Overview
Roslyn is a community in Nassau County, on Long Island, in New York. Anchored by the Village of Roslyn, the community takes immense pride in its rich history, and terrific schools. Like nearby Great Neck and Port Washington, the Roslyn area is home to a large, vibrant Jewish community.
This article covers the Village of Roslyn, plus the villages of East Hills, Roslyn Estates, and Roslyn Harbor – along with unincorporated Greenvale and Roslyn Heights; the article on the Village of Flower Hill covers that portion of town (these seven municipalities & hamlets, collectively, form the Greater Roslyn area).
8 sights · 7 places to eat · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Roslyn
The Bryant Library
Home to the Bryant Room, which contains the Bryant Library Local History Center – the largest public library local history archive in Nassau County.
Cedarmere
A county park containing the estate and home of poet and journalist William Cullen Bryant, located right on Hempstead Harbor. One of the most distinctly "Roslyn" places one can visit.
William Cullen Bryant Viaduct
One of the most impressive bridges on Long Island (there's even a book about it!); offers spectacular views of the area, the L.I. Sound, and Westchester County – and it has a pedestrian & bike path.
Elderfields Preserve
A historic county park, preserve, museum, and art gallery. The Elderfields Preserve consists of the historic Hewlett-Munson-Williams House – one of the oldest extant structures on Long Island (with the earliest sections …
The Bryant Library
Home to the Bryant Room, which contains the Bryant Library Local History Center – the largest public library local history archive in Nassau County.
Nassau County Museum of Art
One of the region's most coveted art museums; also famous for its impeccable gardens.
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.
- LGA LaGuardia Airport, New York — 12 mi away (major hub). Directions
- JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York — 13 mi away (major hub). Directions
The Long Island Rail Road's Oyster Bay Branch stops at the Roslyn station (which is actually in Roslyn Heights, just over south of its border with the Village of Roslyn), and it is a very short walk or bus ride from the station to the north end of Main Street. Two other stations on that line serve the community: the Albertson station (in Albertson & Roslyn Heights; it still counts!) and Greenvale (in Roslyn Harbor).
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Bryant Library, The Bryant Library, William Cullen Bryant Viaduct
- Lunch Hendrick's Tavern
- Afternoon Elderfields Preserve, Clark Botanic Garden
- Dinner Besito Mexican Restaurant
Day 2
- Morning Cedarmere, Nassau County Museum of Art
- Lunch Wild Fig
- Afternoon Sid Jacobson Jewish Community Center
- Dinner Bryant & Cooper
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
Roslyn was first settled by the European colonists in the 1600s, and was named Hempstead Harbor. Locals changed the name to Roslyn in the 19th century. Flower Hill, East Hills, Roslyn Harbor, and Roslyn Estates all incorporated as villages in 1931, while downtown Roslyn itself – the heart and soul of the community – did so the following year, in 1932, becoming the Village of Roslyn.
The village is famous for its historic downtown, which has 2 national historic districts (Main Street and Roslyn Village), dozens of properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, great shops and restaurants, the legendary My Father's Place, the iconic Ellen Ward Memorial Clock Tower, and for so much more.
Get in
By train
The Long Island Rail Road's Oyster Bay Branch stops at the Roslyn station (which is actually in Roslyn Heights, just over south of its border with the Village of Roslyn), and it is a very short walk or bus ride from the station to the north end of Main Street. Two other stations on that line serve the community: the Albertson station (in Albertson & Roslyn Heights; it still counts!) and Greenvale (in Roslyn Harbor).
By car
Roslyn is very accessible by car. Northern Boulevard (NY 25A) passes through the village, and the Long Island Expressway (I-495) and the Northern State Parkway are both just south of the village limits and provide very easy access to the heart of Roslyn's downtown.
By bus
One can get to Roslyn easily by bus, with the n20, n20X, n21, n23, n27, n40X, and Port Washington Shuttle bus routes – all operated by Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) – passing through and serving the downtown area of the village.
Get around
Roslyn is a very walkable community – especially the downtown area in the Village of Roslyn. It is also easy to get around the village by car or on a bicycle.
See
- Stroll through the historic downtown area and see all the gorgeous and meticulously-preserved buildings.
- Eat and dine at the amazing restaurants downtown.
- Catch a show at My Father's Place – a legendary venue which has hosted many celebrity entertainers over the years.
- Research local history at the Bryant Room at the Bryant Library – the largest public library local history archive in Nassau County.
Listings
See William Cullen Bryant Viaduct
One of the most impressive bridges on Long Island (there's even a book about it!); offers spectacular views of the area, the L.I. Sound, and Westchester County – and it has a pedestrian & bike path.
Learn
- The Roslyn Landmark Society is headquartered within the village, and its headquarters on Main Street contains a great local history museum.
- The Bryant Library Local History Center is another must-see for history-lovers, what with its astonishing archival collections.
Sleep
Stay safe
Roslyn is a very safe community – both during the day and at night; it is a community which takes pride in preservation. You do not need to worry about being the victim of any crime in any of the Roslyn area villages or hamlets, and the Nassau County Police Department is never far away.
Just like you would do anywhere else in the United States, in case of an emergency, dial 911.
Go next
Eat & Drink
Eat Besito Mexican Restaurant
A very popular and highly-rated steakhouse – one of the Long Island's best. People come here to eat from all over the region.
Eat Bryant & Cooper
A very popular and highly-rated steakhouse – one of the Long Island's best. People come here to eat from all over the region.
Eat Hendrick's Tavern
Not only is it a great steakhouse: what history buff wouldn't be excited eating in a great restaurant, located in the same building where George Washington visited!
Eat Kitchen Kabaret
One of the most popular spots in town for grabbing a coffee or a meal; also features a boutique grocery store.
Eat Landmark Diner
The first prefabricated double-deck diner in the country and one of the area's most iconic eateries. Includes a great bar upstairs.
Eat Limani
A super popular, upscale Mediterranean restaurant. Features a terrific bar and offers outdoor seating. Great food and a very ambient atmosphere.
Eat Wild Fig
A popular Mediterranean restaurant and grill.
Nearby
Flower Hill
City / town · 23 listings · 1 mi away
Manhasset
City / town · 9 listings · 2 mi away
The Plandomes
City / town · 5 listings · 3 mi away
Port Washington
City / town · 5 listings · 3 mi away
North Hempstead
City / town · 22 listings · 3 mi away
Mineola
City / town · 4 mi away
Glen Cove
City / town · 16 listings · 5 mi away
Garden City
City / town · 13 listings · 5 mi away
My experience
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