Bethpage State Park

Bethpage State Park is where Long Island’s pulse slows and the world-class greens hum with anticipation. The expanse is unmistakable: five golf courses carved into rolling landscape, each with its own character. The Black Course, legendary and intimidating, hosts the Ryder Cup and draws golfers from across the country, eager to take on its punishing fairways. But this is more than a golfer’s haven. Locals wander wooded trails with their dogs, families picnic under the shade, and cyclists zip down the 12-mile Bethpage Bikeway that threads through forest and suburbia. There’s a democratic spirit here—weekend duffers, pro hopefuls, and stroller-pushing parents all share the same open air. It’s rare to find a spot that feels both prestigious and communal, but Bethpage nails it. You sense the history in every bunker and the community pride in every manicured lawn. Whether you’re here to chase a tee time or simply breathe deep under a canopy of old oaks, this is where Long Island’s real character comes out to play.