Living in Stony Brook
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The University is located in one of the East Coast's most
desirable spots-the North Shore of Long Island, about 60
miles east of New York City (midway between Montauk and
Manhattan). The tranquil waters of Long Island Sound are
just minutes away to the north, and the white sandy beaches
of the Atlantic Ocean beckon southward.
North of the University, within easy bicycling distance, lies the historic village of Stony Brook. Its quaint shopping area was created by Ward Melville, heir to the Thom McAn shoe fortune. (Ward and his wife, Dorothy, donated the land where the campus now stands.) One of the best ways to experience Stony Brook village is to pick up an ice cream cone from the Brook House luncheonette, sit on the village green, and enjoy an unobstructed view of the sunset. Across the street is the landmark Three Village Inn, dating back to pre-Revolutionary days. The Stony Brook Grist Mill, built in 1751, is a working mill open to the public for tours. The Mill Pond across the street (a perfect place to stroll and feed the ducks) is fed by the original "stony brook"; the Setalcott Indians called this stream Cutsgunsuck, or "brook laden with small stones."
Historic Surroundings
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Cultural Diversity
Culture abounds on Long Island. Although Manhattan is only a train ride away, theatre lovers need travel no further than the Staller Center for the Arts. Located on the Stony Brook campus, the Staller Center presents hundreds of plays, concerts, and special events each year. It houses the 1,100-seat Main Stage Theatre, a 400-seat recital hall, three experimental "black box" theatres, and a 4,700-square-foot art gallery. Staller's summer film festival is recognized as a "mini-Sundance." Live theatre is also offered in nearby Port Jefferson (ten minutes away); the village's Theatre Three offers performances of Broadway and off-Broadway shows, and acting classes. The theatre building itself, a former vaudeville palace, dates back to the 1800s. In Stony Brook village, the Museums at Stony Brook are a must for art and history lovers. The complex of historic buildings houses one of the world's largest collections of horse-drawn carriages, and the paintings of William Sidney Mount, a Stony Brook native who became the nation's first famous "genre" painter. Local cafes and bookstores make Stony Brook a good place to browse. The village of Huntington offers the Cinema Arts Center, where one can view the latest "indie" films. In recent years Long Island has developed a reputation for its blues music scene, but a growing number of coffeehouses present other types of music as well; folk, bluegrass, and jazz are just a few of the styles you'll find. For sports and fitness enthusiasts, the University has a 5,000-seat indoor Sports Complex. Plans are underway for the construction of an outdoor stadium for sporting events and concerts. The Student Activities Center houses the Eugene Weidman Wellness Center, which offers fitness classes in everything from aerobics to yoga, and state-of-the-art exercise equipment. If professional sports are your thing, Long Island has its own Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders ice hockey team. The excitement of Madison Square Garden, Yankee Stadium, and Shea Stadium (home of the New York Mets) is only 60 miles away.
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| Situated between Manhattan and Montauk, Stony Brook offers the best of both worlds. Our central location provides students with access to a variety of shopping areas, historical landmarks, beautiful parks and beaches, and Broadway-quality entertainment at the Staller Center on campus. |
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Long Island is heaven for "foodies"; just about every
cuisine you might think of-Afghani, Thai, Indian, etc.-can
be sampled here (along with a liberal sprinkling of seafood
shacks). The region's growing reputation as a producer of
excellent wines makes for a pleasant day's tour of Long
Island wineries.
For those who like to "shop till they drop," Long Island does not disappoint. It's home to Roosevelt Field, once the starting place for Charles Lindbergh's famous solo flight and now a nationally known shopping mall. Long Island offers every type of store, from the nation's first supermarket (King Kullen) to retail outlets.
Nature's Bounty |
Life at Stony Brook has something for everyone. There
is the tranquil pace of the surrounding community, which has
managed to preserve an old-fashioned, smalltown atmosphere.
At the same time, there are the cutting-edge resources
and the abundant culture of the University itself.
At Stony Brook, we believe diversity is an integral component
of the intellectual experience. Since 32 percent of our
graduate enrollees are African American, Latino, Native
American and international students, our University is a
place where cultures converge.
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