Ah, summer. No more late night, caffeine-fueled, cramming sesh's for those COM 212 exams and last minute paper-writing binges. No more 8:30 alarms (well, for most of us). No more stress, well, for the most part (summer jobs, anyone?). May 15th- August 28th hold some of the greatest, craziest, most spontaneous days known to man. Being from Long Island, a place that is basically known for its summers, I can say with complete confidence that our summers are essentially the best. Here are six of the top reasons summer on the Island is the place to be.
1. The Beach
Whether it be Jones or Long, this place is like heaven on Earth in the summertime. 15 minutes in any direction and you’ll end up on a sandy paradise. You spend early mornings throwing on a bathing suit, globbing on sunblock (anyone else have to use SPF 100?), texting all your friends “picking you up, getting Dunkin, and going to the beach. Be ready in 10” to bask in the life changing rays of the sun. All you need is a speaker, your BLT (and maybe a brew to wash it down), and your BFF ride beside you.
2. Night Beach Trips
Okay, we all know every Long Islander is guilty of bragging about our beaches, but I thought it was necessary to split up the beach during the day and the beach at night, because they are totally different. Sadly, some beaches close after sunset (boo Jones Beach), but if you're lucky enough to live, or know someones who lives, in a beachy town, that sucker is open 24/7. The peaceful sounds of the waves crashing while sitting on the sand in complete darkness can cure even your worst mood. Maybe you even go to your sisters place in Long Beach, grab some food and a blanket, tolerate the sand infested dinner while taking in the salty air.
3. Jones Beach Theatre
One of the most exciting things for every LIer is that first concert at JBT. Nothing can compare to the carefree feeling you get while tailgating with your best friends in the Field Four parking lot. The bliss you feel watching the sunset over Zack’s Bay while listening to your fav band rocking out to your jam is unlike any other feeling. Even working at this place isn’t too bad :) (shoutout to my JBT fam!)
4. Ralph’s
The second that sign turns from Closed to Open, every Long Islander is at their doorstep. This frozen treat is good enough to convince even the laziest of friends to get their ass up and go for a drive with you. Whether it be sitting in your car with five of your friends inhaling the Godliest of ices, or driving down to the beach to eat a Mint Chip with Cookie Dough on the boardwalk, these Italian ices are one of the best things about summer on the Island.
5. Backyard Parties
Okay, maybe I’m bias, and maybe because I’ve never lived anywhere other than LI in the summer, but, c’mon, house parties in the summer on the Island are so simple yet make those warm months so unbelievably fun. The cool, yet warm summer air makes these nights the best nights in the world. After a long day at the beach, you hop in the shower, not even feeling the pain of that sunburn because of the excitement that's bursting out of you while awaiting the night you’re about to have. You throw on a sundress and flops, swipe some mascara on, and realize that getting ready in the summer takes about half the time; being tan and having blonder hair works wonders on a person. You scope out the one friend working until one AM, claim them as your DD for the night, and you’re set. Now all you have to worry about is what song to put on next, who’ll be your BP partner, and where the bug spray is.
6. The City
Being a 30 minute train ride away from the city, most people assume I go a lot. To be honest, I’m not really a huge fan of the chaotic, smelly and all around stressful place the city is. The only times during the year I can tolerate, and actually have a lot of fun in, the city is during Christmas time, and during the summer. Whether it be to see a concert at MSG, or to a bar in Manhattan, city trips are part of a Long Island summer. Just bribe your mom or brother to drive you 10 minutes to the Hicksville train station with your friends and you’re free for the night. Most of the time the train ride is even more entertaining than your actual city trip. I mean if you haven’t pre-gamed on the LIRR (trying to be discreet but actually being extremely obvious), are you even from Long Island? Although we brag about our access to the city via train and/or subway, most of the time we have no idea how to use the lines and end up in Coney Island rather than Manhattan. Oops. I mean, it was an adventure, right?
