Long Island seems to have gained itself a bad rep. Why? Just because its residents have to cross a bridge or travel through a tunnel to get to New York City?
Well, newsflash.
Long Island got it going on in a lot of ways that directly complement NYC. We both have a delicious bagel game going on. And we rock the pizza game pretty hard, too.
Also, what Long Island lacks in skyscrapers, they totally make up for in amazing bay views, beautiful vineyards and delicious wine, and plenty of open space to get rejuvenated from the stress of this city.
So, yeah, we're basically saying you should visit. Here's 9 reasons why.
1. Wine tastings
lobster_taint_sammich Perfect end to day off!!! Glass of Bella Francesca at #pugliesevineyards #winetrail #eastend #northfork #longisland #newyork
Let's face it. If you want to visit a vineyard, or even attend a halfway decent wine tasting and you live in NYC, you have to visit Long Island.
The quintessential Long Island vineyard event is the nine-hour North Folk Winery Tour. It includes visits and tastings to stunning Pugliese Vineyards, the scenic Osprey's Dominion Vineyards, and more of the most extensive vineyards in the state of New York.
There's an official Long Island Wine Council and they keep track of Long Island wine events.
On August 22nd, Dan's Harvest East End will feature a Wine and Food Classic Saturday. On Sundays through September 6th, Hotel Indigo's Sunday Summer Fun Days will feature live a music and wine tasting series.
The point is that the wine culture on Long Island is thriving. So if you live in NYC and you love wine, you should become a part of it.
2. Beaches and pools and bays
alkyfennell Sometimes life is a painting #sunset #longbeach #longisland #sony #sonya7ii #a7ii #ilce7m2 #moodygrams
Long Island has some of the nicest beaches in America.
Jones Beach is a nice effin' beach. It's blue, it's sparkling, and most fields besides 4 are not too crowded. It's definitely less crowded than Coney Island, that's for sure.
Robert Moses is also about 20 minutes further out than Jones, and that one is just as pristine-- and more peaceful.
Of course, East Hampton Main Beach is an exquisite specimen of beach. Cedar Beach in Babylon is another dazzling beach, and although it definitely presents a daunting walk from sand to water, don't panic. They have a beach shuttle to drive people down to the water that runs seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Don't get us wrong, the beaches in NYC are excellent. They're just more crowded and well, a little dirtier than the ones on Long Island.
Long Island is also an voluminous amount of public pools sprinkled across the whole island for swimming delight. And some of the prettiest bays in the country.
3. Stars
All of the lights in NYC are glorious. There is no denying that. But when we shine so many lights in such a concentrated space, we block out the most glorious natural lights.
Which is why on a placid, relaxed evening on Long Island, when you're strolling around and enjoying the luxury of not getting screamed at by NYC's crazy drivers, you can actually look up and glimpse the cosmos.
You're probably walking past a striking ocean with the stars shouting overhead, and that's the moment you realize Long Island definitely doesn't suck.
4. Diners
farmingdalediner What a delightful lunch on a cold winter day ! Cheeseburger Deluxe with extra cheese please and onion rings on top and curly fries 🍔 #cheeseburger #onionrings #curlyfries #farmingdalediner #lunch #dinner #farmingdale #longislanddiner #lieats #goodfood
The diner game in NYC is on point. There's no denying that.
But the thing is, the diner game on Long Island is pretty effin' good, too.
Long Islanders take their diners seriously. They're less like a, "We're drunk and it's 4 a.m. so what should we eat," situation on Long Island.
On Long Island, it's like, "We're seriously hungry for some delicious pancakes or cheeseburger or whatever, so we're going to the best spot to get it: our local diner."
The point is, diners everywhere else in the world are great because they have so many choices-- not because they're necessarily the best at making everything.
But the diners on Long Island have that many choices and they're the best at making everything. Win, win.
5. The Nautical Mile
vinnypotsandpans #birthdayweekend #lunch #jetski #nauticalmile #freeport #reaxing #vacation Finishing up the birthday celebrations with a nice relaxing jetski ride to the mile
The Nautical Mile is a row of seaside restaurants, outdoor clubs, party bars, mini golf courses, ice cream shops, and other amazing beachside activities.
It also reeks of ocean and summer sun. It includes a 4-acre waterfront park, boardwalk, and marina. Plus, a bustling nightlife-- if you're looking to turn up after your beach day.
On the Nautical Mile, you can also rent kayaks or board the Freeport Water Taxi. Which makes this summer attraction a boat lover's bliss.
The best part? It's easy to get to from NYC. Just take the LIRR's Babylon Line to the Freeport Station and then hop in a quick taxi ride to the Nautical Mile.
,6. The Nassau County Museum of Art
We're not saying that Long Island beats NYC at the art museum game. That would be a difficult statement to make.
But the Nassau County Museum of Art does a pretty good job at tryin'.
They have two new exhibitions opening on July 25th: Long Island Collects Modern Art, and Selections from the Saltzman Family Collection.
Both of these exhibitions fall under the title THE MODERNS: Chagall, Degas, Léger, Miró, Picasso and more...
So they will contain some seriously classic art, and some seriously stunning outdoor sculptures too.
The Nassau County Museum of art also has a Summer Art Lab, Cool Jazz on Hot Days on Sundays at 3 p.m., Brown Bag lectures, and more. Check out their summer events to find out what else is hot.
7. Fruit picking farms
One thing NYC is lagging on is the fruit-picking scene.
Which is why it's awesome when Long Island picks up the slack on that.
Love strawberries? Who doesn't. Want to visit a strawberry farm and pick your own?
Visiting a farm and picking our own fruit connects us to our food, gives us a fun day, and allows us to support local farmers.
On Long Island, there are plenty of strawberry farms like Lewin Farms, Patty's Berries and Bunches, Garden of Eve Organic Farm, and Golden Earthworm Organic Farm, where you can spend a day perusing and fruit picking.
Or you could attend one of Long Island's strawberry festivals, like the Nassau County Strawberry Festival.
Oh, and in the fall, don't forget about all the apple orchards and what not. Just Google it. Or Alphabet it. Or whatever. Just do it.
8. Splish Splash Water Park
Splish Splash Water Park features 96 acres of rides and slides.
And if you ask us, it's the perfect way to escape the oppression that is this August heat. Which we're all feeling right about now, right? Right.
Do you love the feeling when you're plummeting down a descent with no control over your destiny? Then you'll absolutely love the slides engineered for thrill seekers, like Alien Invasion, Abyss, and Bootleggers Run.
There are also mild and relaxing experiences like wave pools, rivers, and regular pools.
Face it: there's nothing you'd rather to to celebrate the summer sun than by rocketing down a water slide into an inviting pool. And there aren't water parks to this degree in NYC at all.
Grab your tickets here.
9. Location, location, location
On Long Island, you're a mere train ride away from the cultural center of the world, and the most ethnically diverse metropolis in America.
But you're also far enough away that you can actually take a deep breath, relax, and escape from the stress and pressure of such a high intensity city.
So it's sort of like the best of both worlds. Yes, the LIRR is expensive and taking the 3 a.m. train home from the city is soul-crushing.
But being able to relax in a placid, suburban atmosphere all while knowing you're only a half-hour's train ride away from America's craziest metropolis is a pleasure unmet by any other town.
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[Feature Image Courtesy: Examiner]