Eastern Long Island offers a lot of great golf courses for those who like to hit the greens on vacation. The area also offers a lot of mini golf courses for families and those not quite as experienced in the game.
On the North Fork in Greenport you will find Tic Toc Mini Golf at Drosssos' Motel. Located a little bit away from the main town, there is also an ice cream parlor and place to get fast food at Drossos'. The course is a little old and simple, but it still provides a lot of fun. I would recommend Drossos' more for those with younger children, but again anyone who enjoys playing mini golf can enjoy the course. There is also an arcade on the property to have a little fun at after you finish golfing.
Riverhead is home to a course for those looking to be challenged a bit more. Out East Family Fun's mini golf course has less obstacles than Drossos' and is much newer. I would recommend this course more for teens and adults and those who are more into the competition of mini golf than the entertainment of it.
Out East Family Fun is also home to batting cages, jumpshot basketball and inflatable waterslides so it is someplace you can spend a few hours at doing a variety of activities.
Those are unfortunately the only two mini golf courses on the East End I have experience playing at, but there are plenty of other places to enjoy a game too.
On Shelter Island there is Whale's Tale Ice Cream and Mini Golf. In Montauk there is Puff 'N' Putt Family Fun Center, which also offers boat rentals. Animal Kingdom Mini Golf is in Southampton.
Something that I think is cool about many of these mini golf courses is that they have other family entertainment on property also. So if you are looking for some fun, outdoor activities for a few hours I advise you head to the nearest mini golf course and play a round and check out some other fun things to do!
Showing posts with label The Hamptons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Hamptons. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 29, 2014
Finding a Restroom
In my travels around Eastern Long Island I naturally find myself looking for public restrooms at times, it's just a part of life!
Some towns on the East End have much easier access to restrooms than others and I would like to share my experiences with which towns have more convenient restrooms than others.
Starting on the North Fork and Greenport, Greenport has probably the easiest restrooms to find on all of the East End. The Greenport public restrooms are located right in the middle of town in Mitchell Park. Since Greenport is small to begin with, the restrooms are no more than a 5 minute walk from anywhere in town.
On Shelter Island the best place to find a public restroom is at the North and South Ferries. These restrooms are for ferry costumers only but since anyone traveling to the island has to arrive by ferry I assume that is most of you. Once you get off the ferry you can just pull over and park and head into the main building by the docks to find the restrooms. Unfortunately they are not convenient if you are walking around Shelter Island, but to be fair there is really no main spot on the island with a lot of shops to wander around anyway.
Moving to the South Fork, Southampton recently posed a problem for me trying to find a restroom. Since it is a walking village that has a lot of stores I figured there would be an obvious public restroom around, but alas there was not. I ended up asking someone in a store where one was and they actually pointed me to a restaurant that has a restroom open to all.
The Driver's Seat restaurant is located next door to Dash (the Kardashian's store) and although it is tough to tell from the outside it does offer restrooms for all. It is a little awkward that you have to wander in around those dining and ask where the restrooms are. The restrooms are downstairs and the waitresses are very nice about pointing them out however.
Westhampton Village has public restrooms, although they are a bit hard to find. If you are walking around the main village you have to go away from the center of town a bit but you should find them. And even if they are not the most convenient I applaud Westhampton for at least having public restrooms.
Montauk is another village with fairly easy to find restrooms. Since Montauk is right on the beach I found it is best to stop by one of the beach parking lots on the outskirt off town. In the parking lot there is a nice public restroom. Like Shelter Island it is not the most convenient place for those walking around town but it is still there.
I struggled at first to find public restrooms in Sag Harbor but that's because I was looking down Main Street. Sag Harbor does have public restrooms that are a little away from the main drag and are right on the water. They actually have a convenient parking lot right behind them.
Of course anywhere you go restaurants will have restrooms for those who ate there. So if you go somewhere to eat I suggest just using the restroom while you are there. The second best option is to always just ask!
Some towns on the East End have much easier access to restrooms than others and I would like to share my experiences with which towns have more convenient restrooms than others.
Starting on the North Fork and Greenport, Greenport has probably the easiest restrooms to find on all of the East End. The Greenport public restrooms are located right in the middle of town in Mitchell Park. Since Greenport is small to begin with, the restrooms are no more than a 5 minute walk from anywhere in town.
On Shelter Island the best place to find a public restroom is at the North and South Ferries. These restrooms are for ferry costumers only but since anyone traveling to the island has to arrive by ferry I assume that is most of you. Once you get off the ferry you can just pull over and park and head into the main building by the docks to find the restrooms. Unfortunately they are not convenient if you are walking around Shelter Island, but to be fair there is really no main spot on the island with a lot of shops to wander around anyway.
Moving to the South Fork, Southampton recently posed a problem for me trying to find a restroom. Since it is a walking village that has a lot of stores I figured there would be an obvious public restroom around, but alas there was not. I ended up asking someone in a store where one was and they actually pointed me to a restaurant that has a restroom open to all.
The Driver's Seat restaurant is located next door to Dash (the Kardashian's store) and although it is tough to tell from the outside it does offer restrooms for all. It is a little awkward that you have to wander in around those dining and ask where the restrooms are. The restrooms are downstairs and the waitresses are very nice about pointing them out however.
Westhampton Village has public restrooms, although they are a bit hard to find. If you are walking around the main village you have to go away from the center of town a bit but you should find them. And even if they are not the most convenient I applaud Westhampton for at least having public restrooms.
Montauk is another village with fairly easy to find restrooms. Since Montauk is right on the beach I found it is best to stop by one of the beach parking lots on the outskirt off town. In the parking lot there is a nice public restroom. Like Shelter Island it is not the most convenient place for those walking around town but it is still there.
I struggled at first to find public restrooms in Sag Harbor but that's because I was looking down Main Street. Sag Harbor does have public restrooms that are a little away from the main drag and are right on the water. They actually have a convenient parking lot right behind them.
Of course anywhere you go restaurants will have restrooms for those who ate there. So if you go somewhere to eat I suggest just using the restroom while you are there. The second best option is to always just ask!
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Chopper Chatter
One of the big topics of discussions the past few summers on Eastern Long Island has been the issue of an increase of helicopters flying over the area. As traffic gets worse and worse on the Long Island Expressway, those who can afford it seem to be opting to take helicopters out to Eastern Long Island for vacation.
A lot of locals dislike the choppers flying over their homes because they are loud. I recently found a post on the Hamptons Chatter blog that sums up why many dislike the helicopters. The post also mentions that now you can take a ride over Eastern Long Island for a fair rate of $2,500.
The writer of the post mentioned above seems quite angry that now more people may be taking helicopter rides over the East End. He cites the "air traffic noise" as the main reason why he dislikes helicopters in the area, just like most locals I know.
Personally, I would love to take a helicopter ride over Eastern Long Island myself and I never once have been bothered by "air traffic noise." Helicopters can be loud, but never once has one gone over my head and completely disrupted me. They make a little noise for the minute they are above your head and that is it.
I don't believe this helicopter situation as to be as controversial as people make it. Unfortunately it appears to just be another case of locals wanting to keep Eastern Long Island to themselves and not realizing all that tourism does for the area.
To all visitors to the area this summer I say ignore the haters and keep coming and enjoying the area! There are people who appreciate you and your business (money). Eastern Long Island is beautiful and if people want to experience the beauty from the air I say do it!
So if you have the $2,500 to spend on a helicopter ride over the area do not be afraid to go!
A lot of locals dislike the choppers flying over their homes because they are loud. I recently found a post on the Hamptons Chatter blog that sums up why many dislike the helicopters. The post also mentions that now you can take a ride over Eastern Long Island for a fair rate of $2,500.
The writer of the post mentioned above seems quite angry that now more people may be taking helicopter rides over the East End. He cites the "air traffic noise" as the main reason why he dislikes helicopters in the area, just like most locals I know.
Personally, I would love to take a helicopter ride over Eastern Long Island myself and I never once have been bothered by "air traffic noise." Helicopters can be loud, but never once has one gone over my head and completely disrupted me. They make a little noise for the minute they are above your head and that is it.
I don't believe this helicopter situation as to be as controversial as people make it. Unfortunately it appears to just be another case of locals wanting to keep Eastern Long Island to themselves and not realizing all that tourism does for the area.
To all visitors to the area this summer I say ignore the haters and keep coming and enjoying the area! There are people who appreciate you and your business (money). Eastern Long Island is beautiful and if people want to experience the beauty from the air I say do it!
So if you have the $2,500 to spend on a helicopter ride over the area do not be afraid to go!
Wednesday, July 2, 2014
Strolling Southampton
Over the past few summers, Southampton has become one of my favorite places to visit on Eastern Long Island. Southampton Village is a perfect walking town and offers a ton of clothing stores and place to sit down and enjoy a meal. The village is a beautiful little place to spend a day walking around (although be warned, it is a bit pricey).
To give a really good idea of Southampton and what it is like to spend a day strolling around the village I found this video on YouTube.
The video is a bit long (24 minutes) but the man walks around pretty much all of the village to give an idea of what it has to offer.
One of my favorite stores in Southampton is the Alex and Ani store. It is tough to find a store devoted solely to the popular bracelets in New York and Southampton offers one. Another store in the village I would make sure to check out is Dash. This summer the famous Kardashian sisters opened up one of their boutiques in Southampton and will be spending the summer in the Hamptons filming for their reality show.
No matter what you think of the family, I think it is cool they are spending their summer around Southampton and I think you should too! Check out the video to give you an idea of what you are missing out on in Southampton and head there yourself to enjoy a nice summer day just wandering around.
To give a really good idea of Southampton and what it is like to spend a day strolling around the village I found this video on YouTube.
One of my favorite stores in Southampton is the Alex and Ani store. It is tough to find a store devoted solely to the popular bracelets in New York and Southampton offers one. Another store in the village I would make sure to check out is Dash. This summer the famous Kardashian sisters opened up one of their boutiques in Southampton and will be spending the summer in the Hamptons filming for their reality show.
No matter what you think of the family, I think it is cool they are spending their summer around Southampton and I think you should too! Check out the video to give you an idea of what you are missing out on in Southampton and head there yourself to enjoy a nice summer day just wandering around.
Thursday, June 19, 2014
Baseball in the Hamptons
If you are a sports worshipper like me your summer would be nowhere near complete without taking in some baseball in the sunshine. If you are sports worshipper who is traveling to Eastern Long Island this summer you are in luck because the area is home to the Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League which offers some of the best summer collegiate ball in the country.
Just a quick background for those who do not know, most college baseball players spend their summers playing summer ball somewhere around the country. The most famous league that college ballplayers go to is the Cape Cod League in Massachusetts although it is far from the only league out there. The HCBL popped up just a few years ago and has quickly evolved to welcome top college players from schools all around the country.
The quality of ball in the HCBL is really high and this is coming from someone who has spent her life watching mostly just major league ball. I think the ballplayers end up impressing all the fans that come to watch with their flawless play.
Something that adds to the HCBL is the personal aspect of it all. The ballparks are mostly local high school fields so they are tiny and all the fans get an upfront view of the action. It's also easy for fans to interact with players after the games asking for autographs and such. I have seen first hand especially how much these ballplayers love kids and giving autographs and balls to their youngest fans.
Even if you are not a big sports worshipper I highly recommend checking out a HCBL game during your visit to the area because of how unique summer league baseball is. Keep in mind some of these players are well on their way to the majors as plenty of alumni of the league have been drafted in the past few seasons.
There are seven teams in the league so really anywhere you travel to on Eastern Long Island you are close to a team to check out. The teams are located in Peconic, Riverhead, Westhampton, Southampton, Sag Harbor, Montauk and on Shelter Island. If you want more information and to check out game schedules you can visit hamptonsbaseball.org.
High quality baseball featuring future major leaguers in beautiful summer weather, what more could you want on your vacation?
Just a quick background for those who do not know, most college baseball players spend their summers playing summer ball somewhere around the country. The most famous league that college ballplayers go to is the Cape Cod League in Massachusetts although it is far from the only league out there. The HCBL popped up just a few years ago and has quickly evolved to welcome top college players from schools all around the country.
The quality of ball in the HCBL is really high and this is coming from someone who has spent her life watching mostly just major league ball. I think the ballplayers end up impressing all the fans that come to watch with their flawless play.
Something that adds to the HCBL is the personal aspect of it all. The ballparks are mostly local high school fields so they are tiny and all the fans get an upfront view of the action. It's also easy for fans to interact with players after the games asking for autographs and such. I have seen first hand especially how much these ballplayers love kids and giving autographs and balls to their youngest fans.
Even if you are not a big sports worshipper I highly recommend checking out a HCBL game during your visit to the area because of how unique summer league baseball is. Keep in mind some of these players are well on their way to the majors as plenty of alumni of the league have been drafted in the past few seasons.
There are seven teams in the league so really anywhere you travel to on Eastern Long Island you are close to a team to check out. The teams are located in Peconic, Riverhead, Westhampton, Southampton, Sag Harbor, Montauk and on Shelter Island. If you want more information and to check out game schedules you can visit hamptonsbaseball.org.
High quality baseball featuring future major leaguers in beautiful summer weather, what more could you want on your vacation?
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
7 Things to Know About Montauk Point Lighthouse
When a lot of people think of the Hamptons these days the first images that come to mind have to do with living life luxuriously. The area after all has become world famous for being a summer playground for the rich and famous just a short hop away from Manhattan.
What many probably do not realize however is just how historic the area is. One of the most iconic sites of the Hamptons is the Montauk Point Lighthouse which has quite the history. To give all potential visitors a quick history lesson I present to you "7 Things to Know About Montauk Point Lighthouse."
Montauk itself is a pretty stereotypical beach town but is still a cool place to check out with a lot of resorts if you want to stay the weekend. The lighthouse is easy to find because it is the end of the island and it is in a state park where you can wander around during the day.
More information on the lighthouse can be found at MontaukLighthouse.com, which is also where I got my seven facts. For lovebirds that really are interested in history and the lighthouse you can even have your wedding there!
There's your little piece of history in a Hamptons' beach town. Montauk as a whole is certainly worth checking out on Eastern Long Island and so is the lighthouse, which is historic and also a beautiful site to see!
What many probably do not realize however is just how historic the area is. One of the most iconic sites of the Hamptons is the Montauk Point Lighthouse which has quite the history. To give all potential visitors a quick history lesson I present to you "7 Things to Know About Montauk Point Lighthouse."
- It was the first lighthouse in New York State.
- Its Construction was authorized by George Washington and the Second United States Congress in 1792.
- It is the fourth-oldest active lighthouse in the United States.
- It is a National Historic Landmark in honor of the role it played in American Maritime History.
- Construction on it was completed in November 1796 after it was started earlier that year.
- There are 137 steps to the top of the tower.
- Its light flashes every five seconds and can be seen for 19 nautical miles.
Montauk itself is a pretty stereotypical beach town but is still a cool place to check out with a lot of resorts if you want to stay the weekend. The lighthouse is easy to find because it is the end of the island and it is in a state park where you can wander around during the day.
More information on the lighthouse can be found at MontaukLighthouse.com, which is also where I got my seven facts. For lovebirds that really are interested in history and the lighthouse you can even have your wedding there!
There's your little piece of history in a Hamptons' beach town. Montauk as a whole is certainly worth checking out on Eastern Long Island and so is the lighthouse, which is historic and also a beautiful site to see!
Monday, June 16, 2014
Taking Time to Enjoy the Ride
A lot of the time we are so focused on where we are going that we do not take time to enjoy the journey to the destination.
I know, I sound like a corny quote book, but it is true and it relates to how one may spend their time on Eastern Long Island. This past week I had to drive all the way out to Montauk (the end of the South Fork) for business. I did not get to do anything in Montauk aside from the business I had to attend to so I did not get to enjoy the happening beach town. Knowing this though I was able to enjoy the trip by just taking in the sites on the way!
I traveled from Sag Harbor, which is roughly halfway through the Hamptons, out to Montauk surrounded by some of the most beautiful sites. Between the lush green landscape, beautiful houses and of course the beaches I really enjoyed the ride!
Usually when planning a trip we get so caught up in mapping out every minute of our day with something exciting to do that we miss out on fun things that are not as flashy, like just taking a car ride. There are so many beautiful sites on Eastern Long Island sometimes the best way to see a few is by just hopping in the car and driving!
Just like I sat back and enjoyed my ride out to Montauk I think you can sit back and just enjoy a simple ride around the East End. Forget about the destination for a bit and just enjoy the journey!
I know, I sound like a corny quote book, but it is true and it relates to how one may spend their time on Eastern Long Island. This past week I had to drive all the way out to Montauk (the end of the South Fork) for business. I did not get to do anything in Montauk aside from the business I had to attend to so I did not get to enjoy the happening beach town. Knowing this though I was able to enjoy the trip by just taking in the sites on the way!
I traveled from Sag Harbor, which is roughly halfway through the Hamptons, out to Montauk surrounded by some of the most beautiful sites. Between the lush green landscape, beautiful houses and of course the beaches I really enjoyed the ride!
Usually when planning a trip we get so caught up in mapping out every minute of our day with something exciting to do that we miss out on fun things that are not as flashy, like just taking a car ride. There are so many beautiful sites on Eastern Long Island sometimes the best way to see a few is by just hopping in the car and driving!
Just like I sat back and enjoyed my ride out to Montauk I think you can sit back and just enjoy a simple ride around the East End. Forget about the destination for a bit and just enjoy the journey!
Monday, June 9, 2014
A Visit to Hampton Coffee Company
If you are anything like me you like to start your day with a cup of coffee. I love waking up and inhaling a cup of iced coffee in the summer months even when I am on vacation. I share this love of coffee with one of my closest friends and usually when we hang out it includes stopping to get a cup somewhere. A couple of weeks ago at her suggestion we ventured to Water Mill, New York to try out a spot we had never been to before, Hampton Coffee Company.
Water Mill is located on the South Fork of Long Island in the Hamptons. It's only a five minute ride from Southampton if you head east on Montauk Highway. If you are heading to Sag Harbor, East Hampton or Montauk via Montauk Highway this location of the Hampton Coffee Company is situated in a spot that makes it a perfect pit stop for a quick pick-me-up.
Hampton Coffee Company has three locations that can be found in Westhampton, Southampton and Water Mill. According to its website (hamptoncoffeecompany.com) the Water Mill location was its first store and it opened over 20 years ago. The company brags that today it is Long Island's largest independent coffee roaster and like many places in the Hamptons lays claim to celebrity clientele.
The reason my friend and I chose to visit the Water Mill location was because of the outdoor dining options it offered and the convenient location right on Montauk Highway. This location does have a café too where you can dine on various dishes, but my friend and I opted for just simple drinks. We both got iced coffees that we added our own milk and sugar to after checking out.
To be quite honest the coffee was nothing special. As a Dunkin Donut enthusiast I did not find their coffee to be quite as good as the Dunkin I enjoy almost everyday, but I still would highly suggest stopping by the Hampton Coffee Company. The menu at the café offers some really tempting looking options and the atmosphere was so relaxing that I think its a cool place to check out if you are going to be traveling on Montauk Highway. While other places may offer better coffee they most likely do not offer outdoor seating that overlooks a winery.
Even if the coffee was not to die for the Hampton Coffee Company provided a nice location to get together with a friend and enjoy an afternoon of just having some coffee outdoors in beautiful weather. Whether you need a quick place to stop on your way farther out east or you just want to enjoy a small-town coffee shop, I would recommend checking out Hampton Coffee Company on your trip to the Hamptons.
Water Mill is located on the South Fork of Long Island in the Hamptons. It's only a five minute ride from Southampton if you head east on Montauk Highway. If you are heading to Sag Harbor, East Hampton or Montauk via Montauk Highway this location of the Hampton Coffee Company is situated in a spot that makes it a perfect pit stop for a quick pick-me-up.
Hampton Coffee Company has three locations that can be found in Westhampton, Southampton and Water Mill. According to its website (hamptoncoffeecompany.com) the Water Mill location was its first store and it opened over 20 years ago. The company brags that today it is Long Island's largest independent coffee roaster and like many places in the Hamptons lays claim to celebrity clientele.
The reason my friend and I chose to visit the Water Mill location was because of the outdoor dining options it offered and the convenient location right on Montauk Highway. This location does have a café too where you can dine on various dishes, but my friend and I opted for just simple drinks. We both got iced coffees that we added our own milk and sugar to after checking out.
To be quite honest the coffee was nothing special. As a Dunkin Donut enthusiast I did not find their coffee to be quite as good as the Dunkin I enjoy almost everyday, but I still would highly suggest stopping by the Hampton Coffee Company. The menu at the café offers some really tempting looking options and the atmosphere was so relaxing that I think its a cool place to check out if you are going to be traveling on Montauk Highway. While other places may offer better coffee they most likely do not offer outdoor seating that overlooks a winery.
Even if the coffee was not to die for the Hampton Coffee Company provided a nice location to get together with a friend and enjoy an afternoon of just having some coffee outdoors in beautiful weather. Whether you need a quick place to stop on your way farther out east or you just want to enjoy a small-town coffee shop, I would recommend checking out Hampton Coffee Company on your trip to the Hamptons.
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Time to Take in a Sunset
It would make sense for me to start out with the best ways to spend your morning on the Eastern End of Long Island and then your afternoon and then your evening. But, my personal favorite thing to do occurs in the evening and I cannot wait to share it!
After a full day of summer fun in the sun doing things I will tell you about later nothing beats heading to the beach to check out the sunset! The North Shore of Long Island borders the Long Island Sound and the sunsets over it have to be some of the most beautiful in the world. I end most of my summer days checking out the sunsets by my house, so it is certainly something both visitors and locals alike can enjoy!
Having viewed so many sunsets over the Long Island Sound I have to say that they are like snowflakes. That means that no two are alike and each one provides a new visual spectacle for all to take in. So if you are in town for even a week I would suggest you check out the sunset every night because you are always going to see something new.
Maybe the best thing about taking in a sunset on Eastern Long Island is that it's free! All you have to do is head to a beach that looks north. Of course for the best views I suggest you head north and find a beach on the Long Island Sound, but if you are vacationing on the South Fork you can still get a spectacular view if you venture to a beach that overlooks the bay separating the two forks.
In my opinion there is nothing better to do on Eastern Long Island than just taking in one of the many beautiful sunsets and I would put it as number one on your must-do list for your vacation to the area!
Above are just a few of many photos of sunsets I have taken over the years to give you an idea of what you are missing out on if you choose to not check out a sunset during your East End vacation.
After a full day of summer fun in the sun doing things I will tell you about later nothing beats heading to the beach to check out the sunset! The North Shore of Long Island borders the Long Island Sound and the sunsets over it have to be some of the most beautiful in the world. I end most of my summer days checking out the sunsets by my house, so it is certainly something both visitors and locals alike can enjoy!
Having viewed so many sunsets over the Long Island Sound I have to say that they are like snowflakes. That means that no two are alike and each one provides a new visual spectacle for all to take in. So if you are in town for even a week I would suggest you check out the sunset every night because you are always going to see something new.
Maybe the best thing about taking in a sunset on Eastern Long Island is that it's free! All you have to do is head to a beach that looks north. Of course for the best views I suggest you head north and find a beach on the Long Island Sound, but if you are vacationing on the South Fork you can still get a spectacular view if you venture to a beach that overlooks the bay separating the two forks.
In my opinion there is nothing better to do on Eastern Long Island than just taking in one of the many beautiful sunsets and I would put it as number one on your must-do list for your vacation to the area!
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Above are just a few of many photos of sunsets I have taken over the years to give you an idea of what you are missing out on if you choose to not check out a sunset during your East End vacation.
Monday, June 2, 2014
Buses, Trains and Automobiles!
Before you can begin your summer vacation on Eastern Long Island you have to first get here. The best way to reach your destination varies depending on where you are coming from. For the purpose of this blog however I am going to talk about traveling from New York City since a good amount of visitors to the area come from the Big Apple for a weekend trip.
There are a few different options for those looking to get to Eastern Long Island from the city and the option that best suits you depends on a few different things. Before I dive into the main three ways to head out of the city I want you to ask yourself a few different questions.
For starters, how much money are you willing to spend on travel expenses? Do you mind having to leave at a set time? Would you rather come and go at your own leisure? Do you mind traffic? Do you plan on staying close to a town? Do you plan on heading to beaches or vineyards which you will need your own car for? How many people will be traveling with you? How long will your trip be?
Keeping those things in mind, here are the three main options of transportation that will get you to your vacation destination.
Car
If you have your own car it may be easy to just jump in it and hit the Long Island Expressway until you hit the town on the East End of Long Island you desire. The LIE will take you from Manhattan to Riverhead where you can either get on Route 25 to travel the North Fork of the island or the Montauk Highway if you would rather check out the South Fork.
The big benefits of driving your own car is that you can come and go at your own leisure and not have to rely on the scheduling of other transportation. You also will have your own car for your entire trip which is necessary if you plan on visiting towns outside of the one you are staying in or other destinations like beaches or vineyards. If you visit a town like Greenport on the North Fork you can probably entertain yourself for a few days without a car, but for other towns one is probably necessary.
The big downside of driving your own car however is the traffic on the LIE. It may seem like everyone in Manhattan is heading out to the East End with you on Friday afternoons or heading back to the city with you on Sunday nights when the two hour trip turns into a three or four hour one. Traffic can be avoided though if you pick the right times to travel, like maybe try and sneak out Friday morning or head back to the city early Monday morning before rush hour. In today's modern age GPS can also be helpful in finding you alternative routes to get around the traffic if it is just in certain areas.
Something else to keep in mind is even if you do not have your own car but you like the idea of having one for your vacation you can rent one for just the weekend in the city then head out!
Bus
If you are not interested in driving yourself but still want to drive out to Eastern Long Island, the Hampton Jitney bus service is quite a popular option. The service travels to almost every town on both the South and North Forks and leaves from certain points in Manhattan and Queens. Trips range from roughly 20 to 30 dollars depending on where you are traveling to.
The coaches are comfortable and allow you to relax while someone else does the driving. The trips usually take about three hours, so a bit longer than if you drove yourself, because of the stops. I have found in my experiences using the service however that trips during less busy times will take less than three hours.
The Hampton Jitney is a good option if you do not have your own car or do not mind being limited to one town for the weekend. Of course you are on their schedule though if you choose to use them, buses usually leave the East End towns every other hour and leave Manhattan almost every hour. Traffic could also be a problem although drivers usually are good at getting around trouble areas.
Train
If you are interested in avoiding traffic on the LIE you can always jump on a Long Island Railroad train. To take the LIRR all the way out to the East End you have to catch a train from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma first and then transfer. Taking a train may be an appealing option because of the lack of traffic and because it is slightly less money than taking a bus, but a big problem is how little the trains run out to towns on the North and South Forks. Trains usually run from Ronkonkoma further east only two or three times a day and not at the most convenient times (early AM or late PM).
The lack of flexibility combined with the disadvantage of not having your own car honestly make the train the less desirable option of three mentioned.
If you want to take advantage of the most that the East End of Long Island has to offer it is always best to have your own car so you can explore. But, if just a short weekend trip to one village sounds appealing to you do not discount taking the Hampton Jitney. Like I said above, there are a lot of variables that will lead you to choose which transportation option is best for you when you head out. The most important part is just that you choose one and head on out to Eastern Long Island for summer fun!
There are a few different options for those looking to get to Eastern Long Island from the city and the option that best suits you depends on a few different things. Before I dive into the main three ways to head out of the city I want you to ask yourself a few different questions.
For starters, how much money are you willing to spend on travel expenses? Do you mind having to leave at a set time? Would you rather come and go at your own leisure? Do you mind traffic? Do you plan on staying close to a town? Do you plan on heading to beaches or vineyards which you will need your own car for? How many people will be traveling with you? How long will your trip be?
Keeping those things in mind, here are the three main options of transportation that will get you to your vacation destination.
Car
If you have your own car it may be easy to just jump in it and hit the Long Island Expressway until you hit the town on the East End of Long Island you desire. The LIE will take you from Manhattan to Riverhead where you can either get on Route 25 to travel the North Fork of the island or the Montauk Highway if you would rather check out the South Fork.
The big benefits of driving your own car is that you can come and go at your own leisure and not have to rely on the scheduling of other transportation. You also will have your own car for your entire trip which is necessary if you plan on visiting towns outside of the one you are staying in or other destinations like beaches or vineyards. If you visit a town like Greenport on the North Fork you can probably entertain yourself for a few days without a car, but for other towns one is probably necessary.
The big downside of driving your own car however is the traffic on the LIE. It may seem like everyone in Manhattan is heading out to the East End with you on Friday afternoons or heading back to the city with you on Sunday nights when the two hour trip turns into a three or four hour one. Traffic can be avoided though if you pick the right times to travel, like maybe try and sneak out Friday morning or head back to the city early Monday morning before rush hour. In today's modern age GPS can also be helpful in finding you alternative routes to get around the traffic if it is just in certain areas.
Something else to keep in mind is even if you do not have your own car but you like the idea of having one for your vacation you can rent one for just the weekend in the city then head out!
Bus
If you are not interested in driving yourself but still want to drive out to Eastern Long Island, the Hampton Jitney bus service is quite a popular option. The service travels to almost every town on both the South and North Forks and leaves from certain points in Manhattan and Queens. Trips range from roughly 20 to 30 dollars depending on where you are traveling to.
The coaches are comfortable and allow you to relax while someone else does the driving. The trips usually take about three hours, so a bit longer than if you drove yourself, because of the stops. I have found in my experiences using the service however that trips during less busy times will take less than three hours.
The Hampton Jitney is a good option if you do not have your own car or do not mind being limited to one town for the weekend. Of course you are on their schedule though if you choose to use them, buses usually leave the East End towns every other hour and leave Manhattan almost every hour. Traffic could also be a problem although drivers usually are good at getting around trouble areas.
Train
If you are interested in avoiding traffic on the LIE you can always jump on a Long Island Railroad train. To take the LIRR all the way out to the East End you have to catch a train from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma first and then transfer. Taking a train may be an appealing option because of the lack of traffic and because it is slightly less money than taking a bus, but a big problem is how little the trains run out to towns on the North and South Forks. Trains usually run from Ronkonkoma further east only two or three times a day and not at the most convenient times (early AM or late PM).
The lack of flexibility combined with the disadvantage of not having your own car honestly make the train the less desirable option of three mentioned.
If you want to take advantage of the most that the East End of Long Island has to offer it is always best to have your own car so you can explore. But, if just a short weekend trip to one village sounds appealing to you do not discount taking the Hampton Jitney. Like I said above, there are a lot of variables that will lead you to choose which transportation option is best for you when you head out. The most important part is just that you choose one and head on out to Eastern Long Island for summer fun!
Friday, May 30, 2014
Welcome! An Intro to Our Summer Adventure
This past Memorial Day Weekend marked the unofficial start to summer 2014. That means it is the time of year when many from New York City head out to Eastern Long Island to escape from city life for a bit. Riverhead, the town located where Long Island splits into two forks, is just roughly 80 miles from Manhattan. From there, vacationers can choose to head to the North Fork and Wine Country or the South Folk and the world famous Hamptons for whatever style vacation they prefer.
Whether one heads to the North Fork or South Fork, there is a lot to see on Eastern Long Island. With so many different beaches, vineyards, restaurants, farms and other hidden gems, it may be hard to decide exactly how to spend one's time in the area. The purpose of this blog is to help visitors decide how to best spend their vacation time when they visit Eastern Long Island.
I have spent my whole life (aside from the past two years I have been attending college in New York City) living on Eastern Long Island. I feel that as a native of the area I have some unique tips to offer to those who wish to vacation here. Sometimes locals are able to provide some insight on the best way to spend time they you will not always find in guidebooks or on tourist websites.
My hope is that this blog is able to add some fun to some people's vacations. Hopefully my insight as a local gives people a few new ideas of what to do on Eastern Long Island that they would have never thought of before and that they enjoy.
Happy travels to Eastern Long Island all! See you out here!
Whether one heads to the North Fork or South Fork, there is a lot to see on Eastern Long Island. With so many different beaches, vineyards, restaurants, farms and other hidden gems, it may be hard to decide exactly how to spend one's time in the area. The purpose of this blog is to help visitors decide how to best spend their vacation time when they visit Eastern Long Island.
I have spent my whole life (aside from the past two years I have been attending college in New York City) living on Eastern Long Island. I feel that as a native of the area I have some unique tips to offer to those who wish to vacation here. Sometimes locals are able to provide some insight on the best way to spend time they you will not always find in guidebooks or on tourist websites.
My hope is that this blog is able to add some fun to some people's vacations. Hopefully my insight as a local gives people a few new ideas of what to do on Eastern Long Island that they would have never thought of before and that they enjoy.
Happy travels to Eastern Long Island all! See you out here!
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