Long Island is a unique and extraordinary place. Separated by 120 miles and a couple
of hours are the world-famous hustle and bustle of New York City and the wind-blown
ocean village of Montauk. On any given day, the adventurous soul can travel between
these bookend jewels and stop at any of the hundreds of equally interesting places
in-between. Travel from the island into Manhattan for dinner and a show or from
New York City to Greenport for a sail and fresh seafood on the dock. The choices
are endless, with countless destinations at your disposal.
The North and South Forks of eastern Long Island offer completely different daycation
experiences. On the North Fork, visitors are transported to wine country, with rural
side streets and roadside farm stands. The North Fork is dotted with sweet little
towns like Jamesport and Southold, each with its own personality and unique shops.
There are miles of antique stores offering a treasure hunt for that must-have piece
you didn't know you needed, and gift shops and luncheonettes abound.
Farther along is the famous Love Lane in Mattituck, a great browsing destination
with tempting gourmet and gift shops. There are many choices for beach-lovers as
well, from the clear waters of the Sound on the north side or the warmer, shallower
waters of the Peconic Bay on the south side. Each of these towns has an easily accessible
Hampton Jitney stop in a central location for those wishing to leave the hassles
of driving behind. If traveling by car, just wandering through and stopping at whatever
catches your fancy is a relaxing way to spend a day.
The South Fork is lined with lovely towns boasting world-famous restaurants and
shops. Nearby are some of the world's most beautiful beaches. There are reasons
why the rich and famous have made the Hamptons their playground, as visitors will
quickly learn.
When driving out, consider leaving Route 27 a bit early to mosey through Westhampton,
Quogue, and Hampton Bays. Out-of-town visitors especially enjoy a drive down Dune
Road from the Westhampton Beach Bridge to ooh and ahh at the spectacular beach houses.
Looking for a friendly ocean beach where residency is no issue? Cupsogue Beach County
Park lies on the western end of Dune Road. The Jitney also offers a shuttle service
to Cupsogue from Westhampton Beach Village. If a posh Hamptons experience is the
goal, hop on the Jitney out to East Hampton and wander the shops, or rent a bike
and get to the ocean the 'green' way.
Two destinations that are particularly well-suited to day trips (particularly if
taking the Jitney from the City) are Montauk and Greenport. Montauk is just two
hours from Manhattan, yet one feels transported to rural New England. Hop off the
Jitney and you are in the middle of the village, with choices for dining, shopping
and entertainment almost too numerous to mention. Where else can you play waterfront
mini-golf on one side of the street then walk across to the ocean beach on the other
side of the street? The collection of shops and restaurants is uniquely diverse,
from high-end dining and shopping to family-owned pancake joints. (See "On Location: Montauk" Vol. 1, Issue 6, July 15, 2010 for
more Montauk destinations.)
On the North Fork, Greenport has grown over the years from a simple fishing village
to a bustling vacation destination. From the Jitney stop, walk around town, get
some fresh ice cream, then head down to the dock and book a sail. After a seafood
dinner, stroll over to Mitchell Park to see the glass-enclosed carousel overlooking
Shelter Island. Nothing brings back childhood memories of the summer like the sights
and sounds of a merry-go-round. On many summer evenings, visitors will also be treated
to entertainment in the park. This summer, Wednesday night is Classic Car night,
featuring open mic performances, so bring your guitar along! (See "On Location: Greenport" Vol. 1, Issue 3, June 3, 2010 for
more Greenport destinations.)
If you've decided to drive, two great destinations are Bridgehampton and Shelter
Island. Just north of Bridgehampton town on Sag Harbor turnpike are two great family
destinations; The Children's Museum of
the East End and the South Fork Natural
History Museum. Follow up with lunch and shopping in town and then take
a drive over to Sagg Main Beach for a swim in the Atlantic ($30 season permit for
residents, $20 day pass for non-residents). A perfect East End day.
A visit to Shelter Island is a great way to get a good taste of all the East End
has to offer. Drive out to Greenport and take the North Ferry across. Take the time
to really explore this amazing little island. There are spectacular water views
from a thousand different spots. Stop for a casual lunch, visit Crescent or Wade
Beach. Feeling whimsical? Eat ice cream and play a round of mini-golf. Save a chunk
of time for a hike at the spectacular Mashomack Preserve. Stop again for a fancy
dinner, maybe at the Rams Head Inn. Leave Shelter Island at the end of the day by
way of the South Ferry through Sag Harbor, and you have seen some of the best sights
the East End has to offer in one day.
Of course, a daycation certainly does not mean you have to head east with New York
City and all it has to offer so close by. The Hampton Jitney provides a way to experience
these delights without the headaches of driving and parking in the Big Apple. Regular
day trips are offered to Broadway Shows, museums, Belmont Racetrack, and a number
of special events throughout the year. The Jitney picks up passengers for these
trips at several points as far west as Farmingville and Huntington. Visit www.hamptonjitney.com or www.jitneyjaunts.com for upcoming events and complete
details. Another great source of information for Day-trippers headed east is www.eastendgetaway.com, an informative website that offers
a 'trip planner' option.
Driving or riding, shopping or sailing, North Fork or South Fork, east or west,
the choices for daytrips are as diverse as Long Island itself. Come explore!
