By Alyssa Seidman
Spring has officially sprung on Long Island, and if you’re looking to get out and enjoy the weather without traveling far, look no further than Belmont Park. Home to UBS Arena, Belmont Park Village, and the Belmont Park Racetrack (currently undergoing redevelopment), it’s the perfect place to spend a sunny day.
Located on the Nassau-Queens border in Elmont and accessible by car, rideshare, or mass transit, the campus offers entertainment, dining, shopping, and more. Whether you’re cheering on the New York Islanders, seeing your favorite artist in concert, treating yourself to designer goods, or betting on prize horses, there’s plenty to do before or after your plans.
Before your event
The Park at UBS Arena is a great place to spend time before an afternoon Islanders game. The fan-focused compound, located just outside of the arena, gives die-hard devotees a chance to participate in interactive activities the whole family can enjoy. Kids can test their hockey skills at the Accuracy Challenge, Hardest Shot, and Bullseye Battle booths, while adults enjoy the BYOB Beer Garden.
If you have evening plans at the arena or the racetrack, make sure to schedule some time for shopping and dining at Belmont Park Village beforehand. Located off Exit 26 along the Cross Island Parkway, the luxury retail outlet is a first-of-its-kind destination on Long Island for world-class fashion and five-star hospitality.
The Village is home to a growing collection of high-end boutiques, including Vivienne Westwood and Thom Browne, as well as everyday apparel from brands like Levi’s and lululemon. After you shop ‘til you drop, grab a quick bite at Pret A Manger, Le Botaniste, or Streetside Café before heading to the arena.
The Village’s suite of hospitality services makes shopping a breeze, with perks that include hands-free shopping, complimentary parking, luggage storage, and an in-house concierge.
After your event
After enjoying an event at Belmont Park, you can also head to the Village for dinner, drinks, and dessert. The Hundredfold, an American brasserie from James Beard Award-winning chef Timothy Hollingsworth, serves an eclectic menu of shareable appetizers, classic salads, and French-inspired entrées, along with a side of tallow fries.
The cocktails are fun and inventive, too. Notable options include a Vieux Carré served in a hip flask, the Heaven Cent with lemon sorbet, and a martini flight accompanied by blue cheese-stuffed olives and potato chips. If nothing on The Hundredfold’s dessert menu catches your eye, be sure to grab a sweet treat to go from Neuhaus Chocolates.
Top photo: Fans wait to get in the new UBS Arena for the first New York Islanders NHL hockey game against the Calgary Flames on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Elmont, N.Y. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
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