Introduction to Great Neck, New York
Great Neck, New York, in Nassau county, is 8 miles S of New Rochelle, New York (center to center) and 13 miles E of New York, New York.
Great Neck History
The area was originally inhabited by the Mattinecock Native Americans. Settlers arrived in the late 1600s, when the community was known as "Madnan's Neck". Later it was divided in two to form "Little Neck" and "Great Neck" and it was primarily a farming community. In the late 19th century, the New York and Flushing Railroad's railhead was established in Great Neck, which turned it into a commuter town. The village saw an influx of Ashkenazi Jews following the end of World War II. In the 1980s, a number of affluent Iranian Jews arrived in Great Neck, and Orthodox Jews arrived in the late 20th century. The village also has numerous Chinese and Korean immigrants. The village, which is now situated in the town of North Hempstead, also formed a backdrop to F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel "The Great Gatsby".
Great Neck and Nearby Attractions
- Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site
- African American Museum
- Bergen County Zoological Park
- Hempstead Lake State Park
- Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
Things To Do In Great Neck
Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site, which includes the church built in 1665 and 9,000 graves dating back to the 1700s, is a place of historic interest near Great Neck. The village also offers easy access to a number of museums such as the African American Museum, the Queens County Farm Museum, the Fine Arts Museum of Long Island, the Science Museum of Long Island, and the Long Island Children's Museum. Brooklyn Heights Promenade is a popular destination in the area where visitors can see the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and downtown Manhattan. Hiking, biking, horseback riding, picnicking, and fishing can be enjoyed at the Hempstead Lake State Park, Bronx Park, Tibbetts Brook Park, and Valley Stream State Park.
Great Neck Transportation
John F Kennedy International Airport is the closest major airport.
Great Neck Higher Education
Colleges near Great Neck are CUNY - Queens College, SUNY Maritime College, and CUNY Queensborough Community College.
