Merrick
Understand
Merrick is ten minutes away from Jones Beach, where people go to relax and occasionally see first-rate concerts at their stadium.
Merrick also has many houses of worship. There are five temples, two Roman Catholic churches (Sacred Heart and Cure of Ars), a Greek Orthodox church and the Indian Mar-Thoma church. Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield of Ben and Jerry's, Lindsay Lohan, singer Deborah Gibson, designer Michael Kors as well as Season 10's American Idol contestant Robbie Rosen come from Merrick.
Merrick has two libraries. Both of them are state-of-the-art facilities, one in South Merrick and the other in North Merrick.
Get in
The Long Island Rail Road stops in Merrick, centrally located on Sunrise Highway and Merrick Avenue.
By car, you would take the Meadowbrook Parkway to exit M9 (Merrick Road) or M8 (Sunrise Highway).
Although there are bus routes that travel through the community, it is probably not the best way to get around. The N51 stops at the Merrick train station and runs through many towns as it reaches it final destination, Roosevelt Field shopping mall. There are other buses that run along Merrick Road stopping every few blocks.
You can also reach Merrick by boat. There is a marina that runs along Whaleneck Drive. You can dock your boat there for the day or season.
Get around
Do
Merrick CinemasA movie theater with four screens and stadium seating.
The Stage TheaterA local theater featuring musicals, plays and children’s shows-affordably priced.
Merrick Street FairHeld at the Merrick Station parking lot twice a year. This fair features local vendors, great food and rides for children and adults too.
Merrick ParkA small park located just off Merrick Road. It features basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields and baseball fields. Merrick Park has its own 9-hole golf course. Reservations are required for golfers.
Norman J. Levy Park & PreserveThis Town of Hempstead park is a plant and wildlife sanctuary with hiking trails and a view of Atlantic Ocean. It also features a kayak launch into the original Meadow Brook. The park is located south of Merrick Road just east of the Meadowbrook Parkway.
Cammanns PondLocated on Lindenmere Drive and Merrick Road and backs up to Norman J Levy Lakeside School. A beautiful pond that is also home to the neighborhood geese. There are benches to sit and relax on as well as to feed the ducks from.
Eat
La PiazzaNot just a great pizzeria, a great Italian restaurant as well. Often considered by residents to be one of the best there is.
The Boat HouseA restaurant on the water with beautiful sunsets where you can enjoy good “surf n’ turf” from Memorial Day through Labor Day. In addition to hamburgers and fries, they offer a delicious array of fresh fish, including lobster too.
Pastrami KingA non-kosher deli that is not only a good place to eat, offering huge sandwiches and hearty soups, but catering too. The restaurant is now run by the son of the original owner who began the business in Brooklyn, New York.
Brooks and PorterAn upscale steak house featuring the finest cuts of beef as well as sushi and fresh fish. Pricey too.
XagaAsian fusion and sushi restaurant. They offer soups, salads and cooked chicken, shrimp and pork dishes as well as raw fish platters.
La StradaAn excellent Italian restaurant featuring a brick oven for pizza and generous portions of classic Italian dishes
George Martin's GrillfireAmerican fare in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere. Grillfire is famous for its complimentary pretzels before dinner and cotton candy at the end of the night.
Drink
Jugs ‘N’ StrokersA neighborhood bar and eatery featuring live music every Wednesday through Saturday. Thursdays is Band Search night, featuring Long Island’s hottest new bands. The menu is very affordable.
Go next
- Bellmore - One town east with two movie theaters and many restaurants. In addition, Bellmore has a comedy club, The Brokerage. They offer two shows on Friday and Saturday nights. There is a two-drink minimum in addition to price of show.
- Freeport - One town west Freeport is famous for its Nautical Mile, lots of restaurants, shopping and fishing boat tours. Many of the restaurants have live music during the summer months with outside patio seating.