A DAY TRIP TO MONTAUK, NEW YORK

Montauk is known by most Long Island residents as "The End” or “the end of the world”, since it’s the furthest east point on Long Island and the entire New York State!  Living on Long Island has given us the opportunity to visit multiple times and allows me to gather all the super fun activities there is to do in one blog post!

Montauk is a super popular place to visit during the summer months so this guide will come in handy when visiting year-round. I hope this mini guide to visiting Montauk helps you visit without breaking the bank and instead have a relaxed weekend at a very low-budget cost! Here is how you can have an amazing weekend of relaxation! 

Montauk General Store, 669 Montauk Hwy

This a great place for artisan cheeses, pies and pastries! You can find some really unique treats you can only find in Montauk, like their spicy garlic jalapeños. Not to mention anything you might need for charcuterie boards. You can find old-fashion soda and candy! Just the other day Eric and I were talking about candy cigarettes and how we hadn't seen them in forever so they must be discontinued, but we saw some here! Any knickknacks and souvenirs you’d like to pick up from Montauk you can find some really neat gifts here!

Kirk Park Beach, 95 S Emerson Ave

Right off Montauk Highway is Kirk Park Beach, Montauk’s free main public beach. This is one of the most beautiful white-sand beaches on Long Island and a must when visiting Montauk! There is no parking permits needed, the parking is free at this beach. There are lifeguards on duty during the summer season from 10am - 5pm. There are public restrooms in parking lot. Conveniently located downtown you’ll have anything you might need for the perfect day at the beach. There are restaurants and stores within walking distancing of the parking lot and a IGA supermarket and 7-Eleven across the street too!

From the beach stairs we saw a little seal out in the distance and used zoom lenses for a closer look! At first we thought it might need help but after further research we read that seals come to shore to relax and enjoy their food, which is super cute!

Kirk Park, Montauk, NY

Also, just across the street from Kirk Park Beach is Kirk Park, a super small but relaxing park! If you are looking for a secluded park to just relax for a bit and maybe see some wildlife I suggest coming by here.

Deer at Kirk Park, Montauk

We happened to see some deer enjoying some grass! There wasn’t anyone at this park too, it’s just off the road with no parking. You’d have to park in at the Kirk Park Beach Parking Lot and walk over.

Gazebo At The Plaza, 742 Montauk Hwy

The gazebo at the plaza is a super cute place to sit and relax before you continue exploring Main Street. Besides the main gazebo and the benches inside, there are eight benches and plenty of lawn space to sit and people watch. There are a few shops that are conveniently located near the gazebo too. Just across the street is Whites of Montauk, 95 The Plaza, the perfect place to grab all of your Montauk souvenirs! I got a few postcards here and while browsing around the department store I noticed that if you happen to forget anything on your trip you probably find it here. If you are in the mood for fudge or something sweet, just down the street is Fudge N Stuff, 41 Carl Fisher Plaza, our go-to fudge flavor is mint chocolate every time! 

Vintage Pink, 787 B Montauk Hwy

If you’d like to continue shopping along Montauk’s main street, stop by Vintage Pink for some amazing candles! Plus, if you need any workout outfits you’ll definitely find some here!

The Market | Montauk Harbor, 463 W Lake Dr

This grocery store  is located in Montauk Harbor in the north side of the island. When you are driving through Main Street in Montauk you might think that is all there is but there is a whole other part of Montauk, the north Montauk Harbor. Just a few restaurant places to check out if you drive up to the North Harbor is TTs Montauk, 466 W Lake Dr, they have some awesome tacos and their street corn appetizer is delicious! Frozen Anchor, 478 W Lake Dr is the perfect place to grab some ice cream on a hot summer day, check out their menu ahead of time since they have different types of cold treats like frozen key lime pies, ice cream cake, ice lattes, milkshakes, mochi, and ice cream sandwiches! They have so many flavors and toppings for every frozen treat that you’ll probably want to know ahead of time what you are going to order, especially since ice cream shops get busy! 

Sunset Beach, 469-493 County Rd 77

Sunset Beach is my favorite place to watch the sunset! We’ve stopped by this beach a few times now and it’s high on my list of places to watch the sunset. Just park your car in the free parking lot and enjoy the ocean waves as the sun goes down! The past few times we’ve visited it was crazy windy so just parking in our car was good enough for us! But there are benches where you can sit and enjoy the view, or maybe sit on the beach and watch the waves.

There is a public parking lot and a public restroom at 479 County Rd 77

Camp Hero State Park, 1898 Montauk Hwy

The Camp Hero State Park  was first built in 1942 and was used as a military base and is now a historic site. It’s a wonderful place to go for a hike and just walk around, plus after you are done exploring get some breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean by the cliffs. 

Fun fact: There are a lot of conspiracy theories circulating Camp Hero and that Stranger Things from Netflix is actually based off Camp Hero. 

There is an $8 admission fee per vehicle, free parking, and dog friendly. 

Montauk Lighthouse Museum, 2000 Montauk Hwy

You can’t visit Montauk without stopping by the Montauk Lighthouse! Walk around the rocks and get breathtaking views of the Lighthouse and of the Atlantic Ocean. The inside of the lighthouse is actually a museum that has numerous historical documents and photographs from the early years the museum was open as well as an 1860 keeper’s house.  Did I mention that there’s a gift shop? Overall, it’s an awesome place to stop on your visit! 

Fun fact: The Montauk Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in all of New York and the fourth oldest active lighthouse in the US! It was first built in 1796! 

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Check out my Sag Harbor, New York post! Sag Harbor is super close to Montauk and would be a great place to stop for a small detour! 

DAY TRIP FROM NYC: SAG HARBOR, NY

The charming village of Sag Harbor is located on the eastern part of Long Island and is partly in Southampton and partly in East Hampton. Sag Harbor is the perfect summer getaway, it’s just two hours by car from New York City. You’ll find a lot of small town charm in Sag Harbor, there are so many fun things to do and it’s full of history! Sag Harbor was first settled in the 1700s and was named after the neighboring village of Sagaponack which is located south of Sag Harbor. A fun fact about Sag Harbor is that it’s mentioned in Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick.

“Arrived at last in old Sag Harbor; and seeing what the sailors did there; and then going on to Nantucket, and seeing how they spent their wages in that place also, poor Queequeg gave it up for lost. Thought he, it’s a wicked world in all meridians; I’ll die a pagan.”

— Herman Melville

THINGS TO DO IN SAG HARBOR 

VISIT THE WINDMILL AT THE WINDMILL BEACH 

Windmill Beach is located in downtown Sag Harbor Village and is a very well known beach for locals and tourists since it’s a beautiful place to catch the sunset. This cute little beach is not so much a beach that you’d want to jump in and go for a swim rather more of a beach where you can hangout and have a picnic at. There is plenty of free parking and clean public restrooms. Restrooms and parking are located on Marine Park Drive. Another great place to park is in Parking Lot A at 31 Division St. 

CATCH A MOVIE AT THE SAG HARBOR CINEMA

They also have a virtual cinema option where you can purchase a ticket to watch a movie virtually. If you are curious of what the cinema looks like from the inside, go on a photo tour of the inside, click here for the free photo tour.

VISIT A HISTORIAL MUSEUM 

Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum, Main Street - The museum is set in a 1845 mansion with whaling exhibits and a gift shop with homemade nautical gifts. This historic building is located on South Main Street and open for daily guided tours 10 to 5 during the summer months.  As of right now it is temporarily closed but they do have a free virtual museum tour that you can explore at home!

Sag Harbor Historical Society: The Annie Cooper Boyd House, 174 Main St - This 18th century Sag Harbor home has some amazing historic exhibits, it’s the perfect place to see a glimpse of early life Sag Harbor. Annie Cooper Boyd was a local artist who did an amazing job at documenting life in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The Sag Harbor Historical Society holds archives of historical documents, books, photography, art, and clothing from that period. This small museum is 100% worth stopping to check out!

Sag Harbor Fire Department Museum, 46 Church Street - In the 1800’s four huge fires broke out in the village which led to the first volunteer fire department in New York State. The museum is actually the original 1833 building and holds old firefighting equipment including a 1890’s hand-pulled hose cart and an early 1900’s fire trucks. There is a $1 admission fee.

WHERE TO SHOP IN SAG HARBOR 

Sag Harbor Variety Store, Main Street - If you happen to visit Sag Harbor and you forgot any essential items such as sunscreen the Sag Harbor Variety Store is full stocked with anything you could possibly need. They have snacks and drinks, souvenirs such as postcards for $.39 each, and Sag Harbor merchandise.

Sylvester & Co. Modern General®, Main Street - This home goods store doesn’t just have fabulous home pieces, they are also a wonderful coffee shop with great coffee! My favorite things to browse through are the kitchen items. I’ve personally found some really great serving bowls and utensils. If you happen to visit during the holidays and you’re looking for gifts, Sylvester & Co. has some really great stuff to gift anyone who has an eye for home decor or would enjoy a thoughtful gift basket.

Sag Harbor Books, Main Street - Sag Harbor Books has a large variety of different genres of books for all ages. One really neat thing I enjoyed was browsing through the first editions and collectible books they have in the back near the register. They are very pricey ($11,500 for a Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 1900 first edition) if you are in the market for a first edition add Sag Harbor Books to your must-visit-list!

The Wharf Shop, Main Street - The Wharf Shop is a family owned specialty toy, gift and card store since 1968. I’ve found some really unique items here such as Long Island based chocolates, color-in postcards from The Hamptons, and unique Sag Harbor gift ideas. Located just across the street from LT Burger this cute little store is worth stopping by to take a look around.

WHERE TO EAT IN SAG HARBOR 

Schiavoni's Market, 48 Main St - If you are looking to have a picnic Schiavoni's Market is the perfect stop! They have a variety of fresh baked sweet treats and a great selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. Consider having a picnic at the Windmill Beach or Marine Park there are plenty of picnic tables and benches to people watch or boat watch!

LT Burger, 62 Main St - This is definitely one of the most affordable restaurants in Sag Harbor, plus you can’t go wrong with burgers and shakes! Along with their delicious burgers and shakes you can get a variety of different sweets such as deep fried oreos, floats, hot fudge sundaes, and fountain sodas all below $9 a piece! If you aren’t feeling burgers and shakes they also have brunch items like pancakes, omelets, chili, New England clam chowder, bbq nachos, and salads!

Stop by Grindstone Coffee & Donuts for a sweet treat, I personally loved the cinnamon sugar donut holes plus they’re great to snack on while walking down Main Street. Grindstone Coffee & Donuts has a variety of delicious flavors such as chocolate churro, lemon poppyseed and Nutella s’more. They also have breakfast sandwiches if you are in the food for a savory breakfast on the go. During the hot summer months stop by Big Olaf's Ice Cream for homemade ice cream! They have a wide variety of different ice cream and frozen yogurt flavors, 34 to be exact, but my favorite is the soft serve swirl of chocolate and vanilla in a waffle cone, plus they make their waffle cones homemade too!

That concludes our trip to Sag Harbor, New York! We had a blast visiting Sag Harbor and walking down Main Street, we started making out way over to Montauk soon after visiting so stay tuned for more posts on East Long Island.

If I missed any of your favorite places in Sag Harbor, comment below I’d love to check out new places next time we visit!

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TAKE A DAY TRIP TO STONY BROOK, NEW YORK

Stony Brook is located in the Northern Shore of Long Island, it’s a residential neighborhood just 65 miles east of New York City. It’s a 2 hour ride if you take the LIRR, Port Jefferson Line to the Stony Brook Station then a 15 minute walk to the village center. If you visit by car it’s just under an hour and a half. 

The charming village was first settled in the late 17th century and has a lot of history to offer, this colonial-style village is one of my favorites on Long Island and highly recommend visiting!

Fun Fact: Comedian and American actor Kevin James, known for movies like Grown Ups and Hitch, or maybe you know him as Paul Blart the mall cop, was raised in Stony Brook. 

TAKE A STROLL THROUGH FRANK MELVILLE PARK

This small hidden gem is the perfect place to relax and bird watch. There are plenty of benches located around the park, all facing the pond. It’s not very big  and it’s an easy walk so it’s a great place to walk a few laps around the pond while enjoying a relaxing day.                                                                                                              

Free to visit, there is plenty of parking directly in front of the post office located at the corner of the park. There are also a few parking spaces in the back of the post office leading into the park. 

HAVE A PICNIC AT THE OLD FIELD POINT LIGHTHOUSE

I can’t name a more perfect place to have a picnic at, the fresh breeze near the water, shaded by large trees and the view of the lighthouse is just perfect! Although there is no access to the beach it’s still a wonderful place to relax at. It’s free to visit with plenty of parking. Keep in mind that there are no facilities available.  Free to visit with plenty of parking available. 

VISIT THE HISTORICAL THOMPSON HOUSE

The Thompson House is located on N. Country Road in East Setauket and has a rich and storied past. This two story building was originally home to Dr. Samuel Thompson, a farmer, doctor and patriot. This historical farmhouse was built in 1709 was run by Samuel Thompson and his family with the help of their slaves, “enslaved Africans, indentured Native Americans, and short-term laborers performed many of the myriad tasks”*. The Thompson House was home to five generations of the Thompson family, although it is unclear where on the enslaved and indentured servants lived. Although there doesn’t seem to be any tours for the public of the inside of the building there are education programs by appointment only.

* Estate Inventory, Samuel Thompson, 4 October 1811, box 2, Samuel Thompson Papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, New York Public Library.

VISIT THE HISTORICAL GRIST MILL

The Stony Brook Grist Mill and Museum is a water-powered grist mill that happens to be the only remaining structure from the 19th century industrial area. In the 1950s the The Stony Brook Grist Mill was still in operation, farmers would bring their wheat and corn to be ground at the mill.

The Stony Brook Grist Mill is open to the public for guided tours with a miller on Saturdays and Sundays, 12pm – 4:30pm, April through mid-October. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children.

DUCKS WATCH AT A POND

Directly in front of the Stony Brook Grist Mill is the T. Bayles Minuse Mill Pond Park, an eleven-acre park. During the 1800s, there was a vineyard that was planted on the island in the Mill Pond. The grapes were then pressed and fermented in the Stony Brook Grist Mill across the street, the wine made was then bottled in Brooklyn and sold locally. Also, the water in the Pond has been driven in by the Grist Mill since 1699. But is now the perfect place to duck watch and simply enjoy a nice afternoon. I think it’s super cute to see little ducks eating underwater!

RELAX AT THE BEACH

Bring a blanket because you will definitely want to enjoy a sunrise or sunset here! Sand Street Beach is one of my favorite public beaches to have a picnic, plus if you go further down the beach you’ll see the Gamecock Cottage. The little cottage was first built in 1876 and used for storage for rowboats and oars, it’s now the last standing beach cottage.

EXPLORE THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS

After a afternoon of exploring continue your adventure, by driving through the neighborhood. We stumbled across this church with a spooky graveyard in the back, we stopped to take a closer look and honestly I can see myself walking down this street come Halloween. Wander through the residential homes of Stony Brook and Setauket, just by the look of these homes you can just tell how old some of them are.

HIKE AT THE AVALON NATURE PRESERVE

Avalon Nature Preserve is a super popular spot to hike it has a beautiful pond, a boardwalk and even a small labyrinth. It’s the perfect place to go for a walk, there are a few different trails you can go on, the longest being 2.2 miles and the shortest being 0.3 miles. It’s family friendly and easy enough to hike at any age, it’s also dog friendly! 

The entrance to the park is located at 200 Harbor Road, there is plenty of parking along Main Street. Avalon Nature Preserve is free and open to the public.

VISIT THE LONG ISLAND MUSEUM

This nine-acre museum consists of seven buildings including an art museum, a historical museum, and a carriage museum all of which are full of historical artifacts. The property also has a few outdoor sculptures spread out through the gardens. The Long Island Museum has over 50,000 artifacts, some temporary some permanent, the artifacts are split into three categories, art and archives, history, and carriage. Admission to the museum is $10 per person. 

WHERE TO GRAB LUNCH IN STONY BROOK

Sweet Mama's, 121 Main St - An amazing place to grab lunch, they have really great burgers, my personal favorite being the BBQ Bacon Burger! They also have a large variety of breakfast items, making this the perfect place for brunch! Also, did I mention it’s super affordable!

Crazy Beans, 97 Main St - Just across the way from Sweet Mama’s is Crazy Beans a super fun diner/coffee shop with delicious brunch options! They don’t have a dinner menu since they’re only open til 4pm but it’s a great place for lunch! They have lots of great choices for sandwiches too!

1089 Noodle House, 1089 NY-25A - This is a delicious Chinese food restaurant, I personally go for the Sesame Chicken with a side of fried rice. You get a great deal for a decent size portion, for $6.95 you can get a decently big lunch!

That wraps up my visit to Stony Brook! I hope you enjoyed my mini guide on what there is to do in Stony Brook, New York! I had an amazing time exploring and would definitely visit Stony Brook again just for the relaxing environment, hope this guide helps you have a relaxing visit too!

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THE PERFECT SUMMER GUIDE TO VISITING BOLTON LANDING, NEW YORK

Bolton Landing is located on Lake George in the Adirondack Mountains. It’s a very common place for tourists to visit along the summer months, since it’s conveniently between Lake George village and Ticonderoga. Bolton Landing is family friendly and filled with activities for all ages, this Adirondack resort community is the perfect place to escape the city and wine down to enjoy a few summer days.

You can camp & fish, as well as shop from numerous boutiques! I enjoy browsing through antiques whenever I get the chance and if you do too you are in for a treat because Bolton Landing has quite a bit of antique shops.

ENJOY A SWEET TREAT

Along with Ben & Jerry’s down the street you can visit Mrs. Whizzy-Fizz Popp’s candy shop to satisfy your sweet tooth. Located downtown on Main Street it’s hard to miss with their red lawn chair sitting out front.

GO SHOPPING FOR SOME ANTIQUES

There are some great stores if you enjoy antiquing, I personally enjoyed browsing through Black Bass Antiques. They have a large variety of Lake George vintage memorabilia and lake inspired home decor, they do have some locally made t-shirts and a lot of Lake George maps. Although not very big it’s tightly packed with some great pieces and is 100% worth visiting!

Another great place to look through antiques is Lakeview Antiques conveniently located across the street from Black Bass Antiques. right away they have an overwhelming amount of antiques, knick knacks and trinkets so make sure to give yourself some time to look around. The shop itself is very small so you must be careful not to bump into something, there is a lot to look at and even more upstairs. They have a whole room filled with LIFE magazines which I could look through till the sun comes up!

GET FRESH FLOWERS AT THE GARDEN CENTER

Before you leave make sure to stop by for some fresh produce and an ice cream sandwich before you continue exploring. They have a greenhouse in the back where you can browse through flowers and plants that are available for purchase.

VISIT A MUSEUM

Bolton Historical Museum - Located across from the visitor center and in front of Rogers Park right on Main Street. They have some pretty neat exhibits some featuring art and others that consist of historic value. It’s a neat little museum that is worth stopping by to check out.

The Sembrich - The Marcella Sembrich Opera Museum, that is also known as The Sembrich and the Marcella Sembrich Memorial Studio. It was built in 1922-24 as a teaching studio for Marcella Sembrich. Here you’ll find some pictures of the museum from 1922-34, experience live music by purchasing tickets here. There are several trails along the bay that are available for the public to walk through. Admission to the museum and Sembrich grounds are free and open to the public.

ADMIRE A HISTORIC CHAPEL

Just a 20 minute drive from Bolton Landing you can find Grace Memorial Chapel in Silver Bay. Grace Memorial Chapel on Lake George was built on August 11, 1884. The designer of this chapel, William B. Tuthill, also happens to be the same designer who designed Carnegie Hall.

Another beautiful church is the Church of St. Sacrement, located up a steep hill it overlooks Main Street and is worth making a quick stop to admire.

RELAX IN ROGERS PARK

The park is open seven days a week from 10:00AM - 5:00PM located right on Main Street. The park has a public beach with lifeguards on duty (10:00am-5:00pm), plenty of tables and grills, a basketball and tennis court as well as public bathrooms.

It’s free to swim and relax at the park but there is a $5 parking fee per vehicle if you choose to park within the park’s parking lot. I suggest parking on Main Street and walk over to the park since Bolton Landing has free parking.

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR WILDLIFE

If you happen to rent a boat take the time to cruise while looking for wildlife. We found an eagles nest up on a tall tree, a crane, a chipmunk resting on a rock, a few ducks on the dock, and even a few loons swimming in the middle of the lake.

ENJOY A SUNSET OR SUNRISE OVERLOOKING LAKE GEORGE

If you find yourself walking around Main Street as the sun is setting I suggest stopping by Rogers Park and grabbing a seat by the beach! If the beach is a bit crowded there are some boulders in the back of the park that over look the lake which will allow you to have an amazing view of the sunset without anyone standing in your way.

Another great place to watch the sunset is at the Sembrich. If you don’t have a lake house or if your rental doesn’t have a private beach the Sembrich’s ground are free to the public and it’s definitely a hidden gem! Enjoy the sunset within the gorgeous wooded grounds surrounding the museum.

WHERE TO EAT + DRINK IN BOLTON LANDING

Palazzo's Pizzeria- We arrived to Bolton Landing fairly late and didn’t care to dine-in anywhere and we noticed the line to this pizzeria was out the door and down the street! Although busy we ordered and carried-out within 20ish minutes, during that time we walked over to the supermarket across the street to get drinks and snacks for later. The pizza itself was great! Delicious crust and sauce, we would definitely get again.

Bolton Beans Inc- This little historic diner is an adorable place to have brunch! It’s an original railway diner car which we found to be pretty neat! It is pretty small so I would suggest calling ahead for a reservation if you have a bigger group, but it’s the perfect place for a quick breakfast or just to grab a cup of coffee.

Algonquin Restaurant - This is a great place to grab dinner and drinks! They have a great view of the lake, delicious food and overall great atmosphere! The southern crispy chicken sandwich and the sweet baby ray burger are both great, I personally would recommend getting a side of the zesty cajun sauce its delicious! It comes with the chicken sandwich but I thought it paired perfectly with my burger! Also, if you sit in their outdoor seating not only will you get a great view but you just might see some friendly ducks walking along the dock. *also, just a quick reminder to not feed the ducks.

WHERE TO STAY IN BOLTON LANDING

I was fortunate enough to be able to stay at my boyfriend’s family lake house but I found some great suggestions and recommendations to help you book the perfect place near the lake!

Candlelight Cottages - A one bedroom cottage sleeps 4 people and is roughly $1,330 during the in season and $133 a night during the off season. For a larger two bedroom cottage that sleeps 6-7 is $1,675 during the in season and $148 a night during the off season. It's located just off the lake and they offer some great activities such as canoeing and kayaking free of charge, relaxing around the fire pit, and even playing basketball in their private basketball courts.

During the off season which is May 1 to June 26 and Sept. 7 to Oct. 14 their prices are dramatically cheaper.

Lyn Aire Motel - Located in Lake George Village, just a 20 minute drive from the center of downtown Bolton Landing and a quick 5 minutes from downtown Lake George Village. A night costing you roughly $120 a night makes this adorable little motel is a more affordable way to relax within the small towns surrounding Lake George.

That wraps up my visit to Bolton Landing in Lake George, New York. I highly recommend visiting this summer and spend a relaxing time by the lake taking in the gorgeous scenery!

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POSTCARD FROM TICONDEROGA, NEW YORK

While visiting Lake George we decided to go on a mini adventure up north, we didn’t have a specific plan when we hit the road so we really just winged the whole day by exploring as much as we could in Ticonderoga.

Our first stop was visiting the Heritage Museum & Visitor Center, we had a full day to explore Ticonderoga so we wanted to take full advantage of everything there was to do.

We started walking toward Bicentennial Park from the Visitor Center and we came across this super neat covered bridge that led us directly to the falls.

Immediately after crossing the covered bridge we came to the cutest place to watch the falls or even have a nice little lunch with a view. We stayed at the Falls of the La Chute for a good half hour before looking for a place to have lunch.

There are a few restaurants along Montcalm Street but a great place for breakfast or lunch is Libby’s. They have some really awesome freshly baked goods and sandwiches! Plus, it’s super affordable!

After walking down Montcalm Street we decided to just drive around Ticonderoga. At the end of Montcalm Street there is a round-about with a neat little monument, if you take the first exit the Ticonderoga Historical Society is the first building on the right. If you have the time stop by and view the exhibits of American life under Prohibition.

We spent the majority of our day just driving around residential neighborhoods when we finally made our way down Hague Road. We got some soft serve at Wind-Chill Factory, further down the road we stopped at Lonergan's Antiques.

We started making our way back to Silver Bay, when we noticed this neat little church hitting on top of a little hill on the side of the road. We pulled into the church to get a better look. I personally thought it was pretty neat, it was made of cobblestones and established in 1901.

That concludes our mini trip to Ticonderoga! Although we were just passing by we enjoyed visiting this charming little town and will definitely be stopping by next time we stay in Lake George during the summer.

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POSTCARD FROM GLENS FALLS, NEW YORK

After a long weekend in Lake George we headed South back to New York City but stopped in Glens Falls, NY along our way. Glens Falls is just a 20 minute drive from Lake George and a 25 minute drive from Saratoga Springs. 

We walked down Glen Street and stopped in a few shops. Finders Keepers had a good variety of vintage and thrift clothing, I got a few pieces at a great price! We

A quick stop for coffee of course, we thought SPoT Coffee was the perfect place to stop and take a little break. We grabbed a seat outside and enjoyed a nice afternoon before we continued exploring Glen Street.

We made a full circle, we started by walking downtown Glen Street and made our way back to City Park by Ridge Street. We didn’t stop by to enjoy the afternoon there but it was a beautiful little park with plenty of benches to sit and relax.

There isn’t an official parking lot but there is plenty of street parking, located just off Glen and Maple Street.

Continuing down Glen Street right over the Hudson River is Cooper’s Cave, a small viewing platform next to the bridge. Across the bridge, there is a picnic table. There isn’t much to see but if you are in the neighborhood and need a place to park and relax, this is a great place to park for free.

Parking for Cooper's Cave Overlook can be found right off Cooper's Cave Drive.

We headed over to the Hyde Collection and spent an afternoon browsing through their private collection, they even have a Picasso. We took our time walking through the museum then relaxed in the courtyard before deciding where to head next. Admission is $12 a person.

Another great museum to visit if you have the time is the Old Fort House Museum - The Old Fort House is part of a 17 building museum complex with 5 structures, the museum is filled with beautiful antique furniture. There is also a ghost tour you can go on at night!

Overall, we had a very pleasant afternoon in Glens Falls! So glad we had the opportunity to stop by this charming little town, and hope to make our way back to Glens Falls in the future.

I hope you have a chance to visit this adorable little town in upstate New York, if you happen to visit tag me on Instagram I’d love to see your pictures! Follow along on Instagram @lightlytraveling!

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VISITING FIRE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE , FIRE ISLAND NY

I’ve been planning to visit Fire Island for roughly 3 years ever since I moved to New York and I finally had the chance to take a small day trip. Really the only thing I knew about Fire Island was that there was a lighthouse there but other than that I wasn’t sure what I would find there. I hope this post clears things up on what you can expect so you too can have an amazing beach day in Fire Island.

Fire Island’s year-round population of about 400 residents grows to an estimated 20,000 during summer months. The main mode of transportation is walking and biking but of course some locals have golf carts and boats to get around.

HOW TO GET TO FIRE ISLAND

There are multiple ways to get to Fire Island from Manhattan or Long Island.

I began the day by driving to Robert Moses State Park, taking exit 41 from Sunrise Highway then merging onto Robert Moses Causeway. These directions are if you are coming from eastern Long Island, if you are driving from Brooklyn you’ll want to take exit 40 from Southern State Pkwy to Robert Moses Causeway and continue south.

The Suffolk County Transit S47 Bus makes stops at the beach with connections at the Babylon Long Island Rail Road station. The S47 summer service runs from June 17 to September 2 with a fare of $2.25 each way. You can print out the bus schedule and route here.

Fire Island Map via National Park Service

PARKING

Upon arriving there is a $10 fee to park at Robert Moses State Park from sunrise to sunset. They do accept credit and debit if you are short on cash.

At the front entrance of the parking lot there is a few restrooms that are provided for the beach, but if you plan to visit the lighthouse and the small towns ahead I suggest parking on the east end of the parking lot. Before beginning your walk I would consider using the restroom since this will be your only chance for quite some time. Follow the boardwalk for roughly ¾-mile to the lighthouse.

Parking is $10 per car 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m

GETTING TO THE LIGHTHOUSE

It’s pretty straightforward but follow the boardwalk that goes from the parking lot to the lighthouse. It’s a really beautiful walk, especially on a windy day seeing the tall grass shifting in the wind.

The walk down the boardwalk to the lighthouse is gorgeous. You can take a nice walk along the dunes on the boardwalk to get to the lighthouse. We happen to visit mid-summer and if you do the same, consider bringing a hat and wearing plenty of sunscreen!

TAKE A TOUR OF THE LIGHTHOUSE

If you have extra time on your hands book a tour to see the top of the lighthouse, commit to climbing 182 stairs to see from the top. Once you get to the top you can actually see the New York City skyline.

Admission to view the inside of the lighthouse is $8 per person.

LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY

Explore the different exhibits on Fire Island’s maritime history and learn interesting historic details. Just before you arrive at the lighthouse you can see the ruins of the first lighthouse that was removed. The materials from the previous lighthouse were recycled into the present-day lighthouse which was completed in 1858. Stop inside the Fire Island Lighthouse Museum where you’ll find a few interesting reads inside, such as more information about the lighthouse itself, the life of the light-keeper who maintained it, artifacts, and old photographs.

Fun Fact: The Fire Island Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on Long Island.

Located near the beach just behind the Fire Island Lighthouse you’ll find this 1939 boathouse. Inside they hold an exhibit on the U. S. Lifesaving Service and there is a display of original hand-paddled rescue boats and other equipment. Located just outside they have the bones of a juvenile humpback whale. They have a sign that mentions they aren’t sure how the whale died but it was found in Ocean Beach, just 4 miles from the lighthouse.

WALK DOWN TO THE BEACH

Right after walking past the lighthouse you’ll come to a fork in the road with the option to continue straight into the community of Kismet or turning left to walk down to the dock. Turn left and continue straight on the boardwalk. It’s incredibly peaceful and the perfect place to set up a picnic!

VISIT THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

Before visiting Fire island I did my fair share of reading up on Fire Island and I tried to understand why cars were not allowed within the central area of Fire Island, but once we arrived I finally understood! The island has small roads that are made of wood therefore making it quite hard for cars to drive on but instead easier for residents to ride their bikes and walk to the beach. The island is pretty small so I can’t imagine the type of traffic there would be in the summer, so it’s a good thing for everyone.

Fire Island Communities Map via Fire Island Finder

A neat little feature I noticed was every home had a bike rack and wagons in the entrance of their homes. The atmosphere here is so relaxing and calm, it almost makes me want to buy a home here and enjoy the beach daily.

While exploring keep an eye out for while life, we came across a few deer and some adorable seagulls while walking around Kismet. Just make sure to avoid feeding them, they feed off the land and we wouldn’t want to disrupt their lifestyle.

ENJOY THE VIEW AT KISMET BEACH

Enjoy dipping your toes in the clear blue water on a nice hot summer day, have a picnic on the beach, or enjoy a nice afternoon relaxing. If you’re looking for a nice beach this summer that isn’t packed I’d suggest visiting Kismet Beach, it’s a great place to soak up some sun while watching surfers ride the waves. If you happen to make a day of it, make sure you stick around for the sunset, it’s as gorgeous as it gets.

WHERE TO EAT + DRINK IN KISMET

Surf’s Out - If you’re looking for a refreshing restaurant make sure stop here for a delicious lobster roll or some lobster mac and cheese. It’s conveniently located near the Bayshore ferry dock and just a quick 5 minute walk from Kismet Beach.

Fire Island Tap - After a long day of swimming and exploring Fire Island Tap is the perfect place to enjoy the evening with a glass of wine and a plate of cheese or get a charcuterie board to share.

Although we only explored from the Field 5 parking lot to Saltaire and only got a small glimpse of what Fire Island has to offer, I will definitely be coming back to explore of the island in the near future! If you happen to know fun things to do further within the island I would love to hear it!

Comment any suggestions below!

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10 HIDDEN GEMS AND UNIQUE THINGS TO DO IN LONG ISLAND

Looking for things to do in Long Island? I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite hidden gems that are perfect for an outing year-round. If you happen to visit Long Island without a set itinerary or without a plan in mind I hope this post gives you a glimpse of all the great things there is to do in Long Island. There is numerous hidden gems distributed all across Long Island some more common than other such as The Hamptons, Montauk and Fire Island but today I’ll give you a fresh new list of places that are lesser known. Plus, it’s nice to have a little insider information to guide you to the best kept secrets in Long Island. 

ARGYLE LAKE

Located in Babylon in southern Long Island visit this beautiful lake to take some time for yourself. I personally love visiting in the spring when there is ducks near the walkway where you can feed and admire them, but of course it’s best to feed them seeds rather than bread. There is seating along the lake and a fairly large middle sidewalk that’s great for walking or running around the lake.

MILLERIDGE VILLAGE

Milleridge Village is the perfect place to spend a mini vacation without having to leave Long Island, especially if you have children. The village has a great atmosphere along with delicious food served at the Milleridge Cafe. I personally enjoy how this mini village looks during the Winter time since they decorate so nicely for Christmas. I actually have a post all about visiting the village, you can check it out here.

AMERICAN GUITAR MUSEUM

This small museum of guitar memorabilia also happens to be a guitar repair shop. This little museum holds a great collection of guitars and other valuable instruments, overall great for guitar enthusiasts!

Admission to the museum is free.

NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART

The museum itself is fairly small museum hosted in a gorgeous mansion in the woods, there is plenty of unique artwork and historical pieces. The sculpture garden surrounding the museum was my favorite part about my visit, there are hiking trails all around the museum leading to different sculptures and monuments.

Free admission to visit the walking paths and art sculptures, admission to enter museum $12.

CLARK BOTANIC GARDENS

This beautiful 12-acre botanical garden located in Albertson is home to a variety of different trees, plants and flowers. This is a great place to go on a relaxing walk, there is different areas were you can sit on a bench and read a book or bring a blanket and have a picnic! They have some lovely flowers and trees surrounding the park, there is no concrete path in some walking trails, there is two little ponds located in the middle of the gardens, one has a small little bridge you can cross to get a great view of the small pond, and the other has multiple benches around the pond where you can enjoy a quiet afternoon. Another favorite thing I enjoyed about this garden was seeing adorable little chipmunks run across the rocks.

Honestly, by far my favorite little garden I’ve been to, and lastly, there is a gift and garden shop towards the exit. Admission to the gardens and parking are both free.

BAILEY ARBORETUM

This 42 acre arboretum is home to an assortment of trees, plants and a pond. The park has free admission and plenty of parking.

If you are looking for a quiet place to leave the city and have a noise-free afternoon, this is it! It truly is a hidden gem, there is multiple benches and wooden chairs where you can enjoy an afternoon of reading, a picnic, or simply spend some quiet alone time.

It’s a fairly small park, but I had a very relaxing time there. There are a few walking paths with educational flyers on the animals and trees, a children’s playground, a bird sanctuary of rescued owls and two decently sized ponds.

HORTON POINT LIGHTHOUSE NAUTICAL MUSEUM

Horton Point Lighthouse Nautical Museum is part of multiple buildings maintained by the Southold Historical Society, the buildings the society maintains range in date from 1750 to 1900 and include a lighthouse, several houses, barns, buildings, and structures.

Admission is $5.00 per adults or $10.00 for a family, includes for all museums. There is parking available at the Horton Point Lighthouse in the Southold Park District’s lot for a $5 fee, along with street parking.

PATCHOGUE LIGHTHOUSE

This recently renovated lighthouse is worth visiting at least once while in Long Island. It’s conveniently located near a park making this the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon. Take a walk along the oceanfront and make your way over to Shorefront Park to enjoy a picnic by the pond.

67 STEPS BEACH

Next to Horton Point Lighthouse before you get into the parking lot there is a staircase leading down to one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. The water is so clear and the rocks are big enough you can take a seat and enjoy the scenery and breathe in the fresh saltwater. I was shocked to see the beach was completely empty, I was relieved to see the beach was so nicely kept.

SAGAMORE HILL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

The former home which is now a museum, offers an incredible look into how Theodore Roosevelt and his family lived. During the house tour you’ll get a view of the parlor where our former president would entertain guests, a view of the Roosevelt’s bedroom, and you’ll even see quite a bit of president Roosevelt’s personal collection of taxidermied animals.

Visiting the grounds is free, but to take a tour of the house it cost $10 per adult (kids are free). Photography is not allowed during the house tour.

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This concludes my list of hidden places in Long Island that you won’t want to miss on your next visit. Did I miss any of your favorite places? Let me know in the comments below!

Also, check out my previous posts on some of the best towns in Long Island.

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INSIDER'S GUIDE TO PATCHOGUE, NEW YORK

Patchogue, a small village town located on the south shore of Long Island in Suffolk County is an up and growing vibrant town! This seaside community has a lot to offer, from entertainment to awesome restaurants and delicious eats!

THINGS TO DO IN PATCHOGUE

Patchogue Theatre - Various different plays and concerts are held in this small venue and at a reasonable price too!

Flo’s Luncheonette - Ready for some Bingo? On Thursday night Flo’s Luncheonette host a bingo night with awesome prizes! Also, the yummy food they service is just a plus!

Roe Alley Murals - Just a block from Flo’s you can find Roe Alley Murals, a small alley with murals painted by talented artists, it’s right next to the public library with plenty of free parking in the back.

Village of Patchogue Community Garden - Just across the parking lot from Roe Alley Murals there is a super cute park with a gazebo and a few art sculptures. It’s a really charming place to get a few pictures!

Bowl Long Island - They have some great Groupon deals such as Two Games of Bowling for Two with Shoe Rental; available Monday–Friday for $17.

Swan River Schoolhouse - This small one-room school house was built in 1858. You can see what an everyday classroom would look like in the 1860’s, outfits a teacher would typically wear, books, chalk boards, bookcases, etc. It’s worth a quick stop! 

Sandspit Marina - Stop by the Sandspit Marina to get a beautiful view of the Patchogue Lighthouse. Located fairly close to Shorefront Park, pack a nice picnic and enjoy an afternoon at the park then make your way over to the Sandspit Marina to take some awesome pictures in front of the lighthouse.

WHERE TO SHOP IN PATCHOGUE

Paper Doll Curiosity Shoppe - This is definitely a unique store, you can find some great pieces of clothing, retro items, and accessories.

Ellie J. + Co - This beautiful boutique that provides a relaxed shopping atmosphere, with friendly customer service and a great variety of home decor. They have plenty of accessories and different types of clothing. I personally think their summer and winter merchandise is very cute! 

Say More Boutique - They have some beautiful dresses here! Definitely worth stopping by to shop for a few new pieces!

WHERE TO EAT + DRINK IN PATCHOGUE

The Oar Steak & Seafood Grille - Their beer battered fish & chips with a side of spicy chipotle aioli is great, but their grilled salmon served over cabbage slaw topped with grilled pineapple jalapeño salsa was delicious! They also have some great desserts, for example their molten lava cake topped with vanilla ice cream and hot fudge was amazing!

Rhum - The Dominican ribs are amazing, they are incredibly tender and full of favor, marinated in a sweet chili ginger soy glaze, it’s my go-to when dining at Rhum. Another great choice is their ahi tuna burger, make sure to order a side of remoulade sauce!

Tap Room- I’m a huge fan of their whisky burger and Eric loves the blackened mahi mahi tacos. Along with the main entrees we always get the truffle fries with a side of their beer cheese for dipping!

Local Burger Co. - This is one of my top favorites places to go for burgers, I can’t recommend Local Burger enough! I personally enjoy the Smokeshow burger and my boyfriend likes the Atomic burger, both are really good choices! Also, their chili cheese fries with house-made chili are a must! There is two locations, one in Patchogue and another in Bay Shore. 

El Matador Restaurant - The food here is incredible! We went to El Matador for my fiancé’s birthday and everything was delicious! We both ordered the steak with a side of rice and beans, I’m personally a bigger fan of pinto beans but the black beans were great too! For dessert we tried the coffee cheesecake and it was great just like everything else!

Arooga's - Their wagyu cheeseburger is pretty good especially with their burger sauce, the OG Chicken sandwich is also great! The chicken sandwich is definitely my go-to sandwich when ordering from Arooga's, it’s served on a brioche roll with crispy dill pickles. Arooga’s is definitely a go-to for us when we are craving late-night bar food!

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