Savvy Sightseer - tips and insights for seasoned travelers!
Long Island Get-aways
Ideally situated on New York's east coast, Long Island has much to offer as well as easy access to New York City and mainland USA. Whether for a quick get-away or an overnight stay, find lots of fascinating and beautiful places to visit.
Disclaimer: I am not recommending or promoting any particular services, agencies or modes of transportation - just passing along some excursions I've taken.
I'll be adding to this page and new opportunities come my way, so check back often for new ideas! Some of these require admission or local passes; some have special rates for seniors; be sure to check with each individually.
On Long Island and NYC
In no particular order, here are some potential destinations:
Camp Hero State Park, Montauk - mysterious and exotic?
Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Smithtown - trails and nature museum in the Smith Family home built in 1751
John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden, Locust Valley - unique and historic 7-acre gem of landscape design
Cedar Creek Park, Seaford - from archery and model airplanes to bike and hiking trails - a bit of everything
Belmont Lake State Park, West Babylon - +400 acre day-use park on horse owner August Belmont's former estate
Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale - once a sportsman's paradise, now a place for everyone
Sweetbriar Nature Center, Smithtown - hundreds of species of plants and animals make homes here
Bayard Cutting Arboretum, Great River - an estate for all seasons
Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages, Stony Brook - a Smithsonian affiliate
Terrell River County Park, Center Moriches - through woods to the Great South Bay
Sagtikos Manor, West Bay Shore - an historic estate with roots in the late 1690s
Mercer Labs, NYC - a fantastic and immersive art experience in lights
Central Park, NYC - a park with lots of stories to tell! “America’s first theme park” with the theme being nature!
New York City Landmarks - take a cruise on the Circle Line to view bridges, monuments and the Statue of Liberty from the water, then wander the High Line down to Chelsea Market.
You can learn more about some of these destinations at one of my Long Island Programs: Parks with Stories to Tell, Central Park and Hey Long Island What's Up with That?.
Click on the pictures for a closer look at these sights.
In all there’s at least 70,000 acres of recreational and wooded parkland spread across Long Island. Often times even locals drive by signs for parks and not realize some of these are drenched in history and much larger than expected. Here's some photos of a few well worth stopping by!
From New York City to Montauk, there are many great destinations for day trips!
Beyond Long Island
Hop in your car or take a tour with the ferry or local bus companies to venture across the LI Sound for more to see and do for a day away!
Here's some thoughts:
Thimble Islands, CT - Did pirates stash treasures along the shore?
Stockbridge, MA - Fall foliage at its best in a quaint town near Norman Rockwell's home and museum
Bear Mountain, NY - a leisurely cruise up the Hudson
Essex Steam Train - enjoy a scenic train ride in a restored railroad car along the Connecticut River, especially nice is the option for a four-course dinner in old world style!
Click on the pictures for a closer look at these sights.
Block Island, RI
Named for the Dutch explorer Adrian Block, who first recorded finding the little island in 1641, Block Island is a terrific quick getaway! Arrive from Orient Point, NY, by high speed ferry in just 90 minutes, then step back in time and take in the Victorian-era atmosphere. From the North Lighthouse and Settler's Rock (plaque lists names of original 16 families who came in 1661) to the South Lighthouse standing above the Mohegan Bluffs, the 7-mile long island has so much to see and enjoy. The Block Island Historical Society Museum in packed full of history and shipwreck stories. At the 1661 Farm & Gardens, a short walk from the ferry dock, a free menagerie enthralls young and old alike with a wide ranging collection of animals - including a zedonk (zebra-donkey), camel, kangaroo, ring-tailed lemur and many more on an open range. Stunningly preserved Victorian-like mansions are eye candy dotting the island.
Click on the pictures for a closer look at these sights.
For a listing of programs and places I'll be, check my Programs page.
