Best hotels in Long Island
Courtyard by Marriott Long Island Islip
11 Court House Drive, Central Islip, NY 11722
Only 20 minutes or so from Long Island MacArthur Airport, and an hour from NYC, this business hotel is in a perfect central location. Rooms are modern with smart TVs and workspaces, while there’s an in-house restaurant as well as a Starbucks and a indoor pool.
A Room at the Beach
2668 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton, NY 11932
This stylish boutique hotel promises a magical stay close to some of Long Island’s loveliest beaches. Located moments away from the charming town of Bridgehampton, the owners have transformed an old motel into a modern and romantic venue. Take advantage of the cozy rooms, rainfall showers, and luxury spa tubs.
The Hoxton, Williamsburg
97 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249
If you’re heading to New York, this place just across the water in one of Brooklyn’s best neighborhoods is a gem. Rooms are thoughtfully designed and ultra-comfortable. Open your curtains to sensational Manhattan views, dine in the contemporary restaurant, or take advantage of the ever-shifting program of cultural events in the hotel.
Best restaurants in Long Island
All American Hamburger Drive In
4286 Merrick Boulevard, Massapequa, NY 11758
This retro-style diner has been going since 1963 and hasn’t given in to modernity – its hamburgers are distinctly old-style and all the better for it. Grab a classic quarter pounder with cheese and pair it with some crisp fries and a thick shake.
Amber Waves Market & Cafe
367 Main Street, Amagansett, NY 11930
This Hamptons highlight is a study in how to get farm-to-table exactly right. Much of the produce is fresh from the adjacent farm and transformed into divine dishes.
Beauty & Essex
146 Essex Street, NY 10002
Over in Manhattan, Beauty & Essex is an exercise in combining a hip hangout with heavenly food. Behind the frontage of a pawn shop, the space opens out into a series of rooms where you can drink, dance, and dine. The menu ranges from oysters to beef wellington by way of cauliflower tacos.
Best things to do in Long Island
Montauk Lighthouse
2000 Montauk Highway, Montauk, NY 11954
Out on Long Island’s easternmost point, you’ll find this charming 1796 lighthouse still standing proud against the elements. Head inside to explore maritime history or check out the nearby Lost at Sea statue. The moving memorial is dedicated to locals who lost their lives fishing, partly funded by the musician Billy Joel.
Long Beach
Long Beach, NY
There are numerous beaches on Long Island, from the distant and remote to the lively and popular. Long Beach, a sandy stretch attached the city of the same name, is one of the best. You have to pay to use it, but for that you get clean sand and a strip that’s lined with cafes, restaurants, and, of course, ice cream stands.
Pollock-Krasner House
830 Springs Fireplace Road, East Hampton, NY 11937
Long Island has had its fair share of notable artists, with the husband-and-wife duo of Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner among the brightest stars in that firmament. There’s a Pollock piece to admire at their old house in the Hamptons, and plenty of fascinating insights into their life and work - complete with trademark paint splatter.
