We got a Groupon for this place, which makes the price a lot more reasonable. They don't open until…read more1 pm on the weekends, and on Saturdays they don't even give guided tours. Instead, they give an "augmented reality" audio tour which is kind of hit or miss. The house was preserved for the historical significance of the Townsend family, one of which was a spy for George Washington. I didn't feel there was a ton of information on the family though. Pointing their phone at the different objects in a room turned on audio about them, but only a couple of rooms in the actual house were interactive. The rest didn't have signs, and one loan employee was around to answer questions at the end. The exhibit in the visitor center was nice though. I just don't think the AR experience was really up to replacing a person, both in amount of information and the uncanny valley, unnerving portraits. There is street parking and a nearby lot that are free on weekends. The gift shop is minimal. It was an okay spot to visit, but I would recommend coming on Sunday or whenever they offer actual tours to get a more thorough understanding of the house and the history of the people who lived here.

We went here on a winter weekend, and were fortunate to have the builsings to ourselves. The…read morehelpful staff took out modest admission fee and explained that they don't do tours on Saturdays but they do have tour devices using augmented reality. That means that when you walk through the buildings, you scan the cell phone device on important paintings and artifacts and they talk to you with further information about who or what they are. The small building that contains the entrance is packed with paintings, dioramas, documents and artifacts. Next you walk to the main house, built in the 1730's, and housing the Townsend family. At the time of the Revolutionary War, Samuel had to make room for a British colonel. In spite of the fact that he sympathised with the patriots, he maintained good relations with his "Guest." At the time of the war, the house had eight rooms. One of his sons was one of the leaders of the Culpepper Spy Ring, Placing the home on the National Registry of Historic Places. Each room was elegantly decorated, with the exception of the space for the enslaved housekeeper. In spite of the fact that we didn't get a formal tour, the staff member tagged along with us and kept up a spirited conversation - even giving us a bonus look at the Victorian wing which doubled the size of the structure. The house is said to be haunted, of course. Very highly recommended. The full set of photos can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/terryballard/albums/72177720323110655

Mill Neck Manor once called Sefton Manor built for the Dodge family. Mill Neck Manor is a majestic…read moreTudor Revival mansion and one of the remaining Gold Coast Mansions. Located on 86 acres the mansion has many architectural details that are rare. For instance in one of the great rooms, the wood is the last wood taken from Sherwood Forest in England. The fireplaces are brought over from Europe and are from the 16th and 17th century. One is so large it is not even attached to the rest of the house. This is a beautiful place to tour to see the attention to detail that was put into the mansions from the Great Gatsby era.

Such a great mansion. Amazing tour. The docent was knowledgeable and friendly. You can tell her…read morelove for the place and it's history. Highly recommend spending the time to "go back in time" to one of the the Gold Coast mansions.

TEP deserves more than 5 stars for the amazing start to finish service we experienced on our 7 day…read moreadventure to Peru to hike the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. From the time we signed up, to the time we boarded the plane to return home, TEP took care of every detail. We commented amongst ourselves that we felt like kids on vacation with our parents, as we didn't have to worry about any of the details - just show up and follow Neptali (our guide). From airport pickup in Cusco in luxury Mercedes vans where we were promptly served Coca tea to help with the altitude acclimation, to group dinners at amazing Peruvian restaurants, to historical tours and education on the history of the Inca - everything was covered and taken care of for us. And that was all before the amazing trek along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu! Of course the trek itself was the highlight of the trip, and although it was extremely challenging for us, TEP's unbelievable attention to detail did not fail us on the trail. With nearly a 2:1 porter to trekker ration, our every need was met on the trail. We dined like kings every meal, and were consistently amazed with the quality (and nutritional appropriateness) of the food our chef and sous chef were able to put out with minimal kitchen conveniences. The thing I felt was most special about TEP's approach to this trip was the focus on gaining a cultural and historical appreciation for what we were experiencing. Every step along the way, we learned about the native people of Peru, the Inca civilization, the many ruins we came across, the vegetation we saw and how it was and is used, and the history of modern Peru. It was the trip of a lifetime, and have the help of The Explorer's Passage made it so much more enjoyable, and so much more memorable. The value of what they provide is amazing for the cost....rather, for the investment. I highly recommend them!

What a fabulous tour! I did the "Washington in NYC" tour in June 2017 and it was such a wonderful…read moreexperience! So much fascinating historical information that I can't wait to share with all my friends now; such a great group of fellow explorers; and all so perfectly run - well planned, perfectly on time, with a great variety of sights and insights for all types of travelers. I recommend this tour highly - and will be on the lookout for future adventures from The Explorer's Passage! :)

A beautiful property with a lot of history. Our tour guide…read moredidn't know much about the house ,or the property, or the history. We were a little disappointed, but we were glad to at least tour the home. We would love to come back and get more information with a detailed and in depth tour of the history of the home and all that took place.

Called them via their main number and was hung up on after a rude response to my request to speak…read moreto an exhibit representative. The person never made an attempt to find out exactly why I was calling. If this is the best that they can offer by way of telephone contact I don't care what they have on exhibit or do. I recommend AVOIDING the OYSTER BAY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, et al, now and forever!!! AVOID *** AVOID!! *** AVOID!!! *** AVOID!!!! ** AVOID!!!!! My Rating for OBHS is a FIVE STAR FAIL!!! AVOID

This is former President Theodore Roosevelt's historic summer home estate, featuring preserved…read morebuildings, informational placards, and guided tours. The grounds are completely free to enter, with ample parking, well-maintained porta potties, and a small museum offering additional information and bathrooms. We've visited both in the winter and recently in the spring, and each season offered a different experience. On our latest visit, we took the short, manageable trail to the beach area with our dog. Walking among the towering hundred-year-old trees felt magical, almost like stepping back in time. The beach views were incredibly serene, and we even got to witness two deer running freely through the forest, chasing each other. This place is more than just a historic site, it gives you an awe-inspiring feeling. Between the peaceful scenery, rich history, and natural beauty, it felt like we were transported to another time. Absolutely recommend a visit here.

Honestly slightly embarrassed to have learned about this spot from guest visiting when it is so…read moreclose to where I am based. This spot is Theodore Roosevelt's family summer home. The house itself can be toured with timed guided tours Friday through Sunday. These open for reservation 9:30a online for the same day and ate usually sold out in minutes so plan accordingly! I can't comment on the house since I did not snag tickets when I naively went. However, the grounds are beautiful and the walk down to the forested loop trail with the beach outlet to the harbor is stunning. There is also a museum onsite that is free to visit and enter. It contains history of the family's home life, initial political career in NY state, and Vice Presidency and Presidency, issues he championed, and post Presidency conservation work and legacy.

My friend & I went to the annual Orchid Festival. It's was very enjoyable. The volunteers are…read moreinformative. Walking through the Arboretum is always very nice. Waking through the green house we saw an artist painting a picture of a woman.

I came to this place as a chaperone for a school field trip. I have to start by saying that the…read moreentire grounds are beyond amazing! There are so many plants, flowers, and a beautiful greenhouse. Everything outdoors was stunning, and despite the heat, it was a wonderful day to spend outside. The kids had a great time, and the parents acting as chaperones enjoyed the nature as well, we were able to hear the birds, smell the flowers, and take beautiful pictures. Everything was great from that perspective. However, when we took the tour inside the castle, things took a turn. There is no AC inside, and it was a very hot day. You can imagine having a large group of kids inside a stuffy museum after they had already been out in the sun! They had a scavenger hunt set up for the kids, yet when the kids actually found the items, the staff very angrily told them they weren't allowed to touch anything. It makes no sense to host a scavenger hunt for children if they aren't allowed to interact with the items. In every single room we entered, they were just barking orders: 'Don't touch, don't lean, don't do this, don't do that.' It was incredibly frustrating, especially given the heat. To make matters worse, one of the girls working with the tour guide kept complaining out loud, saying, 'Oh my God, oh my God, these kids.' It was very unprofessional. Vine a este lugar como acompañante en una excursión escolar. Tengo que empezar diciendo que todo el terreno exterior es más que increíble. Hay muchísimas plantas, flores y un invernadero hermoso. Todo afuera es espectacular y, a pesar del calor, fue un día muy bonito para pasarlo al aire libre. Los niños se lo pasaron genial y los padres que íbamos como chaperones también disfrutamos de la naturaleza; pudimos escuchar las aves, oler las flores y tomar fotos preciosas. Todo estuvo excelente desde esa perspectiva. Sin embargo, cuando hicimos el recorrido dentro del castillo, la situación cambió por completo. No hay aire acondicionado adentro y hacía mucho calor. ¡Imagínense tener a tantos niños dentro de un museo caluroso después de haber estado bajo el sol! Tenían una búsqueda del tesoro (scavenger hunt) para los niños, pero cuando ellos encontraban los objetos, el personal les decía de forma muy molesta y agresiva que no tenían permitido tocarlos. No tiene sentido organizar una búsqueda del tesoro para niños si no pueden interactuar con los objetos. En cada habitación a la que entrábamos, solo nos decían: 'No toquen, no se apoyen, no hagan esto, no hagan aquello'. Fue muy frustrante, especialmente por el calor. Para colmo, una de las muchachas que estaba con el guía no dejaba de quejarse diciendo: 'Ay Dios mío, ay Dios mío, estos niños'. Fue muy poco profesional.

What a great experience! All I needed to do to go on Capitan's Jonathan's exquisite Sailboat was…read moreshowing up. He had everything prepared and well planned: Drinks, route, safety equipment and amenities. The weather was perfect as it was the beginning of June. The boat is a beaty, and I was really impressed about how detailed oriented his captain is about keeping it looking and running so fine! Whether you refer to yourself as a day Sailer, sailboat rider, a weekender sailboat, or pocket cruisers, or just an immature boat lover like me - looking for some time in the water, there's no better way to enjoy the thrills of coastal sailing and wind than on this beautiful sailboat. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

From the owner: Lifelong sailor and licensed USCG captain offering private sunset charters, excursions and sailing…read morelessons in Oyster Bay, NY. Private charters can accommodate up to 6 guests. WINDSWEPT is a beautifully kept 36 ft Jeanneau Sun Odyssey featuring a spacious shaded cockpit perfect for relaxing and taking in the spectacular views of Oyster Bay Harbor and Long Island Sound. She is professionally maintained and equipped with modern electronics and USCG approved safety gear. Private charters are highly customizable. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion, interested in learning to sail, or planning a client outing, your time aboard WINDSWEPT will be both memorable and enjoyable. Below is a list of the different types of charters we offer: Sunset Cruises Sail and Swim Charters Sightseeing Harbor Tours Sailing Lessons Celebrate a Special Occasion (Wedding, Anniversary, Proposal, Birthday, etc.) Corporate Events (Client Entertainment or Team Building Exercises) Destination Sails Dock & Dine Photoshoots Contact us today to learn more!

Went here last week and haven't been since elementary school. If you love local history and 1800's…read moreAmerican history this is so worth the experience. Not everything is open due to it being volunteer operated and the Halloween pumpkin light up they're doing but you can still kill 3-4 hours on a beautiful day walking the grounds and walking with the staff. They're all so knowledgeable and answer any questions you have. Even my annoying ones like "what's your most haunted experience?" Which there are a few! For two people it was $30 bucks and if you haven't been in a while and are looking for a nice historic stroll in 1800's Long Island it is well well worth it!

The restoration village is the location where Blaze occurs. It's a fantastic display of…read morejackolanterns in various shapes, sizes, design and most importantly, THEMES. Have you ever wondered what it would look like under the sea, but with pumpkins? Wonder no more! Blaze has timed entry tickets and the system helps manage crowds as well as parking. The whole ordeal is very organized.

A kind man let us in and showed us around the museum, he was very welcoming and sweet. So much to…read moresee and learn about. Wonderful host and staff. Very informative, with an abundance of knowledge. Full of nostalgia of when I was little, growing up in Hicksville.

The first time we went to the museum,we took the tour and paid the admission fee ,only $5.00 for me…read moreand my grandson. We then went to the gift shop. The second time we went we only shopped at the gift shop. The third time we visited,we only wanted to shop in the gift shop again,but Paul wanted to show my grandson something in the museum. As we were checking out our purchase at the gift shop,Paul added a $15.00 admission fee charge for showing my grandson one thing in the museum which we weren't even intending to look at until he asked my grandson to come look at it. If you only intend to shop in the gift shop,don't step foot in the museum or you will be charged.ps Paul is the guy with the beard.

We had a great trip yesterday. They let us stay on the water for an extra hour. We saw a whale…read morebreach the water. It was amazing. We were allowed to bring food, snacks and drinks. Can't wait to do it again and bring a bigger group next time. My son, sister, nephew and myself had a great experience. Thank you.

Booked this 4 hour tour cause it was one more hour than the one we all know that did not go so…read morewell....just kidding! We headed out and the scenery was really great. The boat seems a bit old but solid. I will echo what many have said about the food onboard. We didn't have any. Also no drinks for us. It was rough seas so not sure how they would settle. We did not see one whale in 4 hours. I know it is not the guys on the boat's fault but it was a bummer. Riding around on the boat for 4 hours hot old after the first 2. We left a little disappointed.