A wonderful place for walks and relaxation. Very beautiful landscape. The park is located on a hill overlooking the ocean. Unfortunately, the museum was closed, but we will try to come back here in the spring. When you decide to visit this place, keep in mind that parking here costs $15. read more

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We went to a wedding here at the house they have the property, and it was beautiful. The service was great and the food was excellent.

Great spot for taking nature pictures, nature walks and sunset views in the winter! Perfect for all ages and they also have some great events as well. If you close to the area, getting the yearly membership does pay off after a couple of visits so definitely worth it! read more

This is one of those places you want to give less than 5-star to keep the crowds away! Living close by, I'm here often with our dog children to enjoy walking all over the place getting our steps in. There is so much history, landmark buildings, Hampton house rentable for events, garden, children area with playground (etc), children train ride, water views, lake, new gazebo, walk paths, beach (sunbathing & fishing) convenient parking area and continual seasonal events. My favorite is walking in the light mist or rain usually when no one is around except few dog lovers. I personally find the membership fee more than worth it. In case I'm not clear, I highly recommend this place. read more

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One of our favorite pandemic discoveries. I love this place for its rich history, grand buildings, beautiful gardens & most of all the raw beauty of its beach. read more

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I Paid $15 to use the bathroom. Everything was closed, basically a dog run. No signs, no nothing.

Went to Sands Point Preserve today see to see Mansions and Museums. They were all closed. They charged $15 admission and there was nothing to see or do. It's basically a $15 dog run. read more

I love it here so much. Perfect place for kids under 8. Everything is digestible and well done, without being too much. Just a perfect place. 15 dollars to park. At this stage in my life, I am starting to understand the benefits of a high entrance fee. read more

July 2020. Beautiful grounds! I hadn't been here in years. It was a great place for some outdoor time with friends on a weekday afternoon during the pandemic. There are signs throughout about mask-wearing and social-distancing, which helped us to feel comfortable and safe. Note that the tours and buildings are currently closed (other than the restrooms). Looking forward for when they are able to safely open! There were a few families at the park this afternoon as well. There are kid-friendly trails, etc. Some people brought dogs but the actual dog run had a sign that it is closed. There are seats and picnic tables that we took a mental note of for future reference as a lovely outdoor space to safely eat while distanced. We walked most of the trails and admired the water and the beach. There were people on the beach and even in the water, but there are no lifeguards and there are signs that the beach is closed. (We admired the beach and water from the shore, away from other people and without actually walking on the sand.) There is a $15 entrance fee per car but you can also get an unlimited annual pass. read more

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Unbeknownst to us, we came here a bit too early for the buildings to be open to the public. I don't mean time of day early, I mean that we need to come back later in Spring when they'd allow visitors to go inside. I think it was set to open Memorial Day weekend or thereabouts, and we were there early April. Nevertheless, there are lots of outdoor grassy areas and/or trails, not to mention a beach, that we did NOT avail ourselves to because my back was hurting that day, and it just wouldn't have been a good idea to test out. I think we'll just have to come back and try again when it's not considered Winter hours. Next time, I'll check to see what's going on beforehand, and who knows, maybe my back will allow me to walk around, too !! read more

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Such a beautiful place with rich history! Perfect for a tranquil day alone or with company. I went with my boyfriend for my birthday to discover and pre-visit before bringing our dogs. The land is beautiful and well kept. So much open air and scenery. The castle is a beauty and you will definitely want to take photos! Enjoy the day, bring the pets and pack a basket of goodies to munch on. You won't want to leave. There are also great hiking trails to get your exploration and cardio steps in! read more

Parking car pass is $15, but you can get a free one from your local library! This is a huge, clean, and quiet park that makes for such a relaxing hour or two. Come for a brisk walk, a picnic, time by the dog park, or an adventure through the castle on a sunny day. I wandered with my mom and brother around the pond, trail 3, trail 5, and the area by the Hempstead House. The air is so clear and the land is so spacious. It's awesome especially if you want some private time with someone. There's also a rose garden, but it's being worked on for some Netflix show. Grab a map and explore! There are also yoga/meditation sessions, mansion tours, family nature programs, and seasonal celebrations. Look up their calendar and plan a visit with your family for sure. read more

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What a Beautiful, fantastical New York landmark this is. With it's whimsical history of the roaring 1920's this place has it all (there's a few castles!). Nestled at the tip of Hempstead Long Island-getting here was an easy hour drive. Paid the $15 parking fee and were free to roam around the castle grounds. At the entrance there's a big map that directs you to trails that lead to each castle (guided tours are provided with a fee). There is a particular trail past the duck pond- that leads straight to a deserted beach-What an amazing find! The water was clear and not polluted- it might be nice to sweep up the dead seaweeds though. The castle grounds with it's well manicured gardens was as marvelous as it gets- kind of reminds me of the Great Gatsby (the movie). After the walk around there is a children's playground that has a mini zip line for young kids to play and have fun on. Overall, a great place to spend time with the family. read more

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It started with a slow drive over an old bridge which really sets you up for what you're about to experience. The first thing you see is a beautiful old castle, you might think that's the only castle you'll see but you'd be dead wrong. In the distance there is an equally stunning historical castle that strikes awe as you approach. There are simple easy trails to the stunning beach. The only reason why this is getting 4 stars is because you could not tour the castles and the gift shop was lackluster. Otherwise would recommend. read more

The Sands Point Preserve Conservancy - Castle - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Sands Point, New York

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Unique scenic and historical landmark! We came to visit the preserve on a Saturday morning and we had a fun time taking in all that this place has to offer. Unfortunately the tours were cancelled today (even though I called a couple days prior to make sure they were still scheduled). This we couldn't visit some parts of the preserve including the Mille Fleurs and Falaise mansions. However, we were still able to enjoy the Gould Castle and the outside of the Hempstead House with the Rose Garden. Took some pretty cool scenic pictures. The welcome center at the castle has bathrooms and air condition. The A/C was crucial on this super hot day lol. They also allow dogs throughout most of the outside grounds and trails and also have a designated dog run where they can be unleashed. read more

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I love this place. It is well maintained and I love that it is dog friendly. It was our spot to catch some fresh air and sun without being too close to other people during COVID. We loved walking by the mini beach. We purchased the family membership for the year for $120. It was worth it for us since we came every weekend in the early morning during the summer (included admissions and parking). Parking is usually $15 per car. read more

The Sands Point Preserve Conservancy - Dog chilling on the grass - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Sands Point, New York

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This gorgeous place is very quiet. The admission was only $15 / per car so it was worth it. This is a nice get away from the city. They have a mini beach and forest trails for people take a walk around the garden / landscape. They have a dog park for dogs owners. Although I wish the castle and Hempstead House was open. I was told it has been closed for two years. I am not sure if it is due to pandemic or renovation processes. But it was still nice to see exterior of the house and castle. Definitely beautiful overall. I love it! read more

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The gloomy day did not stopped us in coming to this park. While waiting for the dog run event , we toured the manor grounds. The admission building ( Castle Gould) is instagrammable. There is a fee to tour inside but unfortunately closed during our visit. The Hempstead house as I heard hosts lots of performances and events. For our day visit, there was nothing on schedule which is a perfect timing to tour the house but was told needs advance booking. Passing by the area, we heard some artists playing their musical instruments - sounded like there was rehearsal going on. We were glad that nobody stopped us from looking around and enjoying its garden. The ocean view is magnificent from the vantage point we were standing. The house looks magnificent with the roses as the foreground. Can't image how beautiful it will looked like during springtime. It is a good walk between these two buildings. Manicured lawn - perfect for summer picnics. Tables are available as well as benches in the premises. There is a $15 admission fee and a free shuttle to see and tour the mansion (Falaise house) meters away from the main site. We opted not to go and planned to see it on next visit. We went for walking trails instead - the trail going down to the beach and going up to get a top view of the Long Island sound are manageable. It was a short walk distance but worth the time. Definitely more enjoyable to enjoy the trees once the cooler temperature hits- cant imagine how beautiful the different colors of the leaves will looked like. The parking fee of $10 is worthy of what you could do and see on this place . read more

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We went today on a Saturday for the first time. Some facilities were closed, not sure due to pandemic or not. Info desk was closed. It has two indoor bathrooms with slow moving line. A staff was regulating that each family uses one bathroom ( whole bathroom despite it has 3 stalls, only one group or family was allowed). Two portal potty on the other side of parking lot. No food or drink places. I saw some vending machines by the bathroom but they were all unplugged with signs saying out of order. Lots of dogs on leashes. A few ppl didn't masks despite signs were everywhere about masking and social distancing. Admission is $15 per car. Free for members. Once inside, everything is free to use. They have cool playground with zip line and other not so common play structures. A few trails to choose from, shortest one is 1/2 mile. We walked down to the beach. One side is more rocky, one side is more sandy. There's a pond but no live animals seen. We can only look at the outside of the castle. Great photo spots. Definitely will return. Suggestion: Increase bathroom facilities. Have a feet washing station at the beach area. read more

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Very cool park. It has a great combination of spacious landscape, scenic trails, beaches and historic castles. If you are a dog owner, this place will be heaven for your pup. The grounds are immaculately kept. Most of the visitors were respectful although there were a lot of people not wearing masks (COVID-19). The trails were clearly marked and had some nice spots over looking Long Island Sound. The beaches were cool. I'm not sure about the "rules" about being on the beach with your dog and certain areas that were off limits but I guess just pay attention to the signs or follow the crowd. read more

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Fun afternoon running around with kids and dog. Plus a dog park and overall dog friendly place for trails and socializing with other dogs. Beautiful views of the water and on one of the trails you can walk down to the beach. Lots of people around with the warmer weather today but still enough space to enjoy and take pictures and breathe. Playground for the younger kids looked cool with a long line for a kiddie zip line (a foot or so above the ground). For $15 admission for parking, a priceless afternoon with the family. read more

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This place is amazing and beautiful! I would like to spend a whole day there exploring the grounds, taking pictures and having a picnic. Beautiful and well kept. I would recommend this place for anyone who likes old architecture and nature. Great place to visit away from the hustle and bustle. But lets try to keep it a well kept secret read more

Beautiful grounds, tons of shaded, well maintained trails to choose from, a short beach, a couple small castles, what's not to like! They lost a star because we wanted a tour of the Hempstead house; we're aware it's not always open so we called no less than three times during business hours and never got an answer. We took a chance and went anyway..... it was closed for tours. Womp womp. But, we paid the $10 a head for the 4 of us to take the tour of the Falaise. Judy, our tour guide was excellent. She was enthusiastic and knowledgeable. The kids were bored but, hey, everything can't be Disney World. We were surprised (happily) by the amount of pups on the property, as they are allowed on the trails. Didn't see one pile of poo. Keep up the good work, classy dog owners. We'd like to return when the Hempstead House is open and maybe bring a picnic to enjoy on the grounds. Worth the entry fee. read more

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We came here the other day with our son. Haven't been here in forever. My son is at the stage where he loves water despite it being like a swamp or pond lol. So yeah he had a meltdown cuz he couldn't dive in. I get they cannot control the rocks on the beach but with the amount of money they can't fix the staircase going down to the beach? Maybe add one on the other side too. It can't possibly cost that much. Anyway very nice playground and masks are for sure enforced. I mean isn't it 6 feet away then masks? Or vaccinated unless in crowd it's ok no mask? Sort of obnoxious being told about a mask as we're literally only other family going down to beach. As I'm trying to stop my son from basically probably falling on rocks lol. I'm all for masks and I take the virus seriously hence vaccination but can't I be mask less on the beach outside? Lol. Anyway besides my rambling this is a nice place to go and I definitely would like to go back during the week and hopefully my son will not have a melt down again lol read more

I had a fabulous time at sands point preserve! This is a wonderful place to take your family or spend a day with loved ones! There are three properties to see: Hempstead House, Castle Gould & Falaise. On the day I visited with my awesome best friend, we hoped to tour Hempstead House however it was closed due to a private event. Bummer :(. Instead we walked the beautiful grounds and toured Falaise which is the Guggenheim estate just around the corner. Don't let the outside of Falaise fool you, the inside is a wonderful sight to see. I loved the medieval architecture and the elaborate design of the mansion. Our tour guide Tim was awesome! He was patient and very knowledgable about the property. He didn't miss a beat when explaining the art and architecture inside! Tips: -Bring money (Tours are $10 and they have vending machines located inside the visitors center in Castle Gould) -Purchase tour tickets at the first gate when you pull in with your car, because otherwise NOT A SINGLE SOUL is around to help you, I kid you not lol -Be prepared to pay $10 to park read more

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Just to be clear, I've spent time at the Sands Point Preserve in the past and remember it being wonderful (I'll throw in some more detail towards the end). What I'm specifically reviewing here is the Hempstead House and it's new and not-so-well-known Halloween attraction. I experienced this house of horrors with my girlfriend and sister this past Sunday night, and boy was it some spooky fun. There are plenty of well-publicized "haunted" attractions around the area, but we were looking for something close and something new/different. Searching online we discovered this almost hidden gem. I say almost hidden because Sands Point publicizes it on their website, but there's not much info beyond that. Despite this, we were up for the adventure. Driving to the Sands Point Preserve in the evening is spooky enough as it's barely lit, especially once entering the grounds. We drove up to the gate and the friendly guard assured us that the haunts laid ahead. We paid for entry ($30 for the attraction) and made our way down to the Hempstead House, one of the several large and ancient buildings located in Sands Point. I will say that driving through the area was a little confusing as there isn't too much signage, but I can't say it didn't set the mood nicely. Once at the house, we were pleasantly surprised to find almost no one there. It was a tad creepy that we were some of the only people traveling into this haunted castle, but it was amazing to be able to just walk up and go in sans waiting on any line. Without giving too much away, the fact that it's done inside a castle adds so much ambiance and sets things up for a truly unique experience. Vast, well-decorated rooms with frightening scenes as well as a few spooks thrown in at times that you almost didn't expect. The hauntingly large rooms made these subtle scares that much more unpredictable and eerie. Craziest part was the basement (or dungeon as they say). You're given a tiny glow stick to help you along your way, because once you reach that lower level, you can barely see! And that's when the haunts really start to amp up. The whole thing lasted around 20-25 minutes, but had us on edge, with hearts racing throughout. As promised, I will mention that this preserve has a lot to offer besides scaring the bejeezus out of you. With several beautiful buildings, plenty of botanics, trails and overlooks of the LI Sound, tours and learning experiences, and plenty of events and celebrations (I previously had come for a medieval festival and to check out an exhibit) there's so much to see and do. Overall, Sands Point Preserve put together a gloriously spooky and one-of-a-kind experience in creating the Hempstead House of Horrors. Get there this weekend while it's still running before it disappears (ghost joke). read more

The Sands Point Preserve Conservancy - A flyer given out upon entry (including a map) that showcases the upcoming events. Get here for the house of horrors soon! - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Sands Point, New York

This place makes me forget i'm still in New York. (Sorry Long Islanders ... Long Island is apart of the state of NY in my opinion). The grounds are beautiful and well preserves. The beach is so clean and quiet! They offer 2 tours for $10 each. I loved the tour. It was informative and very interesting. Great for a day out. read more

My husband took me here for my birthday this past weekend on a warm day, and it was breathtaking. I had done research on the preserve in the past and wanted to find a time to go when tour or event was going on. Unfortunately we didn't catch any of these, but just walking around the grounds was so beautiful. I can't believe this place exists so close to home. It's not often that you find yourself in a place with views of a castle, greenery, and the water. This is such a romantic place and is ideal for a wedding, proposal, or engagement photos. I saw people going for a jog, walking their dogs, or walking around and taking pictures like us (mostly couples). We headed over to the Rose Garden, but it seems like the roses are not yet in season. FYI: It's $10 for parking if you're not a member (cash only). read more

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Great spot for some family time or just a solo trip. After spending almost everyday in the library studying and hustling around this place is ideal to unwind from all the stress. Spacious property with many trails for walking, jogging, playground for the kids and dog park for your furry friend (s). There's a $15 fee per car or $4 if you park your car outside of the park. One of those random days parking was free, I am assuming it was because of St. Patrick's Day. Due to the viral pandemic everything was closed except for the dog park and children's playground. But I did enjoy walking around and embracing the calming environment. Gould castle was closed to public but opened for restroom use. Sadly the Hempstead House was closed and was going through some renovations. Parking is abundant throughout the park and waste bags are available to clean up after your dog. During normal business hours tours can be scheduled (find out more information on their website). If you are looking for a place to propose hmm then this might be it. The rose garden is beautiful during spring time. Definitely must check it out!! read more

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I absolutely love this place. After living for almost 2 years on St Martin then moving to the hustle and bustle of NY, I've missed that feeling of calm when standing at the edge of a huge body of water. I found that peace here. I've brought my two pups here and they love it as much as I do. There is definitely some trash hanging around and that washes up on the shores but I'm happy to collect all the small bits and throw them into the trash cans. I like the little trails that wind around the pond which easily burn off some energy before a romp on the beach. The beautiful grounds and castle are picture perfect and we quickly got ourselves a membership here. There is a discounted student membership, just FYI! Warm weather beckons for some outside play but this place has constant events for kids and adults alike which makes it a place to be year round! There is a new dog park that we have yet to visit but we will definitely be going soon! read more

The Sands Point Preserve Conservancy - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Sands Point, New York

Came here 2 weeks ago with the parents on a gorgeous Sunday afternoon. $10 parking fee per car. Plenty of parking available. Unfortunately, the castle-like house seemed to be closed for some reason, probably a private party or renovations. No matter; the grounds were well maintained and the views of the ocean were spectacular! As another reviewer put it nicely, AMAZING views of the Long Island Sound. A short walk down some stairs and past a trail, was a private beach. I wouldn't suggest taking your shoes off, cuz there are lots of sharp sea shells and small rocks in the sand. If you have a dog, bring him/her here! Your dog will love running in the sand, and maybe going for a short swim in the water! If you walk further down the shoreline, you'll pass a few private homes. HUGE beach-side mansions! Overall, a nice place to relax with friends and family. Lots of nice pictures to be taken! read more

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Simply an amazing location with a wealth of history. So thrilled to have Ben and Joanna's wedding here. Much love - JGD.

Like everyone else, my family and I were confined at home on beautiful summer days of 2020 due to the pandemic. Besides our yard and around our neighborhood, we weren't too comfortable being anywhere outdoors. A friend of ours recommended Sands Point, so we held our breaths and went for it. We're not members, so had to pay an entry fee to get in, but the place is so beautiful, it is worth it! It was spacious enough for social distancing and my toddler to run around freely without being in people's way (and them being in ours). The castles make the visit more exciting and lends itself to photo opps. We also laid out our blankets, had a little picnic and soaked in some Vitamin D, all while enjoying the gorgeous setting! read more

A beautiful place to explore. There are trails that lead to other areas where you may have access to the water/sand area. I love that they have a gated playground for the kids too. read more

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Great family place for picnics and to view some cool castles. They have plenty of well marked and adventurous trails. One of which takes you to a beach. Lovely ride garden during the season. read more

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Always worth the trip, weather to walk the beach or the trails. Thank you for letting us bring our canine pets.

The best spot for a picnic, the year membership is very worth the price. It's never too crowded and and the most scenic drive! read more

The Sands Point Preserve Conservancy - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Sands Point, New York

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Nice place, beautiful view of water. Pretty castle. Has several trails, some long n some short. Wear sneakers if want to do all trail, wear something if want pics. Could not get in Castle bc of renovation when went. Trails were k n thru trees and lead to beach but cannot swim in beach (no changing center. N not meant for it). Old Westbury garden is breathtaking n very pretty. This place is called k. Water view n castle is cool part. Many scenes recognized from great Gatsby movie. $10 per car. Only 30 min from east meadow. read more

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Really cool hiking trails and castle. Beautiful views. Great for a picnic or walking on the small beach with your dog. I've only been here twice only cause it's not that close but it's really nice and I look forward to going back. read more

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I love coming back to this place. The trails are easy and great for families to explore or there's nice grassy areas with benches to just hang out on. One of the trails leads to a nice pond and if you keep walking, the beach is at the other end. Its a rocky beach, but I can sit on the beach and people watch all day. read more