The Long Island Rail Road may be best known for the day - to - 24-hour interval donkeywork of enthral thousands of commuters to and from their 9 - to-5 ( plus a few unruly , drunk rider ) . But the LIRR ’s 700 + miles of racetrack across a far - reaching sand bar are n’t there just for all work and no play . The extensive rail system also connects to some of the great ( and close - to - NYC ) excursions the Island has to offer , from beachfront vistas to charming small towns . And when you ’re visiting the myriad wineries , brewery , and cocktail bars available , it ’s also one nether region of a destine driver . So think outside the five borough and allow the LIRR pilot your next solar day head trip .
Belmont Park in Elmont
LIRR stop : BelmontTravel prison term from Penn Station : 35 minutesPrice one - direction : $ 8It ’s base to the grand conclusion of horse cavalry racing ’s prestigious Triple Crown , butthe race track at Belmontisn’t only deserving visiting for the Belmont Stakes . In fact , it ’s a much less crowded and repose - back day out during any other race day of the year , from May - July and September - October . Just be sure to check the race schedule before you contrive ( train only run on race days ) , and fetch a cooler of beer , a picnic lunch , and a blanket to circulate out on the trackside lawn ( oversized Kentucky Derby - way hat are optional , but encouraged ) . If you ’re feeling especially confident , you’re able to even try on your hazard at selecting a winning horse .
Rockville Centre
LIRR stop : Rockville Centre , Babylon BranchTravel prison term from Penn Station : 42 minutesPrice one - manner : $ 13 acme , $ 9.50 off - peakWhat was once a sleepy small town is now a vibrant , youthful business district community . Somewhere between the feel of a charming little town and an exciting metropolis , Rockville Centre offers a huge number of restaurants , bars , and local shops , all within a short manner of walking of the string station . begin the day off with your caffeine of choice atKookaburra Coffeeon N. Village Ave , a local initiation with baristas skilled in both espresso drinks and latte art . For solid food , the possibilities are dateless . concerned in a gastropub with a great tap selection ? Stop byParlayfor burgers orCroxley’sfor wing . If house - smoke barbeque sound better , check outThe Smokin ’ costa . If you ’re last out into the Nox , make certain to channel the Jazz Age , Gatsby - style at the new speakeasyCork and Kerry . Unlike similar gin articulation in the metropolis , you wo n’t have hold off hour outdoors just to get in the door and invite the side - middle from pretentious faculty .
Long Beach
LIRR block : Long Beach , Long Beach BranchTravel time from Penn Station : 57 minutesPrice one - elbow room : $ 13 efflorescence , $ 9.50 off - peakNot many beach on Long Island are a short base on balls from the train , which is why Long Beach is such an plus . sum in the fact that there are plentifulness of neighboring restaurant and bars to enjoy after a Clarence Day in the sunlight , and you ’ll bump one of the most merry beach community on the Island . For those who get world-weary lie in the sand all day , Long Beach is also a rattling place to memorize to breakers . Surf2Liveoffers lessons for all levels of learners ( plus , the waves on this stretch of sand tend to be genial to beginners ) . After working up an appetite , it ’s worth the base on balls over to W. Beech St for dinner party atLost & Found . Chef Alexis Trolf prepares unexpected smasher like venison tartare or puffer fish while chew the fat with guest from his undecided kitchen .
Farmingdale
LIRR stop : Farmingdale , Ronkonkoma BranchTravel time from Penn Station : 54 minutesPrice one - way : $ 13 flush , $ 9.50 off - peakAnother example of Long Island ’s many plight Main Streets , the tiny , yet entertaining , Downtown of Farmingdale is house to several notable eating and drinking name and address . The Rolling Spring Rollmay be the good spot on LI for Vietnamese pho – the monolithic , steaming bowls of noggin soup that will certainly heal whatever ail you . A few doors down , Lithology Brewing Companyis one of the newest additions to the craft beer scene , and serves up samples in its tasting elbow room daily . For a literary luncheon , theLibrary Cafétakes a storybook setting ( the former public library ) and fills it with a pub - alike menu and an extensive cocktail assortment . As a incentive for avid golfers , Farmingdale is also home to the Island ’s most noted pro row , Bethpage Black . If you ’re look to drop the morning playing the same course as the PGA great , golf tee time can be reserved in advance , and the row is only a five - moment cab ride from the LIRR station .
Planting Fields Arboretum
LIRR stop : Oyster Bay , Oyster Bay BranchTravel sentence from Penn Station : 1 hour , 21 minutes , plus a five - minute cab ridePrice one - way : $ 13 peak , $ 9.50 off - peakA former Gold Coast demesne , this 409 - acre situation offers a coup d’oeil into Long Island ’s golden age . Planting Fieldsis home to Coe Hall , a Tudor Revival mansion house , skirt by all of its formal garden , panoptic hiking trail , and greenhouses fill with a Brobdingnagian smorgasbord of botany . Tours of the lucullan , turn - of - the - century estate , as well as of most of the various gardens , are available for five dollars . Wandering through the stately hedgerows among countless coinage of flowers and plants feels worlds out from the smog and traffic of city animation . It ’s like hitting a reset button for the afternoon .
Mattituck
LIRR stop : Mattituck , Ronkonkoma BranchTravel sentence from Penn Station : 2 hours , 26 minutesPrice one - style : $ 28.25 peak , $ 20.50 off - peakNorth Fork magical spell abounds in Mattituck , where cute , well - curated shops stemma Love Lane ( yes , that ’s a material street name).Lombardi ’s Love Lane MarketandThe Village Cheese Shopboth stock certificate delicious specialty food and tasty local finds in beautiful surroundings , only a pulley block from the railroad train . Love Lane Kitchenis also a village institution ; local anaesthetic and daylight - trippers alike stack to this neighborly cafe for breakfast served tardily into the twenty-four hours . If you only have time for a quick wine degustation , Roanoke Vineyardshas a convenient wine-colored prevention right in the pith of Downtown . But if you desire to explore LI ’s wine body politic more in depth , East End Bike Tourson Main Rd offer a full assortment of vendition adventures to some of the North Fork ’s favourite vinery , many of which include picnic excursions and wad of wine tastings .
Bridgehampton
LIRR stop : Bridgehampton , Montauk BranchTravel time from Penn Station : 2 hours , 33 minutesPrice one - style : $ 28.25 peak , $ 20.50 off - peakLet go of any preconceived notion about the Hamptons ’ elitist attitude and unaired all - blank political party , because if you ’re a devotee of contemporary art , Bridgehampton is well deserving a visit . The Dan Flavin Institute , as part of the Dia Art Foundation , displays the illuminating work of this innovative contemporary creative person hump for his talent with igniter . Many of Flavin ’s fluorescent light sculptures are house here , in what was once a fire place . The colourful arrangements produce a glowing environment that as much transforms the white walls in the room as it will transform the way you look at light . Afterwards , continue the art jaunt into Downtown , where several gallery display intriguing local kit and caboodle . cease your wandering with a visit toRound Swap Farm ’s stock front on School St. The local green groceries , jams , and baked goodness here are a product of nine generation of home land , truly an fine art form in and of itself .
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Coe Hall at the Planting Fields Arboretum|Planting Fields Foundation
Cheryl Ann Quigley/Shutterstock
Parlay Rockville Centre
Surf2Live Surf School
Bethpage State Park Golf
Flickr/John
Roanoke Vinyards
Dan Flavin, “untitled (to Jan and Ron Greenberg)"|Flickr/Andrew Russeth