Here you will find bars such as Cherry’s On The Bay and the Ice Palace Night Club where you can party day and night. The Grove’s most popular attractions are obviously sunbathing and other beach activities. Its “Community House” and theater are today considered national historic monuments. Before the modern gay rights movement began in the late 1960s, The Grove was home to an open and proud community of gay residents. Cherry GroveĬherry Grove, or “The Grove”, represents the oldest and most well-known LGBTQ community on Fire Island. Gay bars at The Pines are well known on the island: Sip N Twirl, Blue Whale, and Pavilion. Like everywhere on Fire Island, the best activities can be found on the waterfront. Since the mid-20th century, The Pines has welcomed owners and tenants, as well as a large community of boaters. Fire Island Pinesįire Island Pines, or “The Pines,” represents the community east of The Grove. Water taxis cost between $ 10 and $ 30, and stop about once an hour in each of Fire Island’s 17 communities. Once the car is parked, you can walk, take a bicycle or a water taxi to get to your destination. Keep in mind that although the island is 250m wide, it is 32km long! This means that if you plan on keeping yourself at one end of the island and want to walk to the Grove, it can take almost half a day. You can park at the Fire Island Lighthouse to the west or to the east at the Otis Pike Fire Island High Dune Wilderness. However, both ends of the island have parking facilities for visitors to use.

The island of Fire Island is famous for not accommodating a car (which makes the small villages even more charming and pleasant). The Davis Park Ferry in Patchogue will take you to Watch Hill and Davis Park ($ 17). If you are going to Sayville, take the Sayville ferry to Fire Island Pines, Cherry Grove, and Sailors Haven ($ 16). Alternatively, you can drive to Bay Shore, Sayville, or Patchogue and take the ferry from there.įrom Bay Shore, you’ll take Fire Island Ferries to popular central Fire Island destinations such as Ocean Beach, Kismet, and Ocean Bay Park (round trip for $ 19 for adults).

From there you will have to walk or take a car to get to the ferry. Depending on where you want to go on the island, you can stop at different ferry departure locations: Bay Shore, Sayville, or Patchogue. Most visitors access the island via train (LIRR) and ferry. If you are traveling from Manhattan to Fire Island, allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the trip. Find below the BARNES New York guide to make the most of your stay on Fire Island. BARNES recommends that you stay in areas like The Grove, and Ocean Beach. If you want to stay on the island, you have a choice of several rental houses and a few hotels. The main activities on the island consist of picnics, boat tours, surfing, fishing, hiking, and bird watching… The area also hosts a raucous party culture, amplified by Rocket Fuel cocktails, a local specialty. Since its main attraction is the pristine white beach, the season for Fire Island begins in May during Memorial Day weekend and ends on Labor Day, early September. Cars are not permitted on the island residents must get around on foot, by bike, or by boat …ĭuring the year, Fire Island has just over 300 residents… During the summer, that number increases to 20,000. The 17 “beach communities” that make up Fire Island range from crowded beaches (Ocean Beach, Cherry Grove) to unspoiled beaches (Saltaire, where an island population discourages foreigners). Located 96 km from Manhattan, it is a popular resting destination for New Yorkers who love the sun and the sand. Fire Island is the perfect escape from the bustle of the city for a getaway…įire Island is a long strip of land that runs along southern Long Island. This small, car-banned island offers white sandy beaches, a friendly, family-friendly atmosphere, but also a lively atmosphere, a historic haven for the LGBT community, just a few hours from the ongoing bustle of Manhattan. Following our recent article on the Hamptons, BARNES New York takes you this week to Fire Island, located in Long Island, New York.

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