Understand
[edit]
Islip is a suburb of New York City and one of ten townships in Suffolk County. While not as spectacular as Montauk or Jones Beach, it doesn't lack for things to do.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]- 1 Long Island MacArthur Airport (ISP IATA formerly known as Islip Airport), 100 Arrivals Avenue, Ronkonkoma (Islip) (Right off Veterans Memorial Highway (NY 454), which can be accessed from Exit 57 of the Long Island Expressway (I-495)), ☏ +1 631 467-3210. This one-terminal airport is served by Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. As of 2023, there are flights from locations including Baltimore–Washington International Airport, Nashville, Charleston, South Carolina, and numerous cities in Florida (such as Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm Beach). There is free Wi-Fi in the airport.
- Liberty Jet Management, 1965 Smithtown Avenue, Ronkonkoma (Islip), ☏ +1-800-879-2345. Offers private jet charter services.
Bus from airport
[edit]- Suffolk Transit's S57 bus (Sayville–Smith Haven Mall) directly serves MacArthur Airport and the Ronkonkoma LIRR station. It runs M-Sa once an hour but ends service before 8 PM at most stops.
By train
[edit]Islip has two main LIRR stations (Islip and Central Islip) that take visitors from New York City. However, there are other stations you can get off at depending on where you want to go.
The five stations on the Montauk Branch (in order), which usually starts at Jamaica, Queens, are:
- 2 Bay Shore LIRR station, Railroad Plaza (Bay Shore). First one after Babylon
- 3 Islip LIRR station, Islip Ave, Islip (South of Moffat Ave). Closer downtown
- 4 Great River LIRR station, Hawthorne Ave and Connetquot Ave (East Islip). Closer to the Great River neighborhood (hence the name), and East Islip
- 5 Oakdale LIRR station, Montauk Blvd (Oakdale). Closer to the arbouretum.
- 6 Sayville LIRR station, Depot St (Sayville). In Sayville
The three on the Ronkonkoma Branch (in order), which is more convenient for traveling from Penn Station, in Manhattan, are:
- 7 Brentwood LIRR station, Suffolk Ave (Brentwood). In Brentwood
- 8 Central Islip LIRR station, E. Suffolk Ave, Central Islip (Near the intersection of E. Suffolk Ave and Lowell Ave). Further away from downtown, but it's easy to get to.
- 9 Ronkonkoma LIRR station, Railroad Ave (near the intersection of Railroad Ave and Hawkins Ave, Ronkonkoma). The final stop on the electrified portion into Penn Station, but also where you can catch a "scoot" to Greenport. It's also close to the airport.
Yeah, that's a lot of stations, but with the exception of traveling somewhere specific, it's best to get off at Islip or Central Islip.
See
[edit]- 1 Sagtikos Manor, Montauk Highway and Manor Lane, West Bay Shore (Robert Moses Causeway South to Exit RM27A Bay ShoreTurn right onto Rt 27A and continue east approximately 1/2 mile. Entrance to Manor on left), ☏ +1 631-494-7526. Tour hours: June: Su 1-4PM, Jul and Aug: Su W Th 1-4PM. Built in 1697, it served briefly as headquarters for the British army during the Revolutionary War. President George Washington stayed there during his tour of Long Island in 1790. Take a tour of the Manor House led by costumed docents and stroll through the grounds and nearby Gardiner County Park.
- 2 Heckscher State Park, Heckscher Parkway Field 1, East Islip. 1,657-acre park.
- 3 Long Island Maritime Museum, 88 West Avenue, West Sayville. Maritime museum in several historic buildings including the Rudolph Oyster House, and the ships Priscilla and Modesty, all of which are National Historic Landmarks.
- 4 Long Island Photo Gallery, 467 Main Street. For art!
Do
[edit]- 1 Bayard Cutting Arbouretum, 440 Montauk Hwy (Great River).
- 2 Connetquot River State Park Preserve, 4090 Sunrise Hwy, Oakdale. Connetquot River State Park Preserve maintains 3,473 acres of land and water for the protection and propagation of game birds, fish and animals.The preserve also has 50 miles of hiking, bridle, cross-country ski and nature trails, as well as freshwater fly fishing (by permit only) on the Connetquot River.
Buy
[edit]- 1 Westfield South Shore (The South Shore Mall), 1701 Sunrise Hwy (Bay Shore). A shopping mall
Eat
[edit]Many restaurants are found on Main Street.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Courtyard Long Island MacArthur Airport, 5000 Express Drive South (Near the airport), ☏ +1 631 612-5000, fax: +1 631 612-5008.
- 2 Holiday Inn Express Hotel Hauppauge-Long Island, 2050 Express Drive South (Long Island Expressway Exit 56), ☏ +1 631 348-1400.
- 3 Hyatt Regency Long Island, 1717 Motor Parkway, ☏ +1 631 784-1234.
- 4 Residence Inn Long Island Hauppauge/Islandia, 850 Veterans Memorial Hwy, ☏ +1 631 724-4188, toll-free: +1-800-817-3301.
Stay safe
[edit]Crime
[edit]For the most part, Islip is a very safe town – you will find many communities within the town which are safe both during day and at night (including Sayville, Brightwaters, and the Fire Island communities – along with the hamlet of Islip (which is also the town's center of government)). However, like any large municipality, there are also some areas where one should exercise caution – namely, Brentwood, North Bay Shore, and portions of Central Islip. Although generally safe during the day, they can get very dangerous at night. Gangs like MS-13 – along with trafficking and illegal aliens – are infamous nationally for having a massive presence in these communities (especially Brentwood) and there is a lot of gang-related crime and drug dealing & usage in these areas. If you have no reason to travel through these communities after the sun sets, then avoid them. And if you must travel through those areas, make sure to stick to the main thoroughfares: do not travel through the residential areas (especially if there is no street lighting), and do not walk alone under any circumstances in the area at night. Additionally, if you see sneakers dangling from overhead wires or gang graffiti in these areas, leave (as these are signs that drug deals & gangs may be active in the immediate area). However, you should also realize that those crimes in those communities are rarely targeted at tourists – rather, they are targeted against known victims and rival gang members. You should be fine simply by minding your own business and using the same basic common sense you would anywhere else.
Outside of Brentwood, North Bay Shore, and parts of Central Islip, the area is incredibly safe. Locals care about their community, and it is constantly patrolled by the police.
Should you encounter any problems or witness something suspicious, dial 911. The Suffolk County Police Department is always active and patrolling the area and are happy to assist anybody in need of assistance.
Poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitoes
[edit]If venturing into the town's many pristine, wooded nature preserves or visiting Fire Island, be sure to stick to the pathways, so as to avoid encounters with poison ivy and ticks in the brush. Being bitten by a deer tick can cause Lyme Disease. To protect yourself, make sure to dress appropriately (i.e.: light colors, long sleeves, long pants, closed-tip shoes or boots, etc.), wear insect repellent, and check carefully for ticks after exposure.
Also, while they are typically harmless, be sure to watch out for mosquitos at dusk – lest you get bitten (that's never fun). Either leave before dusk or make sure to use some insect repellent.
Respect
[edit]Many Islip locals knew or are related to victims who died on – or from complications caused by – the collapse of the Twin Towers on 9/11. Some locals themselves were there themselves and survived. Some are very open about the subject, while others aren't. It's a sensitive, emotional topic for obvious reasons, and, unless they bring it up first, it is best to either ask before having a conversation with locals about it, or to avoid the topic altogether.
Mutual respect, politeness, and modesty are greatly valued everywhere in town.
Cope
[edit]If you are lost or need help, ask a local or a first responder. The average resident of Islip is friendly and eager to lend a helping hand.
Go next
[edit]| Routes through Islip |
| Babylon ← Bay Shore ← | W  E
|
→ Sayville → Montauk |
| Babylon ← Becomes Babylon Branch ← Bay Shore ← | W  E
|
→ Sayville → Montauk |
| Hicksville ← Melville ← | W  E
|
→ Ronkonkoma → Greenport |