The beaches in the Hamptons are considered the best in the world: almost untouched, they stretch for 80 kilometers. Stephen P. Leatherman of Florida International University, better known as Dr. Beach, ranked Coopers Beach in Southampton and Main Beach in East Hampton as two of the top ten beaches in the United States. While some beaches cater to families — with sandcastle-building competitions and quiet swimming opportunities — others attract the younger generation. Here surfing, volleyball, rock bands and clubs are in the foreground.

According to transporthint, Long Island is the Sylt of New Yorkers: The beautiful and rich rent here in the summer months. Despite the proximity to the city, you can quickly get away from the hustle and bustle. Especially the stuffy summers are well tolerated here by the sea. A fresh breeze ensures good ventilation. Long Island combines both: history and natural beauty. You can walk barefoot on the sand, climb one of the many lighthouses and take your breath away at the view of the sea. Or spend a lazy afternoon sipping on the latest drops at a winery or playing a round of golf at a PGA course. Horse lovers can go horseback riding on the beach.

A trip on a historic paddle steamer or a schooner is also steeped in history. The sea offers opportunities for deep sea fishing. Also worth visiting are the mansions and gardens of Long Island’s so-called Gold Coast era in the early 20th century. Many artists – painters, poets and writers – have lived here on Long Island and have been inspired by the scenic beauty. If you want to buy art, you will find it in one of the numerous galleries. The avant-garde art scene is still very much alive.

Long Island information

Location and size
Although Long Island is part of the US state of New York, it is not a borough of New York City. The 3,566 km² island (just a little smaller than Burgenland) lies on the east coast of North America, borders the Atlantic Ocean to the south and is separated from the mainland to the north by the Long Island Sound. At 120 miles long and 20 miles wide, Long Island is the largest island along the United States mainland.

Population: With almost 7.7 million inhabitants, Long Island has almost as many inhabitants as Austria – albeit on a twentieth of the area.

Getting there

• Long Island is conveniently located to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark International Airport, LaGuardia International Airport. Long Island Islip MacArthur Airport is located on the island itself.
• Long Island is connected to New York City by seven bridges and two tunnels.
• Long Island Rail Road (LlRR) trains run the length of Long Island, from Manhattan to Montauk. There is a tram service from JFK International Airport to the LlRR.
• Three major freeways traverse Long Island from east to west: Long Island Expressway (Route 495), Northern State Parkway, and Southern State Parkway. There are also a number of other particularly scenic routes.
• Long Island is accessible from Connecticut by ferry that docks at Port Jefferson and Orient Point.
• Taxis, limousines, buses and rental cars are available.

Climate
Long Island’s climate is very similar to other coastal regions in the Northeastern United States. Summers are warm and humid, winters are cold. The Atlantic Ocean ensures a balanced climate. In the summer months, the sea breeze cools you down, in the winter months it is significantly warmer by the sea than inland. So it can happen that snowstorms rage on the mainland while it rains on Long Island. In winter it can sometimes snow on the island.

Interesting facts about Long Island

Long Island enchants visitors with its miles of white sand beaches, quiet coves, wooded areas, vineyards and farms inviting for hiking, as well as

• more than 100 museums, including two world-class aviation museums
• 60 vineyards and 30 wineries with a production of over 200,000 cases per year
• 150 world-class beaches, 100 golf courses, 120 tennis courts, 400 yacht clubs
• 170 captains with deep sea fishing boats in 30 different ports
• 12 campsites with over 1,700 pitches for tents and trailers
• 50 stables and equestrian facilities
• Plus: Lighthouses, Public Gardens and Mansions, Windmills, Amusement Parks, Theaters, Art Galleries, Planetariums, Auto Racing, Polo, Pro Sports and more

Attractions and things to do on Long Island

Gatsby’s Gold Coast: Many of the Gold Coast mansions made famous by F. Scott Fitzgerald in his book The Great Gatsby are open to the public.

A Journey to the End: An island traverse from the Hamptons to the easternmost end of Long Island offers beautiful scenery, historic sites, and plenty of rest and relaxation.

The North Shore Wine Region: The North Fork – the area on the north shore of Long Island – is one of America’s premier wine regions. Most of the local wineries can be visited. Wine tastings are arranged.

Historic Aviation: Long Island has a rich history in aviation, from where Charles Lindberg departed on his flight to Paris to the construction of the first lunar module.

Mansions and museums: The pretty villages of the Hamptons in particular have a legendary reputation. The mansions, museums and the mansion used as the White House by President Theodore Roosevelt during the summer months are worth seeing.

Soak up the sea air: We recommend a visit to one of the many romantic harbor towns. You can eat well here – fish and seafood are particularly popular. Excursions on a fishing boat or a paddle steamer are offered as well as natural history excursions.

Golf: Some of the best golf courses in the USA can be found on Long Island.

Fishing: There are half and full day packages with bait, fishing rod and equipment included.