7 Unexpectedly Awesome Long Island Day Trips

Just a short drive from the sweaty streets and suspicious subway smell of New York City consist a land of charming seaside communities , flaxen beaches , and historic estates . And no , we ’re not talking about the Hamptons . It ’s true , sometimes the rest of Long Island gets overshadowed by the high-pitched - visibility , gamy - toll East End . But the fact is there ’s loads to see and do in the spaces in between . So next time you ’re itching for a change of scene ( or just a little more human elbow room ) , seek one of these seven sweet spots alternatively .

Port Jefferson

The bustling waterfront downtown , lovingly relate to by local anaesthetic as “ Down Port , ” is awash with quaint storefronts and historic edifice … but let ’s be real , you ’re really here for the food and drink . Breakfast or brunch at the tiny coffee bean houseToastis in spades worth waiting in line for , and once you ’ve carbo - loaded on their massive Gallic toast , you ’ll be ready to start drink . On Main St. ,Brewology295has some resistless and imaginative pub chuck , plus one of the best whisky selections on the Island . Their cocktail are no joke either ; try The Maple Fashion for an autumn spin on an Old Fashioned . After an good afternoon of perusing all the local shops on and off the main drag , dinner atFifth Seasonis always a great idea . Sit on the porch and enjoy locally source culinary art from a carte du jour that change seasonally .

Babylon

There are many delicious understanding to drop by this intimate village on the South Shore : pocket-size plate atBarrique Kitchen and Wine Bar , gluten - free option atHorace & Sylvia ’s , sushi atKotobuki … the list pass on . But if you ’re concerned in catching your own dinner party , you should book a sportfishing tour on theCaptain Whittaker . The 65 ft charter has a crew that can teach even the biggest landlubber to throw a line . If a smaller vas is more your speed , you’re able to lease a SUP board atSouth Shore Paddle Boardsor even examine to capture one of their float yoga sessions on the bay . Participants balance on boat paddle boards while performing yoga poses , realize the moves that much more challenging .

Long Island Maritime Museumin West Sayville

Long Island would be nothing without its fat nautical chronicle , from the former oyster trade to the quandary of the modern day bayman . This lesser known museum houses ocean treasures galore including historical small crafts , an exhibit on shipwrecks and an original bayman ’s bungalow from the 1800s . alfresco in the harbor , you could purchase ticket for a cruise on the telling 1888 oyster sloop Priscilla . This 60 ft wooden ship with large , olympian sails is well experienced standing on deck , not on land . Carry your marine adventures over into dinner atSouth Shore Dive , just a half mile forth on Main St. Boastingsome of the Island ’s unspoilt eats , this gastro pub is known as much for its retro marine decor as its legendary Burger .

Caumsett State Park in Lloyd Harbor

Shelter Island

Sometimes your ear just need a falling out from blaring auto French horn and crowded street . For a coup d’oeil of what life sentence was like on the undeveloped LI of yore , catch the ferryboat from Greenport on the North Shore and escape to Shelter Island , a bucolic wonderland of few cars and even few traffic lights ( one , to be exact ) . ring by 12 mile of shoreline , this relatively muted hideaway offers plenty of opportunities to commune with nature . Start your day with a Paris - worthy pastry atMarie Eiffel Marketand then get to galavanting outdoors . Rent a kayak to paddle down theCoecles Harbor Marine Water Trailor boost the 2,000 acres ofMashomack Nature Preserve . Reward yourself after a long day of exploring with a sundown dinner on the marina atSALTand a cocktail at their shipwreck bar made from a 1929 sailboat .

Blue Island Oyster Kayak Tour

Sun , ocean , and fresh seafood is one of the good combinations Long Island ’s incur to offer . And the spell atBlue Island Oyster Companyon the Great South Bay get under one’s skin you up secretive and personal with all three ( well , if the Lord’s Day make up one’s mind to get together , that is ) . Chances are , if you ’ve ever eaten huitre in Manhattan , you ’ve try Blue Island ’s harvest before ( they furnish much every seafood restaurant ) , but you ’ve never had them direct from the author . On the duty tour , you ’ll paddle a kayak right up to where Blue Points are grown , harvest your own bite , and slurp them down after a personal shucking lesson . Afterward , a light dejeuner with local beer and wine-colored allows you to unwind with your fellow shuckers .

Kate Traverson is a freelance writer and editor in chief living on Lawn Guyland . She spent so much prison term “ escape the city ” over 7 years , she decided to do it permanently .