This guide highlights some of the most worthwhile destinations across Long Island and explains what makes each one worth adding to your trip.
Why Visit Long Island, New York?
Long Island combines several types of travel experiences in one region. The south shore is known for broad Atlantic beaches and barrier-island scenery, while the North Shore offers historic estates, gardens, villages, and more rugged coastal landscapes. Farther east, the Hamptons, North Fork, and Montauk add beaches, vineyards, seafood, and maritime character.
Its location also makes Long Island useful for travelers who want to combine a suburban or coastal trip with time in New York City. If you’re building a wider Northeast itinerary, you can also explore our guides to places to visit in winter in New York, good places to visit in New York, and places to visit in Northern New York.
15 Best Places to Visit in Long Island, New York
1. Montauk Point Lighthouse
At the eastern tip of Long Island, Montauk Point Lighthouse is one of the region’s most recognizable landmarks. The historic lighthouse overlooks the Atlantic and provides an excellent reason to explore Montauk beyond its beaches.
The surrounding area is particularly appealing to travelers who enjoy coastal scenery, photography, maritime history, and dramatic ocean views. Give yourself enough time to explore the lighthouse area rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.
Montauk also works well as part of a larger eastern Long Island itinerary, especially if you want to combine beaches, seafood, outdoor activities, and waterfront scenery.
2. Jones Beach State Park
Jones Beach State Park is one of Long Island’s classic beach destinations. The state park features miles of Atlantic shoreline and a large recreational area with opportunities for swimming, fishing, biking, surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, and other outdoor activities.
The park’s boardwalk makes it especially enjoyable for a relaxed coastal walk. Families can also find amenities that make a longer beach day easier, while visitors who prefer active travel have plenty of options beyond simply sitting on the sand.
Because Jones Beach is one of the most prominent parks in the Long Island region, it deserves a place near the top of any first-time itinerary.
For travelers interested in seasonal U.S. destinations, you may also enjoy our guide to the best places to visit in the U.S. in summer.
3. Fire Island National Seashore
For a more natural coastal experience, head to Fire Island National Seashore. The protected area features beaches, dunes, maritime forests, wetlands, wildlife habitats, and historic sites. The National Park Service describes the seashore as a combination of coastal landscapes, historic landmarks, and diverse ecosystems.
Popular areas include the Fire Island Lighthouse, Sailors Haven and its Sunken Forest, Watch Hill, the Otis Pike High Dune Wilderness, and the William Floyd Estate. Some locations are seasonal or require ferry or boat access, so planning ahead is important.
Fire Island is particularly suitable for travelers who want to slow down and experience Long Island’s natural side rather than spending the entire trip in developed resort areas.
4. Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
History enthusiasts should put Sagamore Hill National Historic Site on their itinerary. The Oyster Bay property was the longtime home of Theodore Roosevelt and provides an opportunity to explore an important chapter of American political and presidential history.
The site is more than a historic house. The surrounding setting helps visitors understand the environment in which Roosevelt lived and worked. It is an especially worthwhile stop if you’re interested in U.S. history, presidential sites, architecture, or historic landscapes.
Oyster Bay itself is also worth exploring, giving visitors the chance to combine the historic site with a broader North Shore day trip.
5. Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park is an excellent choice for travelers who prefer gardens, architecture, landscaped grounds, and peaceful outdoor spaces.
The former Gold Coast estate includes formal gardens, wooded areas, historic buildings, and expansive grounds. It offers a very different experience from Long Island’s beaches and is particularly attractive during spring, summer, and fall.
If your itinerary includes several North Shore attractions, Planting Fields can easily be paired with other historic estates and villages in the area.
6. The Hamptons
The Hamptons are among the best-known destinations on Long Island. The area is associated with beautiful beaches, upscale communities, restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, and summer tourism.
You don’t have to build your entire trip around luxury travel to enjoy the Hamptons. Visitors can explore the villages, spend time at the coast, browse local shops, or simply enjoy the atmosphere of eastern Long Island.
Because summer weekends can be particularly busy, travelers should plan transportation and accommodation carefully. For a quieter experience, consider visiting outside the peak summer period.
7. Long Beach
Located on a barrier island south of the main part of Long Island, Long Beach is a convenient choice for travelers who want a coastal getaway without traveling all the way to the eastern end of the island.
The beach, boardwalk, and nearby restaurants make the city suitable for a relaxed day trip. It’s also an appealing option for visitors interested in combining beach time with a more urban atmosphere.
Long Beach can be especially useful for travelers staying closer to New York City who don’t want to dedicate an entire day to reaching Montauk or the East End.
8. Robert Moses State Park
Robert Moses State Park offers another major coastal escape on the western side of Fire Island. Its beaches, dunes, recreational facilities, and access to the Fire Island area make it a popular destination for outdoor-focused travelers.
The park is a good choice when you want a traditional beach day combined with opportunities for walking, fishing, and enjoying the coastal landscape.
Its proximity to Fire Island also makes it useful when building a broader itinerary around Long Island’s barrier-island attractions.
9. Freeport’s Nautical Mile
For a different side of Long Island, visit Freeport’s Nautical Mile. This waterfront district is known for restaurants, shops, boats, and a lively maritime atmosphere.
It’s a good place to visit later in the day after exploring nearby attractions. Instead of focusing on beaches or historic estates, the Nautical Mile provides a social waterfront experience where you can enjoy a meal, walk along the water, and watch boats pass through the area.
10. Bethpage State Park
Bethpage State Park is one of the best options for travelers who enjoy golf and outdoor recreation. The park is known for its golf courses and extensive recreational environment.
Even if golf isn’t your main interest, the park can add variety to a Long Island itinerary. Visitors looking for an active day can combine outdoor recreation with other nearby attractions instead of spending the entire trip on the coast.
11. Shelter Island
Between Long Island’s North and South Forks, Shelter Island offers a quieter alternative to some of the busier destinations farther east.
The island is appealing for travelers looking for peaceful roads, beaches, nature, small-town character, and a slower pace. It can be particularly enjoyable for couples and visitors who prefer scenic exploration over major tourist attractions.
Because transportation is an important part of reaching the island, check ferry schedules and plan your day before leaving.
12. North Fork
The North Fork is one of Long Island’s most enjoyable areas for a relaxed countryside-and-coast experience. The region is known for vineyards, farms, small communities, seafood, and scenic roads.
A North Fork trip works well for couples, food-focused travelers, and anyone who wants to experience a less urban side of Long Island. You can spend the day visiting local producers, exploring waterfront communities, and stopping at scenic viewpoints.
It’s also a strong choice for an autumn road trip when the landscape takes on a different seasonal character.
13. Old Westbury Gardens
Old Westbury Gardens provides another opportunity to experience Long Island’s famous Gold Coast heritage. The estate combines historic architecture, landscaped gardens, walking paths, and elegant grounds.
It’s particularly attractive for photographers, garden lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and visitors who enjoy historic properties. The peaceful environment also makes it a useful contrast to Long Island’s busier beaches and waterfront districts.
14. Cold Spring Harbor
Cold Spring Harbor is a charming North Shore destination with a strong connection to Long Island’s maritime and natural history. Its village setting, harbor views, museums, and walking opportunities make it suitable for a relaxed day trip.
The area is especially useful for travelers who want to combine sightseeing with a quieter village atmosphere. You can explore the harbor, visit local attractions, and then continue toward other North Shore destinations.
15. Huntington
Huntington is another worthwhile North Shore stop, offering restaurants, cultural attractions, shopping, entertainment, and access to nearby waterfront areas.
Its combination of town-center activities and nearby coastal scenery makes it a flexible destination for different types of travelers. Families, couples, and weekend visitors can all find ways to build a few hours around Huntington.
Best Places to Visit in Long Island by Travel Style
Best for Beaches
If beaches are your priority, start with Jones Beach State Park, Long Beach, Fire Island, and the beaches around Montauk and the Hamptons.
Best for History
History lovers should consider Sagamore Hill, Montauk Point Lighthouse, Old Westbury Gardens, and the historic sites associated with Fire Island.
Best for Nature
For outdoor scenery, Fire Island National Seashore, Shelter Island, Robert Moses State Park, the North Fork, and Long Island’s many gardens and preserves offer excellent choices.
Best for Families
Families can build an itinerary around Jones Beach, Long Beach, nature centers, historic sites, and attractions in communities such as Huntington and Oyster Bay.
Best for Couples
Couples may prefer Montauk, the Hamptons, the North Fork, Shelter Island, and Long Island’s historic gardens and waterfront communities.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Long Island?
Summer is the most obvious choice for travelers focused on beaches, swimming, boating, and outdoor activities. However, it is also one of the busiest periods, particularly in popular eastern destinations.
Spring is ideal for gardens, estates, outdoor walks, and comfortable sightseeing. Fall brings cooler temperatures and attractive scenery, especially around the North Fork and inland communities.
Winter is quieter and can work well for travelers interested in historic sites, restaurants, village exploration, and coastal scenery without peak-season crowds. If you’re planning a broader New York trip during the colder months, see our guide to places to visit in the Northeast in winter.
How Many Days Do You Need in Long Island?
A 2-day Long Island itinerary can cover a few major attractions, but three to five days gives you more flexibility.
- One day: Focus on a single area such as the North Shore, Jones Beach and nearby communities, or Montauk.
- Two days: Combine a beach or coastal destination with historic sites and a waterfront town.
- Three days: Add the East End, North Fork, or Fire Island.
- Four to five days: Explore multiple regions without rushing from one end of the island to the other.
Long Island is geographically spread out, so avoiding an overly ambitious itinerary is important. Choose attractions that are relatively close together each day instead of trying to cross the entire island repeatedly.
Tips for Planning a Long Island Trip
- Plan by region: Group North Shore, South Shore, and East End attractions together.
- Allow extra driving time: Summer traffic can significantly affect travel times.
- Check seasonal schedules: Beaches, ferries, historic sites, and other attractions may have different operating schedules throughout the year.
- Reserve popular accommodations early: Summer demand can be high in destinations such as Montauk and the Hamptons.
- Check beach conditions: Swimming areas and facilities can vary depending on weather, season, and local conditions.
- Plan ferry trips carefully: Fire Island and Shelter Island itineraries require more transportation planning than mainland attractions.
- Leave room for spontaneous stops: Long Island has many small villages, farm stands, waterfront areas, and local businesses that aren’t necessarily the main attraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nicest part of Long Island to visit?
That depends on your interests. Montauk and the Hamptons are strong choices for beaches and coastal scenery, the North Fork works well for vineyards and countryside, and the North Shore is excellent for historic estates, villages, and cultural attractions.
What is Long Island best known for?
Long Island is particularly known for its Atlantic beaches, coastal communities, historic Gold Coast estates, Montauk, the Hamptons, vineyards, and its proximity to New York City.
Is Long Island good for a weekend trip?
Yes. A weekend is enough to explore one or two areas without rushing. For example, you could dedicate one day to the North Shore and another to a South Shore beach or eastern Long Island destination.
What are the best places to visit in Long Island for first-time visitors?
First-time visitors could start with Jones Beach State Park, Montauk Point Lighthouse, Fire Island National Seashore, Sagamore Hill, Planting Fields, and either the Hamptons or North Fork.
Can you visit Long Island without a car?
Some parts of Long Island can be reached using public transportation, but having a car makes it considerably easier to explore multiple regions and attractions. Fire Island also has ferry connections from several Long Island access points.
Final Thoughts
The best places to visit in Long Island, New York aren’t limited to one type of attraction. The region combines beaches, historic landmarks, gardens, waterfront towns, outdoor recreation, villages, and scenic coastal landscapes.
For a first trip, consider combining a classic beach destination such as Jones Beach with a historic attraction such as Sagamore Hill or Montauk Point Lighthouse. If you have more time, add Fire Island, the North Fork, Shelter Island, or the Hamptons to experience a broader range of Long Island.
The key is to plan geographically. Long Island rewards travelers who slow down, explore one area at a time, and leave enough space to enjoy the communities and landscapes between the headline attractions.
