If you’re looking to host a stellar New York event outside the city without venturing far, New York City’s laid-back cousin, Long Island, might be just the ticket. While the island technically begins with Brooklyn and Queens to the west, “Long Island” typically refers to the stretch of pristine beaches, historic homes, sprawling vineyards, and 28 state parks found in Nassau and Suffolk counties to the east—a world apart in vibe and pace.
Getting there is easy—Suffolk County, the easternmost county and farthest from New York City, is just over 30 minutes from John F. Kennedy International Airport and LaGuardia Airport. Long Island MacArthur Airport in Ronkonkoma serves 17 destinations nonstop, with connections across the U.S. Attendees also might take advantage of the Long Island Rail Road to get to Long Island from New York City, as well as two ferry systems that link to Bridgeport and New London, Connecticut.
Long Island is home to several distinct regions, including the North Shore’s Gold Coast, the South Shore, and the twin forks at the eastern tip. “Depending on what people are looking for, there are different vibes throughout the island,” says Debra Tassone, senior sales manager at Discover Long Island. For a historic ambience, planners might select the region’s northern Gold Coast along Long Island Sound with its dozens of grand estates hailing from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Or, for an upscale beach atmosphere, hit the Hamptons or Montauk, which offer boat charters, surfing, and fishing for those with sea legs. Fire Island—a barrier island off the South Shore—is a car-free getaway only accessible via ferry that is full of buzzy nightlife and LGBTQ+-friendly neighborhoods.
“You can really choose your flavor,” says Tassone. “There’s so much variety, and in any given area, there are places that can accommodate meetings and groups. You have your boutique walkable towns, your larger mainstream hotels, and waterfront resorts. It’s wild when you really dig deep.”
Glamorous Gold Coast
Rocky beaches, lavish mansions, and upscale shopping are hallmarks of Long Island’s Gold Coast, a subsection of its North Shore region. Its quiet, polished atmosphere and stunning grand estates were the inspiration for F. Scott Fitzgerald’s legendary work “The Great Gatsby,” a story set in a fictionalized version of the area during the summer of 1922. “Although the story is fiction, the destination is not,” says Tassone. “When you visit today, you truly get the essence of that time.” Once home to magnates in banking, railroads, and oil, the Gold Coast still echoes its opulent past through its preserved estates, manicured gardens, and stately architecture. Today, many of these historic properties are open for group tours or available for private gatherings, offering a glimpse into the grandeur that defined America’s Gilded Age.
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park lies nestled in Oyster Bay, the site of the 409-acre estate once owned by insurance magnate William Robertson Coe. On the National Register of Historic Places since 1979, Planting Fields features historic structures, landscapes designed by John Charles Olmsted and Frederick Law Olmsted Jr., and captivating artworks and gardens. Coe Hall, the on-site Tudor Revival residence, is available for private events and has a capacity of 150 for receptions. Plus, several gardens are available to book. “Event planners often remark on the stunning landscapes, noting the beauty of the surroundings enhances the overall atmosphere of their events,” says Planting Fields Foundation Communications and Marketing Manager Kayla Cheshire. Each year, the Planting Fields Foundation, which helps manage the park, hosts A Moveable Feast, the organization’s annual spring benefit that includes a Champagne welcome, cocktails and light bites, a seated dinner, and live entertainment, among other highlights.
A Gold Coast must-see is Oheka Castle, the second-largest private residence in the U.S. and today a member of Historic Hotels of America. Its Grand Ballroom can host up to 450, and its Great Lawn provides an expansive 292,000 square feet for attendees to spread out and enjoy the grounds. Group tours of the castle also are available Monday through Thursday, and its on-site dining establishment, OHK Bar & Restaurant, contains a cozy, European-style private dining room for up to 75. At the Vanderbilt Mansion, Museum, and Planetarium in Suffolk County, attendees can mingle under a tent on a lawn that once served as the golf course of William K. Vanderbilt II or enjoy a private planetarium show.
But North Shore meeting offerings go beyond flashy estates. For those looking to hobnob, Northport’s Del Vino Vineyards makes Italian-style wines that have been passed down for generations, and its private rooms accommodate groups of up to 40. Adventurous, history-minded attendees might take some time to explore The Washington Spy Trail, 26 historic spots throughout the North Shore area with signage that recounts stories of ordinary citizens who risked their lives during the Revolutionary War to provide crucial intelligence to Gen. George Washington. For extra meeting and lodging space, The Northport Hotel and Danfords Hotel, Marina, and Spa are additional options.
Serene South Shore
The South Shore is Long Island’s suburbia with a splendid beachiness. Also known as the “Maritime Trail,” the area boasts some of the best Suffolk County beaches, including Coopers Beach and those within Robert Moses State Park. “On the South Shore, [the sand] truly is soft, it’s like hour-glass sand—you’re picking shells, and on a great day, you can see dolphins,” says Tassone. Just off its coast lies Fire Island, accessible via ferry from Bay Shore, Sayville, and Patchogue, and known for its 32-mile stretch of pristine beaches and vibrant nightlife. Meeting and event groups might find adequate gathering space at the Fire Island Beach House hotel, the Cherry Grove Community House and Theatre, or the Whyte Hall Community Center, with its 172-seat Brandon Fradd Theater.
Two of the area’s prominent hotels, Hyatt Regency Long Island and Hilton Long Island/Huntington, also have much to offer. “Hilton Long Island/Huntington is a one-stop shop,” says Sales Manager Analiese Ringgenberg. “We often are applauded for our convenient location and amenities.” Set along state Route 110, just 1 mile south of Interstate 495, the hotel embodies the relaxed atmosphere of Long Island, plus the bustling vibe of the corporate and commercial areas along the highways, Ringgenberg says.
As vice president of John Edward Events Corp. in Huntington Station, New York, Katrina Jenus touts the property’s customer service, having planned events there for many years. “From the moment I reach out to their sales team, I know I’m in good hands,” she says. “They anticipate my needs before I even have to ask.” The hotel offers full-service catering and 15 meeting spaces, including the 9,825-square-foot Grand Ballroom. The property is gearing up to host many attendees for the upcoming Ryder Cup men’s golf tournament this September, which will be held at neighboring Bethpage State Park on the Bethpage Black Course.
Farther east, in Hauppauge, Hyatt Regency Long Island lends itself well to meetings with golf aficionados due to its proximity to the Wind Watch Golf & Country Club. The hotel offers nine meeting rooms, and the golf club provides additional space with full-service catering and an in-house event staff.
A Tale of Two Forks
When you reach Riverhead—home to attractions like The Suffolk theater and the Long Island Aquarium—the island splits into two distinct regions: North Fork and South Fork. Here, planners can choose their adventure, from hosting amid the bucolic scenery of the North Fork to the chic, sophisticated atmosphere of the South Fork. Riverhead itself offers several meetings-friendly hotels, including Hotel Indigo Long Island–East End, Hyatt Place Long Island/East End, and Residence Inn Long Island East End.
Known for its wineries, farms, and craft breweries, the North Fork’s relaxed pastoral charm shines through in its meeting space. Suhru & Lieb Vineyards sits on 54 acres of certified sustainable vineyards, with a tasting room overlooking rolling farmland. “Our favorite events to host are small gatherings, be it an intimate celebration, a corporate lunch and guided tasting, or a private tasting complete with food-and-wine pairings,” says Shelby Hearn Ulrich, general manager and partner at Suhru & Lieb. In summer and fall, the winery accommodates up to 75 guests across the tasting room, Library Room, and patio, and in winter and spring it holds up to 50. For a seaside retreat, host at Sound View Greenport, a North Fork hotel containing plenty of venues with views—from its Halyard Restaurant full of natural light to its cozy library for up to 60 guests. East Wind Long Island is the North Fork’s largest meeting venue, accommodating groups from 10 to 2,000.
“Paris meets Rome,” is how Tassone describes the South Fork’s iconic Hamptons. “Your shops are there, your fashion is there—talk about amazing eateries and chefs,” she says. Claude’s Restaurant at the Southampton Inn is a staple, known for its fresh, regionally sourced ingredients and welcoming atmosphere. For a taste of Mykonos, Greece, Calissa Hamptons in Water Mill serves up traditional Greek dishes like moussaka and lamb stew and offers several indoor and outdoor private dining spaces.
At the tip of the South Fork, Montauk is known for its Montauk Point Lighthouse, beach resorts, spas, horseback riding, and golf courses. In business since 1926, Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa is Montauk’s only year-round resort. “From studio fitness classes and live entertainment to beachfront dining and private bonfires, we provide year-round experiences that enhance any gathering,” says Lisa Maola, director of sales for Gurney’s Resorts, the hotel’s owner. “Our dedicated conference services team works closely with each client to design tailored events that leave a lasting impression.” The resort features event space for up to 500 and contains North America’s only ocean-fed seawater pool within its spa.
