West Sayville, NY

West Sayville shares a similar history to its sister hamlet of Sayville. The Algonquian Secatogue tribe first inhabited the area in its earliest days. John Greene settled what is now West Sayville in 1767; the hamlet quickly became important for its timber and oysters. In the mid-19th century, the area became a tourist magnet, leading to building development. West Sayville experienced further growth and expansion in the 20th century, and has become a popular hamlet in which to live.

West Sayville is home to the famous Long Island Maritime Museum on West Avenue. Comprised of nine historic buildings, the museum overlooks Great South Bay and is dedicated to preserving and displaying Long Island's seafaring history. The exhibits will transport you to a different time, with tons of attractions, artifacts, and even small sailboats on display. The Rudolph Oyster House, a National Historic Landmark, provides a glimpse into the oyster industry.

Restaurants in the West Sayville hamlet are a mix of elegant locales and quick, casual eateries. A pleasant mix of ethnic cultural food places means that residents can try a variety of restaurant choices. Most of the restaurants in the hamlet, like the stores, can be found along Montauk Highway, also called Main Street.

Seafood reigns in this coastal spot, and lobster rolls from Claws Seafood Market are the comfort food of choice for most locals. Try the Big Ol' Mess Po' Boy if you can handle a mini seafood fest of shrimp, crawfish, cod, clams and coleslaw on a toasted bun. The Claws staff pride themselves on delivering that fresh-from-the-ocean flavor, which you can sample in the popular clam bake or bucket of mussels.

Hoi Ming Restaurant on Main Street, West Sayville reveals its restaurant flexibility and longevity, and the adage that you can't judge a book by its cover is proven once again. This old-fashioned Chinese restaurant has survived as a community favorite for years due to some of the friendliest staff on Long Island combined with consistently exceptional food. Stepping inside, you quickly embrace the nostalgic charm of this throwback restaurant. The welcoming staff aims to create a personal experience for each customer and treats them like family, creating a comfortable and home-like atmosphere. For some of the best meals, try the General Tso's chicken, Wonton soup and pu-pu platter. Locals also enjoy the egg rolls and claim the spare ribs are be the best in the area. West Sayville residents have embraced this gem of restaurant for decades, and it has embraced them back.

The West Sayville nightlife proves relatively tame with just a few local bars in the area, though neighboring Sayville enlarges your options. In West Sayville, Scotty's Pub on Main Street has been a long time hangout spot for residents. Standard pub food and a sports bar atmosphere give way to a decent selection of affordable drinks. Friendly staff, darts, pool tables and a jukebox set the mood for a night out.

Venturing into Sayville opens up a greater variety of bars and restaurants, and the Portly Villager on Main Street draws in a steady crowd of locals of all ages. The cozy, laid-back vibe makes it easy for newcomers to settle in with the regulars and enjoy music and popcorn by the fireplace. Expect simple bar fare, a friendly staff and a few TVs to catch a game while you work your way through the beer selection.

Transportation in West Sayville ranges across a number of different travel modes. The main road in West Sayville, New York State Route 27 Montauk Highway, passes through the hamlet and ultimately spans the southern shore of Long Island for a lengthy 95 mile stretch. The part of this highway located directly inside the hamlet is referred to as Main Street. A short distance north of West Sayville leads to another major road New York State Route 27 Sunrise Highway. Like much of central and south Long Island, the vast majority of commuters opt to drive their cars to and from work. The local roads in West Sayville tend to have ample, free public parking at specific destinations, especially around shopping areas. Many of the roads in the area are also suitable for biking; however, exercise caution and do not attempt to walk the main roads.

While most residents travel by car, a number of the population makes use of the public transportation options available in West Sayville. Located in town Colonial Transportation makes for an accessible cab service, or you can opt for Uber. Suffolk County Transit has a single bus route with a stop in the immediate area. The nearest train station to West Sayville resides in neighboring Sayville. The Sayville Station of the Long Island Railroad takes passengers to destinations across Long Island and as far as New York Penn Station. the Long Island MacArthur Airport is about a fifteen minute drive north from West Sayville, which has reliably serviced Long Island's air travel needs for years. Uniquely, Sayville has a ferry service that connects to the nearby attraction Fire Island.

West Sayville has only a few outdoor park areas, most focused on sports activities. The nearby Locust Avenue Town Ballfield has baseball fields, a soccer field and free parking next to it. The West Sayville Country Club on Country Road features a full golf course with tricky greens and well-groomed fairways for a daily-fee; it also has a putting green, driving range and even teaches golf lessons.

The Cherry Avenue Dog Park in West Sayville is one of the better dog parks on the south shore of Long Island. This free-of-charge park gives your dog the freedom to run wild across its wood-chipped grounds, with separate runs for small and large dogs. The 1.5 acre expanse also has good fencing and gates to keep your dog safe during his spirited run. Just a few feet from the running area is plentiful free parking for your convenience. The park has some limited seating for owners to utilize and a trash bin for garbage and waste bags. They even have water spigots to ensure your furry friend drinks enough water throughout his exercise.

The previously mentioned Long Island Maritime Museum throws several annual events to enliven the community. Awakening the maritime spirit of West Sayville, the annual Pirate Festival lasts for two days and is full of pirate-themed activities and fun. Participants are advised to come dressed in their best pirate garb to receive a special gift during the event. General admission to the festival costs $8. Make sure you bring the whole family as kids five years and younger get in for free. The festival features several bands of pirate actors, all partaking in sword duels, reenactments, cannon fire and treasure hunts. Live music, a puppet show, a reptile showcase and some good-old pirate grub are more of the attractions at this full-fledged annual pirate extravaganza.

West Sayville residents pay hefty prices to reside in the hamlet. The cost of living in Sayville sits at about 18 percent greater than the state average and a substantial 45 percent greater than the national average. However, knowing that life in the general town of Islip has a steep monetary price, you could do much worse than West Sayville. Compared to the town of Islip, West Sayville has similar housing prices but significantly cheaper expenses for goods, groceries, services and transportation. These advantages yield a significantly more affordable cost of living in West Sayville as compared to the rest of town, at 10 percent less expensive. In West Sayville, you can expect to pay from a range of about $1,200 to $1,500 a month to rent a one bedroom residence.

Many of West Sayville's daily costs of living are less expensive than the rest of the town of Islip. The cost of groceries alone are 18 percent less expensive in West Sayville than in greater Islip. The Suffolk County Transit bus service can be used to travel to the rest of town at the price of a mere $2 for the full fare. Gas prices in West Sayville are about 11 percent more expensive than the national average. At the local bars, a beer will cost you about $6.

In West Sayville, Montauk Highway (locally called Main Street) provides for the bulk of major shops and stores. The Sneaker Spy Boutique on Main Street sells a massive selection of popular brand name sneakers for males and females; it also sells beanies and other trendy accessories. The 'spy' in the name of the store derives from the companys commitment to help customers find precisely what they seek by searching for and spotting any shoe far and wide. This independent boutique has a passion for the shoe business which shines through in its meticulous store and website design. Make sure to check their active Twitter account for updates, new shoes and occasional sales.

A specialty store in West Sayville, Sayville Bike Works on Main Street has been the go-to bike shop in the hamlet for years. The owner's thorough knowledge of bicycles makes the experience comfortable and trustworthy. Frequent customers of the shop praise the prompt and efficient service. Whether for purchases, repairs or tune-ups, you will find you and your bicycle in good hands at Sayville Bike Works.

West Sayville hamlet has a number of grocery stores in the surrounding area, including a popular Super Stop & Shop and a Best Market. While there are unfortunately no farmer's markets in the hamlet, there are a number of specialized food store offerings. Audrey's Fine Baked Goods on Montauk Highway can take care of all of your bakery demands. Their cakes are particularly good, and they will custom make them for parties and events; some of the novelty cakes turn into artistic masterpieces upon completion. The breads and muffins are fresh, while the doughnuts will have your sweet tooth wholly satisfied. Claws Seafood Market on Main Street serves food from a restaurant area, but also has a full fish market for buyers to bring home some fresh seafood. The fish selection in the market is varied and they often carry hard to find fish, all chemical-and-preservative free.