Long Island or Cape Cod
 

Im planning a vacation next summer and decided I want to see a different vacation destination rather than the Outer Banks or Ocean City, Maryland. I live in the Washington DC area, so Long Island is closer. But, it seems like Cape Cod has more to do plus would be more "different" than like the outer banks or ocean city.

Without knowing about you and your interests it's really hard to advise. Age? Gender? Budget? Interests? Time available? Asume you would be diving your own car since wither places is very difficult without one.

We're a family and plan on spending a week somewhere. Yes, we would be driving. Are interests would be uncrowded beaches, quaint towns, good seafood restaurants. Not looking for a resort like Ocean City. Just wondering the difference between Cape Cod and Long Island.

I can't give any opinion on Long Island as the parts I've visited have been mainly crowded or very expensive. That said If you look to the area of the Cape from Chatham to Provincetown you will find all the things you are looking for. The National Seashore is a treasure. The drive to either place will be less than fun unless you plan it for the middle of the night.

It's going to be much easier to find a reasonably priced house rental in Cape Cod than one in Long Island, which is exceedingly expensive, especially as you approach the Hamptons area. I'd estimate that prices in Cape Cod are half. So that's what I'd recommend for a family.

Thanks-
Yes, im looking for cheaper and less crowded. I was looking at Montauk on Long Island. But, i assume thats the Hamptons? And I assume Cape Cod would be less crowded also? Which place would be best for good seafood restaurants and quaint towns?
Thanks-

I live on Cape Cod and I can tell you it is not "less crowded" in July and August than any other beach destination. Roads are small and quaint and, yes, it is cute, but don't come expecting it not to be crowded. On cloudy days when beaches are not as much fun, the roads are bumper to bumper with families trying to find ways to keep the kids busy - on those days we stay home. On lovely sunny days, the beaches are very busy. Saying all that, it is a wonderful place to vacation with reasonable expectations. Come on down.....or up.

I am actually traveling in June. And I do understand Cape Cod is very crowded. But, Long Island sounds very expensive. And Cape Cod sounds more quaint. So, i think Cape Cod is my pick.

Long Island is dense suburban mixed with less dense suburban within commuting distance of NYC. The South Fork, which inclides the Hamptons and Mauntauk, is pricey and upscale, has offputting traffic on weekends, and all quaintness is accidental or artificial.

The North Fork is rural, much less developed, and is wine country more than beach country (Long Island Sound is much less beachy than the Atlantic). Basing on one fork makes the other easily doable as daytrips, except on weekends.

No - MOntaul is not the Hamptons (which are very trendy and very expensive). If you go past the Hamptons there are less expensive areas (look at the condo colonies on the beach at Amagansett) that are more family than singles oriented.

Don't know prices on Cape Cod. But there are moderate places for rent on LI either as noted above - or try for a small cottage near Sag Harbor.

Good choice Asdaven, I think you'll really enjoy your stay on the Cape. Really friendly people, adorable antique shops, great seafood, and two beautiful islands to explore. The Yarmouth House and Daniel Webster Inn are my fav restaurants for great food and service.

Just a warning -- June is a little early for either location. The season really begins July 4th, and even then the water will be chilly. On the other hand, most if not all services will be available, and the crowds will be less.

Actually Fra-Diavolo, the Cape season starts Memorial Day weekend. All restaurants and shops will be open by then, and our June weather is usually pretty good.

My take on the difference between Cape Cod and Long Island during the summer vacation season is that the island caters to people who rent for a good portion of the summer or the entire summer and are escaping from their city abodes. The Cape tends to cater to a more transient crowd and so there are lots more restaurants, and other facilities for such a clientele. Sounds like the Cape is more for you.

Pam --

"the Cape season starts Memorial Day weekend"

So sayeth the Chamber of Commerce, the guidebooks, etc. I respectfully disagree, though it is a good target date to get your boat in the water (never made it yet).

There are some parts of the East End that are family oriented - but a lot of areas are distinctly for couples/singles. Also, a lot of LI is much more upscale/expensive trendy. Much of Capr Cod is a more family atmosphere.

That said, when I was growing up my family rented a cottage in Sag Harbor (one of the less expensive areas) every summer and we had a wonderful time. But - you are on the bay, rather than the sea and you definitely need a car to get around. And accept that on weekends the roads are simply end to end for hours.

There is a lot to see and do - you can even rent a seaside condo in the Amagansett area - between the Hamptons and Montauk - and not bad rates. And there are a lot of things to see/do and numerous inexpensive/moderate places to eat. But, a lot of activities and places are upscale and you need a town tag on your car to be able to get near the ocean beaches - unless you do the seaside condo or one of the State Parks.

I would start looking now for rentals to get an idea of what you can get for waht sort of budget - and then consider the extra hours to drive to the Cape,

Fra-Diavolo, actually "so sayeth" the property owners who open up their cottages and have to endure the traffic on the bridges and on Rte. 28 that starts that weekend.

Oh, you'll get traffic and there is plenty to do. But the kids are in school, the rentals fill up later, and while the weather may be fine, it may also be in the sixties, especially earlier in the month. Most people find the water too cold to swim at that time. I just wanted to warn the OP that summer in New England doesn't really start until July 4th. That may or may not be important to them. but I though someone used to the Carolinas could use a heads up.

"The kids are in school, the rentals fill up later." Exactly, that's why it's much better to come to the Cape before July 4th. The traffic from July 4th until Labor Day is brutal and the rental rates are much higher, so you're doing her a diservice by recommending that she come during the high season.

I'm not recommending that she come in the high season. I'm giving her a realistic picture of what she might expect in June.

Excerpt from Cape Cod Travel http://www.capecodtravel.com/getting.../weather.shtml

June
Count on beautiful early summer weather--not too cool, not too hot (60's to mid 70's). Bring lightweight pants, some shorts, lightweight shirts, and cotton sweaters. A light jacket is needed for the evenings. Bring sunscreen, a swimsuit, and beach accoutrements--chairs, a cooler, bug spray, etc. <b>When going to the beach this time of year, always bring some warm clothes in case it gets chilly. The salt water is still a little cold for swimming, although kids and some adults brave it.</b> Fresh water ponds are a little warmer.

Emphasis mine. You might emphasize the first sentence. All to the better. Now the OP has a better sense of what to expect.

We went to spend a long-anticipated long weekend in June (ca. the 22nd) in Orleans... spent most of it in the motel: temps. in the 40s to low 50s and lots of rain and fog. Swimming? Are you kidding?

Yes, that was a bit of extreme bad luck (normal for us), but it's not all that uncommon. You won't have many days above 75 and if the water's warmer than 55 or so on the outer Cape (bay water is warmer), it's unusual.

"Season" means different things to different people: the hardy, sun-loving young may try to get a tan on the beach in June, but only those from further north think the water's inviting. However, non-beachy tourists will still come to enjoy the scenery, shops, etc. before July 4th - and remember, that schools elsewhere in the country ARE out and kids are traveling with their parents.

I strongly recommend that you have a look at rental properties on the North Fork of LI. You could likely find something right on the LI Sound (literally on the beach) for much less than the Hampton and probably less or the same as (parts of) the Cape. There are some great little towns on the N. Fork, with vineyards and restaurants *and* MUCH less traffic than the S. Fork (Hamptons, etc.). Also, you can take the ferry to Shelter Island and enjoy yet another aspect to being "out East". We have a house on the Sound on the North Fork and absolutely love it.

Fra-Diavolo has it right about Cape weather in June and PamEwing has it right about lower prices and less visitors before July 4th.

Unless your kids are big swimmers, I'd head up to the Cape the third week of June, get a room in a hotel that has a heated pool and drive all over the Cape to visit the high points. You can also buy cheap wetsuits at a job lot or something for the cold Cape water and visit in May for that matter.

If you're thinking of ocean swimming and guaranteed nice weather, June is not a good time for either or your options. Last year June was pretty much a washout in the Hamptons and I'm sure about the same on the Cape. Have a look at historic temps etc. on the trip planner at wunderground.com

If June is your only option and you want to focus on Long Island, I agree that the North Fork (bay beaches), Montauk or perhaps Sag Harbor are the most likely places to find more affordable rentals. You might want to consider a cottage in a motel type setting. Lenhardt's in Montauk offers this and is across from the ocean. Gansett Green in Amagansett and Enclaveinn.com in Wainscott are other options. If you want a private house, in addition to general websites like vrbo, you might check hreo.com and the classified at danspapers.com

We realy like the looks of the North Fork and plan to add it on to a trip to Manhattan next Fall.

Look at Greenport as a starting point for the North Fork.
Locals may recommend a better idea.

Pam, just realize that a trip from Manhattan to the North Fork is about a 3 hour drive all told. You will want a car, since there is no practical way to tour there without one. So it has to be more than a day trip.

Thanks. We actually will probably take either the train or the jitney out to the North Fork and pick up a rental car. We plan on staying 3=4 days.

The jitney will work out just fine. If you're a vineyard fan, North Fork is the location of a lot of wineries. Google 'North Fork wine trails' for some great information.