Long Island is an interesting place. When people who aren't from New York think of the place, they primarily think of the city, but there's so much more than that only a bridge (or train) away. The people, the culture, the food - it's all a bit of a spectacle. Long Island is split up into two counties, Nassau and Suffolk. Part of New York City is located on Long Island: Brooklyn and Queens. Some people do not really consider Brooklyn and Queens part of Long Island, but it depends who one is talking to.
The attitude here is “go big or go home.” The food portions are big, and so are the taxes and traffic lines. It's a short trip to the beach, the city, or another state.
There are many quaint villages on both the north and south shores. Most have local shops. There are lots of beaches, although some can be very rocky, but the bands sure do rock! There's also a lot of good fishing. There are also some great tourist attractions.
Port Jefferson has small shops, a ferry (concert at Foxwoods in Connecticut, anyone?), a train to NYC (shopping, Broadway, concerts, museums, etc.), ice skating in the winter and roller skating in the summer. It has a couple ice cream places and a small mall. Similar in nature, Northport has lots of cute small shops with unique items. Montauk is a place for the beach-goers. Montauk has camping, a beach, small shops, and world-class fishing. It's also where Phoebe’s (from FRIENDS) mother lived. Riverhead has an aquarium called Splish Splash and outlet shopping. Jones Beach is the place for music lovers. There are really good concerts; the venue is right on the water, and if one doesn't get a ticket one could always tailgate while listening from outside the venue.
Warning: Eating on Long Island may raise one's standards on how food should taste. One may never be able to look at food the same again. Especially Italian food, specifically pizza. And bagels. Most definitely bagels.
Long Island has some of the best pizza and bagels one can eat! There are many local Italian places and bagel places. They're hard to miss; you can find them everywhere. The portion sizes are gigantic, but it's what Long Islanders call a normal meal. The food is always so delicious! Coffee shops, smoothie shops, and frozen yogurt shops can also be found occasionally, whether it's Starbucks, Tropical Smoothie Cafe, Jamba Juice, Red Mango, or a local place: the drinks are good.
And, of course, to know Long Island one has to know the people. You can hear them shout “yo” from a mile away! The following are some pronunciations common to Long Island that might make you double take:
Coffee = caw-fee
Talking = taw-king
Long Island = lawn guyland
New York = New Yawk
The city = New York
From the places, to the people, and the food, Long Island is truly a special place.
