Ocean Beach, Fire Island – The Anti-Hamptons #FireIsland

Sex and the City and The Housewives of New York have featured the Hamptons but for some reason,  Fire Island never get its just do. Not that I don’t like the Hamptons, but I much prefer Fire Island. Sure, there are big houses, celebrities and money but because cars are not allowed, there isn’t that feeling of over the topness that the Hamptons has. In essence, Fire Island the laid-back Hamptons cousin who doesn’t like to flaunt their money.

Where is Fire Island? Fire Island is located on Long Island, New York and spans 50 miles and Ocean Beach is just one of the many towns that make up “Fire Island.”  What makes Ocean Beach a fun filled destination is the quant village that provides visitors and residents an interesting mix of restaurants, bars, tourist shops.

Want to enjoy the bay view and get a late afternoon snack, then head to Maguire’s restaurant at 1 Bay Walk. My daughter loves to have a plate of Long Island Steamers and fries. I just enjoy having a glass of white wine and relaxing. What’s perfect is, if you can manage to have drinks during sunset, it really is the end of a perfect beach day. At the opposite end of Bay Walk is the Island Mermaid Restaurant where my daughter and I enjoy Sunday brunch. Of course, sit outside for another great view of the bay.  Don’t feel like sitting for breakfast but want some baked goods, head to Rachel’s Bakery right in town.

 

The beach is a highlight for my daughter but going to the Ice Castle Sweet Shoppe is always a must visit. Ice Castle Sweet Shoppe has every imaginable candy from Hello Kitty tins full of gum to sugar daddys and if that is not enough there is fudge, fudge, fudge. I am not a fudge fan, but my friends tells me every flavor is a can’t miss purchase. And of course, there is ice cream for an afternoon snack. Don’t miss it, just be careful you don’t over do it on the candy, it’s hard to choose and not walk away with more than you need.

While in Ocean Beach, head to the lighthouse, Fire Island National Seashore where they offer tons of activities for kids. There is also ranger guided canoe trip at Canoe Hill, all equipment provided for ages 6 and up and of course, you must know how to swim. Looking for a respite from the beach, there’s movie theatre playing recent releases.

Travel Tips:

• One thing to be aware is that while Ocean Beach is extremely family friendly,  a big population of renters are generally younger because the bars are open until 4. When booking either a hotel or renting a house to ask about the noise and the best room or location to avoid noisy partyers coming home from the bars after midnight.
• Pack efficiently as the only way to get on the island during high season is by ferry and if you get to the ferry by train you don’t want to be lugging a huge suitcase.
• There are three ways to reach Bay Shore, Long Island: by car, by Long Island Railroad or . If you take the LIRR, there mini-vans that will take you to the ferry. Both the van and ferry take Cash only.
• If you have a lot of luggage, there is a mini-van service that leaves from the East Side of Manhattan that makes it easier than dealing with the trains. Just be aware that it makes multiple stops.