Long Island is the place where you’re never more than 40 minutes from a beach, and close enough to the city to go whenever you please. Every town has something they’re known for and everyone thinks their town is the best.
Going to school out of state made me appreciate my home so much more. They say the city never sleeps; well, I’m convinced LI doesn’t either. There are always so many activities going on from street fairs, to outdoor concerts at Jones Beach, to taking a day trip to Coney Island.
For the past 20 years, I’ve been lucky enough to call this place home. Waking up every morning and looking out my window seeing the beautiful Long Island Sound and the boats cruising through it never meant much to me until I stopped waking up to that view while away at school. I took this place for granted and never saw how spectacular it really was until now.
Long Island is known for its “outdoorsy” feel. With all the beaches, and the shopping towns like Northport and Port Jeff, there’s always somewhere to go and something to do. With all the restaurants you could eat out every night of your life and not go to the same place twice. And who could forget Ralph’s Italian Ices? Certainty not a Long Islander - it’s just the icing on the cake.
Montauk is Long Island’s “getaway” vacation spot. It’s a short drive down to the point of the island, where families go to enjoy the beautiful beach and town filled with restaurants, mini golf and who could forget The Montauk Bake Shoppe. Along with Montauk comes The Hamptons, a place where all non-Long Islanders think only celebrities go. The Hamptons is great for a summer day trip if you want to spend a little cash… or a lot.
The city is only a train ride away, which opens the doors to Broadway shows, shopping in SoHo, and so much more that others don’t have access to as easily. My favorite part about being so close to the city is being able to go in for a day and go shopping or even just walk around. The city always has something to do.
Of all of Long Island, Northport Village holds a special place in my heart. The village is a place where people go to just sit on the dock and watch the boats and the sunset or walk around and visit all the shops. The town is so old yet so preserved and modern at the same time. There's something about the town that makes sitting down there so peaceful. Everyone is so kind to each other, and all the employees at the restaurants and stores are like their own little family.
When people think of summer on Long Island, they think of the Beach, but there’s so much more to it. There’s Fire Island which is only a short ferry ride and takes your average beach trip to a whole new level. A LI summer also consists of lots of shopping at Tanger Outlets, endless amounts of diners and homemade ice cream shops on every corner.
Living on Long Island, you have everything right at your fingertips. Your opportunities are endless. People don’t see how fortunate they are to live in such a beautiful, sheltered place. I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. I will never get sick of looking out my window and seeing a perfect cotton candy colored sunset over the Sound. No matter where I go, Long Island will always be my home.
