#1. World-Class Golf
New York State ranks second behind California in Golf Digest’s latest survey, “America’s Greatest Top 100 Courses”. “What set the Empire State apart from almost everywhere else are the courses of Long Island, one of the world’s most desirable pieces of golf terrain”. It is a golfer’s paradise with over 140 golf courses, including more than 60 public courses, and is a world-class golf destination!
There are few, if any, golf courses that can challenge the reputation and popularity of Bethpage Black. “The People’s Country Club”.
Bethpage Black, located in Farmingdale, is one of North America’s most renowned public courses. Designed by A.W. Tillinghast and opened in 1936, it has hosted many major championships, including two US Opens and the PGA Championship, and will be the host venue for the Ryder Cup in 2025. Known for its challenging layout, narrow fairways, deep rough, strategically placed bunkers, and fast undulating greens, it is a test for even the finest players.
Hiring a caddy at Bethpage Black is a wise decision. They bring invaluable local knowledge, help navigate the course’s many intricacies, and assist in proper club selection. Their insights are crucial for tackling the uniqueness of every hole and reading the perfectly mown greens.
Beyond Bethpage Black, the Bethpage State Park offers four other courses: Blue, Red, Green and Yellow. Each course presents its unique challenges. Together, they provide a diverse and memorable golf experience within a beautiful park setting, making Bethpage one of the world’s premiere golf destinations.
Shinnecock Hills is one of the oldest incorporated golf clubs in the United States [1891] and has been the site of many prestigious events, including five US Opens to date. It will also host the 2026 US Open as well as both the US Open and US Women’s Open in 2036. To play the course, you need to know a member and then pay the green fee of reportedly $350.00.
Another consideration if you wish to experience another great track that is much more affordable is to take a 55-minute drive east through picturesque East Hampton, north along Route 27 toward the most eastern point on Long Island’s South Fork – Montauk, also known to locals as “The End.” For a green fee of one hundred dollars, for out-of-state residents, you will play one of the state’s more historic courses, Montauk Downs Golf Club.
Robert Trent Jones redesigned the course and existing clubhouse in 1968; however, the private investors declared bankruptcy in 1978, leading New York State to take over the operations and land. In 2007, Rees Jones, Robert Trent Jones’s son, redesigned many holes. By 2009, Golf World ranked Montauk Downs as the second Best Value Course to Play, while Golfweek rated it 38th Best Municipal Course in America.
Golfers should take advantage of one of the best bargains for green fees on Long Island: a round at Timber Point Golf Club near Great River on Long Island’s southern shore. Players can enjoy eighteen holes from a choice of three distinct combinations across twenty-seven holes for only forty-seven dollars. The Blue course is a favorite and is often the most challenging. When northerly winds blow over Nicoll Bay, the once-easier holes become demanding, especially the recognizable par three known as “Gibraltar.” The fifth hole plays to 188 yards from the mid-tees, and reaching the green can be challenging, even with a driver when the wind blows. Don’t forget your camera to capture this memorable hole, regardless of your score!
#2. Thriving Wine Country
World-class, award-winning wineries abound throughout Long Island. With well-draining soil and relatively temperate weather due to its proximity to the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream, the island now boasts three American Viticultural Areas [AVA’s]: Long Island, North Fork and The Hamptons. [An AVA designation indicates that 85% of the fruit used in a given wine must be grown within the boundary of its AVA.] This maritime climate allows for producing excellent Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Chardonnay, among other varietals.
The North Fork region, also known as Long Island Wine Country, is home to most wineries, with over sixty in a thirty-mile peninsula of Suffolk County: oak-aged reds, crisp whites, and dessert wines. Of particular note, if you enjoy champagne-style sparkling wines, Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery stands out as the only winery on Long Island dedicated exclusively to the traditional Méthode Champenoise, producing high-quality bubbles in all their sparkling wines.
#3. Unique Culinary Experiences
Long Island boasts a diverse and unique food scene. Roadside stands sell fresh local seafood and produce, emphasizing “farm-to-table” culinary dishes showcased by many restaurants highlighting the island’s agricultural diversity.
You can’t leave the island without tasting the local specialties like Long Island duck from Crescent Duck Farm and oysters from Peconic Bay and Long Island Sound. Long Islanders confidently claim that their bagels and pizza surpass New York-style options. Fresh-caught seafood, especially around Montauk, is also a must-try.
No matter the season, you’ll find unique and memorable dishes at food establishments throughout the island that you will tell friends, “You know what I ate on Long Island?” Think apple cider donuts, grilled chicken wings, Grandma Pizza Pie and Long Island clam chowder.
#4. Beautiful Beaches
Long Island boasts over 100 miles of pristine coastline. From the rocky beaches and surf- pounding seas calm waters of the Long Island Sound on the North Shore to the expansive surf pounding ocean shoreline of white sand beaches on the South Shore, which includes the family- friendly, six-and-a-half mile stretch of Jones Beach State Park, there is a beach to satisfy everyone’s beach desire.
Notable beaches include Main Beach in East Hampton, consistently ranked among America’s best, and Fire Island’s car-free sandy stretches.
#5. Charming Coastal Towns and Unique Attractions
Long Island features a wealth of charming coastal towns and unique attractions. On the North Shore, Port Jefferson is an enchanting town with maritime charm, boutique shopping, waterfront dining, and numerous cafes, many of which are located in historic buildings. The Port Jefferson ferry docks at the town’s deep-water harbor, departing regularly to Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Don’t miss other must-see attractions, including the iconic Montauk Point Lighthouse, the engaging Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead, and the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City.
For detailed information on why you should consider Long Island, New York, for your next escape, explore these websites:
