With its opulent Gold Coast estates, quaint fishing villages and some of the world’s best beaches, Long Island is famous for summertime fun. Enjoy simple pleasures like a garden stroll, kayaking at a nature preserve, or relaxing on a white-sand beach. The shopping is simply fabulous, ranging from large designer outlets to small seaside boutiques and roadside stands selling fresh local produce.
You’ll also find world-class wineries, wild waterparks, fun aquariums and fascinating museums, from aviation to whaling.
The North Fork Trail scenic byway runs from Southold to Orient Point on the Atlantic Ocean. On the South Fork, the Hamptons were named the ultimate summer playground by
Conde Nast Traveler. Combining picturesque scenery with great attractions and close proximity to New York City, this 118-mile-long island offers a very cool getaway. Here are two suggested itineraries—a Western Route and an Eastern Route—to highlight some favorite stops.
Western Long Island Route A. King’s Point
A glance at a map will show you that Long Island is a maritime region. So it makes sense to begin your trip by learning about our rich seafaring heritage. On a park-like campus overlooking Long Island Sound, the Museum at the US Merchant Marine Academy features fascinating collections: ship models, paintings, nautical instruments and artifacts, from Colonial times to WW II and beyond. It also houses the National Maritime Hall of Fame, which honors America’s naval heroes and great ships.
B. Oyster Bay
Head east to walk amid splendid gardens and wooded paths at Planting Fields Arboretum, a 409-acre Gold Coast estate. You can take a guided tour of Coe Hall, the estate’s 65-room Tudor mansion.
While in Oyster Bay, visit
Sagamore Hill, President Theodore Roosevelt’s boyhood home which later served as his Summer White House.
C. Cold Spring Harbor
A short drive northeast will take you to the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum. Exhibits and programs tell about the region’s whaling and maritime history as well as contemporary conservation. See whaling artifacts, paintings and beautiful works of scrimshaw, a traditional art form popularized by 19th-century seafarers.
D. Huntington Station
Born in a humble farmhouse on Long Island’s north shore in 1819, today Walt Whitman's Song of Myself is considered a masterpiece of world literature. You can visit Whitman’s former home and hear his voice on tape at the Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site. Interpretive Center exhibits include Walt Whitman - Long Island and the World.
E. Patchogue
Continue southeast to catch a ferry to Fire Island National Seashore. Discover beautiful white-sand beaches, high dunes, ancient maritime forests, historic landmarks and glimpses of wildlife. The Fire Island Lighthouse area, adjacent to Robert Moses State Park, has exhibits, a nature trail, and family-friendly programs.
F. Bayshore and Sayville
Ferry back to explore Sayville, which is just south of Patchogue, or Bayshore to the west. Stroll, shop and dine in one of these quaint port towns, which also connects to Fire Island by ferry. Explore the
Long Island Maritime Museum in West Sayville, where annual events include seafood festivals and antique and classic car shows.
G. Bethpage Head northwest to the
Old Bethpage Village Restoration, a recreated village where visitors experience Long Island life as it was in the mid-1800s. As you stroll amid restored homes, shops and farms, you can chat with costumed townspeople who demonstrate skills like sheep shearing, hat making and churning butter. There are also battle reenactments, concerts and family programs.
H. Westbury
Drive west to visit
Old Westbury Gardens. Tour the opulent Charles II-style mansion and explore 200 magnificent acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes. Events include concerts and family programs.
Nearby, the Westbury Music Fair is an entertainment center known for fun. Enjoy shows by top performers in comedy and pop, rock, and country music, as well as special family programs in this round 3,000-seat theater.
is an entertainment center known for fun. Enjoy shows by top performers in comedy and pop, rock, and country music, as well as special family programs in this round 3,000-seat theater.
I. Garden City
Continue west to the Cradle of Aviation Museum, where you can explore 100 years of Long Island’s aviation and aerospace heritage. Exhibits include over 70 air and space craft, from early bi-planes to a full-size lunar module. Catch a show in the IMAX theater and enjoy a snack in the Red Planet Café.
J. Freeport
Drive south to the village of Freeport, known for waterside restaurants that serve fresh seafood and great entertainment. You’ll also discover boat tours, charter fishing, specialty shops and seasonal festivals. Travel south from Freeport to reach the famous Belmont Park racetrack, known for world-class Thoroughbred horse racing and the Belmont Stakes, the third leg of the Triple Crown. The running of the Belmont Stakes takes place on Saturday June 11, 2011.
Eastern Long Island Route
A. Riverhead
Begin your trip in Riverhead, located at the point where eastern Long Island branches into two forks: the North Fork and the South Fork. Three of the region’s top attractions are found here.
Atlantis Marine World offers a world of watery fun year-round. More than 100 exhibits and interactives blend science and nature with myth to create a fun and educational experience for all ages. Aquatic adventures include a Sea Lion Kiss and a (caged) Shark Dive. AMW was named a Top 10 Aquarium for children by
Parents magazine
. Nearby, cool off at Splish Splash Water Park. Enjoy 96 acres of wet and wild waterslides, a wave pool, a 1,300-ft-long lazy river, an interactive family water play area, a spa pool and other fun for all ages. It was voted one of the Best Waterparks in America by the Travel Channel and one of the Top 15 in the US by Budget Travel.
Head to Tanger Outlets for great bargains. Find more than 165 brand-name factory outlets and designers like Coach and Hugo Boss. Bonus: It’s 10 minutes from the North and South Fork’s wine country.
B. Greenport
Drive east along the North Fork to tour award-winning wineries, take a day cruise aboard a schooner or take in the view from a lighthouse. The North Fork Trail scenic byway runs past rustic vineyards and charming villages, from Southold to Orient Point on the Atlantic Ocean.
C. Orient
Continue toward the eastern tip of the North Fork to Orient Beach State Park. Located on beautiful Gardiner’s Bay, it features a rare maritime forest with red cedar trees and is a haven for hiking and picnicking as well as swimming and fishing. You can also rent a bike and ride along breathtaking trails.
D. Shelter Island
Just south of Greenport you can take a ferry to Shelter Island Kayak Tours. The South Ferry Company connects Shelter Island with Sag Harbor and the South Fork.
E. Sag Harbor
Visit the
Sag Harbor Whaling Museum, set in a classic Greek Revival mansion. Learn fascinating local history as you explore the 1845 whaleship owner’s home and its large collection of whaling artifacts and other unique items. Restaurants in Sag Harbor serve fresh seasonal cuisine accompanied by breathtaking sunset views over the bay.
F. Southampton, Water Mill, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Amagansett and Montauk
Along the South Fork, stretching east from Southampton to Montauk Point, you’ll find white-sand beaches, world-class wineries, grand estates and picturesque villages. Along with swimming, sailing and occasional movie-star sightings, you can enjoy music festivals, art museums, seaside bike trails and Main Street shops and galleries. At the Island’s easternmost tip, Montauk Point State Park boasts some of the world's best surf fishing. Climb to the top of Montauk’s historic lighthouse, golf with an ocean view, or saddle-up for a ride on the beach at Deep Hollow, a 350-year-old working cattle ranch. Accommodations range from chic resorts and spas to campsites on the beach at Hither Hills State Park.
G. Quogue
Head west from the Hamptons and complete your trip with a relaxing hike or bird watching at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. The 305-acre expanse of protected land has more than seven miles of trails that lead through a variety of habitats: pine barrens, wetlands, meadows and a tidal estuary.
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