Long Island is a wonderful vacation destination. However, much of what people do while visiting the island involves early-morning activities, like golfing or fishing, or daytime activities, like touring wineries, boating, sailing, shopping, visiting day spas, sightseeing, or experiencing the beaches. Dining is also a popular pastime for vacationers, and many of the restaurants offer expertly prepared, three- to five-course gourmet dinners, which when accompanied by the right wines, for example, can take two to three hours to properly consume and enjoy.
Thus, by the time 9 or 10 p.m. rolls around, many vacationers are ready to wind down their day. As a result, the nightlife on Long Island, especially in Suffolk County, is very limited. Sure, some restaurants, bars, and lounges remain open until 4 a.m. in Nassau County and until 11 p.m. (sometimes later) in Suffolk County, but, especially in Suffolk County, even many of the movie theaters don’t bother with late-night showings (except possibly Fri and Sat nights during the peak season), so if you do see a movie, you’ll be done by 11 p.m. at the latest.
If you’re planning to see a show or concert, those too typically end sometime between 10 and 11 p.m., and the majority of wineries and vineyards close in the early evening, unless a special event is taking place. Scattered throughout Long Island, mainly in Nassau County, are a few traditional nightclubs and dance clubs that remain open until the wee hours of the morning, but the majority of people who truly want to experience an exciting nightlife wind up traveling into Manhattan.
This section offers a sampling of places to go, things to do, and experiences to have on Long Island once the sun sets.
Long Island’s wine country is probably one of the best-kept secrets of this region. Many New Yorkers (the city dwellers, that is) don’t even know about it. In recent years, however, a lot of emphasis has been put on literally growing the region and expanding the offerings. While some world-renowned wine experts have declared that Long Island wines are comparable or superior to anything you’ll find in California, or even parts of Europe, others believe the wines produced on Long Island are still in need of refinement.
That being said, there is a large assortment of wineries and vineyards located in Long Island’s wine country. Some are well-established and are producing top-quality and award-winning wines that are well worth experiencing. Other wineries and vineyards are still developing their niche. What few people realize about Long Island is that in recent years, it has become a leading source of fine wines. In fact, there are more than 50 wineries throughout the North Fork and South Fork regions of Long Island. Some of these wineries are very small and exclusive, but some have grown not just in size, but also in terms of worldwide recognition for producing the finest-quality wines. Since 1973, the area’s vineyards have expanded to occupy more than 3,000 acres, and together they currently grow 38 different varieties of grapes.
For tourists visiting Long Island, taking wine tours and participating in the many year-round events that take place at the various wineries has become an extremely popular activity. Many wineries offer tastings and wine education and food-pairing classes, conduct free tours of their vineyards and manufacturing facilities, and feature live musical entertainment. In fact, a complete tourism industry has been born based on visits to these wineries.
Over a dozen bus and limo companies offer guided, daylong tours of the top wineries (which include wine tastings). Meanwhile, plenty of visitors opt to explore Long Island’s wine country on their own, at their own pace. These self-guided tours can easily include an enjoyable picnic lunch on or near the various vineyards. It’s also common to transform an interest or passion for wine into a weekend or weeklong vacation, which includes staying at one of the many upscale and cozy inns or B&Bs in the region.
In addition to being a weekend getaway destination for people from New York City, Nassau County, and throughout the Tri-State area, Long Island’s wine country is also a popular location for honeymoons and a lovely place to host weddings due to the beautiful surroundings. Like the Hamptons, Long Island’s wine country is mainly a seasonal destination, with the majority of people visiting and spending time here in the summer. However, the North Fork and South Fork region offers wine connoisseurs plenty of reasons to visit all year long.
As you explore Long Island’s wine country, you will discover a nice selection of fine wines. However, in addition to the wine-tasting experience, simply visiting the various vineyards and wineries is a fun activity in and of itself, especially for adults. Participating in an organized wine tour will ensure you get to experience the best wineries and wines offered in the region. However, if you choose to venture off on your own, you can create your wine-tasting tour itinerary by contacting the area’s wineries directly. Especially if the weather is nice, plan on spending at least 60 to 90 minutes or more per winery in order to explore the vineyards and grounds, participate in a tasting, and tour the production facilities. If special events or classes are taking place, or if you choose to relax and enjoy a picnic lunch or live entertainment on the premises, you can easily spend several hours at a single winery.
Keep in mind that the hours these wineries are open to the public vary by season. Hours are typically extended on weekends throughout the year. Also, some wineries are only open on weekends, particularly during off-peak seasons. In the summer months, many of the wineries are open seven days a week and offer ongoing activities, tastings, special events, and the opportunity to enjoy the grounds. Outdoor concerts, picnicking, and other events are commonplace at the midsize to large wineries. The fall is harvest season, and a wide range of related activities are hosted at the wineries at that time. During the winter the crowds are greatly reduced, making it the perfect time for more serious wine connoisseurs to visit. In addition to participating in indoor wine tastings, you can enjoy more one-on-one time with the winery operators. In the springtime you’ll be able to see the grape vines budding, which make the properties extra beautiful. No matter when you visit, if you find wines you enjoy, you’ll have the opportunity to purchase and take home individual bottles, gift baskets, or cases.