The North Fork of Long Island offers a diversity of environment and lifestyles that seems almost otherworldly. Quaint old-world shopping areas combine with oyster and dairy farms and vineyards, making for a lively weekend. On Long Island's North Fork, you won't find any big, fancy hotels, but instead the simpler side of life with over two dozen bed-and- breakfast inns, along with charming seaside cottages. There are also more than a dozen vineyards on the North Fork, along with wine tastings. There's even a vodka distillery with a tasting room.
Because it's an island, Long Island offers plenty of opportunity to take to the high seas (or the sound) and enjoy some time on the water. Among the various ways you can partake in the breathtaking views and peaceful atmosphere are charter boats, cruises and fishing excursions. You can reserve a boat for your time there, take a scheduled cruise on either the sound or the Atlantic, or bring your own. Nassau County alone has a dozen boat ramps for launching your craft and getting out on the water.
Both the south and north shores of Long Island offer premium beach access. And, if you don't mind a little cold, you can visit Long Island beaches year-round. The beaches on Long Island feature soft, white sands and temperate waters. In fact, Long Island has been credited for having the best beaches in America by both the Travel Channel and the Doctor Beach website. The best thing about it is that some of the most famous beaches on Long Island are just a short jaunt from Manhattan, including Jones Beach, which has been supplying sunny fun for visitors since 1929. Jones Beach is the largest on Long Island. If you want to remove yourself from the crowds, try Fire Island, which is located on the south shore at mid-island and offers 30 miles of beach and the Fire Island National Seashore.
