Long Island and vicinity
 

Travelling to Long Island for the weekend and would like to explore the area. Any suggestions for sights, restaurants, shopping? We will be based in Garden City.

If you are based in Garden City, there are only two words you need to know for shopping - Roosevelt Field. Bloomingdales, Macys, Nordstroms, and all your standard mall stores. It is quite big and you can easily spend the day there. In downtown Garden City you have Lord & Taylor and Saks. As for restaurants try Waterzooi in GC if you like Belgian food, or BK Sweeneys for steak and pub grub. Good places in Roosevelt Field as well. As for sights - if you have a car - and you will need one - go to Jones Beach to the south, the Planting fields in Oyster Bay, Westbury Gardens, Old Bethpage Restoration Village, Bethpage State Park if you golf (home of the 2002 US Open!), . have fun!

If you would like some window/high end shopping while strolling outside, you may try "miracle mile" in manhasset. Proper name is Americana in Manhasset. Prada, Tiffany, Polo, Dana B, Escada etc... <BR> <BR>If you want a long drive head east and see the Hamptons and Montauk. You are also very close to the city by train/car.

Thank you Lori and Kiersten for your replies. Could someone elaborate on how long the drive to the Hamptons would be and what would I do when I get there?

Hamptons are pretty far-----1 1/2 hours to Westhampton and further for South and Easthampton. Getting there is pretty easy though---LIE to Exit 68 then south to Route 27 and head further east...before long you hit Westhampton, then Quogue, Southampton, Bridgehampton and Easthampton. (To give you some idea, Garden City is off Exit 38 of the LIE)

Is the drive worth it? We'd go on Friday morning.

My in-laws used to live near Garden City, and we enjoyed visiting Sagamore Hill, Teddy Roosevelt's home. It's not too far a drive--under an hour, probably. You can get information and directions at www.nps.gov/sahi. <BR> <BR>Other sightseeing possibilities are Old Bethpage Village and The Planting Fields (a GREAT arboretum). Try going to http://www.longisland.com/pointsofinterestnassau.php for links to those places and ideas for others. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps!