Overview
Bay Shore is a hamlet in the town of Islip on Long Island in the state of New York.
2 sights · 2 things to do · 7 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Bay Shore
Sagtikos Manor
Sagtikos Manor, built in 1697, served briefly as headquarters for the British army during the Revolutionary War. President George Washington stayed there during his tour of Long Island in 1790. Take a tour of the Manor H…
Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library
The library opened in 1907. It underwent major re-construction in 2009 and was transformed into a modern place for learning.
YMCA
If you are a member you can go swim, run the track, using the gyms and lift weights.
The Boulton Center for the Performing Arts
The YMCA Boulton Center offers theatre productions, concerts, film, dance, cabaret, jazz, poetry and play readings, student productions, children’s entertainment, YMCA cultural arts events, lectures, and seminars.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 86°F; winter lows dip to about 29°F. Cold months (Jan) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby New York City)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ISP Long Island MacArthur Airport, Islip — 9 mi away. Directions
- JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York — 28 mi away (major hub). Directions
The southernmost of these, Montauk Highway, is a local road with traffic lights in many sections. In Bay Shore, it's also known as Main Street.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Sagtikos Manor, Bay Shore-Brightwaters Public Library
- Lunch Mamma Santina's
- Afternoon YMCA, The Boulton Center for the Performing Arts
- Dinner Fatfish Wine Bar and Bistro
- Evening Goody Two Shoes
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Bay Shore is more than 300 years old, having celebrated its tricentennial in 2009, with banners up throughout the town. The hamlet’s population is much more diverse than many other places on Long Island.
Immediately adjacent to Bay Shore, there is the village of Brightwaters.
Get in
By plane
Go Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP)
MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma is a convenient regional airport centrally located on Long Island. The primary carrier flying in and out of this airport is the low–cost carrier Southwest Airlines. American Airlines has flights in from DCA (Reagan Int'l) and PHL (Philadelphia).
- For other area airports, see Long Island.
By airport shuttle
Place GO Airport Shuttle (WINSTON Transportation Group)
GO Winston provides shared van shuttle service to ISP, shared sedan to ISP, private sedan to ISP, private luxury van, minicoach, motorcoach or group tours of NYC & Long Island.
By car
The southernmost of these, Montauk Highway, is a local road with traffic lights in many sections. In Bay Shore, it's also known as Main Street.
The rest of these are major east–west routes that run from eastern New York City across Long Island. The best of these travelling to Bay Shore is the Southern State Parkway, a limited–access parkway from end to end.
The major north–south route intersecting these highways is Fifth Avenue, signed as County Road 13. Beyond its intersection with Sunrise Highway, you'll come to the intersection of Fifth Avenue and Howells Road. You'll pass the Bay Shore Fire Department on the left. After about 0.5 mi, northbound and southbound traffic split into separate roads. Southbound traffic continues on Clinton Avenue signed as County Road 13A. You'll follow this into Downtown Bay Shore at the intersection of CR13A and NY27A.
By train
Get around
The easiest way to get around Bay Shore is by car. You can also bike or walk. You can't hail a cab, but you can call for one.
By taxi
Place Tommy's Taxi
By bus
There are nine bus routes serving destinations in Bay Shore. Two are through routes; the other seven terminate within the hamlet.
There are three different terminal locations within Bay Shore.
Place Bay Shore Mini-Center (Touro College)
New York State and Suffolk County used to provide services in the building that now houses Touro College. As a result, Suffolk County Transit chose this area as a terminus for several bus lines. It also has the advantage of being one block south of the Bay Shore LIRR station.
Place South Shore Mall (Westfield South Shore)
Place Gardiner Manor Plaza
For additional information, contact:
See and do
See Sagtikos Manor
Sagtikos Manor, built in 1697, served briefly as headquarters for the British army during the Revolutionary War. President George Washington stayed there during his tour of Long Island in 1790. Take a tour of the Manor House led by costumed docents and stroll through the grounds and nearby Gardiner County Park.
After you’re done at Sagtikos Manor, you can head east on Montauk Hwy. As you enter the village of Brightwaters, Route 27A becomes South Country Road. You'll pass Brightwaters Canal on your right and as you cross South Windsor Avenue, you will get to...
As you continue down Route 27A, it will soon turn into Main Street and on the right at Clinton Avenue is the YMCA.
Also associated with the YMCA and further east is...
Buy
Shop Westfield South Shore (South Shore Mall)
Anchored by Lord & Taylor, Macy's and J.C. Penneys, this shopping center is in a constant state of upgrade since being acquired by Westfield. However, don't look for a book store; you won't find one! For a list of all retailers, click here. For a list of all restaurants, click here.
Shop Gardiner Manor Plaza
This is an open-air shopping center. Major retailers include Lowe's Home Improvement, Target, Staples, Modells, Old Navy and Barnes & Noble Bookstores.
Eat
Eat Captain Bill’s
This restaurant in located right on the water. It has a bar and the lunch crowd. During the summer, it has live bands outdoors. Captain Bill’s is upscale and caters for large parties.
Eat Coyle's Homemade Ice Cream
Step inside an old-fashioned ice cream parlor and enjoy the taste of fresh ice cream. That's Coyle's. Some booths on the left, a soda fountain on the right and a cornucopia of fresh ice cream flavors to rival Baskin-Robbins' 31. You can't believe how fresh the ice cream tastes!
Eat Fatfish Wine Bar and Bistro
Fatfish Bar & Bistro is open year round. Take in the breathtaking views of the bay while enjoying the cuisine of executive chef and proprietor Brian Valdini. The Fat Fish is an upscale restaurant.
Eat Leggio’s Delicatessen
Leggio’s is a deli that has been run out of the owner’s house for over 60 years. They make the best sandwiches; it is so worth the wait for the sandwich. You can get a foot long sandwich and a drink for under $5. Leggio’s doesn't look like the cleanest place, but people at know about Leggio’s still go there for lunch.
Eat Mamma Santina's
It is a hot spot for lunch. During the school year, many students relax and eat a piece of pizza. Mamma's is family-owned that has great prices which goes along with their great food.
Eat Ditch Kitchen & Surf Bar
A seaside bar and grill specializing in California style seafood and tacos.
Drink
Drink Goody Two Shoes
Craft cocktails and food.
Stay safe
Go next
To travel to Ocean Beach, Fair Harbor, Dunewood, Atlantique, Kismet, Saltaire, Ocean Bay Park and Seaview:
By ferry
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My experience
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