Where to Stay in the Hamptons

The Hamptons is an area on Long Island known for its beautiful views and celebrity residents. This popular vacation spot is not only busy in the summertime but sees year round visitors. There are many wonderful establishments in the Hamptons which provide fantastic accommodations for visitors. Some of these places will be discussed further and this information will provide individuals with some options when it comes to booking a stay at an establishment in the Hamptons.

Driftwood on the Ocean

For those individuals who are looking for a seaside establishment, Driftwood on the Ocean in Montauk might just be the perfect place to stay. This wonderful establishment features oceanfront rooms in a variety of sizes and styles which guests can choose from when booking a room. Those who choose to stay at Driftwood on the Ocean will not only be pampered by the accommodating staff but will be able to indulge in a wide range of activities as well. Some of the activities one can engage in while staying at Driftwood on the Ocean include swimming, tennis, shuffleboard, basketball, ping-pong and playground fun for the kids. There is a little something for everyone at the Driftwood.

The Surf Club Resort

Another great Montauk resort establishment is the Surf Club Resort. This wonderful vacation hotspot is also situated right on the beachfront and has 92 luxury apartments for rent. One who stays at the Surf Club Resort will find a wealth of options when it comes to activities for children and adults alike. For those fishermen in the crowd, don’t forget the fishing pole as one can indulge in some surf fishing while in the area. The kids will love the beach access so bring the pail and shovel as well.

Ocean Colony Beach and Tennis Club

The name of this fabulous Amagansett resort says it all. For those individuals who show an interest in beach and tennis activities, the Ocean Colony Beach and Tennis Club may just be the perfect retreat for those looking for a great vacation. Each of the rooms at the Ocean Colony Beach and Tennis Club overlook some type of water body, whether it be the Atlantic Ocean or the bay, and have a small kitchen within their luxury accommodations for the convenience of their guests. Beach activities and tennis amenities are not the only type of recreational activities present at the Ocean Colony Beach and Tennis Club. With their large swimming pool and clubhouse, one will surely not be bored while staying at this beautiful resort.

There are a wealth of options to choose from when it comes to resort accommodations in the Hamptons. It is not difficult to find a place to stay while vacationing in the Hamptons. The hard part is narrowing down the options to one place, as all are wonderful in their own way.

Friends of the Arts Organization: Attend an Event Hosted

The Friends of the Arts is a group which hosts a number of events in the Long Island area. The purpose behind this not-for-profit organization is to bring culture into the lives of Long Islanders by presenting various programs and events. Attending one of these sponsored events is a wonderful way to enrich one’s life and have a great time while doing so. The following paragraphs will highlight some of the upcoming events that may be worth a visit.

Beethoven Festival

The Beethoven Festival is an event that is sponsored by the Friends of the Arts and will be held on Sunday, June 18, 2006. This grand event will take place in the Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park, which is located in Oyster Bay on Long Island. This daylong event will feature all things Beethoven from music to displays to informational discussions. For those who love Beethoven or classical music in general, one will surely appreciate all that the Beethoven Festival has to offer. More information regarding this event will be released by the Friends of the Arts in April but be sure to mark this date on your calendars now.

Concerts at Coe Hall

The Friends of the Arts organization is one that also hosts a variety of concerts at Coe Hall, located in Oyster Bay. From classical to contemporary, the concerts will entertain and delight all who attend them. Being in attendance at one of these performances allows individuals to simply sit back and enjoy the music while forgetting all else. The concerts which are held at Coe Hall offer a little something for everyone and are sure to please.

General Information

The Friends of the Arts organization offers many different show selections and festivals for those who are interested in presentations of this type. The best way to learn more about this great not-for-profit organization is to visit their website or contact the Friends of the Arts staff directly. Not only will one be able to learn more about the organization from staff members but they may also find out how to purchase tickets and become a member of Friends of the Arts if they so desire. Friends of the Arts is a wonderful group that provides enlightening events for the general public. For more information visit: www.fotapresents.org

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Weekend at a Long Island Winery

St. Patrick’s Day is quickly approaching and one may be wondering how they will spend this festive weekend. While some will prefer to drink a few pints at one of the local Irish pubs on Long Island, for those who prefer wine, fear not as there are many wineries throughout Long Island that will be providing fun filled events during this Irish holiday. The following paragraphs will briefly highlight some of the St. Patrick’s Day weekend happenings at the local wineries.

Pindar Vineyards Winery & Pavilion

Pindar Vineyards Winery & Pavilion gets in the Irish spirit by providing a few different St. Patrick’s Day weekend events. On Saturday and Sunday, March 18 and 19, 2006, Pindar Vineyards will help celebrate the holiday by providing Irish music and Irish soda bread for those who come to taste some of the delicious wines of Pindar. Bob Carney will be playing Irish music both days to help those in attendance get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit.

Wolffer Estate Vineyards

For those who wish to celebrate the St. Patrick’s Day weekend without all of the Irish fanfare, a trip to Wolffer Estate Vineyards to take part in the Savory Spring Hors D’oeuvres event might just be the perfect end to a great weekend. At this event, held on Sunday of St. Patrick’s Day weekend from 1:00 to 2:15 pm, one will be able to view hors d’oeuvres demonstrations and indulge in some of these delicacies along with exceptional Wolffer Estate Vineyards wines. The cost is $25 per person and well worth it for a nice Sunday afternoon tasting session. Those who wish to partake in this event may call Wolffer Estate Vineyards in Sagaponack to make a reservation.

Martha Clara Vineyards

Martha Clara Vineyards is another Long Island winery which will be hosting an event during the St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The event at Martha Clara is entitled Wine Club and Fondue Weekend. On March 18th and 19th, one can attend this delightful gathering at the vineyard and taste various cheeses and chocolate fondues along with delicious varieties of Martha Clara wines. The cost is $25 per couple and takes place between 1 and 5 pm. For more information, interested parties should contact Martha Clara Vineyards located in Riverhead for reservations and decide if this is the event for them.

As one can see, there are many events taking place during St. Patrick’s Day weekend at the local wineries and vineyards and if individuals are looking for a great way to spend the weekend, why not take a trip to one of these great wineries and indulge in all that they have to offer.

History of the Long Island Railroad

The Long Island Railroad is a name that is familiar to those who currently live in the Long Island region. However, the Long Island Railroad was constructed many years ago and served a different purpose than what it does today. The following paragraphs will briefly describe the history of the Long Island Railroad and show the route it took to get to the mode of transportation that it is today.

The Beginning

The Long Island Railroad Company was formed in 1834. The purpose of its formation was to continue the current railroad instituted by the Brooklyn and Jamaica Railroad Company and stretch the railroad to the Long Island area. By doing so, the company would be able to transport goods to the tip of Long Island and ship the goods over to Boston from that point. The construction took place and was completed in 1844 when the railroad reached its final destination of Greenport. The use of the Long Island Railroad to transport goods to Boston was a huge success but was soon frustrated in 1848 when a train was built between New York and Boston via Connecticut and goods soon were transported on this transit line.

In the mid 1800s the Long Island Railroad saw quite a bit of protest by the local community as it was constructed to serve the commercial community and was claimed to hurt the local residents of Long Island. Those who lived in the area were concerned by the increase of fires caused by the trains and the noise from the trains. A compromise occurred in the years which followed when the Long Island Railroad made adjustments to the handling and running of the trains. In the year 1900, the Pennsylvania Railroad Company bought the Long Island Railroad track.

Today

Today the Long Island Railroad is still in operation and is used as a commuter rail train to transport individuals throughout Long Island and into New York City. The local government is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the railroad and those individuals who use it on a daily basis to get from Point A to Point B truly appreciate the Long Island Railroad.

Fishing and Whaling History of Long Island

Long Island is an area that is rich in history. One particular historical notion which exists with regard to Long Island deals with the fishing and whaling trades. Due to its coastal location, Long Island has seen many fishermen on its shores for the past few centuries. The following paragraphs will highlight some important facts relating to the fishing and whaling history of this wonderful area.

Whaling Industry

The first whalers on Long Island were the Native Americans who sold various parts of the whale for money and goods to individuals who lived within the region. Around the 17th century, the whaling trade began to be taken over by the new settlers who arrived to the area from Europe. In fact, many whaling companies came into existence on Long Island, as it was such a good area in which to practice this trade. The whaling industry flourished throughout the 18th century and it wasn’t until the 1800s when large ships with numerous workers really turned the industry into a booming large-scale business. Two of the popular whaling towns on Long Island during that time were Sag Harbor and Cold Spring Harbor and due to the whaling industry other trades and occupations in these towns flourished as well.

Fishing Industry

Another popular industry on Long Island was that of fishing. The largest fishing trades occurred on the East End of Long Island. Shellfishing in particular was an extremely prosperous trade. The decline was vividly seen in the 1970s when the fishing industry started to fizzle out and those who had made their living by engaging in this occupation had to leave the area and venture elsewhere so that they may continue fishing for their livelihood. Fishing on Long Island is now more of a recreational activity as opposed to a commercial one. The time in which large quantities of fisherman prospered from this trade on Long Island is much a thing of the past.

By looking back over the history of Long Island one is able to see the importance which whalers and fisherman played when it comes to this type of occupation and acknowledge why this trade occurred quite frequently on Long Island in the past.

Eagles Nest Mansion: A Vanderbilt Home

The Vanderbilts are one of the infamous Long Island families from both the past and present. Known for their luxurious homes, one home in particular which still graces the area of Long Island and is open for public tours is Eagles Nest. This home is located in the Gold Coast estates area and provides a glimpse into the past for all individuals who wish to do so.

History of Eagles Nest

The Eagles Nest mansion was initially built in 1910 with various additions taking place in the years which followed. Originally home to William K. Vanderbilt II, this Spanish style mansion was unique in a few different ways. The first unique factor deals directly with the Spanish architecture style. Since this was a rare style used in the Long Island area, it gave the property an exquisite look and exotic feel. Secondly, the transformation which took place along the way was of such a manner as to transform the once modest structure into a beautiful architectural work of art.

There were two distinct additions throughout the years. The first occurred in the 1920s and various additions were made to the house bringing it closer to that of a mansion type status. The second addition took place in the 1930s and brought about the final product which is apparent in the completed structure today. Both of these additions occurred at times when William K. Vanderbilt II experienced certain incidents in his life.

Reasons to View Eagles Nest

There are a few different reasons why individuals should tour Eagles Nest if given the chance to do so. The first reason to tour the mansion is to enable individuals to enjoy the architectural beauty of the home. The second reason why residents and visitors to the Long Island area should go to Eagles Nest mansion for a tour is so that they may understand more about the Vanderbilt family and why their name is so highly regarded to this day.

Things to See and Do at Bethpage State Park

Spending the day at a park is a great thing to do no matter what one’s interests and likes may be. Bethpage State Park is one such park on Long Island that features a little bit of something for everyone who visits there. Whether it is winter, spring, summer or fall, activities are ongoing at Bethpage. The following paragraphs will describe some ways in which individuals can spend the day at Bethpage State Park.

Winter Activities

For those individuals who are looking to enjoy all that winter has to offer them in the greater Long Island area, one will surely not be disappointed with what they can do in Bethpage State Park. There are many winter activities one can take part in while at the park. Some of these activities include but are not limited to sledding, cross country skiing, ice skating and hiking. What better way to really enjoy the wintertime than out and about with friends and family members in a natural setting.

Summer Activities

Outdoor enthusiasts who would rather wait until the winter has departed and sunny, warm weather is present will also appreciate all that Bethpage State Park offers them. For those outdoor lovers, going to the park to go biking, golfing, play tennis or enjoy a nice long hike are all possible at Bethpage State Park. The park has an 18-hole golf course where golf enthusiasts, both beginner and advanced players alike, can play a round of golf in this beautiful and natural setting. For those golfers who like to drive some golf balls, a driving range is also present on the park grounds.

General Information

Bethpage State Park is located in the town of Farmingdale, New York in Nassau County. Individuals who go to the park will need to pay a $6 parking fee if they choose to use the parking lots on the park grounds.

Bethpage State Park has so much to offer its visitors. Whether one lives in the area or is just visiting Long Island and wishes to explore nature in a beautiful surrounding, a trip to Bethpage State Park is a must.

Visiting Public Mansions on Long Island

There are many public mansions available for touring on Long Island’s Gold Coast. These mansions have been preserved throughout the years and the doors have opened to the public so that individuals may learn more about the past and view the various architecture and items from that time period. The following paragraphs will highlight some of the wonderful public mansions which individuals can tour in the Long Island area.

Coindre Hall

The former estate of George Brown, this 20th century mansion has a unique architecture and wonderful antique items on display. Situated alongside of Huntington Harbor, one can experience the views once enjoyed by the Brown family and see why Coindre Hall remains standing to this day. Within the home, one can also view items from other Gold Coast mansions and learn more about Long Island history.

Old Westbury Gardens

Another popular historical tour spot is Old Westbury Gardens. Known as a tourist attraction, Old Westbury Gardens exudes a historical component like no other. The house formerly was home to the Phipps family, a familiar name of the Long Island elite. Not only is the beautiful English manor worth the tour but the exquisite gardens that bloom quite frequently are definitely worth the stroll.

Coe Hall

Coe Hall was built in 1921 and was home to William Coe and his family. It is now known also as Planting Fields Arboretum and one can tour the beautiful gardens or sit and listen to a wonderful concert or two. With its beautiful ornate gates and stunning architecture, the property is worth a visit and one can engage in mansion tours as well.

Clayton

For those who like architecture and art, Clayton is worth the visit. Formerly the Childs Frick estate, the property is now home to the Nassau County Museum of Art. With its wonderful views and rolling lawns, Clayton is a sight to be seen.

The Gold Coast of Long Island is one which allows individuals to step into the past and view the mansions of those who lived in the area before us. Whether one wishes to tour the homes or simply walk in the gardens, there is a little something for everyone when it comes to public mansions on Long Island.

William Levitt and His Role in Long Island History

For those who live in the Long Island area, the name William Levitt may be quite familiar to them. Having named Levittown after himself, William Levitt was responsible for creating a beautiful suburban community in Long Island not far from New York City. The place was established so that individuals could be close enough to the action of the big city yet far enough away to experience the peacefulness of a country-like suburban setting. The following paragraphs will describe the route that William Levitt took to make his dream into a reality.

Getting Started

Growing up in the early 1900s, William Levitt was familiar with a nice way of living. His father was a wealthy lawyer and their family built many homes and sold them almost as quickly as they built them. During this era, this was extremely uncommon as the economy was suffering yet the Levitt family managed to do so with great ease. William Levitt continued with this great success in the years which followed by becoming an established and well-known businessman in the real estate field.

The Suburban Neighborhood

William Levitt created his first suburban neighborhood around 1947 when he bought a large parcel of land and began to section it off into properties. The residential community which later became comprised of 17,000 homes was known as Levittown. As this was the time period when World War II was coming to a close, many of the servicemen were returning from overseas and looking for places to live. Many of these individuals found wonderful housing in Levittown and settled into this suburban community.

The Result

The result of William Levitt’s fantastic creation was the established suburban community. This was found to be a wonderful place for families and individuals alike to settle down and enjoy a safe and lovely environment. Not only were they in a nice setting but they were close to the city if they wished to go into town for one reason or another. Many individuals also chose to work in New York City and live outside the city in a suburban community. The vision of William Levitt was appreciated by individuals all around who came to settle in the suburban community of Levittown.

History of the Cedar Island Lighthouse

The Cedar Island Lighthouse has been a landmark in the Sag Harbor area since 1839. No longer in active use, the Cedar Island Lighthouse nonetheless remains a Long Island landmark and is in fact undergoing preservation efforts to ensure that it stays that way. The following paragraphs will highlight the history of this important structure and help individuals to understand why preservation may very well be in order.

The Past

Built in 1839, this entirely wooden structure acted as a warning signal for those ships which got too close to the shoreline. The money which was necessary to build Cedar Island Lighthouse was appropriated by Congress a few years prior to its construction and the land which the lighthouse was built on was sold shortly after that point to the federal government. That original structure existed until 1868 when a new one was constructed to replace the existing Cedar Island Lighthouse at that time and included a new light and fog bell. Throughout the century which followed, various repairs were made and riprap were added to the existing structure as reinforcements. The lighthouse continued in operation until it was deactivated in 1934. From that point forward, the structure remained on Cedar Island but the land has seen much erosion since that time and the lighthouse much wear and tear.

Steps towards Preservation

In the beginning of the 21st century, numerous steps were taken towards preserving the Cedar Island Lighthouse. In September of 2002, the Cedar Island Lighthouse was approved to be included on the list of State and National Register of Historic Places. From that point onward, steps were taken to help with the preservation process and ensure that the lighthouse continued to be in existence on Cedar Point. A replica of Cedar Island Lighthouse is now being sold by Harbour Lights with all of the profits going towards the preservation efforts. Each of the steps being taken to help preserve the lighthouse can be said to be a step in the right direction.