Levittown, NY

Levittown's history began in 1947 when the building firm Levitt and Sons commenced construction of the planned community. The village was built on land used for potato farming, and the massive undertaking was designed to provide a large amount of homes in the postwar period of demand for affordable housing. The project's peek yielded 30 houses a day, and Levittown's success as the first mass-produced suburb became a prototype for postwar suburbs across the country.

Locals can take a trip to the museums dispersed through the region, and within the neighborhood the Levittown Historical Society runs a museum displaying the history and artifacts of early Levittown. 5678 Dance Studio in Levittown is a premier performing arts school, with a variety of comprehensive dance, musical theatre and acting lessons.

Contained within Levittown are a bevy of local eateries, with multiple choices among the Italian and Asian restaurants that dominate the neighborhood. The Fortune Wheel Seafood Restaurant has an unassuming location in the Nassau Mall shopping center, but it is actually a village staple for Chinese cuisine. Patrons go here for the authentically cooked meals, not for your typical Chinese takeout food. Compelling entrees like the Cantonese-style lobster or the roast Peking duck with buns grace the menu, and be sure to try the dim sum. Weekend nights get busy, so make a reservation.

Calda Pizzeria and Restaurant is one of many Italian restaurants in Levittown, but it stands above the crowd. The classy decor and savory aroma hit you as soon as you walk in. Once seated, patrons are served complimentary garlic knots with a tomato dipping sauce — a rarity to come free of charge. Two menu items that are particularly praised, the penne a la vodka and the specialty pizzas, stand among the best in the region. Try the balsamico chicken or eggplant and ricotta pie gourmet pizzas to see first-hand what all the fuss is about.

After a nice and hearty meal, seek out the great nightlife destinations in Levittown to extend the enjoyment. Wash everything down with some drinks at the local bars, such as the popular sports-pub chain Miller Ale's House. The Governor's Comedy Club in Levittown is open Thursday through Sunday at night, and it will have you laughing in tears with acts from some of the top comedians in the world.

Levittown's residents have multiple means by which to travel about the neighborhood, including by car on the major thoroughfares of the Wantagh State Parkway, Southern State Parkway and Hempstead-Bethpage Turnpike. You can park for free in the neighborhood around shopping centers and other business areas as well as many of the residential complexes. Most residents walk or bike on the smaller residential roads only, as the main highways tend to be too busy.

You can easily hail a cab in Levittown by calling up a local service such as Taxi Jax Car Service or by utilizing the popular Uber app. For public transportation residents typically use neighborhood buses and trains. The Nassau-Intercounty Express can take you around the region, even traveling to prime work destinations. Plenty of train stations surround Levittown, so you can choose one with free parking such as the Merrick or Bellmore stations of the Long Island Railroad. Finally, air travel is handled by nearby JFK International Airport in New York City.

Parks in Levittown are abundant, with most of them perfectly suited for sports-minded people. The Thurman Munson Memorial Field, Jerusalem Avenue Field and Polaris Field are baseball fields, while Redwing Field has baseball plus a basketball court and playground.

More comprehensive parks in the village include the Levittown Firefighters Memorial Park and MacLaren Stadium. The former invites residents to use its full soccer field, football field and playground, with plenty of open space for your own activities or to simply sit and peacefully observe the happenings. MacLaren Stadium has similar offerings for residents from its location on Loring Road. Those looking for a great place to take the dog should consider the Eisenhower Dog Park in nearby Westbury, with separate spacious dog run areas for large and small dogs.

Community events enhance the experience in Levittown, with several opportunities throughout the year. The annual Levittown Street Fair allows residents to interact with and purchase directly from local artisans and vendors at a cost savings. The family-friendly Fall Community Festival on Hempstead Turnpike features a petting zoo, a pumpkin patch, crafts and exhibits.

With Levittown's ideal spot in Nassau County, the cost of living comes in above national and state averages. As compared to the rest of the town of Hempstead, Levittown is only slightly more expensive at 6 percent greater. Higher housing costs in Levittown make the difference, with one bedroom apartments in the neighborhood averaging $1,901 a month for rent.

Take the buses of the Nassau Inter-County Express for a full fare of only $2.50, with further discounts for seniors and kids. A night out to the local bars and pubs will have you paying about $6 per beer. Gas prices in Levittown sit 11 percent above the national average.

The excellent local stores in Levittown mostly congregate along the Hempstead-Bethpage Turnpike in the middle of the neighborhood. Clothing stores for all purposes occupy the village; parents can dress their babies at the Children's Place in the Levittown Mews shopping center, and then shop for the latest female adult fashion, with a focus on plus-sized women, at the Lane Bryant store in the same vicinity. Check out the reliable Old Navy on Hempstead Turnpike for versatile apparel for the whole family.

After shopping for clothing, why not explore the many unique mom and pop shops in Levittown? With a long history in the neighborhood, Monster Music is a well-respected one-stop music shop recognized as a top dealer by the National Association of Music Merchants. Musicians enjoy a large selection of instruments and accessories, while the soundproof rooms host lessons ranging from guitar to orchestral. With practicality as the focal point, the family-owned retail store Jay's Appliances has been selling small and large home appliances and electronics at competitive prices for decades, always going the extra mile to please a customer.

The local Super Stop & Shop and Pathmark satisfy most residents' grocery needs in Levittown. While Levittown has no farmers market to call its own, you can easily travel to neighboring villages like North Bellmore for Friendly Farms or to Farmingdale for A Taste of Long Island, a combination grocery and farmers market.