Long Island : Offers so much, offends so many
Written: Sep 13 '02 (Updated Dec 02 '09)
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Pros: Has much diversity in what it has to offer. Beaches, Entertainment, History
Cons: High taxes, high volume of traffic, high volume of detractors
The Bottom Line: Long Island, so much to offer, so much that offends. It's offerings outweigh the offenses. Come visit "LawnGuy Land"
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Long Island |
While traveling on the Epinions site you never know where you will end up. Somehow I landed on Long Island. I was looking at the headings of reviews. There were a few positive reviews, a couple in general about Long Island ,and some about specific places.
Then I noticed the negative headings. In checking out other destinations I don't think I have ever seen so many that were so damning. These are some of the headings."Long Island, Do not visit",..... "Overcrowded",... "Don't believe the hype",.... "Home town of Teenagers driving BMWs",.... "Visit Lawn Guy Land, Are you nuts?",.... "For those Long in $$,Time, and patience"
Then I'm saying, "Hey, I live here!!" "What goin' on?"
Well my friends the fact is Long island has so much to offer and yes, has so much that offends. So let's get the negative out of the way. Yes, the traffic can at times be horrendous. Yes, we are a big island and it does take time to get from place to place. Yes, Long island is very crowded. And finally I agree prices and taxes are very high.
OK, That's it. If you can get passed that I have much to tell you and most of it is VERY good.
Long Island is really an oversized barrier beach. As many say, it is the gateway to New York. Well it's my thinking that New York City is the gateway to Long Island!! Long Island happens to be a wonderful Vacation Destination. It's too bad that so many people who live right here don't take advantage of all it offers. Thankfully many do.
When we talk of the island we speak of the North Shore, South Shore, and the center island and then there is the east end. It is broken up into two counties. To the west is Nassau County and going east you enter Suffolk County. Out east in Suffolk county we have the North fork and South Fork.
If you look at the island it is shaped like a fish. It's mouth is to the west and it's tail fins, the north and south forks, are to the east. The very western end actually is part of New York City. That is Queens and Brooklyn. Though geographically they are part of the island, they are not discussed as Long Island. The Long Island people discuss are the counties of Nassau and Suffolk. So simply take the fish, remove its head, and you have, what I am speaking of, Long Island.
As a huge sandbar Long Island is very flat except for the North shore. It seems that thousands of years ago a glacier visited us and stopped along the top edge of the "fish", deposited tons and tons of rock and stone and left a very hilly and beautiful North shore.
The North Shore, once known as the Gold Coast housed many rich and affluent people at the turn of the last century. Remaining are some wonderful places to visit.
Teddy Roosevelt's Summer White house of Sagamore Hill is a real treat to visit. It is run by the National Parks service and has wonderful tours and history at a $4 admission charge.
Also on the North shore is the Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium. Another place is Sag Harbor Whaling museum. This is not terribly far from the Old Westbury Gardens with it's huge mansion and beautiful formal gardens. They frequently have fine entertainment on the lawn on summer nights. We recently saw Natalie Cole. She was wonderful and sitting on the lawn with a bit of wine, cheese, and fruit made the setting perfect.
Close again is the Long Island Arboritum. It is beautiful and has ever changing programs summer and winter.
Going a bit east you can go to the Old Bethpage Village Restoration. It is a set of homes, school houses, churches, farm buildings and the like of actual structures of early America set on acres and acres of land. Most structures are from long Island. There are continuous demonstrations and special events. My family loves the winter nights when there is snow on the ground. We are given lanterns and walk the paths and get the feel of what the times were like in the 1800s. They have an open fire where songs are sung. This is next to the general store where you can purchase some hot cider and a cookie for a dollar. The county fair is hosted on these grounds every year in October.
The North shore boasts some lovely towns and villages for shopping, culture, wonderful restaurants, and more. Visit Cold Spring Harbor, Northport, Huntington, and Port Jefferson to name a few. When you walk through some of these towns you are brought back to a different time and place.
Along the Northshore there are a host of state and county parks where you can walk along, and even get lost, away from the crowds. From this part of the island you can witness beautiful sunsets. Sailing is a popular sport up here.
Long Island has "greenways" that criss cross the area. These are other places to get lost, bike ride, or even go fly fishing!
The South Sore has the white sand beaches. Over a hundred miles of them stretch from New York harbor out to Montauk point. There is Long beach, where Billy Chrystal comes from. Going east you get to the incredible Jones Beach. I love this place. It was the brainchild of a man by the name of Robert Moses who conceived, planned, and built a park that is beautiful in it's architecture, has a long list of activities, and grand in it's beauty. Please see my review of Jones beach. I cannot say enough about this place.
Traveling East is Robert Moses State Park, Captree State Park (known for its pleasure fishing fleet)and then to Fire Island. I don't believe there is such a diverse stretch of beach in all the world. There are small very private and exclusive towns, larger more public ones, like Ocean beach, with it's crazy laws. "No eating ice cream cones on the walks."
Don't miss the "Sunken Forest" This is another National Park run site that has a walk that actually goes below sea level. There are no other places like this in the world. You can take a ferry to the visitors center from Sayville. Be sure to take one of the scheduled naturalist walks, they are quite fascinating.
The barrier beaches continue on east. Have you ever heard of the Hamptons? It is noted for lovely shopping towns, some summer snootiness, fantastic restaurants, B&B's, and fine beaches.
I am in the entertainment business and I can assure you that "Yes, they do have some wild parties out there on summer weekends."
The Hamptons are part of the South Fork of Long Island. Along this stretch of land you will find many harbors and also some wineries. Long Island has now come into it's own and is now recognized world wide for it's fine quality wines. Stop in for a wine tasting.
Finally we get to one of my favorite places on Long Island Montauk Point. It is really a quiet town with many motels along the beaches and bays, many great places to eat and a nice town center with small shops, bakeries, and such. This end of the island also has a thriving lobster business. Billy Joel, a local Long Island boy, who still lives on the island is very much involved in trying to save the fishing industry out here.
Be sure to try some of the freshest and best seafood you ever had. Montauk also is home of one of the largest commercial and pleasure fishing industries in the United States including the Viking Fleet. I remember some great times going out there to fish off these boats with my dad.
It's great checking out these boats as they come in and out of harbor. We have witnessed the "Blessing of the Fleet" which happens every summer. It's fantastic. Boats all follow along to be blessed and then the parties begin both in the boats and on shore. The boats even have huge wet and wild water fights!
The Montauk Lighthouse National Historic site should not be missed. Take a walk to the top or just hike the rocky coast. Right next to this property is Camp Hero State Park It's been know to be a place of great mystery. Are there aliens there? Hidden stealth secrets? Go and find out! It really was a hidden military base during WWII that had the duty of protecting the New York Harbors from enemy attacks.
Here a question for you. "Where would you go to find Americas oldest running saddle ranch?" Texas? Oklahoma?, Montana? No, Montauk. Yup, that's right partner. You can still take a ride there. The trails offer some awesome views.
Going up to the North fork you would pass Riverhead where we love taking out a canoe and paddling the inlets. It is relaxing and very safe. Nearby is "Splish Splash" a water park that is open during the summer months. If you enjoy shopping, this area is also know for it's outlet malls. The Tangers Outlet Mall is there. My wife takes the kids out there for some good buys.
As you continue onto the North Fork you will find many more wineries. This is the area that they first started growing vines on Long Island. They have been very successful.
Out to the east of the North fork is Orient point with it's ferries to Connecticut, more fine restaurants, and little out of the way places to explore.
The middle of Long Island has so much to offer too. There are live theatres like the Westbury Music Fair where world class entertainers are on a revolving stage every night. The colleges of Hofstra, Adelphi, Nassau CC, and Stony Brook always have great theatre and musical guests. The Jones Beach Theatre also has a great summer music schedule at its out door theatre.
The Nassau Coliseum is home of our Islander hockey team. It also hosts superstars from all over the world for some great concerts. See the circus there every year. Don't miss the ice shows and Disney spectaculars. Ok, I'll date myself. I did see Elvis play there.
I have taken all my kids to the Long Island Game Farm. It is a small intimate, rustic area with mostly farm animals out east, but, also has a giraffe, bobcat, and buffalo. It also has a fun and entertaining dog show.
Oh yes, out east there is also a buffalo farm.
We have Adventureland that is a small amusement park that is a great diversion for the young ones.
Charles Lindberg started his historic flight from Roosevelt field. The area now has one of the worlds largest and finest shopping malls by the name of, you guessed it, Roosevelt field. It was renovated a while back and it is awesome.
Newly opened is the Cradle of Aviation Museum It has all kinds of early machines of flight. There are hands on demonstrations and a great virtual ride. Many do not realize that Long Island was truly the heart of aviation for years. That included flight, and aviation manufacturing. Hey even the Lunar Module was made here!! See an original at the museum.
The IMAX theatre in the building has some spectacular flight footage and ever changing shows!!
Very close by is the Long Island Children's Museum that is a delight for the young ones. This is a very "hands on" and educational facility that has fairly recently moved into a new home.
Long Island has all the major hotel and motel chains. Hilton, Sheraton, Wyndham, Marriott, Best Western, Budget inn etc. Prices on Long Island are high and you do need to book early. You were already warned. Crowded and pricey.
I must also add my home town of Freeport to the "to do" list. During the Spring, Summer, and Fall you must come down to Freeport's Nautical Mile. It is a mix of wonderful seafood restaurants, fishing boats, a maritime museum, pleasure craft, gambling boats, ice cream shops, and little stores for shopping. It has all been refurbished in the last couple of years and truly is a place to be! My wife and I are down there a few times a week in the summer and fall.
There is so much more I have missed and for you to discover. And don't forget we are "Only Forty five minutes to Broadway"
I have lived here since I was a teenager. I enjoy traveling and seeing what the world has to offer but I always come home to Long Island.
Long Island Our Story A must read about Long Island's past present and future by Newsday
Wonderful Weekends from New York City Long Island listed in this book that suggests places to stay, where to dine and what to do.
Other detailed reviews by popsrocks of places on, and around Long Island
Places to visit
Jones Beach Theater AN excellent outdoor venue for music concerts
Splish Splash Water Park
EAB PLAZA at Christmas Time
Museum Row
Cradle of Aviation Museum in Nassau County
Long Island Children's Museum
Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center
Nunley's Carousel
Near Museum Row
Borrelli's, It's All About Family, Friends and Good Food
Old Bethpage Village Restoration Go Back to the 1800s
Sagamore Hill Teddy Roosevelt's Summer White House
Nassau Coliseum
Eisenhower Park
The Maize Maze in Bridgehampton Family Fun!
Adventureland A Long island Amusement Park
Freeport's Nautical Mile A wonderful summer destination!!
Freeport's South Street Seaport annex museum
Freeport's Nautical Mile Eateries
Rachel's Waterside Grill
Cafe By the Sea Dining and wonderful desserts. Some fun entertainment too!
Otto's Sea Grill Fine dining or partying on the canal
The Crab Shack
Bracco's Clam and Oyster Bar Eating on the canal with live music under a palm tree
Water Lilly's Waterside Cafe
Jeremy's Ale House
Wildfish
Montana's pizzeria and restaurant Good Italian food in Freeport near Nautical Mile
Ralph's Famous Italian IcesThey are on Freeport's Nautical Mile and elsewhere across the Island
Imperial Diner of Freeport Merrick Rd. Freeport
Pier 95 A very fine Portuguese-Mediterranean Restaurant on the Hudson Canal just minutes from the Nautical Mile
Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve
MONTAUK, It's The End
The Harborside Motel In Montauk
Montauk Point State Park and Lighthouse History, Fishing, Scenery, and quiet hikes.
Montauk Downs State Park Creature comforts and games
Camp Hero State Park A military base with secrets!
Hither Hills State Park Camping on the beach
Jones Beach State ParkOur treasure, just five minutes from home
Fire Island National Seashore and Lighthouse
Robert Moses State Park
Captree State Park Have fun fishing from party boats
Valley Stream State Park
Cedar Point County Park Camping on the east end of LI
Hempstead Lake State Park A lot to offer
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
Old Westbury Gardens
Walt Whitman Birthplace
The Garden City Hotel Long Island's Best
Wyndham Watch, LI Fine hotel, poor service
Marriott Hotel LI Great Location
Sheraton Hotel,LI Recommended
More shopping and eating on Long Island
Tangers Outlet Shopping Mall
The Palm Court Restaurant at the Carltun Perhaps Long Island best restaurant.
Grand Lux Cafe, A Little Touch of Vegas In NY, Texas, and California
More chain eateries by popsrocks
Applebee's / Romano's MACARONI GRILL / KFC / OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE / Wendy's / OUTBACK Restaurant / Cozymel's / Cheesecake Factory / McDonald's / Taco Bell / Checkers Burgers / Red Lobster / The White Castle / TGI Friday's / Charlie Browns / Burger King / Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips / Dunkin' Donuts / Starbucks / Ralph's Famous Ices / Cold Stone Creamery / CARVEL Ice Cream / Boulder Creek Steakhouse / Waffle House / Krispy Kreme / Friendly's / Nathan's / Jillian's / Blimpies / Quizno's / jumba juice / Ruth's Chris Steak House /Don Juan's / Cracker Barrel / Bob Evans / The Olive Garden / Ben's Deli / Dave & Busters
Bigilow's Restaurant 1939
Grand Lux Cafe, A Little Touch of Vegas In NY
Singleton's Seafood ShackOn the water
The Delano Mansion Syosset
Antonettes Belmore
Fanatico Restaurant Jericho
Thai Station Merrick
Grillfire Merrick
Maine Maid Inn
Quetzalcoatl Huntington
New York City and so much more
New York State Its got so much to offer
Hagstrom's Map of Nassau County, Long Island
Hagstrom's Map of Suffolk County, Long Island
MY favorite Map.
2005 American Map Road Atlas: Large Scale - Large Type
An Excellent book about Long Island Destinations
Discover Long Island: Exploring The Great Places From Sea To Sound
Where to Go and What to Do on Long Island
Zagat Listings of Long Island Restaurants
Long Island
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Jun - Aug
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