Day Trip to Watch Hill: A Gorgeous, Remote Beach Getaway a Trainride Away

There's no denying that NYC is a crazy busy place to live.

Although I love what NYC has to offer, if I didn't get out from time to time I wouldn't stay sane. Usually I visit the country (the Woodstock area) on weekends, and that's great, but summertime is beach time, and if I didn't make it to the beach at least a few times, summer wouldn't feel complete. This summer I discovered this amazing beach: Watch Hill. It's part of Fire Island, a 32-mile long, stringbean-shaped island off the coast of Long Island. Watch Hill is a gorgeous beach to visit. It's a nature preserve, meaning you can visit, but no one lives there.

To get to Watch Hill, you take the LIRR from either Penn Station (approx. 1 1/2 hours) or Jamaica (1:10) to Patchogue. From Patchogue you walk a brief 10-minute walk to the ferry station, and then the ferry takes you to Watch Hill.

It's so beautiful and remote you won't believe it, yet so close to Manhattan. Perfect for a day trip -- from 10 million people to about 12 -- see for yourself!