Fire Island, NY is honestly the most lit place to grow up
It’s got the bars, the boardwalk, the beach
Fire Island, New York is a small barrier beach on the south shore of Long Island. Popularized as a seasonal tourist destination, Fire Island has garnered a reputation for its beaches, nightlife and family friendly atmosphere. It is where many New Yorkers choose to spend their summers. Isaac Stratford first constructed a whaling station on Fire Island in 1653, naming it Whalehouse Point. Fire Island was a major whaling center in the 18th and 19th centuries. Since then, Fire Island has developed into a seasonal tourist destination, with hundreds of thousands of people visiting each summer.
Growing up, I spent most of my time on Fire Island. Many of my fondest childhood memories have taken place there. Fire Island has been long regarded as a vacation spot for people looking to enjoy the boardwalks, the beach, or the bars. Starting in June, ferries filled with day-trippers cross the Great South Bay, bringing visitors and locals to various towns on the island. Each town is unique, and some are more developed than others. Even though the island is sectioned into communities, everything is just a short walk away.
It is already April, and the semester is almost over. Here are eight spots on Fire Island that every local will be visiting this summer.
The bars in Ocean Beach
Maguire’s, The Island Mermaid, Albatross and Castaway are some local favorites. If you plan on staying overnight, make sure to take advantage of the nightlife opportunities in the commercial area of town. Once the restaurants stop serving dinner, they start serving beverages to the masses who visit Fire Island in search of cheap cover charges and expensive drinks.
The Fire Island ferry
If you don’t have access to a boat, chances are you’ll be relying on the ferry for your travel to and from Fire Island. Make sure you get to the terminal early, because the parking lot is guaranteed to be full, and all of the prime spots on the top deck are going to be taken. Depending on where on Fire Island you’re headed, the trip could take anywhere from a half hour to forty-five minutes.
Ice Castle
The Ice Castle Sweet Shop serves up ice cream and an extensive variety of candy in two locations. One of them is at the ferry terminal in Bay Shore, and the other is near the ferry terminal in Ocean Beach. They serve homemade fudge at both of their locations, and even carry items that you wouldn’t expect to see – like chocolate covered grasshoppers, five pound gummy bears, and red bull slushies.
The Great South Bay
The bay serves as a calmer alternative to the Atlantic Ocean. The island is so narrow that the ocean and the bay occasionally meet in the center of town – after all it is only 500 feet wide in certain spots. The Great South Bay serves as the perfect spot to fish, clam, sail, swim or jet-ski.
The Lighthouse
Built in 1857, the Fire Island Lighthouse is the most iconic structure on the entire island. It served as the guiding light for European immigrants who were trying to sail into New York Harbor. The lighthouse is now open as a museum. It is open for tours, and you can climb to the top – where you will find the nicest view on the whole island.
The artists community
Fire Island has long been regarded as an alternative community where art and creativity can flourish. Cherry Grove, The Fire Island Pines, and several small towns in between serve as Fire Island’s artists section. There, famous painters showcase their works. Tours are often running, so finding the exhibits is pretty simple.
Town Pizza
On the bay side of Fire Island, Town Pizza serves fresh pies and other inexpensive food options. Their specialty slice, dubbed the “cold cheese” is a hot cheese slice with cold shredded mozzarella on top. Slices are about three bucks and Pablo will usually hook it up with a free cup of water. If the boss is around he has to charge fifty cents.
The beach
For most people, the main draw to Fire Island is the beach – which spans miles in each direction. In some towns, you can drink on the beach, and in some towns, that will land you a summons in town court – for which proper attire is a bathing suit and flip flops. Hopefully this summer is a warm one, because leaving Miami for Fire Island, New York would be very sad otherwise.