The incorporated village of Freeport is part of Nassau County and the township of Hempstead in New York.
It was originally called Raynor South and then Raynortown after Edward Raynor, who came from Hempstead village and founded the area in the 1650s.
In 1853, it was renamed to Freeport via popular vote; seafarers referred to Raynor South as a “free port” during colonial times.
Freeport was once popular for its oysters and later grew as a popular resort to relax and enjoy.
Nowadays, it’s a famous Long Island summer destination brimming with recreational opportunities on the water, excellent restaurants, and scenic sights.
Here are the best things to do in Freeport, New York:
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Imperial Diner has been serving delectable food in an American diner setting since it was established in 1972.
What started as a small place to enjoy a comforting meal has expanded to give customers a superior dining experience with its full-service craft bar, gelato station, and outdoor patio seating.
Imperial Diner has extensive menus that are updated from time to time to match the evolving palates of its customers.
Have a taste of the classic American diner experience on West Merrick Road!
You may choose from its mouthwatering breakfast all-day items, sandwiches and burgers, pasta, entrees, specialty dishes, and more.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with a cake, pie, gelato, sorbet, or gourmet shake.
Unwind with a glass of Imperial Diner’s specialty cocktails and wine or a pint of beer on the outdoor patio.
Freeport is recognized for its Nautical Mile, a waterfront strip along the west side of the Woodcleft Canal.
It is dotted with the finest restaurants, unique shops, family-friendly stops, and boating and fishing services.
It’s also where the annual Nautical Mile Festival takes place in June, welcoming visitors from Long Island, New York City, and beyond.
Experience what the Nautical Mile Festival is about on Freeport’s Nautical Mile!
Enjoy exciting rides and fun games with your family and friends, and discover delectable food you can only taste in the area.
Meet and get to know more about the community and local merchants as you immerse in the festive event.
Of course, Freeport’s Nautical Mile is worth the visit, even on regular days.
Engage in retail therapy with the numerous shops on-site and hop on a gastronomic journey across its popular dining spots.
Don’t miss the services that offer waterfront escape along Freeport’s Nautical Mile on Woodcleft Avenue.
The Captain Lou Fleet has served party and boat charter needs on Long Island since 1956.
Its fleet consists of spacious cruises that guarantee a comfortable experience on waters while celebrating a party, having fun at an event, and, most especially, taking a fishing trip with your peers.
The Captain Lou Fleet gives various fishing opportunities that can be enjoyed by anglers of different skill levels.
Reel in some fluke, black sea bass, porgy, blackfish, striped bass, and more, depending on your chosen trip and season.
Practice your fishing techniques, and you might get your best catch so far.
More importantly, value the moments you share with other anglers joining the super cruiser.
The Captain Lou Fleet is located on Woodcleft Avenue, and you can purchase tickets online or via phone reservations.
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A visit to Freeport is incomplete without indulging in rich seafood dishes while enjoying picturesque views on Nautical Mile.
Among the dining options worth visiting is Nautilus Cafe along Woodcleft Avenue, which specializes in seafood cuisine.
In fact, it’s also regarded as one of the best seafood restaurants on Long Island!
Customers not only rave about its creative dishes but also about Nautilus Cafe’s hospitable staff and beautiful atmosphere.
Dig into its delicious plates, highlighting the sea flavors of clams, shrimps, lobsters, and other fresh fish and shellfish.
The restaurant also serves juicy steaks, prime ribs, and chicken if you have your fill of seafood dishes.
Get the opportunity to see marine animals in the wild by booking a tour with Long Island Whale and Seal Watching!
Tours sail from Woodcleft Avenue aboard The Captain Lou Fleet vessels and run at different times of the year.
During summer and fall, you can join four-hour whale-watching cruises to see different kinds of whales, like humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins.
In other seasons, Long Island Whale and Seal Watching offers two-hour seal-watching cruises that introduce you to different species of seals in Long Island coastal waters.
Pay attention to the captain, crew, and naturalist on board to learn more about the majestic marine life and interesting facts about whales and seals.
Don’t forget to bring your cameras and binoculars to get the best view of the marine creatures, and dress warmly since it may be cold outside, especially in the winter.
If you get hungry, there’s a snack bar on board filled with hotdogs, chips, candies, and other snacks, plus different kinds of beverages.
Take your vacation to the next level away from urban sights by joining Nautical Mile Cruises on one of its trips.
You can choose from the Sunset Cruise, Moonlight Cruise, and other specialty cruises that offer spectacular vistas and an experience that’s one for the books.
There are sunset cruises, too, where you can bond with your furry friends!
The two-hour Sunset Cruise brings you through Baldwin Harbor, Mansion Harbor, Randall Bay, and Parsonage Cove.
Take a breather with the stunning sunsets, refreshing breezes, and smooth waters.
Have a good time on the dance floor with a live DJ and a full bar.
The two-hour Moonlight Cruise, meanwhile, provides a unique take on nightlife as it travels through the inland waterways of Jones Beach.
Dance under the stars and forget your worries with live music and a full bar aboard the super cruiser.
All the adventures of Nautical Mile Cruises are also aboard The Captain Lou Fleet vessels, and its main office is on Woodcleft Avenue.
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Just like any other place, there are well-maintained parks you can visit in Freeport for recreation or relaxation outdoors.
One of its scenic parks is Waterfront Park on South Long Beach Avenue, sprawling over two acres and overlooking Middle Bay.
There’s a big playground for young park-goers and an expansive area for picnic dates with families and friends.
Other park amenities include a gazebo, pavilions, a fishing area, and restrooms.
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Bring a book to read while kids burn energy on the swings, slides, and climbing areas.
Enjoy a peaceful stroll on the pathways along the waterfront, or share the joy of fishing with others.
Catch a cool, refreshing breeze and soak up striking water views at Waterfront Park.
BrewSA Brewing Company was founded in 1993 with the idea of producing “a truly All American Beer that tastes great.”
It prides itself as a 100% American-owned brewery and only serves 100% American-made beer to its patrons.
BrewSA Brewing Company opened its own sophisticated brewery with a taproom on Freeport’s Nautical Mile in 2017 and in time for the Memorial Day celebration.
Before finding a home in the village, it previously worked with a brewery in Wisconsin to produce its lone beer recipe.
Nowadays, you can select from its wide range of craft brews in its location on Woodcleft Avenue.
BrewSA Brewing Company has regular craft beers on tap and some seasonal brews to watch out for!
Inside the taproom, be fascinated with the views of six towering 14-foot-tall fermenters and catch a glimpse of the entire brewing operation behind the bar.
If you’re looking for a chill place to hang out with friends, BrewSA Brewing Company is the place for you.
While on Waterfront Park, take the opportunity to get yourself out in the water by making a reservation with Freeport Kayak Rentals!
Freeport Kayak Rentals offers different packages at affordable prices for singles, couples, families, and groups.
Discover the natural beauty and wonders Long Island has to offer by paddling a kayak for hours into Baldwin Bay and many other bodies of water near Freeport.
Spot various species of birds and other marine animals during your water adventure.
Look for purple-streaked sea shells that the Native Americans previously used as “wampum” or their currency.
Increase your environmental awareness by availing of a guided eco-tour for two hours to learn more about marine life.
Other activities you can do with Freeport Kayak Rentals are the Full Moon Paddle, which takes place in the evening to watch the moon, and the Monday Night Boat & Burger, combining a sunset paddle and a stop at a waterfront pub.
Escape into bliss with Freeport Kayak Rentals, which launches at Waterfront Park near South Long Beach Avenue.
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Freeport recently acquired Cow Meadow Park from Nassau County in 2022, but this 171-acre park and preserve have been a destination for recreation since 1970.
Cow Meadow Park encompasses tennis courts, sports fields, and other amenities where you can have fun with games and break a sweat.
There’s a playground for energetic kids and a dog park where your furry buddies can run around!
Embrace nature and know more about marine wetlands and terrains as you traverse the quarter-mile nature trail.
Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Prepare your binoculars, cameras, and spotting scope for great views of birds and wildlife observed at Cow Meadow Park preserve.
There’s also a fishing pier for visiting anglers, and depending on the weather, the park hosts free movie nights too!
Visit Cow Meadow Park on South Main Street.
If you’re interested in Freeport’s past, step inside the Freeport Historical Society and Museum on South Main Street.
The Freeport Historical Society manages the museum, which was first established in 1941 by Freeport judge and historian Hilbert R. Johnson.
The historical society was rebuilt again in 1961 in a bid to preserve and present Freeport’s history to succeeding generations.
Take a tour of the Freeport Historical Society and Museum and discover artifacts, waterfront memorabilia, and wide-ranging exhibits that reflect the unique heritage, culture, and way of life in Freeport through the years.
Some notable artifacts include a 1777 thirteen-star flag, a spinning wheel from “the oldest house in Freeport,” and military objects.
Freeport Historical Society and Museum also hosts several informative and entertaining activities such as fairs, shows, and tours.
Catch one of these events during your visit to the village!
With amazing views of Freeport Bay, Sea Breeze Park is definitely worth the stop to loosen up and take Instagram-worthy shots.
Sea Breeze Park is nestled at the end of Nautical Mile near Richmond Street and has been open to the public since 2009.
Park visitors will find a transient marina, boardwalk, rest facilities, volleyball courts, and a large multi-use field.
Enjoy a relaxing stroll on the boardwalk while taking in the captivating natural vistas around the park.
Watch water vessels as they sail away and the sun as it goes down.
You may also take a hike since it’s an assigned stopover on the South Shore Blueway Kayak Trail.
During July and August, catch-free movies with the family on Friday nights while munching on some popcorn.
Fill your camera roll with unforgettable memories at Sea Breeze Park.
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Crow’s Nest Cove is another popular attraction on Nautical Mile off South Ocean Avenue that’s great for a family outing.
It guarantees an enjoyable experience for all ages in its 18-hole miniature golf course with a pirate theme.
Be amused by the life-sized pirates, a cave with a waterfall, and pirate-themed holes while playing miniature golf.
Crow’s Nest Cove placed several unique obstacles to keep you entertained inside for hours.
Afterward, you may relax on the deck and explore Nautical Mile further to shop, dine, and do more sightseeing.
If you love sports, you may want to come to Long Island Sports Complex on Mill Road.
This modern facility encompasses 25,000 square feet of indoor turf field available for league play, tournaments, and more.
Long Island Sports Complex is also a popular venue for sport parties with inflatable structures that will surely tire out the children.
Bring kids here and enjoy different sports, such as soccer and baseball.
Don’t miss the action in the field while comfortably staying in the seating areas provided in the lobby.
There’s something for different taste buds at Hibiscus on the Mile with its extensive menu of appetizers, soups and salads, handhelds, entrees, and side dishes.
It gives a unique take on New American favorites made of ingredients from the land and sea.
Fill your stomach with savory food while enjoying great waterfront views at Hibiscus on the Mile.
On weekends, catch live music and drink at the inside and outdoor bars, serving wines, beers, and other specialty drinks.
Hibiscus on the Mile is along Nautical Mile on Woodcleft Avenue.
If you’re planning a summer vacation, consider having it in Freeport.
You’ll find plenty of recreational opportunities just by navigating its Nautical Mile; you can go on a lovely cruise, see whales, dolphins, and seals, and enjoy fishing.
Freeport has spacious parks, too, perfect for taking time off, like Waterfront Park, Sea Breeze Park, and Cow Meadow Park.
While touring its several attractions, several restaurants are there to serve you flavorful dishes in a waterfront setting.
Bookmark this page for the best things to do in Freeport, New York, the next time you travel again!
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