This is a useful website when investigating a neighborhood.

https://www.spotcrime.com/#2%20sawgr...ive%20bellport

The poorer area is south of Sunrise Highway. You're about 2 miles north of Sunrise Highway and going everywhere by car, so you'll probably be fine.

Thanks for that website, governator. Good to know we are in an OK area.

I wondered if traffic was heavier on the South Fork on Saturday...

Rather than drive all the way out east on your south fork day why not go to the beautiful Bayard Cutting Arboretum followed by sunset at Hecksher State Park. If you want to see beach go to Robert Moses State Park, if you're energetic you can walk from there to the Fire Island towns.

The arboretum and Robert Moses State Park both look cool, thanks. I had the impression we could not get to Fire Island in the fall due to ferry closures,but I guess there is another way.

I was interested in Mantauk because of Camp Hero. Do you know how much of it you see at that park?

I've never been to Camp Hero. I've been to Montauk and unless you're staying there for the beach or going fishing, I don't think it's all that interesting. Like any other tourist town, a collection of restaurants, souvenir shops, fudge shops, ice cream shops, etc. The Hamptons is the same except you can gawk at estates, see people driving their Bentleys and you might see someone famous there, as did my wife when she saw Bill Clinton. They do have beautiful beaches there if you're going for that.

Thanks so much for the descriptions of these areas. We will try to see as much of it as possble, probably spending more time in the less ritzy areas. Really looking forward to this trip!!

You're welcome. Let us know how it turns out.

Don't pay attention to the crime news about North Bellport. You will be visiting the village of Bellport, south of the highway. It is very upscale and home, as I mentioned, to many well-known and accomplished residents from NYC and beyond; it's somewhat of a haven for people in fashion, journalism, theatre and the publishing industry.

It makes little sense to drive to Robert Moses State Park and walk to the Fire Island beaches unless all you want is a day at the beach(you can drive to RM Park, and leave your car there, but then have to walk east to othe various FI hamlets). Bellport actually has a private shuttle to their own Fire Island beach, in season, but only for residents.

Just drive east as you pplanned, checking out the HAmptons, Bellport Village, and the North Fork. Bayard Cutting is lovely as well in good weather. If you want to visit the beach, you can do that from East Hampton, Bridgehampton, or any onen of many towns along the South Fork.

Here is a walking tour of Bellport Village that might interest you:

http://www.bellport.com/postmorrow/w...tour/index.htm

Hope your friend is staying with you at a hotel and not the BNL barracks. I live in Middle Village, did a consulting gig for a year there. They wanted me to stay there.... I preferred the 3-4 hour commute each day from what I heard about their "accommodations".

Haha, joannyc--I have heard about those barracks because she has stayed in them before. Yes, she will be staying with us in a hotel during our three-day visit.

Thanks to all of you who replied to this post--got back last night from a really fun trip. We probably would never had traveled to Long Island if not for that Brookhaven Lab connection. We managed to visit the Montauk Lighthouse, Camp Hero, Sag Harbour and the Whaling Museum, tour Teddy Roosevelt's Sagamore Hill and one of the Gold Coast mansions (Hempstead House), plus visited the iconic the Big Duck in Flanders. :) Great seafood, fresh bagels, and lots of cool Halloween decorations. So glad we went and many thanks for everyone's input.

Oh by the way, we did enjoy Bellport Village and had no problems with Bellport regarding crime, etc.