A Drive around Staten Island and Long Island
 

Hello,

I will be renting a car in NYC for two or three days and was wondering if this plan makes sense.


Pick up car in St.George, Staten Island.
Drive around Staten Island stopping at Conference House, FDR Boardwalk, The Verranzo narrows bridge. What else should I do in Staten Island?

Cross the narrows and check out Coney Island, Brighton, Rockaway and continue on to the end of Long Island via south shore.
Block Island? For some reason I have it in my head I want to go there. Not sure why. Should I go?

Is that a full days of driving? More than that?
Is it scenic? Some highway look scenic on a map but when you drive them they have buildings everywhere blocking your view.

Any suggestions for the drive back?

Appreciate all the help.

Chris

You have obviously missed the fact that Hurricane Sandy has destroyed many of the areas you are talking about - with houses, boardwalks and cars simple washed out to sea. How much will be rebuilt be next Sept is a huge question at this point.

What you have described is NOT a one day jaunt - but would take at least 2 or 3 to see anything (esp if you go on a weekend, count on massive amount of traffic).

You will have to investigate further when you get closer to see what is open, what you are interested in - and how much time you have.

In most places the coast is either a state park, a town beach (for residents) or private estates of the very wealthy. You can't drive along the shore.

OK. I'll skip it.

The only Block Island I know of is off the coast of Rhode Island and part of that state. There apparently is a ferry that runs from Montauk, NY to there -- but it only runs from Memorial Day through Labor Day.

I've been there, and while Block Island is nice enough, I'm not sure it's the biggest "must" unless you want an out of the way spot with some beach areas, a few restaurants and shops and places to stay, and very few actual tourist attractions (in season, there's a lighthouse and small local history museum open).

There is a huge amount to see on Long Island - depending on your interests - but it will require some time to get there and see/do anything.

The North Fork has several quality wineries and the South Fork has some wonderful small museums as well as historic towns (from the 1640s), incredibly beautiful beaches, enormous mansions of the uber wealthy, the iconic Montauk Lighthouse, whale watching from the Montauk fishing port - and enough trendy/famous (places, food, clothes, people) to sink Hollywood.

But you can't do it from Manhattan in a few hours.