Info needed for a 2 day stay on Long Island

We are flying into Islip airport on a Wed morning and staying that night near the airport. We%26#39;re returning to Chicago on Thursday early evening. On the day we arrive (Wed) I%26#39;d like some suggestions for public beaches in the area. We%26#39;re a senior couple and just really want to see nice scenery and walk on a beach.

Also, the next day we planned on driving out to Montauk lighthouse, this is the day our flight leaves, so we need to be back by 4pm. My question is, is this doable for the time we have? Also what else, time permitting could we see. Also any recommendations for a nice lunch on the way to Montauk? This is our first time on Long Island, but of course, it%26#39;s a very short trip.

Thanks very much for any help!

Info needed for a 2 day stay on Long Island

Hello: here is some information.

Heckscher Park - (631)581-2100

1.2 miles of beach front on the Great South Bay

2 Beach areas, picnic areas

2 miles bike and walking paths

1.5 miles Greenbelt Trail

Located in East Islip

Public

Hither Hills State Park - (631)668-2554

2.5 miles of Beach front

Camp sites

40 acre fresh water pond

Located in Montauk

Info needed for a 2 day stay on Long Island

thanks for the info. Do you think we have enough time to drive from Islandia to Montauk lighthouse if we leave about 8am and get back about 5? Thanks!

The problem with getting to Montauk is there%26#39;s basically only 1 road to get there (route 27 aka Montauk Highway) and you have to drive through all the Hamptons villages. I suppose it%26#39;s possible, but if this trip is between now and Labor Day, it could also be very unpleasant in bumper to bumper traffic a good part of the way. You could give it a try and if you see the traffic is really terrible, maybe just go as far as one of the Hamptons, stop for lunch and turn back. Optimistically the trip should take 2 hrs. in each direction.

Cyril%26#39;s is a seafood place on the way after Amagansett and before Montauk that%26#39;s very good and simple.

2167 Montauk Hwy., Amagansett; 631-267-7993

I would consider Robert Moses State Park and Captree State Park which are about a half hour away. Captree has a dock with picnic tables and also alot of charter fishing boats. Robert Moses State park has access to the ocean also if you use parking lot 5 you can see the Robert Moses Lighthouse. There is a boardwalk that you can stroll and walk to the lighthouse. On the Sunrise highway in Sayville is a seafoodplace called Popeis. They have $8.95 lunch specials that gives you a bar drink soup and a main course.

If you have never been to Long Island and want to get a feel for our expansive beaches, I would go to Jones Beach. This will have a great long board walk (no games, carnival rides) just maybe a state run concession stand with snacks.

Robert Moses will give you the beach feel minus the expansive board walk...great for the real beach people. This is much closer to the Islip Airport.

Please keep in mind that you are in the middle of suburbia...half the people get on the LIRR or the LIE and commute to the city and the other half work on LI. This isn %26#39;t an affluent area like the hamptons nor a depressed area either. It is rather mundane.

Getting to montauk in a day is fine if is not a regular commute day such as Thursday or Friday (heavy going out) or Sunday or Monday (heaving going in).

The north fork of LI is beautiful and great wine country....What do you want to see?

In Montauk you could go to Gossmans. It%26#39;s a little square full of restuarants and shops. The restaurants serve mainly seafood and you could eat it on a boardwalk facing the water.

I%26#39;m guessimating it will take 2 hours to drive to Montauk. Therefore, you%26#39;d have to leave Montauk by 1:30-2 PM or so to be back by 4ish. That means you%26#39;d have to get to Montauk around 11 AM to enjoy yourselves. That means leaving Islip area around 9 AM.

Worth it? Personally, I wouldn%26#39;t do it if I knew I had a plane to catch. I just think the traffic is too risky.

I%26#39;d stick to closer beaches such as Jones Beach, Robert Moses Park, or even the western beaches of Fire island (but I%26#39;m not that familiar with them...)

Have been thinking about your question and QB%26#39;s last post. I agree that going to Montauk which will be at minimum, 4 hrs. of driving on the day you%26#39;re flying is less than ideal. I wonder why you don%26#39;t consider staying somewhere other than the airport? If you fly in on Wed. morning and don%26#39;t leave til Thurs. night, you%26#39;d be better driving to Montauk on Wed., getting some beach in there and checking out the lighthouse and then driving back to Islip on Thurs. Yes it will be pricier, maybe probably worth the difference as you%26#39;ll get to see the area. In the middle of the week, you shouldn%26#39;t run into 2 night minimum stay problems. Lenhart cottages is one option I know that%26#39;s directly across from the ocean. Panoramic View is on the ocean.

You could also stay somewhere not so far from Islip like Westhampton Beach or Southampton but still closer to Montauk. Post back if you want more hotel/motel options.

I%26#39;d second the Jones Beach suggestion - it%26#39;s probably the closest to where you are. I%26#39;d save Montauk for another time - I think you%26#39;d be too rushed and traffic can be very unpredictable.

It%26#39;s a bit more of a ride but you might want to check out Long Beach. I personally think Long Beach, Lido Beach and Atlantic Beach are beautiful (maybe because those are the beaches I grew up on) and way less crowded and more ';pristine'; than Jones Beach (though Jones beach is beautiful, don%26#39;t get me wrong). Lido and Long are public beaches...Atlantic Beach is mostly private.

Thank you all so much for your suggestions! Here%26#39;s what I%26#39;ve come up with, let me know what you think, as to timing, etc. Our flight leaves at 7:45pm, but we have to return car to Enterprise in Bohemia, and allow for time to check in at the airport.

When we arrive on Wed., pick up our rental, and drive down to Robert Moses State Park. Then on Thursday, I was thinking of maybe going up to the north shore, Sunken Forest Park maybe...... No one has mentioned this place and wondered what you all think. I%26#39;m very open to any recommendations and also places to eat either north or south shores.

Also, funny question, but would the traffic be better for us going north and south, than west to east? I was thinking it would be (but what do I know), that%26#39;s my thinking in picking out places to go north and south of the airport in Islip.

What we like to do, watch and listen to the surf, do a ';little'; walking on the beach, (I have a bad hip) mainly just driving and seeing beautiful scenery. Also of course, nice seafood meals and also Italian....

Guys, I really appreciate your thoughtfulness and help in planning this mini-trip. Thanks!