Douglaston is as we say, Long Island with Queens taxes. Within the New York City borough of Queens, Douglaston comprises six distinct neighborhoods; Douglas Bay, Douglas Manor, Douglaston Hill, all located north of Northern Blvd abutting Little Neck Bay, as well as Douglaston Park, Winchester Estates, and an area known as Douglaston. The iconic Douglas Manor is the historic section of the town showcasing traditional American colonials and tudors. In 1819, a wealthy merchant by the name of Wyant Van Zandt built a large Greek Revival mansion in Douglas Manor which is now the location of the Douglaston Club, a private country club with tennis courts, social activities and swimming pools. With its own Long Island Rail Road stop, Douglaston takes its residents to Manhattan in under 30 minutes, making it one of the most sought after neighborhoods on the North Shore. Outside of the Manor, one can see new construction projects on smaller lot sizes. The Matinecock Native Americans were the earliest known settlers, with Thomas Hicks as the first known English settler around 1656.
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS
Restaurants:
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Aunt Bella’s
46-19 Marathon Parkway, Little Neck, NY
Little Neck, NY 11362
718.225.4700
www.aunt-bellas-of-little-neck.bellarestaurantgroup.com
The friendly, fast staff at this authentic Italian restaurant will make you feel at home while you indulge in old-time portions of traditional pasta dishes
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Grimaldi’s Pizza
242-02 61st Avenue, Douglaston, NY
Little Neck, NY 11362
718.819.2133
www.grimaldis.com
The Brooklyn location of this legendary pizza purveyor is often spoken of as one of the city’s best, but the Douglaston, Queens location is known by those who know as even better. Added bonus: No mile-long lines.
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Juice for Life
251-20 Northern Boulevard, Little Neck, NY
Little Neck, NY 11362
718.428.8423
www.juiceforlife.biz
Visit Little Neck’s health food oasis for your daily wheatgrass shot, a low fat smoothie or a fresh homemade wrap
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La Baraka
255-09 Northern Boulevard, Little Neck, NY
Little Neck, NY 11362
718.428.1461
www.labarakarest.com
This elegant dining spot is the real deal for French cuisine with a North African influence. The food is as consistently excellent as the menu is interesting.
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Sushi Family
25201 Northern Boulevard, Little Neck, NY
Little Neck, NY 11362
718.229.0110
This popular go-to spot for a quick sushi fix offers interesting rolls, fresh sushi and friendly service.
Arts & Entertainment
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Lakeville Park
Intersection of Pembroke and Concord avenues.
Little Neck, NY 11362
Every Sunday afternoon, a live music series brings local jazz, classical, folk and acoustic performances to this small park on the border of Little Neck and Nassau County
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Movie World of Douglaston
242-02 61st Avenue, Little Neck, NY
Little Neck, NY 11362
718.423.9200
Local and cheap, it’s a good reason not to drive to Manhattan to see a movie.
Nightlife
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Cue Bar
45-18 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY
Bayside, NY 11361
718.631.2646
www.cuebarbayside.com
A room full of pool tables, a 50-foot-long bar, free wi-fi, a fireplace lounge and an inventive New American menu make this a solid neighborhood nightlife choice.
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Donovan’s of Bayside
214-16 41st Avenue, Bayside, NY
Bayside, NY 11361
718.423.5353
www.donovansofbayside.com
A cozy place in Bayside for a burger and a brew.
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Fino
39-13 Bell Boulevard, Bayside, NY
Bayside, NY 11361
718.229.1330
www.finowinetapas.com
Tasty tapas, a good selection of wines from all over the world and a surprisingly chic interior make this a standout on busy Bell Boulevard.
TOP SHOPS & SERVICES
Health & Recreation
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Alley Pond Golf Center
232-01 Northern Boulevard, Little Neck, NY
Little Neck, NY 11362
718.255.9187
www.nycgovparks.org
7 driving range stalls—30 of which are heated—and two miniature golf courses make Alley Pond a fun place to spend the day. Recent renovations, plenty of parking, and the fact that they’re open 365 days a year make it even more likely you’ll do just that
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Alley Pond Park and Environmental Center
228-06 Northern Boulevard, Flushing, NY
Little Neck, NY 11362
718.229.4000
www.alleypond.com
This nonprofit environmental education organization is dedicated to educating children and adults in the New York metropolitan area, protecting and preserving Alley Pond Park and advocating for sustainable environmental policies. Alley Pond Park is the home of the Douglaston Estate Windmill, originally built around 1870 on the Douglaston peninsula to pump water to the farms in the community.
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Cunningham Park
Horace Harding Express Way, Grand Central Parkway, Flushing, NY
Oakland Gardens, NY 11364
718.217.6452
www.nycgovparks.org
Culture, sports, nature and fun abound in 358 acre Cunningham Park, one of the largest parks in Queens.
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Douglaston Golf Course
6320 Marathon Parkway, Douglaston, NY
Little Neck, NY 11363
718.224.6566
www.golfnyc.com
Formally known as North Hills Country Club, this municipal course sits at the highest point in Queens, providing picturesque views of the Manhattan skyline. Recent renovations have made this a great place to enjoy the experience of a country club at a fraction of the cost.
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Udall’s Cove
Little Neck, NY 11362
www.littleneck.net
Udalls Cove Park and Wildlife Preserve is a narrow strip of wilderness extending a mile into open water. There are several short hiking trails offering views of Little Neck Bay. There are only a few access points from which you can enter the long, narrow park.
Greenmarkets
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Douglaston Greenmarket
41st Avenue and 235th Street, Queens
Little Neck, NY 11363
www.grownyc.org
Located at the Douglaston LIRR station, the peak of the season will find this market teeming with locally grown vegetables, orchard fruit, artisanal cheeses and meats, wild-caught seafood, and delicious bread and baked goods.
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Fairway Market
242-02 61st Avenue, Douglaston, NY
Little Neck, NY 11362
718.423.2100
www.fairwaymarket.com
This gourmet market chain offers a mind-boggling variety of just about every healthy, delicious food item you crave, from meats and produce to cheese and olives. A cornucopia of prepared foods and salad bars threaten to make the idea of cooking at home obsolete.