Just outside of New York City, the most visited metropolis in the world, you’ll find miles of sparkling ocean beaches, historic sites including “America’s First Spy Ring”, quaint downtown villages, exclusive shopping, world renowned Long Island Wine Country – rated one of the “Top 10 Wine Regions in the World” by Wine Enthusiast - and of course, the famed Hamptons. Enjoy some of the best farm-to-table fare available in the United States, courtesy of our incredible farmlands and the bounties of our surrounding waters.
Long Island is divided into six distinct regions, each offering their own unique assets and attractions. The North Shore, bordering the Long Island Sound, features the Gold Coast Mansions, high end shopping and some of the top rated and celebrity chef owned restaurants on the East Coast. The South Shore, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, boasts big wave beaches, trendy downtowns and villages and incredible entertainment venues and complexes. Fire Island, the premiere LGBT destination in the northeastern United States, offers miles and miles of preserved land and is a true beach community accessible only by walk-on ferry, no cars permitted. The North Fork represents the heart of wine country and farming with historic waterfront villages full of restaurants serving up local fare and shops selling locally made wares. Shelter Island is one of several smaller islands found in between the North and South Forks offering a true escape from busy life with quiet streets, hideaway B&Bs and uncrowded beaches. Perhaps the best known, the South Fork is famous for The Hamptons and Montauk, the island’s glitziest towns and beaches where celebrity spotting, fine dining and exclusive lodging are part of the everyday landscape.
Getting to Long Island is easy through JFK International Airport or LaGuardia Airport. If you’re already in the U.S. you can utilize Long Island’s MacArthur Airport, one of the seven bridges and tunnels that connect the island to New York City, the Long Island Rail Road which runs 124 stops from Manhattan to Montauk or take one of two ferries from the state of Connecticut.
History with a View – Long Island is home to some of the oldest lighthouses in the United States including the Montauk Lighthouse, authorized by President George Washington in 1792. Public access varies by lighthouse with many accessible only though boat tours while others, like the Montauk Lighthouse and Fire Island Lighthouse allow visitors to climb to the top for a spectacular view. Still others like Greenport’s “Bug Light” and Mamaroneck’s Ex*****on Rocks Lighthouse allow for special request dinners and even overnight stays.
Catch a Day at Sea - Surfers flock to our shores each year to conquer east coast waves at Long Beach or Montauk and sailors, yachtsmen and fishermen alike enjoy some of the deepest water ports the Northeastern seaboard has to offer and waters teeming with life. Across Long Island you can find top rated fishing charters, fishing tournaments and tons of water sport rentals including boats, jet skis, paddle boards, kayaks and more. Dig your toes into the shallows to come up with clams the size of your fist, hop on board an inshore charter for fluke, bass or flounder or head offshore in search of shark, tuna or marlin.
Savor Local Flavor – Unsurprisingly, Long Island cuisine focuses heavily on seafood harvested from the surrounding waters. Depending on the season, fluke, striped bass, sea bass, flounder, bluefish and blackfish can be found on restaurant menus and in fishmonger’s ice trays. Shellfish like clams, mussels, oysters and both bay and sea scallops are also abundant, the most well-known of which are the Blue Point oyster and the Peconic Bay scallop. The soil and climate provide the perfect conditions for a wide range of fruits and vegetables grown on the island’s various farms, many of which are produced to strict organic standards and are available at the innumerable farmer’s markets and farm stands. Many farmers also raise chickens, pigs, cows and ducks allowing for succulent meats, fresh eggs and cheeses. Numerous restaurants feature menus entirely created from local ingredients and most farms are open to the public to purchase goods.
The “Gold Coast” – On Long Island’s north shore, just outside of New York City, you’ll find the Gold Coast mansions. Built during America’s “Roaring 20’s” (the 1920s) during a time of opulence, almost 200 of the once over 500 mansions and estates survive today. A mansion, by definition, must be over 7,000 sq ft with 30+ rooms, 7+ bedrooms, separate staff quarters and large entertaining rooms. The inspiration behind F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the Gold Coast mansions do not disappoint in their breathtaking splendor; while some are still private homes many are open to the public for visitation, overnight stays, events and tours.
America’s First Spy Ring – Long Island has a rich Revolutionary War history but none so important as the creation of then General George Washington’s “Culper Spy Ring”, a secret group of Long Island men and women who ferried information on British activity to the Continental Army. AMC’s dramatic series Turn is based on actual events which took place across the island and many of the sites associated with the spy ring, like the Brewster House, the Thompson House and Raynham Hall are open to the public.
Wine Country – New York is the third largest wine growing region in the United States and with over sixty wineries, Long Island has quickly become the epicenter of the state’s premium vinifera wine grapes. Listed as one of the “Top 10 Wine Regions in the World” by Wine Enthusiast magazine, Long Island’s East End benefits from a long growing season, maritime climate, moderate temperatures and ideal soil conditions. The region produces over 500,000 cases of wine annually and the most popular varietals include Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling as well as many award-winning blends.
Imbibe and Unwind – Wine isn’t the only way to experience Long Island’s local beverage offerings. Beer connoisseurs will enjoy over three dozen award winning craft breweries and beer bars and gastropubs featuring brews made with local ingredients and farm grown hops. Brewery tours and tastings are available all year long and several companies like, Brew Crew Cycles, offer group bicycle tours with multiple brewery stops. Long Island is also home to cideries and distilleries making moonshine, vodka and whiskey. LiV distillery, the first craft distillery to open on Long Island since the 1800’s, serves up potato vodka, whiskey, gin and sorbetta all made with local ingredients.
Shop, Spa, Sleep, Repeat – Long Island is an adventure lovers haven, from water sports to hundreds of miles of bike trails, horseback riding, famous golf courses and more. But for those who seek a slower paced vacation, the island does not disappoint. Shopping opportunities range from big malls selling designer labels to small artisan stores which dot the many quaint downtowns throughout the island. Spa lovers can experience a diverse range of services from traditional to new age like salt caves and salt water pools. When it’s finally time to turn in the lodging choices are endless; from staying in castles to cottages in the sand, you can choose from luxury to affordable and everything in between.
