Long Island Travel Tips
Long Island, NY is a destination that offers a wide range of activities from strolling on beaches to exploring lighthouses. To fully enjoy one's stay, people who are vacationing with their families should look for and stay in house rentals. Long Island has a large number of rental properties right here on VacationHomeRentals.com. We are an online rental company that offers properties that are available for rent by owner. By renting a home through us you'll be surprised how much you can save on affordable rentals.
Long Island is a great place to visit year-round as there are activities to accommodate every season. For many people the warmer months are the ideal time to reserve Long Island rentals so that they can fully enjoy the region's beaches and outdoor activities. These times are often crowded, however, and as a result some families may find the spring and fall more to their liking. When planning a trip to Long Island, consider transportation as well. In some locations walking is suitable to reach most activities, and as an alternative, bus and rail are easily available. Other locations require the rental of a car for mobility.
Neighborhoods
When planning a trip to Long Island, house rentals can be found throughout the island. Tourists have four counties from which they can choose a location: Queens, Kings or Brooklyn, Suffolk, and Nassau. Most often Suffolk and Nassau counties are associated with tourists and family-oriented vacation activities. Within these counties are towns and cities where vacationers may find properties to rent. Several of the more popular areas include the Hamptons, Long Beach, Oyster Bay, Garden City, and Babylon.
Attractions
In Sea Cliff which is a part of Oyster Bay, families staying in Long Island beach rentals have two beaches to choose from: the Harry Tappen Beach and Sea Cliff Municipal Beach. Other beaches in Long Island include Main Beach in East Hampton, Coopers Beach in Southhampton, and Long Beach. In Long Beach families may also choose to take the Long Beach Heritage Bus Tour. Montauk is a location that is known for its casual atmosphere and is a great place for visitors staying in vacation rentals. Long Island attractions that are found in Montauk include Montauk Point State Park, the historic Camp Hero State Park, and the
Montauk Point Lighthouse. If staying in one of the Long Island vacation rentals near or in Riverhead, treat the family to a day at the
Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center. A trip to the Oheka Castle Mansion Tours and Cold Springs Harbor and Fish Hatchery are family-friendly destinations in Huntington. Other attractions and activities that families may enjoy during their stay in Long Island include visiting Mashomack Preserve in Shelter Island and fishing on the Laura Lee or the Captain Whittaker in Babylon. For families staying in house rentals, Long Island ferry rides are a must. Ferries sail to locations such as New London in Connecticut or Fire Island.
Long Island has long been the escape for wealthy Manhattanites in the sweltering heat of summer, but it offers more than mansions by the sea. While Long Island is becoming known for its vineyards and wineries, you can’t forget the beaches. Jones Beach State Park is the most famous and crowded. Another great park is the Montauk Point State Park. While you’re there enjoy some of the island’s best surf fishing and don’t miss the lighthouse. The park’s hiking trails give way to cross–country skiing paths in the winter.
After a day of enjoying nature, head on over to the
Walt Whitman House in West Hills. A trip to Long Island would not be complete without paying homage to how a great many settlers made their living initially. Don’t miss the Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum, where you can enjoy how things used to be before trendy boutiques and Gatsby hit the island.
Events
Long Island is the home of numerous events throughout the year. When these events take place, it is also a great time to visit and stay in one of the Long Island rentals. Spring vacationers can enjoy the Tulip Festival, which takes place in April in Babylon, but before that, treat yourself to excellent food during the Hamptons Restaurant Week in March. In the summer, families love the events that take place on Long Island, including the Strawberry Fest from May to June in Nassau County and the Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach, which takes place on Memorial Day weekend. October is the month for the Oyster Festival. Many claim this is the largest East Coast waterfront festival and it has its origins in parades that were held in honor of Theodore Roosevelt. The event is free and includes attractions for kids, fireworks and more. Also in September there is the annual Pow-Wow held on Labor Day by the Shinnecock tribe in Southhampton.
Transit
Since Long Island is largely a playground for people from New York City, and most of them are without their own transportation, you can reach the island easily by car, rail, or bus. You can take a train from Penn Station. The trip will take you 30 minutes to reach the western–most point and 2.5 hours to get to the end of the line. There are also two bus companies with service from midtown Manhattan to the Hamptons.
Climate
Long Island, like most coastal areas, doesn’t experience the extremes that many do inland. However, their crowds do reach extremes during summer weekends. If you’re looking for a Long Island vacation rental for the summer, know they book up months in advance. Plan early. However, if you want quiet beaches and unencumbered drives, skip the summer and visit during off-season.
Shopping
Every town on Long Island has a distinct flavor, and exploring the shops in these villages is a great way to sample it. From antique stores to art galleries, high-end retail stores to one-of-a-kind boutiques, a stroll through village main streets is an enjoyable way to get some retail therapy.
There’s a Long Island vacation rental for every taste and preference. With spots along the ocean to homes tucked away amidst lush grounds, explore the joys of this island from a central home base.
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