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By Marta Sanders-Cooper
When people think of sightseeing New York they often think about the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and the Empire State Building, all attractions based on the island of Manhattan. Not many people are aware that New York has some smaller islands that make for attractive holiday destinations, but that are still close enough to Manhattan for you to visit while in the Big Apple:
Fire Island
With a population of just 491, Fire Island is one place where you can seriously get away from it all when sightseeing New York. The 32 mile island is located off the coast of Long Island and can be reached by ferry from the Long Island town of Islip. If you’ve ever watched Will and Grace you may have often heard Fire Island being mentioned between Jack and Will and this is because the island is a popular summer retreat for gay men. During the summer months vehicles are not permitted on the island and it becomes so quiet you’ll find it hard to believe that you’re in New York.
Fire Island has a national seashore area, and you’ll find that a large proportion of this beach area is reserved for nude sunbathing. Most of the beaches are reserved for gay men, but Cherry Grove is ideal for straight couples. The sleepy island doesn’t have much of a nightlife scene, but Matthew’s Seafood House is famous for its Thursday night Margarita Madness and Housers at Bayview is popular for its down-at-heel feel.
Staten Island
When you’re sightseeing New York one of the most popular tips is to catch the Staten Island ferry for a free glimpse of the Statue of Liberty. This means that while many people catch the Staten Island ferry few people actually alight at Staten Island. Located in Richmond County, Staten Island is one of the most suburban areas of New York and gives you a glimpse into the life of the stereotypical American housewife.
With several free daily ferries back to the bustling city of Manhattan, Staten Island is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for somewhere quieter or are travelling with children. The island even boasts several New York sightseeing attractions of its own, like Historic Richmond Town, an exhibition that takes visitors back in time to 1695 where you can learn the ancient arts of soap-making and visit the oldest school house in the United States.
Roosevelt Island
Many people visit Roosevelt Island simply for the magnificent views across the Hudson River to Manhattan. The island can be accessed from Manhattan via a tramway, a ride that isn’t for the faint-hearted. The cable car travels at a difference of 3,100 feet at a maximum height of 250 feet. Once you’ve arrived at the island it’s time to start sightseeing New York and with the fantastic views of Manhattan you’ll find that the area is popular with picnickers and cyclists.
Roosevelt Island only has one major attraction and this is the ruins of the smallpox museum that appeared in the Spiderman movie. You can’t walk around the attraction as the building is deemed unsafe. This is definitely one destination where the fun lies in the journey to the island.
About the Author: Marta Sanders-Cooper is the New York Destination Expert for Shorex, specialising in unique and unmissable, expert-led tours & excursions in major cities around the world, for the best in city
sightseeing. New York
tours are custom made and constructed from an extensive menu of activities, attractions and excursions, many of which are unique to Shorex.com.
Source:
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