Summary
- Shelter Island is a hidden coastal gem off Long Island, New York, offering a quieter vacation with stunning beaches, a vibrant food scene, and rich history.
- It is easily accessible by ferry and makes a perfect day trip from the Hamptons, providing a laid-back atmosphere, fewer crowds, and beautiful natural wonders.
- Visitors can spend a perfect day on Shelter Island by taking a ferry ride, enjoying breakfast at Marie Eiffel Market, booking a guided tour, having lunch at Maria's Kitchen, exploring museums and shops, and experiencing the vibrant nightlife scene.
Shelter Island is an island off Long Island in New York and a hidden coastal gem with a lot to offer to vacationers seeking a quieter vacation. It is one of the most stunning coastal towns in the U.S. and boasts pristine beaches, a wonderful food scene, and a rich history worthy of exploring. Lying on the eastern tip of Long Island, Shelter Island guarantees memorable experiences for vacationers of all ages and interests whether visiting as a family, as a couple, or for a solo getaway.
The Hamptons is fun, but while on a vacation in the place, one may need a break from all that too. Fortunately, Shelter Island is only a ferry ride away and makes a perfect day trip. Here tourists will enjoy a laid-back atmosphere, thinner crowds, and some of the best natural wonders in the USA. Planning to spend a day on Shelter Island? Here is how to make the most of this small Long Island Town.
Where Is Shelter Island?
Stretching over an 8,000-acre of space, Shelter Island is nestled between Long Island’s North Fork and South Fork, and can only be reached by ferry.
It only takes between five and eight minutes to get there, with both automobiles and walk-on passengers having access to the ferry ride.
Home to well-preserved natural areas, Shelter Island is one of the eco-friendly destinations in the US one can visit in summer. The Nature Conversancy owns and manages almost a third of the island.
Only about two and a half hours away, it is one of the best day trips to enjoy from New York City, and families can create great memories in its beautiful beaches, camping spots, nature trails, and plenty of exciting events that happen throughout the year.
How To Get To And Around Shelter Island
How one will get to Shelter Island depends on where they are traveling from.
Ferry service to the island can be accessed from both North Folk (Greenport) and South Fork (Sag Harbor), with rides available on a first-come, first-served basis.
It is important to always check for ferry schedules before going to get a ride to Shelter Island. Northferry.com and Southferry.com offer information to help tourists plan their visit to this charming coastal gem.
Starting the journey from South Folk? Drive along Long Island Expressway towards Sunrise Highway and then shift to County Road 39.
Drive north onto Sandy Hollow Road to North Sea Road. From there head to Noyac Road and drive left onto Long Beach Road then turn to Route 114 to South Ferry.
From North Fork, drive along Long Island Expressway to Route 58 then turn to Route 28 towards Greenport. From there drive along Route 114 toward North Ferry.
How To Spend A Perfect Day On Shelter Island
Here's the ideal itinerary to spend a perfect day on Shelter Island.
Hop On The Ferry To Shelter Island
A perfect day in Shelter Island starts by taking a ferry ride to the charming coastal gem. Tourists can start this journey from around 10:00 a.m. by either using the South Ferry (From North Haven) or the North Ferry (Greenport).
- Hours of operation for South Ferry: 5:40 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. and transports passengers every 10-15 minutes
- Cost of riding the South Ferry: $12 for passengers with cars & $1 for walk-ons
- Hours of operation for the North Ferry: 5:40 a.m. - 11:45 pm
- Cost of riding the North Ferry: $9 for each vehicle and $2 for walk-ons
Travelers without cars, and are planning to rely on biking to get around Shelter Island, should opt for the North Ferry, as it gives access to bike rental opportunities on the other side of the island.
Marie Eiffel Market Is An Incredible To Have Breakfast
Upon getting to Shelter Island, vacationers should enjoy a good breakfast before they start exploring the Island. Marie Eiffel Market is known for its delicious baked goods, salads, and French dishes.
The atmosphere is relaxed and the menu comes with multiple options to choose from.
This place is frequented by celebrities, giving travelers an opportunity to spot some of their favorite icons.
Book A Guided Tour Of Shelter Island
After having breakfast, the next thing travelers can do is enjoy some of the most fun activities on the island. A good option is booking one of the guided tours to experience the culture, and history, and explore some of the top-rated attractions on the island.
- Check out the best Shelter Island Tours to book during a visit to one of the most beautiful towns to visit on Long Island.
Have Lunch At Maria’s Kitchen
No visit to Shelter Island is complete without trying its seafood. Most vacationers will break for lunch around 1:00 p.m. Maria’s Kitchen offers an extensive menu with many options. Appetizers include Baleada, fried plantains, chicken fries, buffalo wings, and more. For burritos, tourists can order veggies, chicken, steak, chorizo, alambre, beef tongue, and more.
Those who’d love to try Mexican specials can go for Tacos Dorados served with chicken, filled plantains, chicken enchiladas served with green/red salsa, and more.
- Opening hours: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm between Mondays and Sundays in the summer & 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. between Mondays and Sundays in the winter
Explore The Island’s Museums, Galleries, And Shops
Shelter Island is home to incredible art galleries, museums, and shops that travelers will enjoy visiting during their trip.
One of the top art galleries not to miss is the Gladstone Gallery, which is known to provide amazing exhibitions, including Ugo Rondinone, Vivian Suter, and Yuji Agematsu (all these exhibitions are available from September).
For museums, go for Haven’s House Museum, perfect for getting an insight into the island’s early days. When it comes to shopping, visitors can explore the island’s art and fashion or buy some antiques and souvenirs.
Experience Shelter Island’s Nightlife Scene
Before boarding a ferry back, vacationers should have an experience of the island’s nightlife scene. It is home to incredible bars, pubs, clubs, and exciting events that happen in the nighttime.
Whether visiting the island for a romantic getaway, a family trip, or just a solo day trip, there is something for everyone. The Chequit is one of the top nightlife spots to visit on the island.
If you're looking for one of the small beach towns on Long Island that’ll make one forget about the Hamptons, Shelter Island shouldn’t be missed on the travel bucket list!