Beaches and lighthouses... mansions and estates, seafood and bagels..celebrities and socialites...the Gold Coast of Long Island is all this, and more.
Day One - Old Westbury Gardens and the Vanderbilt Museum and Mansion
This morning we will embark on a delightful journey to Long Island, known for its glamour and ritzy properties that are often used as a backdrop for Hollywood productions. It is said that Long Island inspired F. Scott Fitzgerald to write the "Great Gatsby," and as we ride along passing grand gated estates it is easy to see where the inspiration came from.
Our first stop this morning is at Old Westbury Gardens which offers a bit of the Cotswolds on Long Island. It is the former home of John S. Phipps and his family which makes us feel as though we have been transported to the English countryside. This English Restoration-style manor house is filled with priceless furnishings and is surrounded by 200 sprawling acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds, and lakes. We will tour the house and gardens and afterward, we will have lunch.
Once upon a time, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and Olympic star Sonja Henie visited the "summer shack" built by William K. Vanderbilt during the gilded age. A highlight of the afternoon is a personalized tour of Eagle's Nest, where we will tour more than 15 rooms carefully preserved to their Jazz Age grandeur. We will also explore four historic museum buildings on the estate including the Memorial Wing housing cultural artifacts, the Habitat Wing, the Hall of Fishes, and the Nursery Wing where we will learn about Mr. Vanderbuilt's expeditions around the world.
Late this afternoon, we will check into our hotel. After we freshen up we will have a welcome dinner with our fellow travelers.
(L,D)
Vanderbilt Museum Tour https://www.vanderbiltmuseum.org/mansion/mansiontours For further information about scheduling your private tour, please email carol@vanderbiltmuseum.org or complete the form below.
Mileage
Old Westbury to Vanderbilt 18.6 miles - 45 minutes via 25AE
Vanderbilt to Riverhead is 1 hour (46 miles via 1_495)
Day Two - Southhampton - Montauk Village - Easthampton
This morning after breakfast we will make our way to the ritziest town in the Hamptons, Southhampton! Our first stop of the day is at Coopers Beach, noted as one of America's best. Next, we will head to Southhampton Village's shopping district where we will see Hildreth's America's oldest department store. This store is filled to the brim with home goods and everything you can imagine! We will continue on through East Hampton, Sagaponack, Bridgehampton, and East Hampton on our way to Montauk.
Arriving in the Montauk Village, we will have lunch on our own, where most lunch spots are casual, with many being in business for decades. After lunch, we will visit Montauk Lighthouse at Montauk Point State Park, known for its breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, where it meets the Block Island Sound. Our next stop is at Montauk Lighthouse, on the easternmost end of Long Island Sound. This classic lighthouse, one of the oldest in the country, was authorized by President George Washington and was built in 1797. A climb to the top of the tower gives you 360-degree views of Block Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean.
On our way back, we will stop in the village of East Hampton where we will have time to explore this charming village on our own. Tonight we will have dinner @ Jerry and the Mermaid.
(B, D)
* seems they go back to Riverhead
Day Three - Sag Harbor - Wine Tasting
After checking out, we will enjoy breakfast before setting off for our final day of touring. Today's destination is Sag Harbor, once a thriving whaling village and port city that was approved as a Port of Entry in 1789 by President Washington. In Sag Harbor, we will pass a scenic view of the harbor area and Long Beach. Our first stop is the Whaling Museum, which tells the story of Sag Harbor's history through historical objects and contemporary displays. Our next stop is the Old Whaler's Church, a National Historic Landmark built in 1844. This Egyptian and Greek Revival-styled church was built from donations of sea captions that were able to see its 185-foot steeple as they headed into the port of Sag Harbor. Next, we head to Sag Harbor village where we will have some free time to explore and have lunch on our own.
This afternoon, we will board the Shelter Island ferry to the beautiful village of Greenport, the former heart of Long Island's oyster industry. Here we have some free time to stroll along the boardwalk, explore art galleries and shops, or ride the antique carousel on the green.
****Our final stop of the day is at RG-NY Vineyard for a wine-tasting and pairing experience. This Mexican-owned vineyard is known for its interesting twists on tastes and textures. Here we will sample award-winning wines paired with goodies at this exclusive wine tasting.
After our wine tasting, we will head home with many warm memories of all we have seen and done on Long Island's Gold Coast
(B)
Notes
Old Whalers Church contact https://www.oldwhalerschurch.org
https://www.kontokostawinery.com/
https://rgnywine.com/
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