Farmingdale, NY

In 1695, Thomas Powell purchased 15 acres from three Native American tribes to establish what became known as Farmingdale. In the 1830s, Ambrose George purchased land in anticipation of the railroad’s expansion to the Farmingdale area. The village incorporated in 1904, and the area became a hub for the aviation industry.

The American Airpower Museum was once the manufacturing site for over 9,000 P-47 Thunderbolts, the planes that battled and defeated the German Luftwaffe during World War II. Today the museum offers admission to the public and flight experience in these planes from yesteryear.

The Columbus Day Festival turns Farmingdale's Main Street into a walkway for artisans to showcase their crafts, while visitors enjoy amusement rides and fireworks at the end of the weekend. Holidays in Farmingdale have plenty of parades for residents to enjoy, including St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day and the holiday parade just after Thanksgiving.

Lots of great eateries await residents and visitors in the Farmingdale neighborhood. Trento 110 features Italian fare in a modern bistro-like setting. Previous diners highly recommend the Kobe meatball appetizer as the perfect way to start off any meal. The Chilean sea bass and veal chop both receive rave reviews from customers, while locals also enjoy the sausage gnocchi, served with sun-dried tomatoes and mushrooms. Service here is spot-on, which definitely adds to diners' enjoyment during that special occasion dinner.

For outstanding Mexican food, residents choose to dine at Chichimecas. Large portions, perfect flavors and sometimes a free dessert or appetizer all make diners feel as though they’re dining in someone’s private home. Locals love the chorizo tacos and the mole chicken enchiladas, and if having dessert, definitely they usually choose the flan.

A great place for breakfast or weekend brunch, Village Kitchen Diner serves up classic diner fare. The corned beef hash and the eggs Benedict Florentine come highly recommended by local diners. If you’re in the mood for lunch, the restaurant has a huge selection of sandwiches, burgers and soups, as well.

Cheap wings and draft beers keep the locals coming to Croxley Ale House after work. During the week, visitors can get 20-cent classic Croxley wings or 10-cent boneless wings after 4 p.m., and this special runs all day long on the weekend. The bar has a nice selection of craft beers on tap, with over 60 different types available.

The Republic Pub serves up cold Guinness on tap and has terrific macaroni and cheese dishes, which make the pub food just as good as the beer selection found here. The food menu has an Irish influence. If you’re in the mood for just an appetizer, order the sweet potato tots.

For live music in Farmingdale, stop by The Nutty Irishman. The pub does have a cover charge when bands play, but it serves up cold beer and plenty of Irish whiskey, and it has lots of room for dancing.

The Long Island Railroad provides several convenient stops throughout Farmingdale for residents and visitors to the area. Public transportation with bus service also gives residents an easy option for traveling around town or to reach other areas of New York City. Miles of bike routes run throughout the area, giving cyclists plenty of options to get around town, while walking through the village is easy due to miles of walking trails.

The Fire Island Water Taxi provides another way to travel between New York City destinations. Multiple taxi services operate in Farmingdale, along with Uber and Lyft ride-share programs, providing other options for residents of the area.

Adventureland Amusement Park has been a Long Island tradition since 1962. Admission to the park is free, and parking is also free, but visitors must purchase P.O.P. bracelets in order to ride the park rides. Pets aren’t allowed, with the exception of service dogs. The park offers thrill rides, in addition to family and kiddie rides, and visitors can find plenty of food vendors inside.

As one of the largest green spaces in the New York City area, Eisenhower Park has more area than Central Park. It houses dozens of athletic fields, an aquatic center, fitness trails and summertime entertainment each year. During the winter, families enjoy Sled Hill, one of the best places around for children to enjoy a snowy ride.

Eisenhower Park also features a one-acre, fenced-in area for pets to run free. Residents enjoy that there are separate entrances for large and small dogs, as well as water features, benches and shaded areas.

The cost of living in Farmingdale runs 29 percent higher than the rest of New York and 58 percent higher than the national average. Rent for a one-bedroom apartment averages $1,500 per month. A gallon of gas costs 12 percent more in Farmingdale than the national average, and a beer at a local bar will set you back around $6. For transportation, a monthly pass for unlimited rides, which covers both buses and the railroad, costs roughly $48.

Great shopping can be found all over the Farmingdale area. A Taste of Long Island features vendors from the Long Island area who produce speciality and gourmet food items. Shoppers can find freshly baked bread, local produce, such as vegetables and honey, and handmade pastas and jams.

Solo Fashion sells high-quality women’s fashion. Beautiful merchandise that’s unique means shoppers can find items here that they won’t find anywhere else. The shop also sells jewelry, accessories and everything needed to complete just the right look.

For excellent framing, residents take their works of art to Abbot Art. Along with framing services, the shop also provides photo restoration services and glass replacement for existing artwork.

On Sundays from May until November, residents can find fresh produce and other baked goodies at the Farmingdale Farmers Market. Here residents shop for local honey, jams and soups ready to eat.

For other grocery needs, many residents shop at Uncle Giuseppe's Marketplace. This shop has a full-service supermarket, including freshly made pastas and sauces, an imported cheese section and a butcher department that makes fresh sausages daily.