Massapequa, Long Island
Massapequa is a town located on the South Shore of Long Island in Nassau County. It has a population of approximately 21,685 people and is part of the Town of Oyster Bay. The Greater Massapequa area includes North Massapequa, East Massapequa, and Massapequa Park. The population of the Greater Massapequa area is over 75,000. The zipcode of is Massapequa 11758.
Original Settlement and Development of Massapequa
The original settlers of Massapequa were in New York Indian Tribes, hence the unusual town name. These original settlers were said to be members of the “13 tribes of long island”. This original settlement of Massapequa happened around 1658. The list below includes other Long Island Towns whose names have Native American roots as well in Montauk, Merrick, Patchogue and Ronkonkoma.
The next significant development in the settling of Massapequa was in the mid 1900s during World War 2. During the second World War Massapequa was mainly a farming community. Locals who were farming were likely working for nearby aircraft manufacturers.
Present day, Massapequa is a heavily populated suburban neighborhood. It is home to many small business as well big national chains. If you like to shop and are thinking about taking a trip to Massapequa, you can spend some time at Westfield Sunrise Mall. This is where you will find many of your big brand stores such as Macy's Backstage and Forever 21.
Massapequa On the Big Screen
Massapequa has been referenced many times through various forms of media. Although it wouldn't be categorized as a “famous” place it has had a couple notable mentions.
One example is a scene in the 1996 movie Guys Talking about Girls being filmed in the Massapequa Diner. A more notable reference is an episode from the 2002 season of Friends titled “The One in Massapequa”. This episode also featured Massapequa local Alec Baldwin and contained multiple references to the town throughout.
Most recently, the show Kevin Can Wait featured Kevin James, who was a recently retired police officer living in Massapequa with his family. The show aired for two seasons in 2017 and 2018, each 24 episodes long. A standout moment on the show is Kevin James eating Massapequa icon “All American Burger”.
Grades K-6:
- Unqua Elementary School
- McKenna Elementary School
- Fairfield Elementary School
- Lockhart Elementary School
- Birch Lane Elementary School
Grades 7-8:
- Berner Middle School
Grades 9-12:
- Massapequa High School - Ames Campus
- Massapequa High School
Home To A Famous Long Island Restaurant
Many Long Islanders associate “Massapequa” with the legendary All American Burger Drive In Restaurant. This restaurant is an old-school burger joint serving up delicious food at affordable prices. If you are from Long Island and have never made the trip to this amazing restaurant, what have you been waiting for? Find the nutritional information and more local tips in this All American Massapequa Survival Guide.
List of Famous People From Massapequa, NY
Jerry Seinfeld: Comedian and Actor
Matt Bennett: Actor
Carlo Gambino: Reputed Mobster
Neil Diamond: musician, lived in Massapequa with 1st wife Jaye Posner
Parks in Massapequa, NY
Massapequa has several parks that offer playgrounds, sports fields, and great sites to see. There is a park in Massapequa for any activity that you may have planned. We have featured some of our favorites in the list below. Learn more about Massapequa Parks here.
Marjorie R Post
Large park that features a pool and outdoor gazebos for family gathering in the summer months, Featured activities include swimming, picnics, basketball and more. There is an outdoor ice skating rink that is worth the visit in the winter months for an inexpensive way to have some fun.
John R. Burns
This park is well known throughout Long Island, as it hosts games and practices for several Long Island Sports leagues on its many fields. This park multiples basketball courts, soccer fields, and baseball fields. Most of the fields are outstanding quality as they have been converted into astroturf throughout recent years. If you don't know this park from sports, you may know it from one of the many free concerts it has hosted over the years.
Make Use of The Massapequa Train Station
Massapequa Train Station is a stop on the Babylon Branch of the Long Island Railroad. It is a popular option for people traveling to New York City as it provides plenty of parking and is only an hour away. The parking lot tends to fill up during the week after the morning rush hour, but you will find many cars parked along Sunrise HIghway as another option. Most of the time, however, there is a large enough quantity of parking spots to find one even during busy times. If you don't want to worry about your car while you are gone, you can always take an Uber to the train instead of driving.
Thinking of Moving To Massapequa?
Massapequa can be a great place to live for anyone who is looking to live on Long Island. It is only an hour commute from New York City by train and only about a 20-minute car ride to Jones Beach. In the summer months, locals with waterfront property are also to take a short boat ride over to the beach via the Great South Bay. Other outdoor options include going into the Peter J Schmitt Preserve for a walk or bike ride.
Massapequa features houses that stretch from by the Southern State parkway all the way down to South of Merrick Road. Because of the sheer size of the town, you will find several types of houses here with a large range in price. If you want to boat and fish in the summer months, you can live on the water. If you prefer not to risk having flood damage, there are several other places to live North of Merrick Road.
If you are raising kids in Massapequa, the town also offers a great school district as well. Massapequa students are given all the tools needed to build a strong foundation from the years of elementary school which is built on in the later high school years. ZipDataMaps rates the school district test performance as “excellent”. The town also offers many sports programs that are backed by the community.