ripit, I checked a link today and it said that daily service (passengers only) starts in mid May -- I forget the dates -- from Montauk to Block Island. It even gave the prices and the times.

I've never been to Fire Island, but what is there to do there other than the beach (not interested) and weekend parties???

If you don't do Montauk/Block Island
the suggestion of Sag Harbor/Shelter
Island is a good one. Both quite
interesting. Scratch Fire Island,
not enough to hold your interest.

If Rhea thinks there's not enough to hold your interest on Fire Island, (beach, restaurants, shops) I really wonder what Block Island will offer that's any more. In fact, it's much less...fewer restaurants and shops.

The Bay St. Theater in Sag Harbor has a new play on at that time with Katherine Helmond. http://www.baystreet.org/calendar.as...amp;cyear=2007
The theater is right in town almost on the water. There are some very good restaurants in Sag Harbor, all within walking distance. Stay either in Sag Harbor (the American Hotel is CHARMING but old---Baron's Cove is a small motel complex across from the water) or on Shelter Island which is a 5 minute ferry ride away. On Shelter Island, I recommend Sunset Beach (which has a nice restaurant overlooking the beach) or if you prefer a b & b type place, the Olde Country Inn (although I haven't seen the rooms in person there).

You can take a drive to Montauk from either and have a look around. By not staying in Montauk, it will be at least 30-40 mins. closer when you have to go back to JFK.

Since you aren't a beach person, Patrick, you should reconsider staying in Montauk since it is the ultimate beach town. Other suggestions such as Sag Harbor/Shelter Island might be better.

Patrick, Have you thought about Fairfield County, CT? Westport Playhouse has a show while you're here (westportplayhouse.org); I assume you've heard of this theater? It's one of the top regionals in the country, and Joanne Woodward is the chairman (or something). The Dressing Room Restaurant onsite is supposed to be incredible (haven't been, but I've certainly read alot about it) if you can get a reservation...

But, there are certainly no shortage of other good restaurants in this region.

If you want the small New England village feel, spend an afternoon shopping in the towns of New Canaan and Ridgefield.

There are beaches here, too. Not as nice as Long Island, but certainly worth an afternoon stroll.

Greenwich has the Bruce Museum, Ridgefield the contemporary Aldrich Museum.

If you want a bed and breakfast to stay in, New Canaan has the Roger Sherman Inn and the Maples Inn. Norwalk has the Silvermine Tavern, with a fantastic setting along the river (the restaurant shares this setting, but I don't recommend the food!); this is right in the middle of an historic district of antique homes.

Patrick, you may want to check again. The standard ferry runs for a week around Memorial Day and then the high speed ferry starts daily service on 6/15. Make sure you are checking the Viking Fleet ferry which runs from Montauk not the Block Island Ferry which runs from Point Judith, RI.
http://vikingfleet.com/vikingnews/te...&zoneid=15

Patrick, just noticed you're an interior designer, and there is also the Greenwich Decorators Showhouse during that time. Did you go to Kips Bay, btw? (don't know how much of a busman's holiday you want to make this...but I remember you were the only one who responded to my earlier post about Kips Bay)

ripit, don't you love outdated links? I was originally on a Block Island site and there was a ferry list. It specifically stated that Viking Fleet runs daily from May 9. But now if I go to the bottom I see that some of those schedules appear to be 2004! I guess they've since decided there's not enough business until after June 15.
So much for that idea.

I'd love to go to Westport, but from past experience I know it sells out ALL the time. That week is Souveneir with the delightful Judy Kaye (although I've seen this show before -- not with her). But the bad part is as I mentioned above, I can't commit to any tickets as this will be a "possible" last minute thing only if we don't still go see our clients, so it is doubtful we could ever get in last minute.

About Fire Island -- maybe I have a wrong conception. I always thought there were no real towns there -- just private beach houses -- no? Not sure we'd want to go stay, but I'm starting to think about "visiting" a few places on Long Island, maybe stopping there for lunch on our way out the island, and staying in Sag Harbor area. Then a trip to Montauk for lunch the second day perhaps (we did this also last time). The last time we stayed out there it was at Sag Harbor for 5 or 6 days in fact -- but that was about 20 or more years ago!

We're not B&B people. We did have dinner at the American Hotel those many years ago. Frankly I'd rather opt for a more typical standard motel situation -- hopefully in the $100 a night range (I was sure finding plenty of those at Montauk during the week. We liked where we stayed before in Sag Harbor, but I have no idea what it was -- or if it is still standing after all these years!

If you don't want to abandon the BI idea, you could take Amtrak to New London, CT, and catch the high speed ferry there. Or, you could drive to Orient Point and take the ferry to New London.

But those options are getting very involved and lengthy. I was only thinking of taking a day trip with an hour and a half ferry from Montauk where we might be staying.

Wouldn't work then.

If, however, you were to decide to spend a couple of nights in Newport (a town you would propbably like), you could easily make a day trip from Point Judith.

Patrick, the American Hotel is still there and probably the place to stay in Sag Harbor. There are a couple of motels there but I am not sure I'd recommend them. If you prefer motel type accomodations, than you <i>must</i> head over to Greenport and check into the Silver Sands Motel. This place is like a time warp - in a good way. It is your typical 50's mom &amp; pop motel - nothing fancy but the location is idyllic. It is located on a narrow strip of land facing the LI Sound, just a few miles west of Orient Point. You could also look at the Soundview Inn, which is similar and nearby.

Here would be my recommendation. Drive out to Montauk early on Wed. Spend the morning walking around town - and head over to Gosman's Dock for lunch. After lunch, drive to Sag Harbor. Along the way you can stop in East Hampton (probably to toniest of Hamptons towns) to stroll the main drag, check out the shops and stop for a drink. Have dinner Sag Harbor and stay in the American.

The next morning take the ferry to Shelter Island and spend the morning exploring. Take the north ferry to Greenport and have lunch in Greenpoint and walk around town. You can stay right in town in Greenport at the Harborfront Inn, or stay north of town on rte. 48 at one of the above mentioned motels (my choice). There are some nice restaurants in Greenport and nearby Southold and a few others scattered about. I can give you some specific recommendations depending on what you are looking for if interested.

On Friday you can visit the wineries on the North Road and rt. 25 as you work your way west towards JFK.

You're right. We do like Newport -- been there and done that -- several times, though.

I think I'm sticking with the Long Island options. On the other hand, I'm going to be optimistic and say we are just SURE our friend/client is going to be doing well and will be up to our going to stay with them at Buzzard's Bay after all. The power of positive thinking.