Long Island, NY - July 12th, 2013 - MTA Long Island Rail Road’s perennially popular Summer Getaways, the one-day excursions that show you the best of Long Island at unbeatable discount prices is about to move into high season with a total of 19 sightseeing tours – including two being offered for the first time.

Of course, many of the old favorites are back again, including the Great South Bay Music Festival from July 19-21, the Long Island Wine Country escorted tour on July 13, August 10 and October 5 and the Bethpage State Park Gold and Polo Package available all summer.

You can beat the summer heat at Splish Splash, one of the nation’s top water parks. If shopping is your idea of relaxation try our unescorted Roosevelt Field Package with an easy connection to Nice Bus at LIRR Mineola Station or the Tanger Outlets at the Arches in Deer Park

So all you have to do is enjoy. From the festivals, cruises, golf course or the beach, we’ve got you covered and our packages, deals and tours will save you money too.

The New Summer Getaway for 2013

For the first time, LIRR customers can enjoy discounted packages to enjoy Long Island’s Gold Coast with our Gatsby Mansion Tours. Gatsby Mansion Tours (Escorted, Sunday, July 21 and Saturday, August 3) Reserve your seat on the only Long Island Rail Road weekend Getaways tour or package guaranteed to take you back in time. Oheka Castle in Huntington and Eagles Neck at the Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium will be your destination on Sunday, July 21 and in August, it will be Old Westbury Gardens and the NYIT De Seversky Mansion on the campus of the New York Institute of Technology. Adults: $76.75 Children $70.50.

And the Perennial Favorites
Bethpage Golf, Polo & Tennis (Daily, Non-escorted)  Play on the course that was home to the 2009 U.S. Open. There are five public courses at Bethpage, including the famous Black Course, ranked third on the Top Ten Golf Courses in the country. Perhaps tennis is your game. Bethpage has hard and clay courts open to the public. And not far away, the park’s polo grounds thunder with excitement with matches played every Sunday in June, July, August and September. The Polo is free for all spectators. Adults: $23

Great South Bay Music Festival Deal (July 19-21, Non-escorted) The Great South Bay Music Festival, the largest three day Music, Art and Cultural Festival on Long Island is back! This “Family-Music-Fest” is situated waterside on the majestic Great South Bay on the south shore of Long Island, in Patchogue. Tens of thousands of music lovers will flock to hear over 40 National artists, as well as local rising stars, perform classic & contemporary rock, pop, jam, Dixieland, jazz, country, folk, and blues on four stages. Adults $6-$25.50 Seniors $3-$17.50 Children $2)

Historic Oyster Bay Village Oyster Bay Village (Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 2, Non-escorted) Spend an enjoyable day in President Theodore Roosevelt’s hometown, and one of the most picturesque and historic areas of the North Shore of Long Island. With its quiet beauty, quaint charms, and pristine waterfront, you’ll want to avail yourself of a self-guided walking tour of the village, and/or complimentary use of the Historic Trolley. The walking tour features attractions such as Billy Joel’s 20th Century Motorcycle Museum, Oyster Bay Railroad Museum, Raynham Hall Museum, Oyster Bay Historical Society’s Wightman House and many others. Adults: $33 Children: $10

LI Wine Country (July 13, August 10, Escorted) Your visit to Long Island’s North Fork of eastern Long Island begins at Duck Walk Vineyards Tasting Room in Cutchogue. Enjoy the beautiful scenery, as you sip four varieties of wine.Then we’ll travel east, taking in some of the local color as we proceed to the seaport village of Greenport, where you’ll be able to buy lunch and browse the variety of shops lining the streets.Our last stop will be the north shore’s Baiting Hollow Vineyards in Baiting Hollow. You’ll learn about the wine making process from vine to bottle and sample the finished product. If time permits we will stop at Briermere Farms for their famous pies, fruits and vegetables. Adults $55.50

MacArthur Airport A convenient way to Long Island MacArthur Airport (LIMA), located just 1.5 miles away from our Ronkonkoma Station. Discount package includes one-way rail to/ from Ronkonkoma Station and Village Taxi to/from the airport. Just hand your stub to a Village Taxi driver. This package is not available at the airport or on-board trains, so purchase the tickets prior to the trip to save money. Tickets are one-way; purchase two in advance for round-trips.

Montauk Lighthouse (Saturdays: July 20 & Family Fun Day August 17, Escorted): Visit the “ultimate” seaside resort community at the tip of Long Island. During your day on the East End, you’ll visit three distinct areas: Montauk Village, the Lighthouse, and Gosman’s Dock. Stroll through the village, stopping to window-shop or purchase items from the unique stores. For lunch, select from a variety of restaurants, purchase a sandwich, or dig into home-brought food while you relax on the beach. Your visit to the Montauk Point Lighthouse Museum can include a 137-step climb up the spiral staircase in the lighthouse tower, with a spectacular view from the top. Adults: $48.50 Children (5-11): $34.50

Montauk Village & Golf (Daily, Non-escorted) Discover the natural beauty at the tip of our Island. A short taxi ride to the Village lets you experience the unique shops, restaurants, parks, trails, beaches and fishing - it’s like being in paradise. Montauk’s laid back atmosphere will have you coming back time and time again. Adults $44.75 Children 5-11: $12

Nautical Mile (Daily, Non-escorted): Freeport’s Nautical Mile can be an interesting date location, a fun place to hang with friends, or a great family trip. Enjoy the four-acre waterfront park, boardwalk, and marina. Sit on a bench at the foot of the mile or play 18-holes at the Crow’s Nest Mini Golf course. Take a cruise, eat, drink and be merry at a host of waterfront restaurants and bars. Adults: $21

Oyster Festival: (Saturday & Sunday: October 19 & 20. Non-escorted) LI’s largest street/waterfront fair has an abundance of oysters and seafood. The oyster eating contests are legendary, and there are 23 food vendors available to satisfy any craving. Visit the 150 arts and crafts booths, enjoy the musical performances, and explore the tall ships and other waterfront exhibits. Adults $6.25-$19.25 Children $3

Roosevelt Field Mall (Daily, Non-Escorted) Enjoy some of the best indoor shopping in the country. Roosevelt Field offers many of the great stores and boutiques under one roof. Roosevelt Field also has a food court with a wide variety of choices, or if you would like the sit down option, try the Grand Lux Café, Havana Central, Houston’s, SKINNYPizza or Seasons 52. Spend an hour or spend a day. You’re sure to have a great time. Package includes off-peak, round-trip rail bus transportation and a participating vendors coupon for discounts. Adults $16

Port Jefferson Village/Ferry (Daily, Non-Escorted) Port Jefferson is a picturesque, harbor front community. Enjoy fine or casual dining and unique shops. Major events include. Taste of Port Jefferson: October 5, 3rd Annual Harvest Festival: October 27, Dickens Festival: December 6 - December 8.Package includes discounted round-trip rail to/from Port Jefferson Station, two Lindy’s Taxi stubs and a LIRR Port Jeff Deals Coupon, good for offers at participating merchants. See our website for participating merchants. Coupon has no cash value. For details, other activities and places of interest visit: portjeffchamber.com or call 631-473-1414 (or alternate number provided above). Adults: $29.50 Children (5-11): $12 Seniors: $26.25

Seafood and Music Festival (August 24-25, Non-Escorted) The 22nd Annual Seafood, Crafts & Music Festival’s gates will open at 10 AM. Arts, crafts, great entertainment and of course... Seafood! The fabulous catering “Long Island Style” will mean that the seafood will be the best and freshest anywhere! Eat, stroll through our phenomenal vendors, or just sit and relax to the best variety of rock, folk and maritime music you’ll hear in one spot at one time! The Long Island Maritime Museum plays host to this event. There will be museum tours, live education workshops, children’s activities and more. Package includes round-trip rail to/from Sayville Station, event admission and shuttle bus. Adults: $28.25, Children 5-11: $7

Splish Splash (Daily through September, Non-Escorted) Package tickets include discounted round-trip rail fare, connecting shuttle bus, and attraction admission. Located in Riverhead on more than 90 acres, Splish Splash is metro New York’s largest family water park. Voted one of America’s top 5 water parks by the Travel Channel, Splish Splash features one-of-a-kind water rides like the Dragon’s Den, the Hollywood Stunt Rider, Alien Invasion, Dr. VonDark’s Tunnel of Terror and the Kahuna Bay Wavepool. Splish Splash has 19 water slides, 2 wavepools, a 1300’ long Lazy River, kiddie areas and more. Two gift shops and a large food court are also on site. Adults $60-$63.75 Children $50

Sunday Brunch Cruise (Sundays: July 28 & August 18. Escorted. Come aboard the Lauren Kristy, and join us for a beautiful cruise on the Great South Bay, with great views of Fire Island and the South Shore of Long Island. A tasty buffet brunch will be served as we sail toward West Sayville. Package includes discounted round-trip rail to/from Oyster Bay Station, vouchers for three free oysters on the half-shell for the adults and free admission to the Slide for the children. Shuttle buses will also be available from the Syosset Station, making the event accessible from the east on the Port Jefferson Branch. Adults: $67.25 Children (5-11): $60.50

Tanger Deer Park (Daily Non-Escorted) With a collection of the most popular upscale brands and designer name stores, along with restaurants, cafes and a 16-screen theater, Tanger Outlets at the Arches is a premier shopping and entertainment destination. Package includes discounted round-trip rail to/from Deer Park Station, shuttle to/from Tanger Outlet Center and a voucher to exchange at the Shoppers Services Center for a coupon book worth hundreds of dollars in additional savings.The shuttle will stop/pick up outside the Shoppers Services Center, near Neiman Marcus Last Call. Turn in the voucher for the coupon book there before shopping. Return to the shuttle stop 20 minutes before train time. Adults $6.50-$21.75 Children $3.25-$15.25

For More Information
For additional information and a copy of the Long Island Getaways brochure customers can contact the LIRR's Customer Service Center by calling 511, the New York State Travel Information Line, and say: Long Island Rail Road. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, use your preferred relay service provider for the free 711 relay to reach LIRR at 511.  Customers can also consult the LIRR's website at www.mta.info/lirr for schedule information and the "Deals & Getaways" section for details.