Hello Nassau! Let’s Talk What’s New & What’s Next

Summer may be winding down, but things around the county definitely aren’t. There’s plenty worth knowing today, so here’s your quick Tuesday catch-up.

— Janine, Mo and Nick

Today’s Edition:
🌊 Nassau Visitor Spending Hits a Record $3.38 Billion
🌊 MUJI Is Coming to Roosevelt Field
🌊 More Whales Are Showing Up Off Long Island
🗓️ Upcoming Events and Things To Do!

If Nassau felt a little busier last year, there’s a number behind it.

Visitors spent a record $3.38 billion in Nassau County in 2025, according to a new tourism impact report.

That’s part of a bigger Long Island tourism year, with visitor spending across Nassau and Suffolk reaching $8.4 billion. But Nassau’s numbers stand out on their own.

Visitor spending here has grown 32% over the past five years, and tourism supported 36,478 jobs in Nassau County last year.

Restaurants, hotels, shops, attractions and local businesses all share in that spending, which is why tourism is more than just who’s coming to the beach for the weekend.

For Nassau, it has become a multibillion-dollar piece of the local economy.

Click here to see the full tourism numbers and what drove the record year.

Original report: Long Island Business News. Subscription or registration may be required by the publisher.

If a trip to MUJI has usually meant heading into the city, that’s about to change.

The Japanese lifestyle retailer is planning its first Long Island store at Roosevelt Field in Garden City, with an opening expected sometime in 2027.

MUJI is known for its minimalist home goods, clothing and stationery, including the notebooks and pens that have built the brand a loyal following.

An exact opening date hasn’t been announced yet, but Nassau shoppers officially have a new store to watch for.

Click here to read more about MUJI’s first Long Island location.

Original report: Patch. Subscription or registration may be required by the publisher.

Seeing a whale off Long Island isn’t as rare as it used to be.

Cleaner waters and more baitfish have helped bring whales back close to shore, including humpbacks spotted off Nassau County and Jones Beach.

Now New York is changing how boaters prepare for those encounters.

The new Whale Awareness Act directs the state to develop whale-safe boating guidance and add it to boating-safety courses and the vessel-registration process.

And if you spot one while you’re out on the water, the advice starts simple: slow down, watch where the whale is moving and give it room.

More whales near Long Island is something worth celebrating. The goal now is making sure both the whales and everyone on the water stay safe.

Click here to learn what boaters should know when whales are nearby.

Original report: Greater Long Island. Subscription or registration may be required by the publisher.

Tuesday, August 25
High: 80°F | Low: 64°F
☀️ Plenty of sunshine with a few clouds

Wednesday, August 26
High: 78°F | Low: 64°F
🌤️ Mostly sunny and pleasant

What if Cravings Aren't Your Fault?

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Here are a few local events to keep on your calendar, including family activities, community gatherings, live music, food events, and weekend plans across the county.

Before you go, check the event page for registration, parking, weather updates, and schedule changes.

Step-by-Step Kids “Out of This World” Painting Workshop | 1:30 PM, Thursday, August 27 (Tickets)
Location: Hue Studio, Rockville Centre
Description: Children can follow an instructor to create a space-themed acrylic painting and take their finished artwork home. Space is limited, so advance registration is recommended.

Singles Networking Business Happy Hour | 5:30 PM, Wednesday, August 26 (Tickets)
Location: The Main Event, Farmingdale
Description: A relaxed evening for singles to make social, professional or romantic connections while supporting the Michael Magro Foundation. Attendance is limited to guests who are not currently in a relationship.

Sip & Shell Workshop | 7:00 PM, Wednesday, August 26 (Tickets)
Location: The Wreck, Island Park
Description: Create decorative oyster-shell wine stoppers using decoupage and gilded edging during this guided, hands-on workshop.

Spuntino Tour of France Wine Walk-Around | 6:00 PM, Thursday, August 27 (Tickets)
Location: Spuntino Wine Bar & Italian Tapas, Garden City
Description: Sample wines from Provence, the Loire Valley, Beaujolais and Bordeaux while enjoying chef-prepared bites, live music and guidance from the restaurant’s sommelier.

Johnny Rain Band at The Sinclair | 7:00 PM, Thursday, August 27 (Tickets)
Location: The Sinclair, Port Washington
Description: The Johnny Rain Band makes its Sinclair debut with its signature “Soft Rock Revival” and an evening of familiar favorites.

Baseball ⚾

Long Island Ducks vs. Hagerstown Flying Boxcars | 6:35 PM, Wednesday, August 26 (Tickets)
Location: Fairfield Properties Ballpark, Central Islip
Description: The Long Island Ducks host the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars in Atlantic League baseball. The game will stream on Dugout TV and HomeTeam Network.

New York Yankees vs. Houston Astros | 7:05 PM, Wednesday, August 26 (Tickets)
Location: Yankee Stadium, Bronx
Description: The Yankees continue their home series against the Houston Astros. The game will stream on Amazon Prime Video, with radio coverage on WFAN 660/101.9 FM and WADO 1280 AM.

New York Mets vs. Milwaukee Brewers | 7:10 PM, Wednesday, August 26 (Tickets)
Location: Citi Field, Queens
Description: The Mets host the Milwaukee Brewers at Citi Field. Watch on SNY or through the MLB app, or listen on WHSQ 880 AM and the Audacy app.

Soccer ⚽

Hofstra Women’s Soccer vs. Fordham | 7:00 PM, Thursday, August 27 (Details)
Location: Hofstra University Soccer Stadium, Hempstead
Description: Hofstra welcomes Fordham for an NCAA women’s soccer matchup in Nassau County. The match will stream on FloCollege.

Basketball 🏀

New York Liberty vs. Golden State Valkyries | 8:00 PM, Thursday, August 27 (Tickets)
Location: Barclays Center, Brooklyn
Description: The New York Liberty host the Golden State Valkyries in a WNBA regular-season matchup. The game will air on Prime Video.

Thanks for reading this week’s 516 Update! We hope you found something to enjoy, explore, or share. Please share this with a friend or family member-we would really appreciate it!