Long Island, New York is famous for its coastal towns and vibrant beaches. While it’s still beautiful year round, summertime on the island is special; nothing can beat the smell of the saltwater and the sound of seagulls cawing. Natives to the island know all about the best spots to vacation in the summer — whether hidden gems or rightfully famous — to make the most of the hotter months.
Hugging the south shore, Fire Island, one of the more well-known summer spots on Long Island, is a great place to spend the day or rent an Airbnb with friends. Ocean Beach, Fire Island has an array of small businesses and restaurants to enjoy and so many beaches to swim and tan at. For exciting nightlife, Cherry Grove hosts many fun and exciting parties. There are ferries that run specifically to Fire Island and back, so there’s no need to worry about driving there — in fact, there are no cars on the island, so visitors can get around either on foot or via golf cart.
The Hamptons, potentially the most famous summer spot on Long Island, is famous for its large houses and abundance of hydrangeas. Whether among the suburban greenery, the charming shopping areas, or the sand and shore of the beaches, the Hamptons have much to boast in the way of summertime activity. Many celebrities own houses in the Hamptons, like Robert Downey Jr., Neil Patrick Harris, and Beyoncé.
Greenport is truly a hidden gem of Long Island’s North Fork; a town with plenty of whimsy and charm, it has an abundance of places to go and activities to do. Some highlights of the town are the merry-go-round, Burton’s vintage bookstore, Ralph’s Italian Ices, and Goldsmith’s, a toy store that sells specialty rubber ducks — an adorable souvenir to remember the vacation by! The hotels and houses for rent nearby are nestled closely to the town, but perfectly secluded enough to go swimming or take in the view of the glistening sea.