Upscale interior of a room at the Four Points by Sheraton RELATED LINKS Back to Great Golf, Hot Deals

Bethpage is about 30 miles from New York City, roughly midway between Long Island Macarthur Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, both about 25 miles away. Depending on where you stay in the New York area, you might also choose to fly into the LaGuardia or Newark airports. For driving directions and details about park facilities, go to www.nysparks.state.ny.us/parks and click the Bethpage State Park link on the left side of the page.

If you want to stay nearby, you'll find various motels and mid-range chain hotels in the surrounding communities of Farmingdale, Plainview, Hicksville, Jericho and Melville. The Four Points by Sheraton in Plainview (www.fourpoints.com/plainview) is a good choice if want something a notch above a basic motel, or splurge on stylish digs at the art deco-style Inn at Great Neck on Long Island's North Shore (www.innatgreatneck.com).

Hearty and fairly priced meals are available at the Bethpage clubhouse, and there are plenty of casual dining options and fast-food restaurants nearby. If you're looking for a more upscale experience, try the Mill River Inn in nearby Oyster Bay (516-922-7768), or Peter Luger, an old school New York steak house about 20 miles away in Great Neck (www.peterluger.com).