Express Way: One Destination, Many Shores
From glitz to golf, Long Island offers groups a wealth of culture, history, and coastal adventures
Stretching 118 miles east from the city lights of Manhattan to the ocean views at Montauk Point, Long Island, N.Y., is the largest and most populous island in the contiguous U.S. Served by several of the nation’s busiest airports, this four-season destination lures travelers from around the world to explore each of its distinct regions and towns. For group tours arriving by motorcoach, Long Island promises a blend of history, elegance, and recreation.
Step into Gatsby-era grandeur on a mansion tour or overnight stay at Oheka Castle, Long Island’s legendary Gold Coast estate.
Visitors who climb the Montauk Point Lighthouse tower are treated to a 360-degree view of Montauk Point on the eastern tip of Long Island. The lighthouse’s construction was authorized by President George Washington in 1792.
Groups can stroll the vineyards, explore the cellar and tank room, and learn the craft of sparkling winemaking on a tour of Sparkling Pointe Winery.
Groups can stroll the vineyards, explore the cellar and tank room, and learn the craft of sparkling winemaking on a tour of Sparkling Pointe Winery.
“Long Island is an accessible, welcoming destination for motorcoach groups, with attractions and hotels ready to accommodate buses and ensure a seamless visit,” says Debra Tassone, director of sales at Discover Long Island. “From the stunning Gatsby-era Gold Coast mansions to revolutionary history throughout the North Shore, from award-winning vineyards of the North Fork to the iconic Montauk Lighthouse on the South Fork, and numerous world-class golf courses in each region, groups can effortlessly explore the unique makeup of all the island has to offer.”
The Gold Coast region, perched along the North Shore bluffs, rose to prominence during the 1920s when New York’s wealthiest families built opulent estates, castles, and gardens here. Immortalized in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, these architectural marvels were once playgrounds for industrialists, socialites, and even world leaders. Today, groups can take a guided tour of Oheka Castle in Huntington, the second-largest private residence ever built in America. The Vanderbilt Museum, Mansion, and Planetarium in Centerport invites visitors to explore a gilded-era estate with fascinating marine collections and a state-of-the-art planetarium. Other treasures include the castles of Sands Point Preserve, Old Westbury Gardens’ manicured grounds, and Bayard Cutting Arboretum’s peaceful landscapes—each offering guided tours that transport visitors back to Long Island’s glamorous past.
Beyond the grandeur, Long Island delivers diverse attractions for groups of all interests. At the easternmost tip of the South Fork, an area also nicknamed “The End,” is the Montauk Point Lighthouse—the oldest in New York State—which stands proudly as both a museum and National Historic Landmark. In Stony Brook on the North Shore, the Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages immerses guests in its nine acres of exhibits, historic structures, and gardens, while the Washington Spy Trail follows the real-life Culper Spy Ring of Revolutionary War fame.
Long Island’s revolutionary history celebrates 250 years of heroes and heritage.
For golf enthusiasts, Long Island is a dream destination. With nearly 130 courses—more than 60 of them open to the public—the island has hosted some of the sport’s most prestigious tournaments, including the U.S. Open and the Ryder Cup, which was held at the legendary Black Course in Bethpage State Park for the first time in 2025. Other public gems include Montauk Downs, Timber Point Golf Course in Great River, Indian Island in Riverhead, and West Sayville on the South Shore. In 2026, the U.S. Open returns to the historic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, June 18–21.
After a day of sightseeing or play, groups can indulge in prime steaks and fresh sushi at Insignia in Smithtown or head to the North Fork to sip award-winning vintages at Paumanok Vineyards or champagne-style wines at Sparkling Pointe Winery. For a coastal finish, East End Charters offers seasonal sailing adventures aboard the schooner Bonnie Lynn, a memorable way for groups to toast a perfect Long Island getaway.
Start planning your group tour by visiting discoverlongisland.com/meetings-groups or contacting Tassone at [email protected].
discoverlongisland.com | (877) 386-6654
Photo credit: Discover Long Island.
