Admission
Explore Our Area
Hofstra University is located 25 miles outside Manhattan, but within commuting distance of countless recreational, social, career and transportation opportunities. But we know the metro New York area can be big, loud, and confusing! Here’s our guide to the options we think you need to remember. While campus has hundreds of events each year, if you’re on Long Island, you should explore all that is available! We’ve included links for your information, and we keep them up-to-date as best we can. And while we’re not endorsing anything, these links will give you a start in exploring our area.
Make sure you stay at one of the University’s contracted hotels and ask for the Hofstra rate.
Hofstra University is in central Nassau County. Bordered by New York City's borough of Queens to the west; Suffolk County, home to Long Island's exclusive beach towns, farms and vineyards, on the east; the Atlantic Ocean to the south and the Long Island Sound and the Gatsby-esque communities of the Gold Coast to the north, we truly have the best of all worlds. Nassau County is known as America's first suburb and is a densely populated and richly diverse region, featuring people and culture from all over the world. Hofstra is situated between Hempstead, Uniondale, Garden City and East Meadow, and less a half-mile from the Meadowbrook Parkway, a major north-south thoroughfare.
Right next to the University is the Nassau Coliseum, home to countless shows and expos, and partnered with the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn. Behind there is the Cradle of Aviation museum with its planetarium and IMAX theater.
Within a 2 mile drive is some of the world’s best shopping at Roosevelt Field Mall and the shopping plazas that surround it.
Garden City, just northeast of campus, is a walkable village, home to some of the area’s restaurants, Rockville Center, about 3 miles south, also offers a wealth of fun restaurants, entertainment and shops. Freeport’s Nautical Mile, less than 15 minutes by car, offers visitors a distinctive seafaring environment in the warmer weather, with canal front restaurants, fishing trips and entertainment.
About 8 miles to our south is the Atlantic coastline is the famed New York State beach park, Jones Beach. The Hamptons and Montauk are about 90 minutes east.
Transportation
We are within 20 minutes of JFK International Airport, a 30-45 minute drive to LaGuardia, and an hour from Islip/McArthur and Newark International Airport and so you have direct access to almost anywhere in the world.
Ubers and Lyft are ubiquitous in our area and usually come within minutes. NICE bus also serves all of Nassau County and can get you to hubs and major areas.
Amtrak runs in and out of New York Penn Station, as does the Long Island Rail Road. Railroad stations near campus include Mineola, Garden City, Hempstead. For ease of figuring out your trip, visit http://lirr42.mta.info/
Once you’re in the city, the New York City subway and bus system can take you almost anywhere. Use Citymapper or https://new.mta.info/ to map your trip. Yellow cabs are also easily available.
New York City
There’s almost too much to say about New York City, one of the world’s largest and best cities! Some of the best guides include:
- The basic and comprehensive guide to New York City
- Time Out New York’s guides to the city’s most visitable neighborhoods
- What’s on Broadway - Make sure to google Today’s Tix or TKTS for discounts.
- Guide to Lower Manhattan While you’re there, look for the still-free Staten Island ferry for the best view of lower Manhattan.
- Trip Advisor’s Best NYC Landmarks
- New York Sports
- New York City Arts
- Time Out New York’s best walking tours
