jokaca

I'm traveling to wedding on Oct 1 on Long Island in New york. We will be in the area for around 10 to 12 days any suggestions for where to go...thanks...

J62

What are your interests?

Cities, small towns, wildnerness?

History, nature, art, food?

Bowsprit

Go to New York City and have a great time. October is a beautiful month to visit the city.

You can check out the wine trails on Long Island too.

The Hudson River Valley is scenic, charming, and historic. The leaves will be changing at that time of year and you'll get plenty of foliage photos.

nytraveler

Agree Oct is a great time (though not inexpensive) to be in the city. There is also a ton to do on LI and up the Hudson. But I'm afraid you'er too early for foliage in the area right around the city - biggest weekend is Columbus day - but up around Boston. By NYC it';s usually later (Nov in the city itsef).

If you gie us an idea of interests and how you want to travel (will you rent a car) peoplecan make recos.

Bowsprit

Good leaf peeping must depend upon the weather from year to year. I have gorgeous photos of the changing leaves in C.P. and along the Hudson from last October 19th. Peek leaf changing certainly can be later although my November photos from last year show a brown blanket over Central Park rather than colorful foliage.

jokaca

Thanks for the help..it gets me started. we like nature, small towns, history..like to take pictures. Are their tours into New York City? I think we'd like to see The Empire state Building and the Statue of Liberty..We would love to see some fall foliage. We havr time to go to some surrounding states..

nytraveler

The SoL is closing again - not sure of the date - although you will still be able to see the outside. If you want to take the Ferry to Liberty Island to see it up close you need to go to the National Park Service site and buy advance tickets. Be aware they can sell out months in advance - and if you go without a ticket the waiting line can be hours.

ESB also typically has very long waiting lines. Much better to go to Top of the Rock - you can get advance times tickets - or can typically walk up an wait no more than 5 or 10 minutes - versus hours.

Bowsprit

Here is a link with excellent suggestions for visits outside, but quite close to the city:

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...ls-weekend.cfm

mclaurie

Long Island is 100 miles long so where on LI will you be? Do you intend to stay in one place and do day trips or travel around? Are you on a tight budget because Manhattan hotel prices in Oct. will be high.

POMAH

all 12 days in LI, or just on wedding day? If someone is putting you up, then spend 3 days on LI, 7 days in NYC, 1 day in Atlantic City, maybe Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun.

J62

So jokaca says they like "nature, small towns, history..like to take pictures. " and POMAH recommends they spend 7 days in NYC and 1 day in a casino.

mclaurie

Mid to late Oct. is when you see fall foliage north of NYC. Oct. is a bit early for the leaves on LI and in NYC. There aren't tours from LI into NYC but depending on where you're staying, it's probably easy to use the Long Island Railroad to get into Manhattan and then either hook up with a tour there (like kingofnyc.com or realnewyorktours.com) or just see the things you want to see on your own.

Both the ESB and the SOL are time consuming visits. If you intend going to ESB, buy tickets in advance online to avoid the ticket buyers line. Tickets aren't dated or timed so use them whenever it's convenient. For SOL, you should figure out if you want to actually go there (and/or Ellis Island) and if the answer is yes, you should buy tickets on statuecruises.com as soon as you can commit to a date. The earlier in the day you can go, the better. But obviously if you're traveling a distance from LI, that may not be possible. If you don't have to actually set foot on Liberty Island, there are many cruises that will get you a view from the free Staten Island ferry to loads of other specialty options.

As for places to visit on Long Island:
Old Westbury Gardens
Sagamore Hill (Teddy Roosevelt's house for some history)
There are nature preserves, small towns and some nice history in the Hamptons at the east end of LI. East Hampton is particularly photogenic.

jokaca

Wow your replys have been so helpful. We are flying into JFK on the 29th and heading back the night of the 10th of October. We are going to a wedding at the Oheka Castle by Huntington. Will try to take a tour of New York sites instead of driving in. Then possibly spend time in Conn...Hudson Valley, and maybe a drive up thru the colors...Looking at all your suggestions. Any good places to stay?