Wantagh Avenue

Plenty of action on Wantagh Avenue

Wantagh Avenue can be considered the hub of the hamlet of Wantagh. Located in the middle of town, it runs north to south. To the north, it runs into Bethpage, becoming North Wantagh Avenue. To the south, it runs directly into Merrick Road, with the Wantagh Parkway being right on the other side of Merrick Road. Roads that cross or intercept with Wantagh Avenue to the west or east are Old Jerusalem Road — named for Wantagh’s history as “Jerusalem” — Park Avenue, Beltagh Avenue — where Wantagh High School is located — Railroad Avenue, and Merrick Road, which runs through most of the South Shore.

Because of its unique position, running north-south through the entirety of Wantagh, it is the community’s major parade route. It is also where you’ll find the popular Mulcahy’s Pub and Concert Hall, and convenient to Wantagh’s Long Island Rail Road station (on nearby Railroad Avenue).

History buffs can visit Wantagh Avenue and explore the Wantagh Museum, a historic train car, and Wantagh’s original post office. The Wantagh Preservation Society, a volunteerbased organization, relies on community support to keep the museum — and the town's history — alive.

The preservation society formed after the LIRR station was relocated 50 years ago from Sunrise Highway to Wantagh Avenue. Within the museum, visitors can explore all sorts of fascinating artifacts, including the inside of the 1912 parlor car, which was once part of the Long Island Rail Road’s Cannonball Express that ran from Penn Station to Montauk. It also hosts annual events like the annual holiday lighting ceremony.

A new event was added into the mix during this past summer: The first antique car show was held on museum grounds, with plans to continue it annually.

— Michael Malaszczyk

Tim Baker/Herald photos Jerusalem Avenue is one of the many major streets intersecting Wantagh Avenue.

Top: Railroad Avenue directly intersects Wantagh Avenue, giving many easy access to popular destinations like Mulcahy’s Pub as well as an efficient commute into Manhattan.

Bottom: Wantagh Avenue runs north to south through the entire hamlet of Wantagh, making it 'the street' for parades and other community events.