Hempstead on Long Island is a town in the Nassau County of New York, which first became settled by Europeans in 1644, and is actually the earliest Nassau County site settled by the English. Although technically a town, Hempstead is actually as populated as many U.S. cities, and so there is plenty to see and do around the villages which comprise the town.
Things to do in Hempstead
The various attractions within Hempstead and the surrounding areas include both the African American Museum and the Hofstra University Museum complex. There are also several nature reserves and other large parks around Hempstead, where there are lots of opportunities for outdoor activities such as fishing, golf, tennis and hiking. There are also plenty of great places for shopping and eating out around the town, most of which are generally less expensive than those in Manhattan.
Getting to Hempstead
The Hempstead Transit Centre acts as the major transit point for many of the Long Island Bus service routes, so it is relatively easy to reach Hempstead from most outlying areas of Long Island, as well as Queens and Manhattan.
Those transferring from the Subway may find it easiest to transfer to the Long Island Bus from Jamaica Station, with service N6 running between the two. The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) also goes directly to the various villages which comprise the town of Hempstead, with the two major lines being the Hempstead and West Hempstead branches.
