in the area offer sailing programs and waterfront access.
Christopher Morley Park (nearby)
A 98-acre county park just south of Port Washington with a swimming pool, tennis courts, ice rink, dog park, and nature trails.
Nearby Communities
Port Washington's location on the North Shore places it within easy reach of several neighboring communities. Manhasset, directly to the south along Plandome Road, offers its own commuter rail station and a well-known shopping district at Americana Manhasset. Plandome, a small incorporated village between Port Washington and Manhasset, sits along the LIRR's Port Washington Branch. To the west, Roslyn is known for its historic village center and proximity to Roslyn Harbor. Further east along the North Shore, Glen Head and Sea Cliff offer their own waterfront character and access to the Oyster Bay LIRR branch.
For a broader look at all the communities we cover, visit our communities hub.
Commute to Manhattan
Port Washington is the terminus of the LIRR's Port Washington Branch — and that matters. Unlike nearly every other LIRR branch, the Port Washington line runs directly to Penn Station and Grand Central Madison without requiring a transfer at Jamaica. You board the train, you sit down, and you arrive in Manhattan.
LIRR Station: Port Washington
Branch: Port Washington Branch
Typical Travel Time to Penn Station: ~35–48 minutes depending on express vs. local
Service to Grand Central Madison: Direct, approximately hourly
Train Frequency: Every 15–30 minutes during peak hours; approximately every 30 minutes off-peak
Driving to Midtown Manhattan: Approximately 19–21 miles. Without traffic, the drive takes roughly 30–35 minutes via the Long Island Expressway (I-495) to the Midtown Tunnel, or via Northern Boulevard through Queens. During peak commute hours, expect 50–75 minutes depending on tunnel and bridge conditions.
Primary Driving Routes: Port Washington Boulevard south to I-495 (LIE) westbound toward the Queens-Midtown Tunnel; or Port Washington Boulevard to Northern Boulevard (Route 25A) through Flushing and into Manhattan via the Queensboro (59th Street) Bridge.
Bus: The n23 bus (Nassau Inter-County Express) runs from Manorhaven through Port Washington to the Mineola Intermodal Center.
Express trains from Port Washington reach Penn Station in roughly 35 minutes. The line is fully electrified, and the station is ADA-accessible with parking facilities managed by the Port Washington Parking District. For drivers, toll costs apply at the Midtown Tunnel and vary by time of day under the MTA's congestion pricing structure.
History
European settlers arrived on the Cow Neck Peninsula in 1644, purchasing land from the Matinecock people. For over two centuries, the community remained largely agricultural. That changed in the mid-1800s, when Port Washington became one of the most significant sand-mining operations on the East Coast. The sandbank here was the largest east of the Mississippi, and the sand was shipped by barge directly to Manhattan — where it was used in the construction of some of New York City's most recognizable buildings, including concrete and foundation work across Midtown.
In 1898, the Long Island Rail Road extended the Port Washington Branch from Great Neck, connecting the community to Manhattan and sparking rapid residential development. In 1937, Pan American Airways launched some of its first transatlantic passenger flights from Manhasset Bay — flying boats departed from Port Washington's waterfront. The community has also been home to notable residents, including composer John Philip Sousa and novelist Sinclair Lewis. Port Washington's maritime heritage remains visible today in its marinas, yacht clubs, and annual waterfront events.
Real Estate Overview
Port Washington's housing stock is varied — more so than many North Shore communities of comparable size. Single-family detached homes account for roughly 70% of the housing inventory, with the balance split among co-ops, condos, townhomes, and small multi-family properties. Architectural styles range from pre-war colonials and Tudor-influenced homes to mid-century capes, ranches, and split-levels built in the 1940s through 1960s. Newer construction, waterfront estates, and fully renovated properties are also part of the mix.
The Greater Port Washington area spans a wide range in terms of housing. Sands Point features large-lot waterfront estates. Flower Hill and the areas around Beacon Hill tend toward larger single-family homes on generous lots. Manorhaven and Port Washington North offer more compact housing with access to the waterfront. Downtown Port Washington has co-ops and condos within walking distance of the train station and Main Street.
Homes in Port Washington typically range from the $600s for co-ops and smaller condos up through the multi-millions for waterfront properties and Sands Point estates. The median home price in Port Washington has generally trended above $1 million. Inventory moves at a moderate pace, with an average of roughly 30–50 days on market depending on the season and price point.
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Schools
Port Washington is served by the Port Washington Union Free School District (UFSD), which operates seven schools serving students in grades PK through 12. The district includes five elementary schools — Guggenheim Elementary, John J. Daly Elementary, John Philip Sousa Elementary, Manorhaven Elementary, and South Salem Elementary — along with Carrie Palmer Weber Middle School and Paul D. Schreiber Senior High School.
The district encompasses the hamlet of Port Washington and the villages of Baxter Estates, Manorhaven, Port Washington North, and Sands Point, as well as portions of Flower Hill and Plandome Manor. As of the 2024–2025 school year, the district enrolls approximately 5,200 students with a student-to-teacher ratio of 12:1.
For additional details, visit the Port Washington UFSD website or review district information on GreatSchools.org.
Who Considers Port Washington?
Buyers tend to consider Port Washington for a combination of practical and lifestyle reasons.
The direct LIRR service to both Penn Station and Grand Central Madison — without a transfer at Jamaica — is one of the primary draws. Port Washington is the only LIRR branch with this routing, and it's a meaningful differentiator for daily commuters.
The waterfront setting and access to Manhasset Bay attract buyers looking for marina access, water views, or a coastal feel without leaving the metro area. The walkable downtown with independent restaurants, shops, and cultural venues appeals to buyers who want a functioning Main Street — not just residential streets.
The range of housing types is another factor. Port Washington accommodates buyers across a wide price spectrum, from co-ops near downtown to large waterfront estates in Sands Point. That variety is relatively uncommon on the North Shore.
Proximity to the Long Island Expressway and Northern Boulevard provides driving access to Queens, Manhattan, and points east on Long Island. Buyers relocating from Queens neighborhoods like Bayside, Flushing, and Douglaston often look at Port Washington as a next step.
Buying or Selling in Port Washington?
Eric Berman and The Eric Berman Team at Compass operate from the North Shore, with deep knowledge of Port Washington and the surrounding communities. Whether you're evaluating homes in Flower Hill, looking at co-ops near the train station, or considering a sale in Sands Point, the team provides market insight grounded in real transaction experience — not general commentary.
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Why list with The Eric Berman Team
Call Eric Berman directly: 917-225-8596
Frequently Asked Questions About Port Washington
Q: How far is Port Washington from Manhattan?
A: Port Washington is approximately 17 miles from Midtown Manhattan. By train, the LIRR's Port Washington Branch provides direct service to Penn Station in roughly 35 minutes on express trains and to Grand Central Madison in approximately 45–50 minutes. By car, the drive takes 30–35 minutes without traffic via the Long Island Expressway or Northern Boulevard, and 50–75 minutes during peak commute hours.
Q: What is the commute like from Port Washington to New York City?
A: The LIRR runs frequent service during peak hours, with trains every 15 to 30 minutes. Express trains reach Penn Station in about 35 minutes. The line also serves Grand Central Madison with direct service and is the only LIRR branch that bypasses Jamaica. For drivers, the primary routes are the Long Island Expressway (I-495) to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel or Northern Boulevard to the Queensboro Bridge. Off-peak driving takes roughly 30–35 minutes; during rush hour, expect 50–75 minutes.
Q: What types of homes are available in Port Washington?
A: Port Washington has a wide range of housing — from co-ops and condos near the train station and downtown, to mid-century capes and colonials in residential neighborhoods, to waterfront estates in Sands Point. Prices generally range from the $600s for smaller units up through the multi-millions for large single-family and waterfront properties.
Q: What school district serves Port Washington?
A: The Port Washington Union Free School District serves the community, operating five elementary schools, one middle school (Carrie Palmer Weber), and one high school (Paul D. Schreiber Senior High School). The district enrolls approximately 5,200 students. Detailed information is available at portnet.org and on GreatSchools.org.
Q: What is there to do in Port Washington?
A: Port Washington has a walkable downtown along Main Street with over 50 restaurants, independent shops, and the Landmark on Main Street performing arts center. Outdoor activities center around the waterfront — Manorhaven Beach Park, North Hempstead Beach Park, Bay Walk Park, and the Sands Point Preserve all provide access to beaches, trails, and water recreation. Annual events like HarborFest, summer concerts, and fall festivals are community staples.
Q: Is Port Washington a good place to commute from?
A: Port Washington's LIRR branch is one of the most direct commuter routes on Long Island. Trains run to Penn Station and Grand Central Madison without a transfer, and express service reaches Midtown in about 35 minutes. For drivers, Midtown Manhattan is 30–35 minutes without traffic via the LIE or Northern Boulevard. The station has parking facilities, and the downtown is walkable from the platform.
Q: What is the Greater Port Washington area?
A: The Greater Port Washington area includes the hamlet of Port Washington and several incorporated villages: Sands Point, Baxter Estates, Manorhaven, Port Washington North, and parts of Flower Hill and Plandome Manor. Together, the area has a population of approximately 33,000 and is served by the Port Washington UFSD and the Port Washington Branch of the LIRR.
