Welcome to the Long Island Heritage Trail. Stretching west to east along Long Island's North Shore, Route 25A has its origins in the early 1700's when it was called the "Kings Highway". President George Washington traveled this route in 1790 in a horse-drawn carriage, depicted above. He came to thank his Long Island supporters and spy ring for their help in winning the American Revolution. In honor of this presidential journey, the span of route 25a from Great Neck to Port Jefferson is now known as the Long Island Heritage Trail.

Driving along the trail, you can travel back in time, from the early 1900's Gold Coast Mansions at the western end to 17th century farmhouses in the east. In fact, the eastern end of the trail that winds through smithtown, Stony Brook and Setauket is considered to be the best preserved stretch of Route 25A. In this area you an see many of the same structures that George Washington saw on his journey two centuries ago.

This official Heritage Trail Guide was developed by Island Publications with the North Shore Promotion Alliance, a group formed to promote Long Island's historic North Shore. The brochure organizes over 100 miles of the Heritage Trail's attractions into one-day itineraries, each focusing on a specific area. You may wish to combine itineraries with overnight stays at some of the quality lodging featured here. For more information about the North Shore Promotion Alliance, call (516) 751-2244 or write c/o Ward Melville Heritage Organization, P.O. Box 572, Stony Brook, NY 11790.