Have the Summer You Deserve With a Trip to Long Island - Full-Time Travel

Have the Summer You Deserve With a Trip to Long Island

Have the Summer You Deserve with a Trip to This East Coast Crowd-Pleaser   

By Esme Benjamin

Weighing your options for a summer vacation? For most of us it will be the first proper trip we’ve taken since the pandemic began, and the pressure is on to make it a good (and non-stressful) one. If you’re looking for a destination that ticks all the boxes – easy to get to, plenty of nature but close to a city, heaps of top-notch food and drink options, and plenty of cultural activities/ entertainment – look no further than Long Island. Stretching east into the Atlantic Ocean from New York City, Long Island offers visitors a little bit of everything, from wide sandy beaches to bucolic vineyards, and from quaint East Coast towns to grand Gatsby-esque homes. Whet your wanderlust with our guide to this classic coastal gem. 

Relive the Roaring 20s at the Gold Coast Mansions 

Courtesy of Discover Long Island

Thanks to vaccines and a whole lot of pent up party energy, 2021 has already been hailed as the Roaring 20s Part II. Embrace the mood of the moment with a visit to Long Island’s Gold Coast Mansions – the lavish abodes of former presidents, aristocrats and artists which inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel The Great Gatsby. Case in point: Oheka Castle, the former residence of financier and philanthropist Otto Hermann Kahn, was modeled after a grand French Chateau and cost the equivalent of $158 million in today’s money. Peek behind the opulent facades with a Gold Coast Mansions tour and satiate your curiosity. 

Do Beach Time Your Way  

Courtesy of Discover Long Island

From Long Beach to Montauk, you’ll find some truly gorgeous coastline on Long Island (if we had to pick favorites they’d be Jones Beach State Park, Robert Moses State Park, Coopers Beach, Main Beach and Shelter Island). That deep blue Atlantic ocean isn’t only a welcome asset during steamy summer beach days, it also facilitates a huge array of water sports. From surfing at Ditch Plains and wakeboarding at Sag Harbor to fishing expeditions at Captree State Park, you’ll find lessons or equipment rentals available for all skill levels. 

FTT Tip: Hands down, our favorite place to bask on golden sand and listen to the roaring ocean is Fire Island – a car-free barrier island with distinct coastal communities, great seafood spots, decent surf breaks and a real away-from-it-all vibe.

Hone Your Swing on the Golf Course

Courtesy of Discover Long Island

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or part of the sport’s pandemic uptick in popularity, you’ll be in your element amid Long Island’s 60+ world-class courses. Challenge yourself at Shinnecock Hills (the venue for five U.S. Opens), play alongside beautiful coastal scenery at Maidstone or Fishers Island, or savor the country’s first great golf course: National Golf Links of America

Soak up East Coast Charm with a “Downtown Deals Travel Pass” 

A highlight of any vacation is enjoying a casual wander through the destination’s main thoroughfare, popping into stores to pick up souvenirs, or grazing on food and drink at restaurants, cafes and ice cream parlors. Long Island has approximately 110 downtown areas perfectly suited to this vacation ritual, and a new mobile travel pass to help you make the most out of your explorations. Sign up for the Downtown Deals Travel Pass and get exclusive deals and discounts on attractions, restaurants and breweries in Greenport, Patchogue, Huntington, Bayshore and more – all delivered via text and email.    

FTT Tip: Visit Greenport, a family-friendly destination whose downtown area includes a seaport museum and antique carousel, waterfront dining, antique shops and craft breweries.

Satiate Your Curiosity with a Cultural Activity

Courtesy of Discover Long Island

While you could be perfectly content bouncing between the beach and oyster-filled happy hours, Long Island has a plethora of cultural attractions, too. Consider yourself a history buff? Explore the Long Island Heritage Trail (located along Route 25A), which served as the Culper Spy Ring during the American Revolution. More of a literary nerd? Visit Walt Whitman’s birthplace/interpretive center to learn more about the poet’s life and work. Dying to see live performances again? Huntington’s Paramount Theatre has a schedule of musical concerts, stand-up comedy and boxing that will fill out your summer. We could go on and on

Sip Rosé (or Your Color of Choice) at a Sunshine-Drenched Winery 

Courtesy of Discover Long Island

In case you hadn’t heard, Long Island happens to have a thriving wine industry, with 57 producers stretched between the North Fork, South Fork and western Suffolk county. Merlot is the most ubiquitous grape in the region, and Lenz Winery is one of the best places to sample it. This winery dates back to the 1970s, making it one of Long Island’s oldest, and is known for its rustic tasting room surrounded by bucolic fields. If you’ve got a soft spot for fizz, make a reservation at Sparkling Pointe, the destination’s only sparkling wine-focused vineyard, and of course no visit to Long Island wine country would be complete without a stop at Wölffer Estate Vineyard, whose Summer in a Bottle rosés and rosé ciders are classic seasonal tipples in New York City and beyond. 

Keep the Entire Family Happy with a Fun-Filled Itinerary

Courtesy of Discover Long Island

If you’re looking for a destination that’s just as appealing to kids as it is to adults, look no further. On Long Island you can take them to a failsafe brood pleaser, like Adventureland amusement park, Long Island Aquarium, or Splish Splash waterpark one day, then mix it up with something wholesome the next. Try a whale watching tour, a ride on a mini steam train at the Long Island Live Steamers or a visit to White Post Farms or Long Island Game Farm for pony rides and animal feeding.

This article was sponsored by Discover Long Island

In the latest episode of our podcast, author Meg Stafford joins her daughter on a high school project to Nepal and Bhutan researching happiness. It was a mother-daughter trip that pushed Meg outside of her comfort zone. She found herself avoiding avalanches while climbing to Annapurna basecamp and dodging paint at the Holi Festival in Kathmandu. It also gave her the opportunity to examine what it means for a parent to love and to let go. 🎧 Link in bio to listen! ...

24 0

Istanbul`s beauty lies in its historic architecture, the Bosphorus Strait`s scenic charm, vibrant neighborhoods, bustling markets, rich cuisine, Sufi traditions, captivating sunsets, street art, and its unique blend of cultures as a crossroads of Europe and Asia.

Reel: @samisrt
...

159 0

Sweeping mountain views of the Dolomites, beautiful wildflowers, and the most delicious dinner included with your stay at @hotel_dolomitenhof_u_altepost.

Reel: @tc.travels
...

257 3

In the latest episode of our podcast, Christine Winebrenner Irick, entrepreneur (@lotussojourns) and podcaster (@souloftravelpodcast) shares the story of her first big trip to Asia. In the midst of a period of rebirth, as her career and marriage were crumbling, Christine took inspiration from Alex Garland`s book, The Beach, and set off for Thailand with one good friend and no solid plans. What unfolded was a perspective-shifting experience that would, in Christine`s own words, "reveal who she would become." 🎧 Link in bio to listen!

#tttcm #traveltok #thetripthatchangedme #podcast #travelpodcast #thailand #travelthailand
...

41 0

Is it too early to think about Fall? Daydreaming of autumn in Patagonia.

Reel: @ramirotorrents
...

693 5

A lovely town on the French Riviera, Menton is known for its beauty, mild weather, colorful buildings, and lemon production. Enjoy beaches, history, and a laid-back vibe.

Reel: @sofikulin
...

101 0

Full-Time Travel`s sister brand, @kingdomgolf, invites you to a join special guests from the world of golf and entertainment, including Jack Nicklaus and Annika Sörenstam, for a luxury island experience. Play the incredible courses at Wexford and Palmetto Hall Golf and Country Club. ⛳️ Link in bio to reserve your spot at the 2023 Kingdom Cup on Thursday, September 21st thru Sunday, September 24th. ...

49 4

One night in the desert inspires a corporate worker to follow her dream of becoming a travel journalist.

In the latest episode of our podcast, The Trip That Changed Me, travel journalist, podcaster, and entrepreneur Yulia Denisyuk (@insearchofperfect) shares the story of a career-altering trip to Morocco. It`s an ode to the power of looking for signs when you need confirmation you`re on the right track. If you`re harboring a dream but it never quite feels like the right time to make the leap, this episode is for you. 🎧 Link in bio to listen!

#fulltimetravel #travelreel #ftt #thetripthatchangedme #podcast #travelpodcast
...

23 1

Submerged beneath the ocean waves or inside a kaleidoscopic aquarium, these rare underwater restaurants serve meals alongside a cast of aquatic creatures. Book a table and enjoy a whole new spin on dinner and a show. ...

121 1

Bike through the world`s largest salt flats in Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia.

Reel: @islayjoy
...

1113 8

Known for its stunning sand dunes that create a landscape resembling white sheets (lençóis in Portuguese), Lençóis Maranhenses is a unique national park located in the state of Maranhão, Brazil.

The park`s most iconic feature is the series of turquoise lagoons formed by rainwater that collects between the dunes. These lagoons are a stark contrast to the surrounding white sands and provide a refreshing oasis for visitors.

Reel: @melly_ba
...

1971 208

A travel entrepreneur rows 3,000 miles in 36 days, completely unsupported.

In the latest episode of our podcast, The Trip That Changed Me, travel entrepreneur, Jimmy Carroll (@jimmyalexandercarroll), shares his experiences of participating in the world’s toughest rowing race: the Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge.

For 36 days, Jimmy and his three teammates rowed in alternating two-hour stints for 24 hours a day, through storms, sleep deprivation, and an unexpected attack from a 12-foot blue marlin. It was an experience that pushed them to the limit of their resilience but one that was also full of profound beauty and awe.

🎧 Link in bio to listen!

#thetripthatchangedme #fulltimetravel #ftt #travelpodcast #podcast #jimmycarroll
...

114 7