Things to do / Travel Guide
So what's with Long Island? Is it an earthly paradise for the rich and famous, or for the outdoors recreation lover? Come see for yourself! One thing Steven Spielberg and Ralph Lauren will have in common with you is a heartfelt appreciation of “the Island's” proximity to “the City.” There's a wide variety of outdoor things to do! So cross the Throgs Neck Bridge from the Bronx, brave the LIE (Long Island Express), or take a ferry from Connecticut, and gain a new appreciation for this well populated, forested, water-locked, park-inundated region.
The Ice Age did a job on the Long Island region, splitting it into two distinct scenes. The north shore is hilly and rocky, similar to New England's landscape (think Cape Cod), while the south shore is sandy and flat, similar to Delaware's landscape (think Rehoboth Beach). This gives you a wide ranch of terrain to cover and explore. So you can circumnavigate the entire region by bike or on foot, and there are also numerous coves, bays, islands and inland rivers to kayak through and fish in. Let's take a closer look!
Land-based Activities on Long Island, New York
By bike, you can get an excellent feel for Long Island, weaving along the quaint hamlets that dot the scenic harbors of the North Shore and the South Shore. Just take the Montauk Highway, or enjoy a leisurely ride along Long Beach's boardwalk. There are endless afternoons of fun in store poking your head into any of the numerous state parks - like Cedar Creek Park, for example. Another, the barrier island park of Fire Island, is so narrow in points that you'll be able to see Long Island bays and the Atlantic Ocean simultaneously.
Otherwise, venture along any of the bike routes, like the Kings Park Hike and Trail or the Over the Potatoes Trail, on which you get to see where Long Island potatoes come from. There are also some special trails for your mountain bike, such as the 100-miles worth in Bethpage State Park and the Pine Barrens trail, through this forest of water-loving pines.
Hiking is a real treat on Long Island, where, in many places, the difference between a stroll in woody and picturesque hamlets and villages and a hike in secluded forests and hilly country is thankfully vague. The Island is long and narrow, so you have little chance of getting lost, even if you don't have a crystal-clear idea of where you're going. In the well-protected areas, you'll likely see white-tailed deer, foxes, weasels, muskrats, and even seals and sea turtles.
Even narrower, of course, and not just for bikes, is Fire Island. The island is a prime location for spotting a wide variety of hawks, peregrine falcons, and ospreys. There are ferries reaching a number of points, and there are a number of sites to explore, including the Sunken Forest, which contains short hollies aged up to 200 years, beach dunes, sand bars, and transient runnels. There's also the old Fire Island Lighthouse, built in 1825. Back then the lighthouse actually stood at the island's tip, so you can see firsthand how far the island has migrated and grown.
Water Activities on Long Island, New York
Speaking of lighthouses, these are a prime attraction on the Island, and they can be best appreciated by kayak. There are over 1,000 miles of inland and coastal waterways in the region, and more than 25 lighthouses to see. Three of the most picturesque and oldest are the Fire Island Lighthouse, the Horton Point Lighthouse, and the Montauk Point Lighthouse.
From the North shore to the South shore, sea kayaking and paddling will give you a unique vantage point to enjoy Long Island's protected harbors and coves, rivers, and islands. One of the most enjoyable kayak excursions is around Shelter Island, where the beauty of marshlands, creeks, giant ice-age boulders, and the views in and around Coecles Harbor might even catch you off guard. A favorite destination is the Mashomack Nature Preserve, known for its pristine wildlife, baby foxes, and wide variety of bird species.
Diving potential on Long Island is the stuff of legend. The region's waters are a graveyard of maritime mishaps from the turn of the 20th century era. Maybe you can get to the bottom of the U.S.S. San Diego mystery: What happened to the WWI armored Cruiser, which rests upside-down in 110 feet of water. The experienced wreck diver can enter the vessel's stern for an up-close look at the small arms cache and abundance of lobster. Otherwise, check out the Lizzie D., which sank in the 1920s transporting then-illegal booze; or the Oregon, a steamship from the late 19th century.
There are also plenty of spots to dive and see sea life, offering up a myriad of excellent underwater scenery. Ponquogue Bridge is one of Long Island's best locations, boasting excellent visibility; while at Beach Eight you can see sand flats, mussel beds, and a rocky reef.
These waters aren't good for just the scenery they provide - there's fish to be caught! Long Island has long been recognized as an angler's paradise. From across the country, prospective anglers flock to the Island to try their hand at reeling in rainbow trout, bluefish, blackfish, summer and winter flounder, tuna, weakfish, and striped bass.
Searching for a freshwater fishing spot? Try Sears Bellows County Park or Blydenburgh County Park. Looking for the perfect saltwater source? Head to Block Island Sound, east of Long Island proper, or Shelter Island. Fire Island and Shelter Island bays also happen to be famous for clamming. Reach in, pull out, pry open, and see what you get!
If you're up for some challenging, star-studded golf, Long Island boasts some renowned golf courses. How about Bethpage Black, a former site of the U.S. Open Golf Championship? It's the largest golfing facility in the world when you count it among its Yellow, Green, Red, and Blue sister courses.
Long Island from Above
If you've experienced the Island from land and from water, what makes you think you're finished? Now's the time to try skydiving and hot-air ballooning. Whether you're looking to top off your visit to Long Island with the ultimate adrenaline fix or a classy champagne toast, the sky's the limit!
No matter what combination of outdoors activities you choose from on your stay on Long Island, between aquatic adventure or land-based exploration, the rocky north or the clean sands of the south, there's no doubt you'll have a unique experience - so close to the Big City, so close to wild nature.
Outdoor Recreation in Long Island, the Hamptons, Montauk, Fire Island
Outdoor-Sports-Recreation
Centerport Beach - New York
Norman Klipp Marine Park Beach - Greenport, New York
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