Garvies Point Museum and Preserve
LI HIKE Rating: Easy/Moderate (depending on which trails you decide to hike)
Distance: Varies
Trail Cost: Free
Museum Cost: Adults: $4.00; Children 5-12 years: $2.00
Description:
Garvies Point Museum and Preserve is set on 62 acres of land along Hempstead Harbor in Glen Cove, located on the beautiful North Shore. There is approximately five miles worth of marked beach/nature trails, including trails for the blind. No dogs are allowed at this preserve, and no collecting is permitted. There is a museum which does research about Long Island geology and studies the Island's Native American archaeology. The museum does have a small fee and isn’t always open, so be sure to look up days and hours of operation if this is something you are interested in. On the Meadow and Pioneer/Transitional Woodland trails you will find lots of animals such as rabbits, red fox, squirrels, raccoons, mice, and deer, along with an array of migrant and resident birds. Our personal favorite trail is the Shoreline Trail which provides scenic views of the Glen Cove Coastline as well as Connecticut on a clear day. There are two ways to get to the beach. One is for more experienced hikers as the dip to the beach is steep and narrow. The second option is a staircase leading right down to the shoreline. About 70 million years ago, sand and clay was deposited across the beach. As seen in one of our photos, Garvies Point provides excellent exposures of these ancient sediments. This is a very unique preserve where you can learn about Native American culture inside and outside!
