46 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • APRIL 2018
SPOTLIGHT
NEW HYDE PARK:
A NYC COMMUTER’S HAVEN
By BRENDAN MANLEY
New Hyde Park is one of Long Island’s
oldest communities, dating back to
an 800-acre land grant given in 1683
to Thomas Dongan, royal colonial
governor of New York, who built
a mansion overlooking “Dongan’s
Farm” on what is now Lakeville Road.
Sold to provincial secretary George
Clarke in 1715, the estate was then
dubbed Hyde Park in honor of
Clarke’s wife, Anne Hyde. Clarke
eventually sold the land in 1783 and
by the early 19th century, the region
was a hub for cattle farming, until the
mid-1800s, when ranch competitors
out West began to overtake the
market. When it opened its first
post office in 1871 the area became
known as New Hyde Park, to avoid
confusion with Hyde Park further
north in Dutchess County.
The Inn at New Hyde Park is one of Long Island’s most luxurious catering halls (Photo courtesy of Studio 27 Photography)
These days, New Hyde Park is
math skills, so when you’re done
(one is named “Romeo,” and the
hockey and pretty much anything
primarily a commuter town, because
checking out guitars, head over
other is “Juliet”), with a variety
that happens on a frozen surface.
of its close proximity and relatively
to the Goudreau Museum of
of challenging features. The Golf
There are public sessions offered
short commute to Manhattan, with
Mathematics in Art and Science
Center also offers a driving range,
several days per week, as well
more than 75 percent of its land
(Herricks Community Center, 999
golf lessons, an indoor simulator, a
as skating school, house hockey
used for single-family residences.
Herricks Rd., Room 202, 516-747-
repair shop and a café. The driving
leagues, open “pickup” hockey,
When residents and visitors alike
0777, mathmuseum.org), founded
range is 250 yards deep and offers
clinics and more. Check out their
are looking for some quality fun and
by engineer and mathematics
100 covered teeing booths, as well
special “puck shoot” events, where
food in the immediate area, sure-fire
teacher Bernard Goudreau. The
as a practice putting green and sand
you can alleviate all that commuter
hotspots include:
museum helps visitors “gain an
trap.
stress by teeing off against real
understanding of mathematical
goalies, and don’t even need to
Six-string enthusiasts are absolutely
principles through the practical
You can also spend some quality
apologize.
obligated to make a pitstop at the
application of modeling and
time rolling a ball, rather than
American Guitar Museum (1810
geometric simulation,” according
hitting one, at New Hyde Park’s
WHERE TO DINE
New Hyde Park Rd., 516-488-5000,
to its website. Activities and
local bowling alley, Herrill Lanes
americanguitarmuseum.com), which
features include: building a math
(465 Herricks Rd., 516-741-8022,
Umberto’s
is absolutely packed with vintage,
model; games and puzzles; exhibits
herrilllanes.com). The family-run
633 Jericho Tpke., 516-437-7698,
rare and noteworthy axes on display,
demonstrating the use of math in
bowling mecca features 36 synthetic
originalumbertos.com
including one of the largest known
the arts and sciences; specialized
lanes, computer scoring, a fullservice
Luigi’s Italian Restaurant
collections of D’Angelico guitars,
programs and workshops; a
pro shop, coffee shop and
265-21 Union Tpke., 718-347-7136,
plus vintage pick-making tools
mathematics resource library; and a
the Chatterbox Lounge, offering
luigisnewhydepark.com
donated by D’Andrea and blueprint
museum store stocked with games,
drink specials nightly. There’s also
reproductions of Andrés Segovia’s
puzzles, books and more.
Rock-N-Bowl with cosmic lighting
Inn at New Hyde Park
legendary 1937 Hermann Hauser.
every Saturday evening, set to music
214 Jericho Tpke., 516-354-7797,
The museum is also home to a repair
Or, if calculating the best angle
from the 1960s to the present.
innatnhp.com
shop run by master luthier Chris
to sink that game-changing putt
Chef Wang
“Guitar Doctor” Ambadjes, as well as
is more your speed, you’ll love
Finally, after working up a sweat
1902 Jericho Tpke., 516-354-2858,
a studio for guitar lessons. Be sure to
spending some time at Romeo &
on the driving range and/or at the
chefwangny.com
bow down before the wall devoted to
Juliet Miniature Golf (377 Denton
lanes, cool off on the shimmering
Les Paul and his iconic instruments.
Ave., 516-739-0167, springrockgolf.
ice at Iceland (3345 Hillside Ave.,
Tavern 18
com), located in the Spring Rock
516-746-1100, icelandlongisland.
26511 Union Tpke., 718-347-4846,
Researchers say there’s a strong
Golf Center. There are two 18-hole
com), one of Nassau County’s top
tavern18.com
link between musical ability and
mini-golf courses to choose from
destinations for figure skating,