Summer is in full swing, so why not take the time to plan a fun excursion in July
or August? Sick of sitting in traffic? Opt for a day trip by sea! Don't own a boat?
No need! For each of the following adventures, all you need is a little planning
and a ride to the ferry. Combined with a trip on Hampton Jitney, all of these trips
are doable to-and-from Manhattan if your heart desires.
A Casual Island Destination
Whether you're looking for a day of beach or bar hopping, make the trip over to
Rhode Island's famous Block Island for a perfect low-key, laid-back escape from
the East End. No need to pack anything dressy—this destination's dress code is extremely
casual. Just pack a sweatshirt for the ferry ride home.
The Viking Fleet's high-speed passenger ferries from Montauk Harbor to Block Island
are only an hour long, and depart at 10am. Return ferries leave Block Island at
5pm. The ferries feature a stable ‘anti-seasickness' design and comfortable seating
for 225 passengers, both inside and outside. Snacks and beverages are available
for purchase onboard. There is adequate storage for bicycles and surfboards as well
(at an additional cost of $10 round-trip per bike or board.) Adults pay $75 round
trip ($70 if you buy online) while children ages 5-12 are $40 round trip. Kids under
5 ride free. Cars are not permitted. Parking in the lot in Montauk Harbor isn't
steep—it will only cost you $10. Be sure to make a reservation for your trip ahead
of time to confirm availability.
Viking Fleet, 462 Westlake Drive, Montauk (631) 668-5700, www.vikingfleet.com
If you want to make the trip to Block Island and back extra enjoyable, think about
chartering a private catamaran for you and your friends! The 63-foot Heron is available
for both full and half-day adventures. You'll need a full day for the trip to and
from Block Island, which is just under two hours each way from Montauk Harbor. These
guys know what they're doing—you can even ask Cameron and Shannon to cater the trip
for you. Time it right, and you can sail back into the sunset on your way home.
(207) 838-4041 for reservations and information.
Once you arrive in Block Island, you'll have the rest of the day to explore this
little paradise known for its slow pace and relaxed attitude. With over 17 miles
of beach and hundreds of freshwater ponds, there is no shortage of waterfront destinations
on the 10-square mile island. This year, in honor of the 350th anniversary of the
founding of Block Island, special events are taking place all year long—from live
musical performances to historical lectures, parades, and galas. Visit www.blockisland350.com for information and schedules.
If you're up for a hike, head over to the Mohegan Bluffs— where, on a clear day,
you'll be able to see back to Montauk. At 200 feet high and three miles long, the
bluffs are truly awe-inspiring. Be sure to check out the beautiful Southeast Lighthouse,
built in 1874. If you're looking for some sun and fun in the sand at lunchtime,
head over to Ballard's Beach at Ballard's Inn (www.ballardsinn.com) at the eastern end of the town of Old
Harbor. This beach club, restaurant, and hotel features a quarter-mile-long private
beach as well as a full service restaurant and live music every day in July and
August. The island boasts several beautiful Victorian style hotels including the
Narragansett Inn (www.narragansettinn.net)
and the Spring House Hotel (www.springhousehotel.com)
with ocean view porches where you can have a drink or meal while walking around
the island before heading back to the early evening ferry. If you happen to miss
the ferry and decide to spend the night, you can head to Captain Nick's (www.captainnicks.com) and McGovern's Yellow Kittens (www.mcgovernsyellowkittens.com) for an assortment of
live music and crowds celebrating the summer season.
A Day at the Casinos
If you're feeling lucky, why not make plans for a day at the casinos, via the 40-minute
high-speed Cross Sound Ferry SeaJet from Orient Point, NY to New London, CT! The
$32.50 Casino Connection package (longislandferry.com/CommonHtml/casinos.html) includes round
trip ferries, free motor coach connections to Foxwoods Resort Casino and Mohegan
Sun, and "bonus" packages from each casino good for use that day. You can usually
hop on ferries departing Orient Point daily at 8am, 10am and 12pm, and return the
same day from New London at 5pm, 7pm or 9pm. Check the website for specific schedules
and information.
Cross Sound Ferry, (631) 323-2525
www.longislandferry.com
Once you arrive in Connecticut, Foxwoods Casino (www.foxwoods.com) and Mohegan Sun (www.mohegansun.com) are within eight miles of each other,
so you can be sure to visit both in one day—if you like! In addition to a myriad
of gambling and live entertainment delights, both properties feature many shopping,
dining, and entertainment options as well as full service spas. Some of the dining
options at Foxwoods include Tom Colicchio's Craftsteak, David Burke Prime, California
Pizza Kitchen and Panera Bread. At Mohegan Sun, you'll find Bobby Flay's Bar Americain
and Bobby's Burger Palace, Michael Jordan's Steakhouse and Todd English's Tuscany.
If you're looking for more pampering and less gambling, plan to visit the Norwich
Spa and the G Spa at Foxwoods, or the Elemis Spa at Mohegan Sun. Each full service
spa offers treatments and fitness centers as well as swimming pools. This summer,
"Liquid Sundays" are Foxwoods' answer to Vegas' famous pool parties. Fridays are
"Diva Days" at Mohegan Sun, where groups on a girls' trip get special treatment.
Don't forget the Jitney stops at the ferry terminal in Orient Point. If you're leaving
from Long Island, Hampton Jitney also offers service to Foxwoods Mon-Thurs and Saturday,
starting at $37 (with bonuses), leaving from Southampton (7 AM), Hampton Bays, Mastic/Shirley,
Farmingville, and Port Jefferson (8:35 AM), arriving at the casino at 11:45 AM.
Service home departs Foxwoods at 6:15 PM Tues-Thurs (5:45 Mon & Sat) and arrives
in Port Jefferson at 9:45 PM and makes its final stop in Southampton at 11 PM. Foxwoods
Resort Casino (800)369-9663 Mohegan Sun, (888)226-7711 Hampton Jitney, (631) 283-4600
www.hamptonjitney.com.
A Scenic Island Bike Ride
For residents of the North Fork, Fisher's Island is a great destination for a scenic
walking or biking day trip. Accessible by the Fishers Island Ferry from New London,
this nine-mile-long by one-mile-wide island (that is politically part of Southold)
is home to under 300 year-round residents and several "old money" estates and summer
homes. For round trip tickets in peak season, adults pay $25, children and seniors
$18, and bikes and motorcycles are an additional $52. Fishers Island Ferry, www.fiferry.com.
In summer months, the population can swell to around 2,000, but the island remains
much calmer than nearby Block Island, probably due to the fact that there isn't
a real dining or drinking scene for visitors. Home to the exclusive Fishers Island
Club (aka "The Big Club") and a Seth Raynor designed, world-class links golf course,
the island is a haven for those who own homes or have friends who do.
As of last year, a new recreation path for biking, walking, and jogging opened on
the eastern side of the island—where many of the wealthiest families live in the
private and gated half of the island. Residents of Southold can use the path free
of charge with proof of residency and a waiver of liability.
Don't plan on bar hopping here! The only hotel on the island is the Pequot Inn,
which has a bar on premises. Pretty much the only spot for sandwiches and lunch
is the News Café on Equestrian Avenue. Your best bet would be to pack a lunch, bike
around, and then head back home for dinner!
