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Hearth Island has all of it: lovely seashores, quaint communities, outside eating and waterfront motels, boating, tenting and mountain climbing, and even a historic lighthouse. It’s the good vacation vacation spot for households, whether or not for a brief day journey, a weekend getaway or an extended keep.
About 50 kilometers lengthy and 400 meters vast at its widest level, Hearth Island is a thin sandbar between Babylon and Heart Moriches. On the western finish is the Robert Moses State Park; Smith Level County Park is at its easternmost level, with Hearth Island Nationwide Seashore in between. Vehicles aren’t allowed on Hearth Island – solely bicycles and small crimson wagons – including to the laid-back ambiance.
With 17 totally different communities there may be all the time one thing to expertise. Listed below are a few of our picks for the perfect issues to do when you’re there.
Discover extra nice issues to do that summer time in our Summer time Enjoyable Information, and make sure to bookmark our often up to date Lengthy Island Household Exercise Calendar.
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The Hearth Island Lighthouse is the tallest on Lengthy Island and guests can get pleasure from a guided tour. Photograph courtesy of the Hearth Island
High Hearth Island Points of interest for Households
1. Lighthouse Lighthouse
Park your automobile in Robert Moses State Park, on the finish of Subject 5, and take a mile-long stroll alongside the boardwalk. Spend time exploring the Hearth Island Lighthouse. Lengthy Island’s tallest lighthouse tower is 168 ft tall — that is 182 steps to the highest, however guests can solely climb to the decrease balcony. Take a tour and see the ready room, the exhibition heart and the brand new Lens constructing with its assortment of lighthouse lenses. Open day by day all 12 months spherical; solely on weekends in January and February.
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Ocean Seashore’s heat waters are welcoming to guests, and its alcohol- and radio-free coverage makes it particularly welcoming to households. Photograph by mama Poppins
2. Ocean Seashore
Amidst the get together ambiance of Hearth Island is Ocean Seashore. Entry is by ferry from Bay Shore. Heat ocean currents make the water engaging from mid-Could till nicely into October. The seaside is radio and alcohol free. There are many eating choices, particularly for seafood lovers, and there are a number of prominently positioned loos close to the ocean seaside. Entry to the seaside is FREE.
3. Sandcastle Match
Whereas your loved ones is on the seaside this summer time, apply your sand sculpting so you possibly can enter the Saltaire Residents Affiliation’s Sand Fort competitors. All ages are welcome and prizes can be awarded.
Discover the distinctive ecosystem within the sunken forest. Photograph by the creator
4. Sunken Forest
In Sailors Haven you will discover the Sunken Forest, a 40-acre website that seems to be “sunken” due to the encircling excessive dunes. You’ll be able to take a guided tour with a ranger or take a 1½ mile stroll on the boardwalk by way of the woods by yourself. Cease on the Nationwide Park Service Customer Heart to view the interactive displays and obtain a package deal for the Junior Ranger program. There’s additionally a present store the place you should purchase souvenirs.
5. Bike Excursions
Getting your bike to Hearth Island is not simple: most ferries require you to move it individually on a freight ferry. Bike leases can be found at Ocean Bay Park on the OBP Bike Store on the ferry dock and on the ironmongery store in Ocean Seashore. Every neighborhood has its personal guidelines, so make sure to verify the Nationwide Park Service web site for extra data.
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City Pizza is the proper place for a fast chunk.
Finest Eating places for Children on Hearth Island
6. Flynn’s
A mainstay of Ocean Bay Park, this restaurant is popping right into a nightclub, so it is best to get there early.
7. Maguires
This Ocean Seashore restaurant is ideal in the event you fancy a view. Maguire’s serves all-American delicacies and has an intensive kids’s menu that may please everybody.
8. Metropolis pizza
After you hit the seaside, seize a slice or a hero from City Pizza in Ocean Seashore. It is an ideal lunch or dinner.
9. Kismet Inn
The Kismet Inn, the closest restaurant to Robert Moses Seashore, is 2 miles stroll from Hearth Island Lighthouse. Because the stroll is just not paved, it’s best for older kids who don’t want help. You can be amply rewarded with an intensive menu together with vegetarian choices and a kids’s menu.
10. Sassyfras Cafe
Listed as a concession stand, this restaurant in Sailors Haven affords breakfast, lunch, dinner, and ice cream. Positioned subsequent to the ferry terminal, it’s the good place to attend in your journey dwelling.
11. On line casino cafe and bar
The On line casino Cafe and Bar in Davis Park has been round since 1945 and affords premium delicacies. If you happen to’re searching for one thing just a little easier, head to the On line casino Grill subsequent door.
The Palms Lodge affords a welcoming Hearth Island retreat in your in a single day keep. Photograph courtesy of the resort
Finest Household Inns in Hearth Island
If your loved ones is planning to spend greater than a day on Hearth Island, the communities of Ocean Seashore, Ocean Bay Park, Davis Park, Saltaire, Truthful Harbor, and Seaview are well-liked decisions, and you’ve got loads of choices relating to lodging . Many guests additionally hire homes.
12. The Palms Lodge
Simply pack your beachwear for a keep at this Ocean Seashore boutique resort. The Palms offers friends with seaside chairs, umbrellas, and even carts to make the quick stroll to the seaside a cinch.
13. Hearth Island Seashore Home
This informal Ocean Bay Park resort is housed in a former rescue station. Children will love the on-site pool and adults will love the dockside baggage assortment.
14. Clegg’s Lodge
Positioned within the coronary heart of Ocean Seashore, this mattress and breakfast has served the neighborhood since 1946. Visitors can begin the day with a complimentary breakfast earlier than heading to the close by seaside.
15. Tenting
If your loved ones likes tenting, Watch Hill may simply be the place. The Household Tent Campground is open seasonally and has 26 websites within the sand dunes. Every pitch can accommodate two two-person tents or one five-person tent. The campground has showers and loos, picnic tables, grills. A restaurant, snack bar and store will be discovered close by. Reservations required for tenting will be made at lovefins.com. There are additionally in a single day boats with water and electrical energy.
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The ferry from the mainland is a enjoyable a part of a visit to Hearth Island. Photograph courtesy of Hearth Island Ferries
Go to Hearth Island
16. Hearth Island Ferry
Since it’s not accessible by automobile, reaching Hearth Island is a part of its attract. Head to the South Shore and board one of many many ferries departing from Bay Shore, Sayville, and Patchogue. An roughly 30 minute drive will take you to the extra well-liked, family-friendly communities of Ocean Seashore, Ocean Bay Park, Davis Park, Saltaire, Truthful Harbor and Seaview. If you happen to’re going for an extended time period, look into transport a few of your gadgets on the freight ferries, as passengers are restricted to what and the way a lot they’ll tackle board. The Montauk department of the Lengthy Island Rail Highway serves Bay Shore, Sayville and Patchogue, and it’s a quick taxi journey from the stations to the ferry ports.
17. Day Journeys
No must pack your suitcase, Hearth Island is a perfect vacation spot for a day journey. The Sayville ferry connects to Sailors Haven and with a snack bar, picnic tables and grills right here, why not spend the remainder of the day fishing and/or swimming on the patrolled seaside? Watch Hill can also be a terrific day journey vacation spot and is accessible through ferry from Patchogue. Along with the patrolled seaside, there may be additionally a customer heart with artifacts, displays, and extra; and rangers are readily available to reply questions in regards to the wildlife. There are a number of ranger-led occasions in each locations throughout the summer time, together with excursions and hikes, artwork applications, stargazing applications, Junior Ranger applications, and extra. View the occasion calendar for extra data.
A model of this text was printed in 2012 and has since been up to date. Lisa Mancuso contributed extra reporting.
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