I’m a Long Island girl, born and raised and proud of it! I went to college here, met my husband, raised my kids and have worked here all my life. And honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. This wonderful slice of New York is what I call home. With great beaches, amazing food, great parks, historical sights and The Big Apple right next door, it’s no wonder Long Island is one of the best places to live and visit!
So if you’re planning a visit to New York (most likely, you mean Manhattan), make sure take some time and make your way to LAWN GUY LAND (as any true Long Islanders pronounce their home). But before you arrive, let me share 15 things that every Long Islander knows and would have to explain to any out of towner.
You fly into Long Island. Yes. When you fly to visit The Big Apple, every visitor lands on Long Island. It’s true! Kennedy and LaGuardia airports are both on Long Island, not Manhattan. Long Island actually consists of Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau County and Suffolk County. But when people reference Long Island, they are really talking about the easternmost Nassau and Suffolk counties.
You say Long Island, We say LAWN GUY LAND! This is how we pronounce our home. And we have a cup of CAWFEE! Remember, you’re the one with the accent when visiting.
We live “on” Long Island. The locals live “on” the island, not “in” it. We just like to be different from everyone else.
We visit “The City.” Long Islanders say we’re heading “into the city” when visiting Manhattan.
And we go “out East” when visiting The East End, Montauk and the Hamptons.
We have lots of beaches. We are an island after all. Beaches are within a short drive for any local and we have some of the most beautiful ones in the world! Every Long Islander has memories of spending their summers at the beach. Spend a day at Jones Beach State Park with it expansive sand beach, extensive boardwalk with games, zip lines and food bars. Or take a ferry ride over to Fire Island. Whatever beach you choose, it won’t disappoint!
Diners rule! These eating establishments are woven into the very soul of every Long Islander. Open 24/7, diners offer something for everyone. Every town has one and we all have our favorite.
Our bagels rock! We offer the best of these doughy delights with a hole in the middle. Everywhere else they’re just rolls with holes! Starting your day with a hot “cawfee” and a bagel with a schmear of cream cheese. Yum! And believe me. Our bagels are better and cheaper than any of our Manhattan counterparts.
We offer a variety of entertainment venues that can satisfy all tastes. Theatres, concerts, amusement parks, baseball stadiums — we have it all. Citifield is where our beloved Mets play. Adventureland is our hometown amusement park that brings back memories of our youth.
Tilles Center at Long Island University in Brookville, headlines some of the best performers from around the world. In the summer, rock, pop, country and jazz artists perform at our open air concert venue at Jones Beach. In addition, there are a myriad of local theaters and playhouses from east to west that put on productions year round at a fraction of the cost of a Broadway show.
We love to shop! Every local has shopped at Roosevelt Field sometime over their lifetime. After several renovations, this amazing indoor mall offers a variety of stores and food courts. Looking for a luxury shopping experience? Head over to the Americana in Manhasset where upscale shops such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Gucci and Cartier to name a few reside next to each other. And for the cost conscious savvy shopper, head “out east” to the Tanger Outlets in Deer Park and Riverhead.
Our heroes aren’t brave but they’re damn tasty! Out of towners call these huge sandwiches filled with meats and cheeses a hogie, grinder or sub. Go to any delicatessen or supermarket and enjoy one of these delicacies for a great lunch or dinner.
Pizza reigns supreme here! Mom and Pop pizza joints are in every town and will not disappoint. We offer some of the best pie making establishments around. Brick oven, sicilian, grandma — you want it, we got it!
Thirsty? Have a soda. Everywhere else may call these carbonated drinks either pop or coke but we’ve simplified it. Just call it a soda.
Long Island “iced tea” is not for kids! Our ice tea packs quite a punch due to the good amount of booze in it. Not for the faint of heart or those under 21.
The “Sound” is not a noise. It’s the Long Island Sound, the body of water that fills the space between Connecticut and New York.
