For those who come to Long Island, the region can be so many things. The South Fork gives you the option of nightlife and people watching in a quaint seaside village setting, while vineyards and farms that dot the North Fork give the area a country charm. Still, what almost any part of the region has in common is spectacular beauty, both on land and by sea.
It's virtually a fact that beaches on Long Island are some of the best in the world. Condé Nast Traveler called the Hamptons the ultimate summer playground where you can swim, sunbathe and also casually rub elbows with celebrities. Take your choices of two beaches that have made Dr. Beach's list of the Top 10 in America: Coopers Beach in Southampton and Main Beach at East Hampton. Further out, you’re less likely to deal with paparazzi. One of Montauk's five state parks, Montauk Point is renowned for its surf fishing. Its famous lighthouse has been a guiding light for sailors since 1796.
There’s a lot more to Long Island besides beautiful beaches. Get in the excitement of horseracing at world famous Belmont Park Race Track. Play a round of golf at Bethpage State Park. Its famous Black Course played host to the 2009 US Open. Go shopping on colonial-style streets, like those at Stony Brook Village, or fill up your bags at a full-blown designer outlet center.
Visit the homes of famous Americans, including President Theodore Roosevelt or Walt Whitman. Visit Gold Coast mansions at Old Westbury Gardens, Vanderbilt Mansion, Planting Fields or Sand’s Point, where you’ll get a taste of what life was like during the Gilded Age.
The food and wine is amazing in Long Island. Feast on the bounty of the ocean at seafood shacks or enjoy a gourmet experience at four-star restaurants. It’s no coincidence that wineries here make acclaimed wines. Long Island’s climate and soil make it great for growing grapes, especially white varietals. You'll find over 30 vineyards in the North Fork, along with restaurants that specialize in fresh, slow-food styles of cuisine.
From science and animals to history and culture, you’ll also learn something new on Long Island. Discover its long history with flying at the Cradle of Aviation Museum. You’ll see how this part of New York transformed aviation at exhibits of early flying machines and planes from both World Wars. At the Dolan DNA Learning Center in Cold Spring Harbor, find out what makes everyone unique from hands-on exhibits on genetics. The Whaling Museum brings local seafaring history to life.
