Going to the Beach on Long Island

I give tips.  It's what I do.  I am offering some solid advice on visiting Long Island in this entry.  I went out to Long Island twice this summer.  I specifically went to the South Fork one time and specifically the North Fork the other time.  We are talking about the Eastern Half of Long Island here, so all you city folk don't be upset.  This is what I found.

My first trip was to the South Fork, and I loved every minute that I spent in Montauk.  The lighthouse was amazing.  The whole area was amazing.  That being said, I encountered some problems at the beach.  My husband and I stayed in Westhampton Beach at the loveliest little bed at breakfast you ever saw, called the Grassmere Inn.  I loved this place so much that even though I was not impressed by the area, I stayed there on my second trip as well. 

The Hamptons has a reputation, and the problem is that they live up to it.  We went out Dune Road, because we just wanted to see what it was all about.  We discovered that there are beaches and a National Seashore that you can go on.  The problem is that there is no place to park and it's miles from town.  So, the locals have effectively made is so that no outsiders can invade their haven by putting in parking laws.  It's clever, but it's also offensive.  Live and learn.  You can't even park at the National Seashore. 

On my second trip, I concentrated on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island.  There I found beautiful beaches and parks at the State Parks with lots of parking and lots of people having a wonderful time.  I found lighthouses to look at, nice little restaurants to eat in, and great tourist spots.  This is also the area where the ferries come in from Connecticut, so it is convenient for me.  The beaches are rockier, but they have something that I did not see on the south fork except at Montauk.  They have dunes, and I love dunes. 

I am impressed by the huge homes on Long Island.  I am also impressed by the thirty or so wineries on the end of the North Fork.  What impresses me as a traveler however, is the people.  For this I have to recommend travel in the North Fork.  You'll get to see the beaches, and the people are friendly even if they happen to have money.  The South Fork was nice, except the Hamptons.  There's an old quote that says that I wouldn't belong to any club that would have me as a member, and if I were to become rich; I think that quote would apply to me.  I would much rather join the down to earth people on the North Fork than deal with the snooty, pretentious, fake people in the Hamptons.  I hate to wear navy and beige. That being said, the one shining spot in that neighborhood is the Grassmere Inn in Westhampton Beach.  That hotel is delightful. 

Sorry to be so harsh, but I feel the need to give honest advice to would be travelers.  And, Long Island is one of those places that information is not that easy to come by.  Enjoy!

https://www.lonelyplanet.com/usa/new-york-state/long-island
https://www.discoverlongisland.com/travel-guide/
https://www.facebook.com/travellongisland/
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https://www.amtrak.com/northeast-travel-by-train-discounts?cmp=pdsrch-NER%7CNon-Brand%20Driving%20Directions%7CDesktop_DFCB-bing&msclkid=811dfe1dd325187b05b5a5bc8a6ca4b1&gclid=CJmV1eWrxd0CFY6NxQIdGWwGBQ&gclsrc=ds
https://www.fodors.com/world/north-america/usa/new-york/long-island
https://www.aaa.com/travelguides/long-island-ny
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https://www.iloveny.com/things-to-do/outdoor-adventures/beaches/?gclsrc=ds
http://www.resortsguides.com/?fr=2615
https://www.findhotel.net/Hotel/Grassmere_Inn_Bed_and_Breakfast.htm?highRate=&pageIndex=0&session_id=fh_fi3QNmBK17-636T411aRHg&section=&checkout=&newSearch=false&checkin=&isAvailabilitySearch=false&destination=&placeFilename=place:Westhampton_Beach&lang=en&reset=false&hotelID=1596757&sortOrder=Descending&pageSize=25&radius=0&curr=USD&search_id=fh_fi3QNmBK17-636T411aRHg|15373010363058927&lowRate=&datype=&rooms=2&hotelFilename=Grassmere_Inn_Bed_and_Breakfast&sortField=Popularity&noRedirect=&hotelName=&_force_=true
https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g1173658-i13118-k3794076-North_Fork_or_South_For-North_Fork_Long_Island_New_York.html
http://longislandwinetours.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr93i6bDF3QIV1MDICh1oiw4fEAAYASAAEgJ1r_D_BwE
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https://www.facebook.com/adventuresforanyone?fref=ts