Exploring Long Island During the Summer

Long Island. While traditionally this area has been home to upper crust elites from New York City, in recent decades it has completely transformed into a home to around 3 million proud New Yorkers. While not technically within the confines of New York City, Long Island borders New York City’s borough of Queens, and is often referred to as New York’s sixth borough. Unlike New York City, Long Island is more suburban in most parts and has a vast variety of natural beauty. This natural beauty is one of the great reasons why exploring this region is so great to do in the summertime! With so much to do and see on the colossal Long Island, it can be difficult to know exactly what to do. However, if you read below, you can find out some helpful tips for exploring Long Island during the summer:

Experience Long Island’s Beautiful Beaches

If there is one thing Long Island is widely known for, it is its beautiful beaches. While there are a few beaches within New York City, many people from the five boroughs flock out to Long Island during the summer months in order to experience the beautiful and serene beaches of Long Island. With gorgeous sand beaches sitting on the Long Island Sound in the north and on the Atlantic Ocean on the south shore, it is no wonder why so many people come to Long Island for its beaches. Some of the most prominent beaches include Jones Beach (where there is a huge venue for outdoor summer concerts with numerous famous musicians!), Long Beach and the gorgeous beaches all the way out east in Montauk and the Hamptons.

See the Area’s Great Diversity

With next door New York City as one of the most diverse cities in the entire world, Long Island is also home to a large percentage of people of diverse races, religions, cultures, and ethnicities as well. When exploring Long Island this summer, it is a great idea to see the area’s expansive diversity. With a large Jewish population, Long Island is home to numerous synagogues. The area is also home to a large Catholic population, with massive and grandiose churches. If you have time, you should check out a church service at one of the many great Catholic churches during one of the many Catholic holidays throughout the summer where the parishes will have altered seating arrangements to include all the extra visitors.

Final Thoughts

While Long Island may not be as iconic as its concrete jungle neighbor to the west, it certainly is still a wonderful place that is worth a visit on any summer New York vacation. You may not get to experience your Great Gatsby fantasy while visiting Long Island this summer, but you certainly can still enjoy yourself while checking out all that the region has to offer. By experiencing Long Island’s beautiful beaches and seeing the area’s great diversity, you are sure to have a fantastic experience exploring Long Island this summer!

Eric Horowitz is a writer and editor who has been writing for numerous publications since 2008.