Just east of Manhattan in New York, Long Island is waiting to be discovered with its convenient location and outstanding mix of activities and places of interest ready to delight visitors. It is the most populated island in the US and the longest, so it is hardly surprising it is bursting with things to do. As to hotels on Long Island, there are enough to satisfy the pocket and tastes of any visitor. Many hotels are nestled along the shoreline and offer beautiful views and easy access to the 'Gold Coast'. Its close proximity to Manhattan makes this a convenient and yet less frantic place to stay for business travelers. Many hotels on Long Island offer business facilities including fax and conference rooms together with well appointed suites for those needing to catch up on the day's meetings.
The rich and famous are drawn to Long Island along with other tourists and it is easy to see why. The harbor side villages offer a quaint charm and English architecture in their mix of one-off retailers and restaurants that serve the very freshest locally caught food. Its historical sites have drawn hundreds of filmmakers over the years drawn in by stunning beaches and locations such as Caumsett State Park, Hempstead House and Old Westbury Gardens. Widely varying films including Arthur, Great Expectations, Men in Black II, Love Story and Scent of a Woman have all used the natural beauty and historic places as a base. Actors were apparently more than happy to film here because of the excellent hotels on Long Island.
Those enjoying the outdoors will find plenty to satisfy them. The island is known for its lighthouses and many enjoy a long walk to the top of one of the three that are open as museums to take in breathtaking views. Montauk is the oldest and was commissioned by George Washington. Visiting the beaches for walking or swimming is always popular and the many marinas around the shoreline bring yacht owners to the area giving other visitors lovely marina walks, particularly in the evenings as lights twinkle across the bays.
Nautical tours are popular, particularly on the southern shoreline with fishing boats and other passenger boats offering trips along the coast between the villages. A paddlewheel river boat can make a more unusual way of hopping between destinations including Port Jefferson, Freeport, Greenport, Sag Harbor and Port Washington. The Maritime Museum in Sayville includes floating exhibitions and gives a fascinating insight into the island's important maritime past.
More than 60 vineyards operate on Long Island and 30 wineries can be visited to find out just how the grapes end up in the bottle, including the chance to tour the cellars and sample the end product discovering the vintners' skills. There are often special events organized and it is worth checking with hotel reception to find out what is going on during your stay.
The North shoreline, the Gold Coast, has a rich heritage stemming from its having been the home to some extremely wealthy families. F Scott Fitzgerald immortalized the area in The Great Gatsby. Many of the former residences of the rich and wealthy are now open to visitors offering an insight into their world. Organized tours can be arranged and some of these houses hold art galleries making them museums in their own right. The gardens and parks surrounding the houses are attractive and make for memorable walks. Nassau County Museum's outdoor sculpture garden and formal gardens are particularly noteworthy.
Just a few miles from the hustle and bustle of New York City, visitors find themselves in a pristine wilderness known as Fire Island. Barely a quarter mile wide in some places it makes for a wonderful day in the great outdoors and attractions such as restaurants, boardwalks, snack shacks and marinas are there to be enjoyed. The lighthouse on Fire Island is one of the most famous.
Outdoor sports are a serious pastime on Long Island and visitors can enjoy hotel packages including golf, horse riding, biking and spectator sports such as polo and horse racing. Kayaking and nature cruises are also popular.
With major airports nearby and ferry transport regular, Long Island is an oasis well worth visiting.
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