Oyster Bay is the New Hamptons, Website Says

Lifestyle website Thrillist thinks a few Long Island towns are underrated when it comes to summer appeal.

Skip the hours of traffic to the overcrowded and overpriced East End and plan a trip to these eight Long Island towns instead.

Visiting Oyster Bay, the website says, is a must for anyone who loves quaint neighborhoods with plenty of character, history and nature.

Here are things to do in Oyster Bay, according to Thrillist:

• Visit Sagamore Hill, Teddy Roosevelt’s summer house.
• Grab your hiking shoes and walk along the 15 acres of wildlife at the Sanctuary & Audubon Center.
• Take a hike along one of the North Shore’s rocky, yet scenic beaches.
• Go on a stroll along the waterfront Downtown area and check out the charming shops.
• Board the historic oyster sloop Christeen for a cruise around the bay.
• Get a taste of fine-dining at one of the town’s many restaurants.
• Visit in October to attend the annual Oyster Festival. The festival draws more than 200,000 visitors to Oyster Bay for entertainment, tall ships, artisans, pirate shows, rides and an oyster-shucking-and-eating contest.

Other towns mentioned by Thrillist include Long Beach, Huntington, Bay Shore, Patchogue, Fire Island, Riverhead and Greenport.

Where’s your favorite summer spot on Long Island? Do you think Oyster Bay has more to offer than the Hamptons? Tell us below!

Image via Wikipedia Commons