One of my favorite spring days in New York happened here at the beautiful gardens of the Old Westbury Mansion on Long Island, NY. This mansion and garden is open to the public for daily tours and available for special events. Special events like weddings, classic car shows, school programs, concerts, book signings and many more all occur here through out the year.
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places this is one destination you do not want to miss during your visit to New York. Whether you come during spring, summer, winter or fall I’ve seen this place in all four seasons and every time I leave feeling happier and amazed. From the house to the gardens there is so much detail, I’m sure you’ll fall in love with something you find.
Completed in 1906, the Old Westbury Mansion was the former home of John S. Phipps, his wife, Margarita Grace Phipps and their four children. Today, the house is furnished with fine English antiques and decorative arts from 50 plus years of the family’s residence. Their overall mission behind opening up their home to tour is to “inspire appreciation and knowledge of the best qualities exemplified in the American country estate of the early 20th century through faithful preservation of its landscape and gardens, architecture and collections.” – via OldWestburyGardens.org
Inside the home there are over 8 bedrooms, grand dining rooms, winding staircases, magnificent fireplaces, a library and an entertaining room which overlooks the entire gardens. The sights are truly breath taking and there is even a gift shop inside filled many unique things. 
After touring the beautiful home and learning about its rich history you will come to find that this popular New York destination is apart of Long Island’s “Gold Coast”. The Gold Coast refers to the golden age of America and the Old Westbury Mansion was the inspiration for one of the houses in F.Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby.
The Gold Coast, as it was called, was a favorite retreat of the rich and famous. Starting at about the turn of the century and through the 1930’s, the North Shore was a virtual “Who’s Who” of High Society. From the Astors to the Vanderbilts, this was THE place to be for some of the most notable Americans. The mansions constructed during that period numbered in the hundreds.
This mansion in particular on the “Gold Coast” was perhaps the most popular for starring in a number of movies. It was first featured in the Alfred Hitchcock classic North By Northwest, starring Cary Grant, this is, without a doubt, Hollywood’s favorite Gold Coast mansion. Then it starred in Love Story, Age of Innocence starring Wynona Ryder, Wolf starring Jack Nicholson and Michelle Pfeiffer, and Cruel Intentions with Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillipe, and Sarah Michelle Gellar. 
Once you complete the house tour the gardens await you on over 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes. My favorite is the purple lavender that grow alongside the matching steps leading up to the mansion. They are beautiful and so picturesque.
Another favorite garden spot of mine is the blue gazebo which always has an abundance of flowers blooming. When you visit be sure to check “What’s in Bloom” so you know what flowers you’ll be able to see, click here.
SHOP RAIN BOOTS HERE:
click on an image below to shop
The Old Westbury Gardens are a destination you won’t want to miss during your next visit to New York. Whether you’re staying in the city or soaking up the sun on Long Island, its very easy to get here. From the city you can take the Long Island Expressway or by train from Penn Station to Westbury Station and then take a cab (just 2 miles away).
Among other Long Island “Gold Coast” mansions you can tour during your stay in NY are The Oheka Castle, Hempstead House/Castle Gould, Vanderbilt Museum, and the Glen Cove Mansion.
DESTINATION: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, New York
I hope you enjoyed this post and make plans to visit this wonderful mansion and garden in the heart of Long Island, NY.
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