The Gold Coast is home to stunning grand estates, set against a backdrop of the picturesque shores of Long Island. A highlight of the 1920s Gatsby-era, these homes have stood the test of time, with many transforming into museums, venues and historical memorials of years past. Take a tour of these Gold Coast mansions and see for yourself what Long Island was like back in the Jazz Age.
Oheka Castle
Oheka Castle, privately owned and operated at 135 West Gate Dr. in Huntington, is a lavish Long Island icon. Whether you’re booking your wedding photos, a corporate event or simply a tour of the gardens and mansion itself, Oheka has a luxurious experience in store for all who step foot on its grounds. The fairy tale-like estate even offers daily lunch and dinner reservations.
For more information, call 631-659-1400 or visit oheka.com.
Glen Cove Mansion
The Glen Cove Mansion Hotel and Conference Center, situated on 55 acres of land at 200 Dosoris Ln. in Glen Cove, is a 29,000-square-foot oasis. The 108-year-old estate hosts everything from weddings and Bar Mitzvahs to family reunions and Kentucky Derby viewing parties. The mansion even has 187 rooms for those looking for a weekend getaway.
For more information, call 516-671-6400 or visit glencovemansion.com.
Mill Neck Manor
Settled on 86 acres overlooking the Long Island Sound, Mill Neck Manor currently serves as a New York State accredited school for the deaf. Previously known as Sefton Manor, Lutheran Friends of the Deaf purchased Mill Neck in 1946 to assist and teach deaf children from infancy through high school. Mill Neck Manor is located at 40 Frost Mill Rd. in Mill Neck.
For more information, call 516-922-4100 or visit facebook.com/MillNeckManorHouse.
Coindre Hall
Built in 1912, this 80,000-square-foot mansion can host 200 guests for events like weddings, baby showers and holiday parties. Located at 101 Browns Rd. in Huntington, the 40-room building features both indoor and outdoor cocktail and reception areas, adding great versatility in its event hosting capabilities.
For more information, call 631-751-0339 or visit facebook.com/CoindreHall.
Westbury House
Best known for its accompanying 200 acres of gardens, the historic mansion originally belonging to the Phipps family, known as Westbury House, at 71 Old Westbury Rd. in Old Westbury is host to a plethora of activities. Tours of both the 1906 mansion and gardens, dog-friendly days, concerts and gardening classes are just a few of the events available throughout the season.
For more information, call 516-333-0048 or visit oldwestburygardens.org.
The Vanderbilt Mansion
Located in Centerport at 180 Little Neck Rd., the Vanderbilt complex is a triple threat with a mansion, museum and planetarium all in one venue. With the mansion’s guided tours, the museum’s artifacts exhibits and the planetarium’s educational shows and observatory, there is something to pique the interest of every visitor.
For more information, call 631-854-5579 or visit vanderbiltmuseum.org.
Falaise
In 1923, 90 acres of waterfront property was gifted to Harry Guggenheim by his father. Guggenheim hired an architect and the Falaise Estate was born. Located at 127 Middle Neck Rd. in Sands Point, the beautiful building rests on the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy and offers tours May through November, dog walking, hiking trails and yoga sessions among other activities.
For more information, call 516-571-7901 or visit sandspointpreserveconservancy.org.
Hempstead House
Neighbor to Falaise, Hempstead House is also located on the Guggenheim estate at Sands Point. The 1912 Tudor-style castle once served as a summer house for the family. Today, it is used as the backdrop for film and television, as well as concerts, lectures and private events. Guided tours can be arranged by calling the Gate House at 516-571-7901.
Hempstead House is located at 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point. For more information, visit sandspointpreserveconservancy.org/about/hempstead-house.
Read more about the history of Hempstead House and check out LIW‘s ghost hunt at historic mansion.
de Seversky Mansion
Built in 1918 and acquired by NYIT in 1972, de Seversky Mansion, on West Rd. off Northern Blvd. in Old Westbury, is a grand sight to see. With both indoor and outdoor spaces for accommodating events, the mansion prides itself on being a historic host for weddings and corporate functions.
For more information, call 516-686-7675 or visit nyit.edu/deseversky.
Chelsea Mansion
Located on the 550-acre Muttowntown Preserve at 34 Muttontown Ln. in East Norwich, Chelsea Mansion is a picturesque location for taking wedding pictures or for hosting an event. Considered one of the best nature walks on Long Island, Muttontown Preserve provides maps for self-guided tours down its wildflower and tree-lined trails.
For more information, call 516-571-8551 or visit chelseamansion.com.
Marshall Field
Marshall Field III bought some 1,750 acres of land in 1921 and turned it into what we know now as Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve. With meadows, rock shoreline and miles of bridle paths and walking trails, the land is a perfect place to spend a warm, sunny day. Located at 25 Lloyd Harbor Rd. in Lloyd Harbor, the preserve even offers fishing and scuba diving by permit.
For more information, call 631-423-1770 or visit parks.ny.gov/parks/23.
Coe Hall
Sitting on the 409 acres of Oyster Bay’s Planting Fields Arboretum is Coe Hall. While the field and its many greenhouses are open daily for visitation, Coe Hall itself is open from April until October. The hall and fields offer self-guided tours, facilities to rent out, school field trip opportunities and wedding events.
Coe Hall is located at 1395 Planting Fields Rd. For more information, call 516-922-9200 or visit plantingfields.org.
The Frick Estate
Located at 1 Museum Dr. in Roslyn Harbor, the Frick Estate is better known now as The Nassau County Museum of Art. The estate’s namesake comes from previous owner Child Frick who received the mansion as a gift from his father in 1919. Today, visitors can experience the museum’s ever-changing exhibits, garden, sculpture park and walking trails Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
For more information, call 516-484-9338 or visit nassaumuseum.org/about.
Welwyn Estate
One of the original Gold Coast Mansions, the Welwyn Estate once belonged to industrialist Harold I. Pratt, a director of Standard Oil of New Jersey. The family mansion, designed by Delano & Aldrich and built in 1913, is now home to the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County.
Visit the museum, open daily, and the surrounding 204-acre preserve at 100 Crescent Beach Rd, Glen Cove, NY 11542. For more information, visit www.hmtcli.org.
