Freeport's Nautical Mile

Nassau County's South Shore waterfront village of Freeport attracts hordes of party-goers of every age group and demographic during Long Island's pleasant summers. The crowds can mostly be found on Woodcleft Avenue, a street that runs alongside Woodcleft Canal and otherwise known as the Nautical Mile.

Live music, great food, and packed bars can be found all summer long on the canal's edge, a picturesque walk past boats on a lovely brick esplanade littered with planters, park benches, museum displays, a fountain, and a lovely gazebo over the water at the end of the Mile. In other words, previously run-down, flooded out Freeport has been successfully revitalized in this fun little pocket.

One of Long Island's oldest maritime communities, this village hasn't overcapitalized on its popularity, giving it a local vibe without sacrificing excitement or novelty. Peaceful by day and jamming by night, it's a hidden gem in a diversified neighborhood.

Freeport's charter and commercial fishing fleet call the Nautical Mile home, as do a number of seafood restaurants, casino boats, fish markets, boutique shops, and a new Sea Breeze waterfront park.