It’s the words that no one on Long Island wants to hear, “summer is almost over.” We wait all year for these three months, just to have them disappear shortly after they’ve finally arrived. With the sun setting before 8pm again, it’s tough to deny it but Fall will be here before we know it.
Don’t forget to check out my last post on Summer Essentials!
Summer on Long Island is the absolutely best and cannot be matched. It really flies by every year. I’m happy I was able to make it out east, to Fire Island, and also to New York City. I swear, having all of those options right at your finger tips is what makes living on Long Island so great. With Fall approaching, there’s plenty more amazing things to do, but before we get there – here’s 10 things to do before the sun sets on sweet Summertime :
1. Go to A Concert At Jones Beach Theatre
Concerts are back and just in time for the end of Summer! Between the recent shows of Incubus and Taking Back Sunday – the fun is never ending over at the Jones Beach Theatre. Pack your coolers and get ready to tailgate until the sun goes down! The best part of tailgating for concerts at Jones Beach is meeting all the other people who made the trip. You really meet some of the nicest humans from all over Long Island and beyond. Not to mention the actual concert is a blast – Listening to your favorite artists with the most picturesque backdrop just can’t be beat.
Check Out the Line-Up for Concerts at the Jones Beach Theatre!
2. Grab a Drink at Surf Shack
Located right off Ocean Parkway at Tobay Beach, in technically Massapequa, Surf Shack is exactly what it promises – a “Flip Flop Coastal Kitchen.” With great food and drinks this is a great spot to just relax and hang with friends or family. It’s not a bad place to catch a sunset or live out the last few days of summer. There’s also great live music!
Check Out Surf Shack’s Menu!
3. Have a Weekend Getaway on the North Forth
The North Fork of Long Island is the ultimate summer getaway. Staying away from the craziness of the Hamptons, the North Fork gives heavy stay-cation vibes with a big classy energy. Between exploring the wineries, cider house, and vodka distillery and shopping local at all the adorable farm stands, there are plenty of incredible restaurants waiting for you. Book an airbnb or stay at a quaint Bed and Breakfast to kick start an amazing summer getaway on the Northfork. Southhold, Greenport, and even Jamesport are great towns to spend a relaxing weekend!
4. Drive on Ocean Parkway During Sunset
This is for all my car lovers out there – There’s no better view of a Long Island sunset than the one from Ocean Parkway. With water on both sides, you get all the feels of summer from the comfort of your own vehicle. Roll down the windows and enjoy the breeze of ocean air. Looking to get out of your house and escape? Try this out. It’s a great little drive that will make you feel beyond content and ready to take on the next day!
5. Go For a Walk on The Jones Beach Boardwalk
There’s something about the South Shore Beaches – the ocean, the atmosphere, and the energy. Head down to the Jones Beach Boardwalk for a nice evening of relaxation and ocean views! When the beach goers start to leave, the craziness dies down and walking along the boardwalk you have the best views of the sunset. They recently added brand new volleyball courts, bocce ball courts, and little mini tennis courts. You can rent equipment and play or bring your own. There’s even a bird walk portion of the boardwalk. You can break off the main path and walk above the dunes to see all the wildlife that life in the area – great for kids and nature lover’s of all ages! Walking on the Jones Beach Boardwalk is not just a walk, there’s so much to do and so much to see. A must for any end of summer activity to do on Long Island.
6. Enjoy a Glass of Wine at Del Vino’s Vineyard in Northport
Don’t feel like driving in Hamptons traffic to head out east to grab a great glass of wine? Not a problem – Make a stop at Del Vino in Northport. Nestled away from major roads and Northport’s Main Street, when you are at Del Vino you are really taking a break from it all (Not like you really need to it’s not like we live in New York City)! With a wide array of wine and local beer to choose from, Del Vino is a great place to decompress after a tough work week. In my opinion, it is the perfect Long Island Summer date spot – so make your reservation and enjoy the end of summer at the vineyard!
7. Enjoy a Fishing Trip on a Boat Out of Captree
End your Long Island summer the right way with a fishing trip in the bay heading out of Captree! You can charter a boat yourself with a group of friends or family, or join in on a boat with other’s. Getting out to fish is easy on these charters, whether you’re a seasoned vet or a rookie. Historically these boats leave pretty early in the morning, so pack your lunch plenty of sunscreen and water and get ready for a day of fishing! If you get lucky you might even have some dinner to take home. For you night owls, there are also plenty of charters that leave in the evening. Regardless of when you choose to go, fishing out of Captree is a fun adventure to end summer for any group of friends of family!
8. Have a Beer at Port Jeff Brewery
Consider this some extra peer pressure to get get a Pier Pressure from Port Jeff Brewery. With an outdoor deck and plenty of seating, this brewery is the perfect spot to end a nice summer night. Between the amazing beer and amazing people, there’s not much else to want! Keep an eye out for dates where live music is playing – if you thought it couldn’t get any better, it does. Port Jeff Brewery has a great location right in the center of town – grab a beer before or after dinner, or run across the way and grab Ice Cream or Ralph’s! A quick trip to the Port Jeff Brewery can become a whole day outing in no time.
9. Spend a Day at the Beach at Robert Moses
A classic Long Island Beach Day is a staple of summer. Load up the car, grad lunch from the deli, pack the chairs and towels and head down to the south shore and enjoy the Atlantic Ocean at Robert Moses State Park. If you haven’t made it to the beach yet this summer, this is your sign to go make it happen.
* Pro Tip – pack sweat shirts and blankets and enjoy the sunset before packing up to head home!
10. Get Some Ice Cream from Kith Treats at Manhasset Americana
The original cereal infused ice cream? Sign me up. I may be excited to post this because I just recently found out this location existed. I used to plan city trips around getting this incredible ice cream, but not any more thanks to this great little location that is attached to Hirschleifers at Manhasset Americana. Pick between chocolate or vanilla ice cream in either a cup or shake and add your favorite toppings. They also have a menu to select from if you can’t make up your mind. My go to is “The Wifey” – something about the Nutella drizzle makes it the best thing on the entire menu. Plus they do collaborations with public figures so keep an eye out for new items added to the menu!
Teena Fey 