AREA ATTRACTIONS

Long Island - ("New York Cities Playground") An Island (pop., 2000: 7,448,618), southeastern New York, U.S., lying between Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean. It has four counties: Brooklyn, Queens, Nassau, and Suffolk. Brooklyn and Queens County form part of New York City. At its western end it is separated from the Bronx and Manhatten by the East River and from Staten Island by the Verrazano Bridge. It is 118 mi (190 km) long, 12 – 23 mi (19 – 37 km) wide, and has an area of 1,401 sq mi (3,629 sq km). Its eastern portion has many beaches; it serves as a recreation area for New York City. Its southern shore, lined by sand spits (Fire Island), shelters several bays, including Jamaica Bay. Originally inhabited by Indians , it was included in a grant to the Plymouth Co. It was settled by Dutch and English, but the whole island became part of the British colony of New York in 1664. It was the site of the Battle of Long Island (Aug. 27, 1776), an American defeat in the American Revolution.

New York City - (officially named the City of New York) is the largest city and largest metropolitan area, by population, in the United States. It is at the center of international finance, politics, communications, music, fashion, and culture. The City is regarded as the United States' most important global city, as it is home to many world-class museums, galleries, performance venues, media outlets, international corporations, and stock exchanges.... (approx. 1hr from the L.I. Motorcycle Fair)

The Famous Hamptons - The Hamptons refers to a number of places near the East End of Long Island, in Suffolk County, New York that is a well-known summer colony. Parts of the Hamptons are well known for being a playground for the rich, and are frequented by residents of New York City during the summer months for weekend getaways. This has given rise to the terms "House in the Hamptons" or "Hamptons summer share." (approx. 20 minutes from the L.I. Motorcycle Fair)

Long Island Wine Country -  Even though vineyards were planted on Long Island in the 1600s, it wasn't until recently that this area started blossoming into a true quality-wine-producing area. Since Alex and Louisa Hargrave started the first winery (in recent history) on the North Fork in the early 1970s, about a dozen wineries have opened. Long Island has a unique microclimate that's warmed by the Atlantic, which produces a longer growing season than might be expected in this part of the United States. In fact, enthusiasts claim that Long Island's climate and well-drained soil is similiar to that of BORDEAUX. With that in mind, wine producers are growing the classic Bordeaux varieties like CABERNET FRANC, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, MERLOT, and SAUVIGNON BLANC, plus other varieties such as CHARDONNAY, PINOT NOIR, RIESLING, and GEWÜRZTRAMINER. There are actually two APPELLATIONS on Long Island, North Fork of Long Island and The Hamptons (which is the South Fork). Area wineries include Bedell Cellars, Bidwell, Bridgehampton Winery, Gristina Winery, Lenz Vineyards, Long Island Vineyard (which now includes the original Hargrave Vineyard), Palmer Vineyards, Peconic Bay Vineyards, Pindar Vineyards, Schaprio's Winery, and La Reve (a new, very large wine estate in the Hamptons). (approx. 20 minutes from the L.I. Motorcycle Fair)