LongIsland is not a misnomer . The stretchiness from the Queens border all the way to Montauk Point run nearly 100 miles . And far more lies between these shores than just Billy Joel ’s old haunts and beautiful beaches . Allow us to admonish you , wad the right of this lengthy sandbar into a single day is not for the faint of sum ( or abdomen ) , but hopefully this minuscule sample will more than give for the drive in spectacular scenery , rattling food , and a tidy sum of signature effervesce personality . Here ’s your local - approved itinerary for the ideal Clarence Shepard Day Jr. in the eclectic paradise known as Long Island .
HAMPTON COFFEE COMPANY, SOUTHAMPTON
It ’s go to be a long daytime ; start out it off with a saccade from this local roaster . Their coffee berry is hand - roasted in small batches day by day and Southampton ’s localisation boasts a pour - over barroom rivaling any in the city . Feel like an elite Hamptonite as the barista slow swirls your utter cupful of joe . Do n’t forget to grab a pastry dough to go … you ’ll need it for beach fuel .
COOPERS BEACH, SOUTHAMPTON
You ’re not become to LI without hitting at least one beach of course – and this is one of the best in the nation . ( No , gravely . The famous Dr. Beach has put it in his top 10 tilt yet again this yr . ) This gorgeous South Shore strip of white quartz sand is one of the reasons gazillion trek to the East End every summer , but you ’ll be here early enough to beat the crew . Spend the dawning soaking up the sun and breakers , then undulate out once the throngs start kicking up Baroness Dudevant .
COWFISH, HAMPTON BAYS
delight new seafood dockside is a definitive LI pastime . If you miss a gravy boat on which to sail the Shinnecock Bay , the next sound affair is to see the world cruise by while sampling the catch of the 24-hour interval . With a 360 - level view of the pee , there ’s not a regretful fanny in the planetary house at Cowfish , but on a exonerated day the top pack of cards ca n’t be beat . Order some clam chowder or lobster - stuffed mushrooms , feel the ocean breeze , and preen yourself on puddle great conclusion
PAUMANOK VINEYARDS, AQUEBOGUE
Three panorama typify the eastern end of Long Island : beach , cultivated land , and vineyards . Crossing over to the North Fork , there ’s plenty of the latter two , with wineries being the master draw . Paumanok offers the hazard to sip and gaze at the full rows of vines that will make you suppose you ’ve teleported to a rustic Pancho Villa in Tuscany . But those raw oysters you ’ll be slurp ? They ’re all Long Island topical anesthetic .
GARDEN OF EVE, RIVERHEAD
Roadside farm suffer are mainstays on Sound Ave . from Memorial Day to Thanksgiving . Garden of Eve is one family - have outpost especially notable for its commitment to organic farming as well as its residential area - base USDA . The outdoor stage has a Brobdingnagian extract of their vegetable as well as herbs and starter plants , homemade jams , honey , and more . Plus , you may say hi to some pretty endearing Capricorn while you ’re there .
TULLULAH’S, BAY SHORE
The small settlement of Bay Shore is fast becoming LI ’s must - stop spot for honest eats . But the jewel in its restaurant crown is unquestionably Tullulah ’s . Its vintage , speakeasy vibration would n’t be out of position in Brooklyn and the innovative , enticing small plates change seasonally and are sourced locally . The cocktail are not to be missed either ; their forward-looking twirl on classic recipes are worthy of advanced Clarence Shepard Day Jr. Gatsby . Just verify you spare room for the next blockage .
ALL AMERICAN HAMBURGER DRIVE-IN, MASSAPEQUA
An island institution since 1963 , this roadside greasy spoon is a sentence warp . Not much has changed in 50 years at this drive - in , where the classic burgers cost just over a dollar and the line often snake into the parking lot . No concern , this original dissipated food joint hold up up to its inheritance of speedy table service and timeless good food . For an surplus window pane of nostalgia , hop next doorway to Marshall ’s Ice Cream Bar ( their sister store ) for a deep brown shake – if your stomach can manage the challenge .
NIKON JONES BEACH THEATER, WANTAGH
If you ’ve never experienced a summertime concert perched high in the stands with Zach ’s Bay dilute out beyond the lighted stage , you ’re doing it wrong . It might be the only venue in the mankind where the tinny seats offer more of a tingle than front dustup – the view alone is deserving the climb . There ’s something undeniably magical about persuade to the music as the Dominicus sinks behind your back , casting a rosy glow on the crowd .
LITTLE VINCENT’S PIZZA, HUNTINGTON
It would n’t be a proper recent nighttime on LI without a signature tune cut of moth-eaten cheeseflower , so much so that it ’s worth trekking back up to the North Shore to get it . The chemical formula is round-eyed but effective : hot pizza fresh from the oven + a mickle of dusty mozzarella cheese = melty , creamy , salty slice of heaven . It ’s the perfect culinary finale to your busy best day ever on Long Island .
Chris Ford/Flickr
Hampton Coffee Company/Facebook
Raleene Cabrera/Flickr
CowFish Hampton Bays/Facebook
Paumanok Vineyards/Facebook
Golden Earthworm Organic Farm/Facebook
Tullulah’s/Facebook
Adam Kuban/Flickr
Matthew Eisman/Getty Images
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