A Long Island Getaway to Cold Spring Harbor

From brunch on Main Street to castle gardens, museum terraces, and the salt air at Oyster Bay, a one-day North Shore escape on the Long Island Rail Road.

A Long Island Getaway to Cold Spring Harbor | Source: The New York Times

The train from Penn Station heads east toward Cold Spring Harbor. Just over an hour later, the air feels softer and the streets are quieter. Main Street has cafés and small shops, and the harbor sits just beyond. From here the day moves easily from brunch to gardens, museums, and the shoreline at Oyster Bay.

Stop 1: Sandbar

Sandbar Cold Spring Harbor | Source: Sandbar

Brunch at Sandbar is a good way to start. The menu keeps to coastal classics such as lobster rolls, omelets, and fresh salads, and the coffee is strong. It is right on Main Street, which makes it an easy first stop before heading out further.

Stop 2: Oheka Castle

Oheka Castle | Source: Oheka Castle

The French-style estate is one of Long Island’s Gilded Age landmarks, built in 1919 by financier Otto Kahn. Once the country’s second-largest private home, it has hosted presidents, royalty, and film shoots. You can book a guided tour to see the grand rooms and corridors lined with old photographs, while the formal gardens and wide lawns are just as striking.

Stop 3: Vanderbilt Museum

Vanderbilt Museum | Source: Vanderbilt Museum

Overlooking Northport Harbor, the Vanderbilt Museum combines a mansion, museum, and planetarium. Built by William K. Vanderbilt II in the early 20th century, the estate still holds rooms preserved as they were decades ago. Alongside the living quarters are collections of marine specimens and artifacts from his travels. The terrace is the highlight, with a wide harbor view that makes it one of the most memorable stops on the route.

Stop 4: Crescent Beach Club

Crescent Beach Club | Source: Open Table

After the museum, the day shifts back to the shoreline. In Bayville, the Crescent Beach Club offers one of the rare chances to eat this close to the water on Long Island’s North Shore. The restaurant is open to the public, with tables on the sand and a menu built around seafood, salads, and easy cocktails. It works as a long lunch spot or a late-afternoon pause before heading to Oyster Bay.

Last stop: Oyster Bay Station

Oyster Bay Station | Source: Oyster Bay Station Museum

The day ends in Oyster Bay, where the small station faces west and the harbor catches the last light. While waiting for the train back to Penn Station, you can stop into the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum next door. It highlights the history of the Long Island Rail Road and has restored railcars and exhibits that make the wait part of the day’s experience. The ride back to the city takes just over an hour.