Cold Spring Harbor: Old-town New England charm on Long Island
Kristen Blandolfi, her 5-year-old daughter, Autumn, and sister, Hannah, walk in downtown Cold Spring Harbor on a sunny autumn day. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
THE SCOOP Cold Spring Harbor has a quaint historic village surrounded by water and endless natural beauty.
"It is such a beautiful old town. It looks like New England with the water on the left and historic St. John’s Church near the fish hatchery," said Judith Goldsborough, of Daniel Gale Sotheby’s International Realty, who’s lived in the hamlet for 35 years.
People enjoy the best of both worlds: highly ranked schools, an easy one-hour commute by train to Manhattan and the proximity to bustling Huntington village next door, Goldsborough said.
"We have a very relaxed lifestyle with the access to the water," said Goldsborough, noting that residents enjoy Eagle Dock, which has a beach, moorings and lots of social activities. "That’s really been a draw for young families."
The village, which has a small boutiques and restaurants in its historic district, is surrounded by open space where people can hike, including the popular Cold Spring Harbor State Park, part of the Nassau Greenbelt Trail, the Wawapek Preserve and Uplands Farm Sanctuary.
"We get busloads of tour groups," Goldsborough said. "You can come out, hike, rent a kayak, go down to the whaling museum. There’s also a firehouse museum."
The hamlet was originally named Wawapex by the Matinecocks, who sold land around the harbor to three Englishmen from Oyster Bay in 1653.
Residents stroll Cold Spring Harbor's main street. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
The community’s first sawmill and gristmill were erected in 1682, which were soon followed by several woolen mills. Its first post office was established in 1825, which led to the official naming of both the post office and community, Cold Spring Harbor.
In the early 1800s, the Jones family (of Jones Beach provenance) branched out into the whaling business, forming the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Co. with nine whaling vessels. After 37 voyages, the last of the ships returned in 1862 and the whaling era was over.
By the late 19th century, Cold Spring Harbor developed into a resort, with tourists coming by rail or boats, many staying overnight at the Glenada Hotel on the harbor, which is now the site of the Cold Spring Harbor Beach Club.
Today, you’ll still find some old whaling houses on and near Main Street and homes on 2-acre zoning north of Route 25A, with prices starting at $1.85 million to $5.95 million for a five-bedroom, 3½-bath, 6,555-square-foot home overlooking the harbor.
Views of Cold Spring Harbor from Shore Road. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
SALE PRICES Between Oct. 30, 2024, and Oct. 29, 2025, there were 32 home sales with a median sale price of $1.913 million, according to OneKey MLS. During that period a year earlier, there were 33 home sales with a median sale price of $1.585 million.
CONDOS AND CO-OPS There are no condos or co-ops on the market.
OTHER STATS
Population 3,123
Median age 36.8
Median home value $2.288 million
Monthly LIRR ticket from Cold Spring Harbor $341
School district, graduation rate Cold Spring Harbor (100%)
Library Cold Spring Harbor
Transit HART Route H10
Sources: 2023 American Community Survey; OneKey MLS via InfoSparks by ShowingTime; LIRR; data.nysed.gov; Suffolk County Transit
ON THE MARKET
$4.25 million
This Saw Mill Road home is on the market for $4.25 million. Credit: Slate Media/Morgan Rothblatt
This 6,500-square-foot new construction has five bedrooms and 5½ bathrooms. It features an open floor plan, wide-planked white oak floors, oversized kitchen, den with built-ins, large laundry room with two sets of washer/dryers, a full, finished basement, radiant heated floors and smart home technology. Set on 3.8 acres, the property includes bluestone walkways, Belgium block curbing, attached three-car garage with EV charger hookup and a whole house generator. Taxes not yet assessed. Leslie Yudell Beder, Signature Premier Properties, 631-692-4800.
$2.75 million
This Jennings Road home is on the market for $2.75 million. Credit: Request Tours/Chuck Danas
This Colonial features five bedrooms, four full and two half-bathrooms. At 4,426 square feet, the home has an inviting front porch, open floor plan, hardwood floors, extensive millwork, new chef’s kitchen with high end appliances, sitting area with a wet bar and a finished basement. The 3-acre property has an expansive bluestone patio and an attached three-car garage. Taxes are $46,459. Tracey DeMeo, EXIT Realty Premier, 516-795-1000.
RECENTLY SOLD
$4.995 million
Mowbray Lane
Style Estate
Bedrooms 6
Bathrooms 6½
Built 2007
Lot size 2 acres
Taxes $63,912
+/- List price Sold for asking
Days on market 230
$2.925 million
Saw Mill Road
Style Colonial
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 3 full, 2 half
Built 1958
Lot size 2.07 acres
Taxes $37,176
+/- List price -$25,000
Days on market 117 days
$1.1 million
East Woods Drive
Style Cape/Exp Cape
Bedrooms 4
Bathrooms 3
Built 1955
Lot size 3.11 acres
Taxes $26,756
+/- List price -$295,000
Days on market 107
ON ONEKEY MLS
Number of listings 5
Price range $1.85 million to $5.95 million
Tax range $23,519 to $85,825
