Garden City

Day Trips

Touch down at John F. Kennedy International Airport and take a short taxi ride to your charming boutique hotel in the heart of Garden City. Admire the restored Georgian architecture of your historic accommodation while sipping a locally brewed coffee. Feel the gentle buzz of the town as shopkeepers set out their wares and residents stroll down The Mall.

Stroll along the famed Garden City The Mall, pausing to browse designer boutiques, florists and artisanal shops. Pop into the Garden City Hotel’s elegant drawing room for a light lunch of fresh salads and homemade pastries. Wander through lush flowerbeds and manicured gardens that line the pedestrian promenade.

Sample innovative Long Island cuisine at a cozy bistro just steps from your hotel. Toast the beginning of your journey with a crisp New York State Chardonnay on a candlelit terrace. Conclude your night with a leisurely walk through the twinkling lights of the village center, soaking in the welcoming atmosphere.

Head to Roosevelt Field, one of the largest shopping centers on Long Island, and start with a gourmet breakfast in the food hall. Explore flagship stores, international brands, and hidden gems tucked between anchor tenants. Enjoy people watching as local families and fashion-savvy shoppers buzz around.

Continue your retail therapy with a spree at high-end fashion outlets and trendy boutiques. Take a break at a cozy café for a signature latte and a slice of New York cheesecake. Venture upstairs to catch a midday matinee or interactive exhibit in the mall’s event space.

Dine at a farm-to-table restaurant nearby, sampling seasonal produce sourced from Long Island farms. Sip on handcrafted cocktails infused with fresh herbs from the chef’s garden. Cap off the night with a stroll through the illuminated public art installations scattered around the complex.

Start your day with an energizing jog around the meticulously maintained path encircling Eisenhower Park's Great Lawn. Pause at the duck pond to feed mallards and watch songbirds flit between branches. Grab a quick bite at the park café, where fresh fruit smoothies and breakfast sandwiches await.

Hit the park’s championship golf course for a few holes under azure skies or unwind at the driving range perfecting your swing. Picnic beneath towering oak trees with a spread of artisan cheeses, crusty bread and crisp beverages. Explore playgrounds, basketball courts and the iconic dog run to experience how locals embrace outdoor life.

Return to the village for an alfresco dinner at an Italian eatery boasting family recipes passed down through generations. Delight in homemade pastas, fresh salads drizzled with local honey, and a robust red wine. Wind down with gelato while enjoying live acoustic music drifting from a nearby terrace.

Drive to the nearby Cradle of Aviation Museum for an immersive dive into the history of flight. Wander through galleries filled with vintage aircraft, rocket engines and interactive flight simulators. Grab a coffee at the museum café overlooking the runway-themed terrace.

Join a guided tour to learn about Long Island’s pivotal role in aerospace innovation, from early biplanes to lunar modules. Test your pilot skills in a state-of-the-art flight simulator, soaring over famous global landmarks. Refuel with a deli-style lunch of artisan sandwiches and locally sourced salads.

Return to Garden City for dinner at a popular steakhouse known for prime cuts and signature sauces. Savor each bite alongside a well-chosen vintage from their curated wine list. End the evening with a nightcap on a rooftop lounge, admiring the soft glow of village lights.

Enjoy a tranquil breakfast picnic at the Brookville Park pond, listening to frogs croak and turtles bask on lily pads. Wander along boardwalk trails through marshlands, keeping an eye out for herons and red-winged blackbirds. Breathe deeply as the morning sun filters through a canopy of pines.

Explore the Meadow Preserve’s network of footpaths that open onto fragrant wildflower fields. Bring a picnic blanket and sample artisanal cheeses, cured meats and freshly baked baguettes. Learn about local conservation efforts at an interpretive kiosk and chat with volunteers tending the preserve.

Stop by a farm-to-table tavern on your way back for a hearty dinner featuring locally raised meats. Sample a flight of craft beers brewed in the region and savor wood-fired flatbreads. Unwind on a spacious porch swing as fireflies begin to dance in the twilight.

Tee off at one of Garden City’s acclaimed golf courses, greeted by dew-kissed fairways and perfectly manicured greens. Work on your drive with personalized tips from a resident pro instructor. Refuel at the clubhouse with a plated brunch of avocado toast topped with prosciutto and poached eggs.

Indulge in a blissful afternoon at the hotel spa, enjoying treatments that incorporate local botanicals and sea salts. Book a signature massage followed by a refreshing eucalyptus steam. Soak in the relaxation lounge with a cup of calming herbal tea and soft instrumental music.

Slip into chic attire for dinner at a modern American restaurant featuring a chef’s tasting menu. Delight in artful presentations of seafood caught off Long Island’s coast accompanied by crisp white Bordeaux. Conclude the night with decadent petit fours and aromatic espresso.

Fuel up at a local café with lattes and freshly baked croissants before heading to the Bethpage Trailway entrance. Hike or bike the scenic 14-mile trail winding through woodlands, farmland and tranquil creek crossings. Stop at interpretive signs detailing the trail’s history and ecosystem.

Pause for a leisurely picnic atop a shaded bench overlooking a serene marsh. Savor charcuterie, seasonal fruits and sparkling water as you soak in the sounds of nature. Continue exploring backroads and hidden springs that offer idyllic photo opportunities.

Return to the village for a comforting dinner at a family-run restaurant serving made-from-scratch pizza and pasta. Pair your meal with a local brew or an Italian red recommended by the friendly staff. Stroll along quaint side streets, admiring historic homes illuminated by soft streetlights.

Join a walking tour of Garden City's historic village center, guided by a local historian. Admire Tudor-style manors, century-old churches and the iconic trolley stop turned visitor center. Pop into a specialty bookstore housed in a former carriage house.

Lunch at a charming tearoom offering finger sandwiches, scones and clotted cream. Browse antiques and vintage finds at neighboring shops where shopkeepers regale you with stories of bygone eras. Visit the Garden City Historical Museum to view rotating exhibits on early 20th-century village life.

Dine at a chic seafood restaurant overlooking a courtyard fountain, sampling oyster varieties sourced from nearby bays. Enjoy a glass of crisp rosé while the sun dips behind gothic revival rooftops. Cap the night with a stroll through the illuminated rose gardens adjacent to the town hall.

Begin with a hearty breakfast at an art-themed café, surrounded by local paintings and sculptures. Visit small galleries showcasing contemporary works by Long Island artists. Chat with gallery owners about upcoming exhibits and community arts initiatives.

Head to a creative workshop to try your hand at pottery or watercolor painting under expert guidance. Break for lunch at a vegan-friendly bistro serving vibrant grain bowls and cold-pressed juices. Explore pop-up art markets featuring handcrafted jewelry and ceramics.

Reserve a table at a chic fusion restaurant blending Asian and Mediterranean flavors. Watch as chefs prepare your dishes on an open-kitchen counter, savoring each inventive bite. End with a scoop of artisanal ice cream infused with local honey and lavender.

Sleep in and treat yourself to a leisurely farewell brunch at a rooftop café overlooking the village. Indulge in eggs benedict topped with smoked salmon and a side of truffle fries. Raise a toast with mimosas made from fresh-squeezed juices.

Take a final stroll along The Mall to pick up souvenirs—artisanal chocolates, scented candles and handcrafted soaps. Snap last-minute photos beneath arching trellises bursting with seasonal blooms. Check out of your hotel and load your bags with memories of a perfect getaway.

Depart Garden City with an invigorated spirit, stopping at a local coffee kiosk for one last cappuccino. Recall favorite moments as your journey continues, carrying the village’s warm hospitality with you. Plan your next return to this charming oasis on Long Island.