Frequently Asked Questions

Long Island & Long Island Trip Planning

Transportation to & on Long Island

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How do you get to Long Island?

For air travel, the best way to get to Long Island is to fly into McArthur Airport, which will put you in the middle of Long Island, New York. Air travel is also available through JFK and LGA Airports in Queens, a borough of New York City. Long Island is also accessible via the Long Island Rail Road, Ferry Service or by road.

How do I get to Long Island from the airport?

To arrive at Long Island after the airport, either drive by car or rideshare service or take the JFK AirTrain connecting the airport to the Long Island Rail Road at Jamaica Station for service to Long Island.

Can you get to Long Island by ferry?

Long Island is served by two year-round ferry lines that cross the Long Island Sound, connecting Port Jefferson to Bridgeport and connecting New London and Orient Point. You can also travel between the North Fork and the South Fork of Long Island through Shelter Island via two short  ferry rides at Greenport or North Haven.

How long does it take to drive from one end of Long Island to the other?

At 118 miles in length, it can take two to three hours without traffic to travel from Nassau County on the west end of Long Island to Montauk on the east end. 

Can you take the subway to Long Island?

New York subway lines do not connect directly to Long Island. Take the subway to Penn Station to arrive at one of 124 Long Island stops.

How many LIRR stations are on Long Island?

There are 124 Long Island Rail Road connections across Long Island.

How long does it take to get to Long Island from New York City?

The total driving time from Manhattan, New York to Long Island, New York takes about 1 hour of driving to travel 47 miles into Long Island

What train goes to Long Island?

The Long Island Rail Road services New York City to Long Island with the Babylon, Hempstead, Long Beach, Montauk, Oyster Bay, Port Jefferson, Port Washington, Ronkonkoma and West Hempstead Branches.

What airlines fly into Long Island?

Long Island MacArthur Airport flies into Islip and is serviced directly by Southwest Airlines, Frontier Airlines and American Airlines.

Which airport is closest to Long Island?

Long Island MacArthur Airport, ISP lands you directly to the region in Islip. Long Island is also easily accessible domestically and internationally through LGA and JFK airports.

What airport do you fly into for Long Island NY?

Long Island is accessible through Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP), JFK and LGA Airports in Queens, a borough of New York City and Newark Airport (EWR) in New Jersey.

What airport do you fly to get to the Hamptons?

Long Island MacArthur Airport in Islip is the closest airport to the various areas of the Hamptons. East Hampton Airport is available for public use for helicopters, private jets and seaplanes.

Is UBER available on Long Island?

UBER, Lyft and other rideshare services are available throughout Long Island.

Is Lyft available on Long Island?

Lyft, UBER and other rideshare services are available throughout Long Island.

Is there public transportation on Long Island?

Long Island is serviced by the Suffolk County Transit and the Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) for public bus transportation to attractions and towns.

How long is each ferry ride to Shelter Island?

When traveling from the South Fork at Sag Harbor, take the South Ferry Company to Shelter Island for a 15 – 20 minute ride. When traveling from the North Fork at Greenport, take the North Ferry company to Shelter Island for a 15- 20 minute ride.

How long is the ferry ride to Fire Island?

It is a 20 – 30 minute ferry ride to Fire Island on the Bayshore, Sayville and Patchogue routes.

Are there packages with the Long Island Rail Road?

Yes, the Long Island Rail Road offers overnight and day pass trips to Long Island.

What safety measures are in place for travel on the Long Island Rail Road?

The Long Island Rail Road has put in place a 13-point health and safety plan including cleaning and disinfecting procedures, mask distribution, new technology, hand sanitizer and increased service.

Long Island Towns & Regions

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What is considered part of Long Island?

The central and eastern portions of the Island – containing Nassau and Suffolk Counties, Shelter Island and Fire Island. Brooklyn and Queens are geographically on Long Island but are most often referred to as a borough of New York City. However, colloquial usage of the term “Long Island” usually refers to Nassau and Suffolk Counties.

How do you get to Fire Island?

Fire Island is a car-free Island and is accessible by private boat or ferry.  Ferries run regularly during season (Memorial Day – Labor Day) from Bay Shore to the West End, Sayville to the East End and Patchogue to Davis Park and Watch Hill.

What are the towns of Fire Island?

Fire Island consists of 17 unique resort communities including private homes and overnight accommodations. Top destinations include Ocean Beach and two internationally known LGBTQ resort communities, The Pines and Cherry Grove.

What is Fire Island?

Fire Island is part of Long Island, comprising of 17 unique resort communities including private homes and overnight accommodations.

What are Long Island downtowns to visit?

Long Island has many main streets and downtowns for dining and shopping. These include, Babylon, Huntington, Port Jefferson, East Hampton, Farmingdale, Long Beach, Freeport, Great Neck, Greenport, Glen Cove, Rockville Centre, Patchogue, Northport and Bay Shore.

What is the Gold Coast of Long Island?

The Gold Coast of Long Island inspired Scott F. Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby. The Gold Coast is on the North Shore comprising of 13 mansions open to the public for tours and events.

What is Long Island’s Wine Country? 

Long Island’s Wine Country is on the North Fork of eastern Long Island which has over 60 wineries, breweries and distilleries.

How many towns are on Long Island?

There are 2 cities and 13 townships (as well as 2 Indian reservations) in the bi-counties of Nassau and Suffolk, and the 13 townships (3 in Nassau and 10 in Suffolk) are further sub-divided into 96 villages (municipal corporations) and 195 hamlets (unincorporated areas), yielding 293 communities.

What is the biggest town on Long Island?

Long Beach is located in Nassau County off Long Island’s South Shore is Long Island’s biggest town.

What is the North Shore?

The North Shore of Long Island is the area along the northern coast of New York’s Long Island bordering Long Island Sound. Known for its wealth and lavish estates.

What is the South Shore?

The South Shore of Long Island is the area along Long Island’s Atlantic Ocean shoreline, known for its white sand beaches.

What is the South Fork?

The South Fork of Long Island is a peninsula in the southeastern section of Suffolk Country on the South Shore comprising of the towns and villages of The Hamptons and Montauk, known for its beaches and celebrity homes.

What is the North Fork?

The North Fork of Long Island is a 30-mile-long peninsula in the northeastern section of Suffolk Country on the North Shore, known for its many vineyards and farms.

What is the East End of Long Island?

The East End of Long Island includes the areas of the North Fork and the South Fork including The Hamptons and Montauk.

Is Long Island and Long Island City the same?

Long Island and Long Island City are not the same. Long Island City is a residential neighborhood along the East River in Queens. Long Island represents mainly Suffolk County and Nassau County and geographically includes the New York City boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn.

Long Island Beaches

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Does Long Island have beaches?

Long Island is bordered by 120-miles of coastline and famous for white sand beaches, fishing, kayaking and more water sport activities.

What beaches are free on Long Island? 

Long Island public beaches can be accessed for free after Labor Day and before Memorial Day. There is a cost in-season of $10 per vehicle at Jones Beach State Park, Robert Moses State Park and Sunken Meadow State Park collected 6am-6pm Saturday, Sunday and Holidays and collected between 8am-4pm Monday through Friday.

What beaches are open to the public?

Jones Beach State Park, Robert Moses State Park, Sunken Meadow State Park, Heckscher State Park, Wildwood State Park, Orient Beach State Park, Hither Hills State Park, Cupsogue Beach County Park, Smith Point County Park, Nickerson Beach Park, Sailor Haven Fire Island and Watch Hill Fire Island.

What is there to do at Jones Beach?

Jones Beach State Park includes 6.5 miles of white-sand beach, fishing, surfing, playgrounds, swimming pool, visitor center, food court, gift shop, golf, marina, nature center, showers, WildPlay Element Parks, Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater, Gatsby on the Ocean Catering & Dining, two mile boardwalk, picnic areas, bandshell for live music, volleyball, basketball, shuffleboard and paddleball courts are also available.

How big is Jones Beach State Park?

Jones Beach State Park comprises of 6.5 miles of white-sand beach on the Atlantic Ocean of Long Island’s South Shore and is made up of over 2,400-acres of maritime environment. There are 6 fields for beach goers to park at and visit.

What is there to do at Robert Moses Beach?

Robert Moses Beach includes 5 fields totaling 5 miles of beach. Fishing, an 18-hole golf course is available at Field 2, food court, marina, playgrounds, showers and surfing are also available.

How do you get to Fire Island from Robert Moses State Park?

Robert Moses Field 5 is the public getaway to Fire Island. Take a 3/4 mile nature walk that leads directly to the Fire Island Lighthouse and the Fire Island towns of Kismet and Saltaire.

How big is Robert Moses State Park?

Robert Moses State Park is a 875-acre state park located on the South Shore of Suffolk County on Long Island. The park lies on the western end of Fire Island, beach goers can walk to the Fire Island Lighthouse and mainland of Fire Island from Robert Moses State Park.

What is there to do at Sunken Meadow?

Sunken Meadow State Park is on the North Shore of Long Island. Here you can swim, bike or walk the boardwalk, picnic, play on the playground or hike the bluffs.

How big is Sunken Meadow State Park?

Sunken Meadow State Park is a 1,287-acre state park located in the Town of Smithtown on the North Shore of Long Island.

Why is Cooper’s Beach famous?

Cooper’s Beach is a public beach located in Southampton and often ranks in America’s top 10 beaches list. Cooper’s Beach scenic background includes large sand dunes covered in beach grass paired with extravagant mansions further in the distance. Amenities include lifeguards, beach showers, picnic tables, snack bar serving lunch and drinks, umbrella and chair rentals.

What is the best beach on Long Island?

The most popular Long Island beaches include Robert Moses State Park, Jones Beach State Park, Sunken Meadow State Park, Long Beach, Cupsogue Beach and Cooper’s Beach.

How old is Jones Beach?

Jones Beach opened in 1929 and receives six to eight million visitors per year.

Do you have to pay to get into Long Island beaches?

Long Island public beaches can be accessed for free after Labor Day and before Memorial Day. There is a cost in-season of $10 per vehicle at Jones Beach State Park, Robert Moses State Park and Sunken Meadow State Park collected 6am-6pm Saturday, Sunday and Holidays and collected between 8am-4pm Monday through Friday. Public township beaches including The Hamptons and Tobay Beach can be accessed through a higher cost visitor pass.

What time do Long Island beaches close?

Long Island beach access ends at sundown. Some beaches allow for camping, walks on the boardwalk and fishing.

What is the best beach in the Hamptons?

Cupsogue Beach, Tiana Beach, Ponquogue Beach, Cooper’s Beach, Shinnecock East County Park, East Hampton Main Beach and Meschutt Beach.

Where is Long Beach, New York?

Long Beach is a city in Nassau County on the westernmost area of Long Island’s South Shore. Long Beach is often referred to as the City by the Sea.

What is there to do in Long Beach, New York?

Long Beach is popular for its surfing, boardwalk, volleyball, beach town atmosphere, restaurants and bars, Skudin Surf for surfing lessons and I.FLY Trapeze for trapeze lessons.

Long Island History

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What Long Island is known for?

Long Island is a year-round destination with easy access to New York City and diverse attractions from the famed beaches of the Hamptons, Fire Island and Jones Beach, to historic Gold Coast Mansions, award-winning vineyards, boutique shopping and charming downtowns.

How many lighthouses are on Long Island?
Can you go up in the Montauk Lighthouse on tour?

Yes, the Montauk Lighthouse is open for tours between May and November. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children, climb 137 steps to the top.

What celebrities are from Long Island? 
What food is Long Island best known for?

Long Island is best known for pizza, oysters, Peconic Bay scallops, rosé wine and Lobster rolls.

Does Long Island have good seafood?

Long Island’s rich maritime and agricultural heritage spans more than 400 years. The region is shaped by 120 miles of coastline.  Shellfish aquaculture is one of New York State’s oldest industries. Long Island’s docks, marinas, ports and fisheries provide sustainable fresh fish sources that feed people regionally and afar.

Long Island Attractions

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Can you sleep at OHEKA CASTLE?

Yes, you can stay overnight at OHEKA CASTLE. There are 32 unique guestrooms and suites.

Where is the Blank Space mansion in Taylor Swift’s music video?

The Blank Space music video was shot at OHEKA CASTLE in Huntington on Long Island’s North Shore.

Where is the mansion used in Royal Pains?

OHEKA CASTLE in Huntington on Long Island’s North Shore served as the mansion Shadow Pond in the television show Royal Pains.

What is The Great Gatsby inspired by? 
What was filmed at Old Westbury Gardens? 

Hitch, American Gangster and Cruel Intentions have been filmed at Old Westbury Garden.

What are the mansions at Sands Point Preserve?

Tours are available of the Hempstead House and Falaise at Sands Point Preserve. The other mansion on property is Castle Gould modeled after Ireland’s Kilkenny Castle.

What can you do with families on Long Island?
What is there to do indoors on Long Island?
What is there to do outdoors on Long Island?
Where can I take my kids on Long Island?
Where is there to shop on Long Island?

Boutique, name brand and outlet shopping is available at Tanger Outlets of Deer Park and Riverhead, Smithaven Mall, Walt Whitman Shops, Roosevelt Field Mall, Westfield South Shore Mall, Westfield Sunrise Mall and Americana Manhasset.

Which places provide the best shopping in Long Island for travelers on a budget?

There are Tanger Outlet locations in Riverhead and Deer Park. Riverhead has over 142 stores and Deer Park has over 101 stores.

Where you go name brand shopping on Long Island?

Americana Manhasset is the best place for name brand shopping. It is an upscale, open-air shopping center with 60 shops. Stores include Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Jimmy Choo, Burberry, Cartier, Dior, Christian Louboutin, David Yurman, Tiffany & Co and more.

Long Island Vineyards & Wineries

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How many vineyards are on Long Island? 

Long Island Wine Country is home to over 60 award-winning vineyards and tasting rooms.

Are Long Island wineries open in the winter?

Yes, Long Island wineries are open year-round for indoor and outdoor tastings and tours.

How do you get to Long Island wineries? 
What is Long Island’s Wine Country? 

The North Fork of Long Island is often referred to as Wine Country.

Long Island Weather

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When is the warmest month on Long Island?

July is the warmest month on Long Island.

Does it snow on Long Island? 

Yes, it snows on Long Island during the winter season. Long Island experiences less snow than most places in New York State. Most Long Island snow totals about an inch, snowstorms occur a few times a year. Average yearly snowfall ranges from 20 – 35 inches.

When is Long Island’s summer season?

Long Island experiences warmest temperatures between May and September.

When is Long Island’s winter season?

Long Island experiences coldest temperatures between December and February.

How cold does it get on Long Island?

The low temperature on Long Island averages 25°F.

How hot does it get on Long Island? 

The high temperature on Long Island averages 85°F.

Long Island Sports

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Are there any professional sport teams on Long Island? 

The New York Islanders is Long Island’s professional NFL team, the Long Island Ducks is Long Island’s minor league baseball team, the Long Island Nets are Long Island’s G League basketball team, the Long Island Rough Riders and New York Cosmos are Long Island’s professional soccer team.

Long Island Health & Safety

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Do you have to quarantine when traveling to Long Island? 

When traveling from certain states, a 14-day quarantine is required. Visit https://www.governor.ny.gov/news for the latest information.

Do you have to wear a mask on Long Island? 

When attending Long Island businesses and restaurants a mask is required.