Add These LI Spots to Your Summer To-Do List
Island Park
Located in Island Park, Jordan Lobster Farms is a New England-inspired restaurant and fish market. It has a great Old World vibe and customers can pick their own lobster size. The restaurant has a large outdoor patio with casual seating and a huge variety of menu items to choose from.
St. James
On the North Shore of Long Island, this sanctuary features a trail that invites hikers to climb a 50-foot bluff. The trail is overlooking the Long Island Sound, with more than 1,000 feet of beachfront. The beach is said to be the prettiest part of the hike, and the sunset view from there is to die for.
Amityville
This fun little corner eatery prides themselves as a “super hippy, goth, retro, metro café in the heart of Amityville.” The décor is unique, with sugar skulls on display, and almost every inch of the wall covered with photos. Their quirky breakfast and lunch menu features catchy names, like “Kick A*s Coffee” “Not Yer Mom’s Grilled Cheese” and the “Corny Big Boy.”
Baiting Hollow
With roots dating back to the 1800s, this craft distillery bills itself as the first of its kind on Long Island. In the heart of the North Fork Wine Trail, they make LiV Vodka, an artisan distilled potato vodka, Rough Rider, a cask-strength bourbon, dry gins named for local forests and other handmade spirits. That’s in addition to the food truck, tasting room fun and live bands.
Massapequa
This 6.3-mile tree-lined trail features breathtaking views along its route. Even though it’s located in the heart of Massapequa, it’s easy to drive right by the trial without realizing. Once inside, it gives a feeling of being in a forest somewhere far away, rather than in the middle of suburbia. The path is a part of the Greenbelt Trail that stretches from Merrick Road to Cold Spring Harbor.
Point Lookout
This tiny community at the eastern tip of Long Beach Island is easily one of the most scenic places on Long Island, but many drive right past it on their way to the more popular nearby City of Long Beach. Point Lookout has a few amazing bars overlooking Reynolds Channel that should be on every Long Islanders go-to list. One of these is Buoy Bar, which features a picturesque outdoor deck and delicious cuisine. Another worth noting is the Point Lookout Clam Bar, which features a full sushi bar and a fresh fish market. Fisherman’s Catch Restaurant is another scenic restaurant famous for their signature cocktails.
Sands Point
This gorgeous 216-acre park on the former Guggenheim Estate embodies the elegance of the Gold Coast. One of the mansions was featured in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous “The Great Gatsby.” Besides its historic mansions, there is also a pond, trails and a beach to explore. They offer a festival for every season, from the Haunted Castle Halloween Party to the Summer Solstice Celebration. Mansion tours are offered here every Saturday and Sunday, and weekly yoga classes are offered as well.
Nestled between the North Fork and South Fork on the East End of Long Island, Shelter Island is a rural community full of country charm. It soaks up some of its local flavor from the nearby Hamptons and wine trail on either side, but with its own personality. Many outdoor activities can be enjoyed here, such as sailing, tennis and golf. The Mashomack Preserve offers miles of scenic hiking trails surrounded by forests and meadows.
Aquebogue
Woodside Orchards is a cidery with two locations in the North Fork of Long Island. Over 25 varieties of apples are grown here. It’s also the only apple orchard on Long Island that makes its own hard cider. They even make cider slushies and cider doughnuts. In addition, they sell homemade apple, cranberry, blueberry and peach pies.