The days are long again, you’ve spent the last year saving up sick days, and you’re more than ready for a break from the old routine. Gas up the mini-van, grab the kids and try some of these summer day getaways a short jaunt from home.
Ready For the Indies
Former Met Bill Pulsipher is seeking a comeback through the Long Island Ducks. |
For a change of pace from Shea, bring the batteries and head over to Citibank Park to watch the Long Island Ducks battle for Atlantic League supremacy. Equipped with once (and possibly future) villain John Rocker, the Ducks are looking to take charge in the eight-team league. According to Ducks pitching coach Dave LaPoint, Rocker chose to pitch for Long Island over many other teams, though many are unclear as to why. But hey, can’t blame a guy for trying to get a second chance.
Even though they’re a background design on the landscape of Mets and Yankees country, the Ducks still play exciting baseball, and the 6,000-seat stadium is a thing of beauty. The Ducks threw the first pitch in 2000, and they’ve housed notable major league caliber players such as Carlos Baerga and Javier Cardona.
The Ducks mean a lot more to the community than just a baseball team. Players are known to give one-on-one instruction sessions and attend organizational events. And because the Ducks are an independent league team, any aspiring ballplayer who thinks they have what it takes to hit with the big boys can request a tryout; just send your resume to Ducks General Manager Michael Hirsch.
Along with tons of other promotional goodies, this season the Ducks will host seven firework nights at the stadium. Scheduled dates are May 5, May 30, June 11, July 8, Aug. 13, Sept. 5 and September 21. (JF)
Tickets range individually from $7 to $13, and can be purchased by calling (631) 940-3825.
Air-Conditioned Escape
Tanger Outlets in Riverhead offers great outlet shopping. |
At the eastern end of the Long Island Expressway lies a little-known outdoor center of commerce known as Tanger Outlets. Any beautiful sunny summer day, you’d be hard pressed to find a better place to shop. With two mirror image shopping centers set up in two large squares, Tanger offers 168 stores to satisfy many shopping needs.
For you clotheshorses and style buffs out there, Tanger is home to Ralph Lauren, Banana Republic, the Gap, Nautica, and Old Navy, to name just a few. Footwear hotspots in Tanger include the Nike Factory store, Steve Madden, Bass and Liz Claiborne.
And for a mid-shopping munch? Fuel up at the food court, as well as McDonald’s, Auntie Anne’s, and Villa Pizza.
Tanger’s also a great resource for home appliances and furnishings with Pottery Barn, Kitchen Collection, Farberware, Mikasa and Waterford Wedgwood.
Tanger’s second shopping square was built in the late 1990s, after a controversial debate over environmental issues. Only a stone’s throw away from the original, the second center brings Tanger into the status of other great outdoor outlet centers like Woodbury Commons.
And for Queensites looking to spend a night away, Riverhead’s got inexpensive restaurants and hotels galore. The outlet’s also a short drive from Splish Splash Waterpark and Atlantis Center Marine World. (JF)
Summer hours at Tanger Outlets are 9 am-9 pm Mon. through Sat., and 10 am-8 pm on Sun. It can be reached by the Long Island Railroad from the Ronkonkoma Branch to Riverhead.
Hot Town, Bummer in the City
Charlie Cook leads a group on a Wild Earth Adventure. |
Admit it. Sometimes summer in the city doesn’t inspire anything more than a burning desire to spend some time far away from the city. It’s crowded, it’s noisy, everybody has something to yell about-and that’s just inside the kids’ room. For a well-earned departure from the hustle and bustle, try taking a day hike through the woods with the urban sherpas at Wild Earth Adventures.
The group schedules hikes nearly every weekend during the summer. Geared toward walkers of any endurance level, from expert trekkers to folks who’ve never set foot inside a hiking boot, the guided trips offer participants short strolls through the woods or week-long excursions into the wilderness areas around New York City.
Single day trips cost about $60 per person (after a $125 fee, which gives you a year’s membership with the club). Rates for couples are cheaper, and you’ll get a reduced rate if you have a car to help tote other walkers out of the city. (If you don’t own a car, though, don’t worry-the trip fee includes travel from the city to the trail and back again.) Most hikes leave around 7 or 8 in the morning and get back around 5 or 6 in the evening.
“Everybody’s heard of Bear Mountain,” says Charlie Cook, founder of the 25-year-old organization. “But most people don’t realize there are literally thousands miles of trails all around New York.”
Wild Earth doesn’t provide any equipment (although you won’t need much more than a regular old backpack and a good pair of walking shoes or hiking boots for the day hikes) but they can hook you up with local stores that rent hiking gear. (JP)
Check out Wild Earth Adventures’ full schedule of hikes at www.wildearthadventures.com, or call (845) 354-3717 for more information.
Best of Both Boroughs
Roosevelt Island offers visitors plenty to see, including this overgrown landmark. |
Long Island isn’t the only water-locked locale for a quick Queens getaway. For the cost of a subway ride, cool off your cabin fever by visiting the wide-open vistas of Roosevelt Island.
It’s not quite Queens, and it’s not quite Manhattan (some folks claim so, but it’s controlled by New York state), but the little island in between the two boroughs offers some amazing views of both. And for motorists who simply can’t ditch their mobiles, the bridge from 21st St. is free.
The island truly has that getaway feeling. First off, a bus ride of the entire island is 25 cents. That’s it. More industrious folks can walk the 147 acres. (Not us!) One of the most popular ways to arrive at the isle is to take the tram up and over into Manhattan (when you do, notice it’s the one Spiderman heroically saved in his first movie).
There are a number of hospitals and housing complexes on the island where many hospital employees work. The feeling there is one of a tight knit community, but certainly not unfriendly. Those who know their way around the island are more than happy to help visitors find their way around.
Others can simply sit back, walk under an unimpeded sky, see and hear the ocean, and simply revel in the fact they are no longer in Queens or Manhattan. (AP)
Surf-Surf-Surfaway Beach
The Rockaways now have a surfing-only beach. |
Think there’s no surfing in Queens? Think again. There are plenty of ocean-soaring residents out there, and if you’re among them, get ready to smile. Now you’ve got your own surf-friendly beach in Rockaway, the only legal surfing beach within New York City limits.
“Though the consistency is not always there, the Rockaways certainly have some days where the waves can rival the Pacific Ocean,” says Joel Banslaben, Chair of Surfrider NYC.
Banslaben, an avid surfer for the last 15 to 20 years, says Surfrider made use of grassroots advocacy in order to push for a surf-only beach. The non-profit organization did everything from getting in touch with people on the local level to contacting elected officials to garner support.
Banslaben said that present technology behind wet suits has made it possible to surf year round, even through the cold winter months. He’s also noticed the immense diversity among Queens surfers in regard to income levels and race. For beginning surfers, he says, the most important thing is to respect the rules-and the ocean.
“Our surfers now have a permanent home to practice their sport and enjoy the wonderful beaches of Rockaway,” Assemblywoman Audrey Pheffer (D-Ozone Park) said at the opening of the beach last month. “This beach designation will provide a safe area not only for surfers, but for other beach users as well, by avoiding confusion on where various beach activities can take place.” (JF)
The surf-only beach lies between jetties on 87th and 91st Streets in Rockaway.
More Than Fun In The Sun
The Jones Beach Tower, erected in 1930, is modeled after a spire in a European cathedral. |
What can’t you do at Jones Beach?
The famed getaway is right down the road from the crowded, land-locked streets of Queens, perfect for folks to replace sounds of the El overhead with sounds of waves crashing.
In fact, just getting there feels like a mini-getaway (especially for those well versed in NYC traffic). Cruise down the undulating byways of the Long Island Expressway, Grand Central, Northern and Wantagh Parkways, or (for you noble straphangers) lounge in the plush seating of the Long Island Railroad, hop off at Freeport, and take the JB62 bus from there.
With its endless sandy beaches, 18-hole golf course, 4 miles of foot-rails, and music concerts at the amphitheater, Jones Beach has become the city’s playground. (Where else can 50 Cent take the stage one night after James Taylor?)
Fun and games await visitors to Jones Beach. |
Sea lovers can sink their hooks into the water off Parking Field 10, and you’ll find a bait shop (and plenty of exaggerated tales of fishing exploits) available. Those who prefer their swimming water chlorinated can dive into the pools at Jones Beach ($2 adults, $1 kids). Kayaking is also available each day except Tuesday.
If you just can’t squeeze it all in on a one-day getaway, don’t fret; there are more than 16 hotels nearby, including the aptly named Jones Beach Hotel. (AP)
For more information, visit www.jonesbeach.org
