Ahh, Fire Island. Being from Long Island, I’ve grown up on the beach and spending weekends on Fire Island. To me, there’s nothing better then taking the ferry over, spending the day on the beach, and being in a place with no cars. Seriously, no cars are allowed on the island. Cops ride bikes, people use wagons to get their groceries, and the only ways to get around are beach cruisers and by foot.
If you’re traveling to Fire Island, there’s mainly four places you’ll be going to: Ocean Bay Park, Ocean Beach, Kismet, and Cherry Grove. Depending on what you’re looking for in your vacation will depend where you take the ferry to. (The ferry from Captree (Bayshore) costs about $17 round trip and takes less than a half hour.)
Ocean Bay Park isa small town with big personality. Largely populated by share houses, OBP knows how to throw a beach barbeque blowout. The riotous weekend warrior reputation is reinforced by the serious drinking and all night dancing at Flynn’s, Schooners, and The Inn Between (If you live on Long Island and are 21, you know of these places). This town’s laid-back, non-restrictive lifestyle is especially appreciated by the waves of young renters seeking a beach party environment. However Ocean Bay Park also has it’s share of longtime seasoned residents.
Ocean Beach is the unofficial capital of Fire Island, Ocean Beach is a 600-home community with the greatest concentration of bars, restaurants and stores on the entire island. Overflowing with small-town charm reminiscent of a simpler time, main street walks are lined with ice cream shops, mom and pop markets, and “beach chic” boutiques. Local children sell painted shell souvenirs out of red radio-flyer wagons. Just outside of town, Ocean Beach walkways are lined with traditional summer cottages that are both home to longtime Fire Island families and home away from home for many share-house transients. Most importantly, OB is the “land of no”. There’s really restrictive laws on bike riding an
d drinking, making it more of a quiet family destination.
Kismet is Fire Island’s westernmost party hub. Kismet’s young New Yorker singles scene hosts never-ending happy hours, disco dancing, and boisterous house parties. A popular Fire Island summer share house destination, Kismet is home to many seasoned Fire Islanders. Kismet nightlife is upheld by two popular bayside bar and grills, The Inn and Surf’s Out. Kismet has a beautiful 100-slip commercial marina that is always packed with boaters. This quaint country-like atmosphere is a refuge from the seemingly congested beaches and towns to its east. The great part about Kismet is you can park at Robert Moses field 5 and walk.
Cherry Grove is considered to be the foremost gay friendly summer retreat in the United States, Cherry Grove is the summer home to most of Manhattan’s Chelsea community. Often compared to Cape Cod’s Provincetown, “the Grove” is a spirited LGBT community. Many people fly in from out of state just to spend the weekend at Cherry Grove.
Although it’
s been a bit too cold for the beach, Fire Island’s seasons last a good portion of the year. When the weather cools down in September or is starting to warm up in May, people make day trips or just spend the weekend. Once the summer is in full bloom, any given day during the week, Fire Island is guaranteed to be packed with people on the beaches and in the town. It’s one of my favorite places to spend the summer, making it a place on my vacation wish list.
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