Fire Island – A Small Paradise Just Beside New York City
If you are living in New York, you ought to know by now that living in The Big Apple is very stressful. That’s especially true if you are also working there. Because the city is so busy and it is running on a fast pace, many New Yorkers are longing to have a weekend getaway. A place where they could spend quality time with their family and friends.
The Fire Island Lighthouse located near the western end of the seashore near Robert Moses State Park – Long Island, NY.
People who are living in this huge city and do not have the luxury of time can visit Fire Island. It can beat going out of the country, especially if money or time are a problem. Here is where you can enjoy the beautiful beaches or tropical-like climate that it offers. Many New Yorker’s could immediately escape the noise and commotion by going to Fire island.
Fire Island is not as popular as Caribbean islands or the south beach in Miami. However, this place has the same beautiful beaches that people can enjoy. It also has an amazing ambiance that people can relax and unwind in. What’s good about the Fire Island is that if you are from New York, it is only a few hours’ drive from the city.
About the Island
Fire Island is about 31 miles long and 1,300 feet wide. It has a total area of 9.6 Square miles. It has a large center island on the outer part barrier islands that is adjacent to the south shore of Long Island Beach. There are only few local residents that are residing on this island.
During the summer season, the total population triples, especially in July. The island is protected because it is part of Fire Island National Seashore (FINS). There are many rules and regulations that must strictly be followed. That’s true whether people are local residents or tourists.
Robert Moses State Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area. The Fire Island Light House is located east of Robert Moses Park. There is a memorial park for the TWA 800 victims. The park was constructed on July 2004. Since then it has been a very popular tourist destination.
Vehicle Probations
The Island is protected in order to preserve its natural resources as well as to protect it from air pollution. People who will be bringing automobiles can only enter the island at the Robert Moses Causeway. That is on its western end. You can also enter from the William Floyd Parkway (Suffolk country road 46) near its eastern end.
The rest of the highway sections, motor vehicles are not permitted to enter unless they are delivery vans. Utility construction or emergency access may also be allowed to enter. The island however, is accessible if traveling by boat or sea planes. Also by ferries which will depart from Bay Shore, Sayville and Patchogue.
What to Do
Tourists can enjoy swimming, surfing, kite boarding, or simply have a picnic on the beach. for people who love Golf, there is a 18 hole pitch and putt golf course. For people who love the night life, they can drink and party all night long at the different pubs and restaurant bars on the island.
Different parks of the island will allow nature loving people to enjoy hiking on different trails. However, you have to hire a tour guide so you won’t get lost or if there is a problem and you need aid should anything happens.
