Fire Island questions

[Guest Traveler]

I've never been to Fire Island, and I'm thinking of going in the first week of June. Is it at all worth going to on a weekday, or is it active only on week-ends? Also, is there a not-too-complicated way to get there from JFK, or does one have to take the subway to Penn Station, and then the LIRR to Sayville? Any advice on where to stay?

[foxy]

Fire Island is one of the most beautiful places in the world if you like the beach. I love it and you can walk for miles. The best part is that there are no cars. June is early in the season so it will probably be fairly quiet but will definitely be a bit busier on the weekend. The water will be pretty cold so don't expect to do much swimming. The gay communities are the Pines and Cherry Grove. The Grove tends to have more lesbians but also more places to stay. The Pines tends to have more of the beautiful boys, much more up-scale homes but fewer options in the hotel department. It's all really geared to renting houses and you might find place that will rent for a week but it will be expensive especially if you arent't sharing with a group. Try these sites. http://www.fireisland.com and http://www.cherrygrove.com. Also "Out & About" will have info. If you call the Long Island RR they might be able to tell you the nearest station to JFK that you can taxi to rather than going into the city. You'll need to co-ordinate your train with the ferry schedule. There are taxis that meet the train that take you to the ferry. I always drive. The web sites will give you ferry schedules. If you want to stay in a really silly place in the Grove stay at the Belvedere Guest House. I think there's a web site. It's owned by this old rich guy who has turned the place into this Venetian fantasy. Each room is different and you have to see the place to believe it. It's lots of fun and I've met some really nice guys there. Has a pool, too. The Pines is an easy walk from the Grove. West of the Grove, down the beach is a wonderful place called the Sunken Forest which you should explore. The woods between the Grove and the Pines is the infamous "meat rack". Lots of cruising in the woods. Bring insect repellant as there are ticks and you don't want to get Lyme disease (or anything else). Whatever else you do, don't walk on the dunes. They are protected and you'll be fined. Email me if you need more info.You'll have a great time.

[Guest Fin Fang Foom]

>I've never been to Fire Island, and I'm thinking of going in

>the first week of June. Is it at all worth going to on a

>weekday, or is it active only on week-ends?

 

It totally depends upon what you mean by "active". I actually prefer the weekdays because the number of people is reduced by 2/3. All the pretty boy parties are on the weekends.

 

 

>Also, is there a

>not-too-complicated way to get there from JFK, or does one

>have to take the subway to Penn Station, and then the LIRR to

>Sayville?

 

There should be a bus from JFK to the Jamaica station, at which point you get the train to Sayville. However, I've never done that so I don't know if it's longer than just hauling your ass to Penn Station and taking it from there.

 

 

>Any advice on where to stay?

 

Are you staying in The Pines or The Grove? If it's The Pines, there's only one place to stay, The Botel. Keep in mind, one side of The Botel faces low tea, another side high tea, and the third side the harbor - pick your poison.

 

I'm not up on where you stay in The Grove. Keep in mind The Grove is not as large or as "fabulous" - also, the average age is much older and there's a higher concentration of lesbians there. If you want non-stop eye candy, then stay in The Pines.

 

 

If you want more "private" dirt, feel free to send me a message board email.

 

Informatively yours,

 

FFF

[foxy]

The Botel is pretty much the only hotel in the Pines. It's very basic. Don't expect to spend much time in your room if you stay there. Can be pretty noisy on the weekends with the disco just downstairs, but you probably aren't going to Fire Island to catch up on your rest. While the Grove does have it's share of "older" guys it also gets it's share of the much "younger" guys, ie, those that can't afford to rent a house. There will be a lot of lesbians and they will probably be naked on the beach. Just walk down to the beach at the Pines if you have a hard time with that. As far as eating there are no great restaurants but you will have enough choices. Plenty of bars. If you should rent a house with a kitchen (which I usually do) the Pines Pantry is a great grocery store that stocks everything you could ever want. I found myself on the check-out line with Tommy Tune and Joel Grey one afternoon.

[+ Lucky]

Let's see, insects, old people, naked lesbians. And this is a popular place?

[trilingual]

An alternative to JFK is to fly into Islip airport (if it's still getting commercial flights, haven't checked recently). U.S. Airways, among others, had service there. It's much closer to Fire Island than JFK. Then just catch a cab from Islip to the Sayville ferry terminal.

[foxy]

>Let's see, insects, old people, naked lesbians. And this is a

>popular place?

I forgot to mention the deer. Hundreds of deer all over the place and completely tame. Yep, it's gay paradise.

[Guest ncm2169]

Gay deer? Are they "horny"?}(

[+ Lucky]

Well at least then I know I could get laid...

[btmstudnyc]

DEER DEAR.

 

 

Lucky...you can get lucky there. Especially if I'm leading the DEARS.

 

JIM

 

Traveler, Mon-Thursday is basically slow. If you can't get a hotel on the PINES....get one close to the ferry in Sayville...then you can just go over for the day and come back.