DAY TRIPPERS: Fire Island

By Elisa DiStefano

If you are looking to spend a day on the beach, or a night on the town-- Fire Island is your place!

Some call it New York's Key West, but Fire Island has a personality all its own! It's made up of 17 communities. Each has something different to offer, but they all have beautiful beaches and dunes. They're all really laid back and casual. You can walk to Fire Island from Robert Moses Beach, but most take the ferry! (631-665-3600)

As soon as the ferry leaves the dock, relax and enjoy the ride! There are no cars allowed on Fire Island, so it's very peaceful. You'll do a lot of walking, so consider bringing or renting a bike or one of those cute red wagons! (Ocean Beach Hardware 631-583-5826) You can wear flip flops and shorts everywhere!

If you are planning your day trip , here are some options!

If you want to visit multiple communities, you can walk (some walks are very, very long), find a friend with a boat, or take a water taxi!

Visit the Fire Island Lighthouse and climb all 182 steps for a great view!

From there, you can actually walk to Kismet, a popular family spot. Check out Kismet's famous restaurants "The Inn" and "The Out".

Visit Sailor's Haven. That's where you can find the Sunken Forest-- one of the few maritime forests left on the eastern seaboard. Spend the day exploring all 40 acres!

  Singles and families will love Ocean Beach, the Island's un-official capital. That's where you'll find the most restaurants, bars, and shops. If you want to eat or grab a drink right on the water, check out:

Maguires Restaurant, 631-583-8800

The Island Mermaid,  631-583-8088

The Hideaway at Housers Hotel, 631-583-8900

Matthew's , 631-583-8016

There's a lot to do-- and if you miss the last ferry (1 am on Saturday nights!) you'll have to take a water taxi back (which could be really expensive!). Consider staying the night (click for a list of accomodations). We checked out The Palms (631-583-8870), a new, second location just opened in Ocean Beach.  The have massage tables outside on a little beach! Friends here at News 12 found reasonable house rentals on craigslist.com . Or, you can go camping at Watch Hill!

Even if you just go for the day, it really is a mini-vacation. I hope to get back there before the summer is over! Remember to bring cash-- many places don't accept plastic and we had problems with broken ATM machines!

Comments

[Tim]

Hey Elisa,

Very nice blog on Fire Island. Do you get over there alot? Do you go by yourself or with friends, family & co-workers? I really hope you get over there again before the summer is over. Hope you get back to me soon.

Take care,

[martin]

hi elisa, great and interesting blog,I have never been to fire island, but it seems their is a lot to do their, I have had co-workers go their and they can't stop raving about it,someday maybe I will visit that area.just what everybody needs no car traffic.Have you been their before?well take care and if you have a chance email me back.thanks your viewer sandman aka martin..