Long Island © Long Island CVB and Sports Commission
Long Island extends 100 miles (161km) east of New York City into
the Atlantic Ocean and is a popular weekend destination for New
Yorkers and tourists wanting to escape the sweltering city. The
south shore is fringed by glorious white, sandy beaches including
Jones Beach, a six-mile (10km) stretch of ocean where tens of
thousands of people converge to soak up the sun. Fire Island, a
short ferry ride away, is the east coast's leading gay resort. The
more exclusive beaches are on the north shore where the cliffs are
crowned with stately homes and luxurious manors. The showy Hamptons
is in the far east, its miles of pristine beaches attract the rich
and famous from all over America. The heart of the Hampton scene is
East Hampton, which has some excellent shops and restaurants and a
lively nightlife. In Long Island's North Fork, around the town of
Cutchogue, are the winelands. Of the 13 vineyards the best known is
Pindar, which has tours and tastings every day. Nearby, the pretty,
17th-century town of Orient is worth a visit for its white
clapboard houses and unspoilt beaches. There are hundreds of
museums, attractions and sporting facilities scattered around Long
Island to suit all tastes; for more information see
www.licvb.com. Buses depart for Long
Island regularly each day, although the quickest way to get there
is via the Long Island Railroad from Penn Station. If driving
visitors should head east on the Long Island Expressway from
Manhattan.
