Episode 004:
Fire Island Pines
Fire Island, NY
While we were in the area, we decided to make the trek from Cherry Grove to Fire Island Pines. It's funny that two places so close together can have such different vibes. In our fourth video, we give you our impression of Fire Island Pines.
Where is this place...
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Fire Island Pines is located in the middle of Fire Island, which is a barrier island on the southern side of Long Island. To get there, you will to take the ferry from Sayville, NY. The directions are the as those to Cherry Grove, except you get on the Fire Island Pines ferry instead. The ferry ride takes about 45 minutes and drops you right in the middle of Fire Island Pines. Make sure you check which ferry you are boarding so you don't end up on the wrong side of Fire Island!
To get there from Cherry Grove, you can either walk, which will take you about half an hour of hiking through the woods, or you can take the water taxi. The water taxi will run you around $15-$20 per person round-trip, and will only make the trip for 2 people or more. We would suggest that if you have fancy clothes on (suit or dress) to spend the money on the water taxi.
The Basics...
Hours:
Ferries run year round, with varying schedules.
Ferry Ride Cost:
Adult - $16.00 per person round-trip during summer months
(Credit Cards accepted only for purchases over $24)
More information about the ferry can be found on their website.
The Details...
Fire Island Pines is named for the scrub pine trees located all through the area. According to legend, the pines originated from an 19th century ship carrying Christmas Trees and holly that foundered off the coast.
Like Cherry Grove, there are beaches in Fire Island Pines, but most of them are privately owned. We assume that walking along the shoreline is okay, but don't set down any towels or umbrellas, as you might be shooed away by the locals. Beyond Fire Island Pines to the East is Barrett Beach and the communities of Water Island and Davis Park. All are relatively long walks away (~1 hour).
Overall though, Fire Island Pines is much more residential. You'll probably run into a lot more locals and their guests out here. That does provide some benefits, as there is a little bit more development. If you are in need of some wine or emergency liquor, the Pines Liquor Shop on Bay Walk is a must. Even tough we recommend bringing your own liquor, a nice bottle of wine can never hurt, especially when enjoyed at sunset on the beach! Just keep an eye out for the posted restrictions in Fire Island Pines. Play safe!
The marina provides a nice setting for people-watching in the center of town. You'll see all the residents and visitors arriving and leaving on the ferry. You'll also see plenty of short-shorts. When we recorded our video, we were enjoying the "view" from one of the covered benches on the south side of the water.
Other than the marina, Hotel Ciel, which was renamed Botel in 2013, dominates the center of town. In the afternoon, the hotel hosts a pool-side tea party. There is also a small sandwich shop on the side of the hotel, in case you want to grab a bite. In our case, the party was fun, but a bit difficult to get into after the long walk. Moreover, some of the people at the party could be a bit intimidating to those of us who are less fit... Still, we didn't let them ruin our fun and sipped a cocktail by the pool.
Private house parties are also big in Fire Island Pines. After watching people disembark the ferries, we could tell that most were headed to a friend's house for a private beach party. Some people do open their homes to the public. We saw an advertisement for an underwear party at someone's house in the Pines. Unfortunately, we couldn't make it since we were already back in Cherry Grove when we found out and didn't want to make that trek back to the Pines at night. So, check the telephone poles and bulletin boards as you walk around both Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines for fliers advertizing any parties happening while you are there. Not to mention, you might even be able to find something on Craigslist... Or, find a friend who owns a house on the island and crash their party!
Gays at Play! Rating:
Flaming!!
In this spot, not only is there no problem with being gay, but it hard not to be! Just be yourself and enjoy the rainbows and unicorns, honey, because haters are not welcome here!
Recommended for: Gay Friends
That's all for now. Thanks for watching and reading! Don't forget to like us, leave a comment and share us with your friends if you enjoy the video!
Peace and Love,
Jon and David
Episode 003:
Cherry Grove
Fire Island, NY
Learning about exotic travel destinations is one of the exiting thing about Gays at Play! We plan to tell you all about our adventures in the Caribbean, Mexico, Miami, Canada and lots of other fun spots we've visited... eventually. But we wanted to save the good stuff for just a little bit later. So, for our first video outside of Connecticut, we decided to visit somewhere quintessentially gay... Fire Island. We hope that you find our video informative and fun.
Where is this place...
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Cherry Grove is located in the middle of Fire Island, which is a barrier island on the southern side of Long Island. To get there, you will to take the ferry from Sayville, NY. Do not listen to Google Maps, which says that you can drive onto Fire Island, right up to Cherry Grove. There are no roads across the island, only small boardwalks. In order to drive on the island, you would need drive on the beach with an ATV and of course the proper permits.
If you are coming from New York City, you can take the Long Island Railroad to Sayville and then catch a taxi the rest of the way.
If you are driving, take I-495 East to Exit 59, Route 93 / Ocean Avenue. Head South on Route 93 until you get to the center of Sayville, just past the train station. turn left onto Route 65 / Middle Road and then right onto Forest Road. Follow the signs (and other cars) to the parking lot. Parking is about $12 per car. The ferry ride takes about half an hour and drops you right in the middle of Cherry Grove. Make sure you check which ferry you are boarding so you don't end up on the wrong side of Fire Island!
The Basics...
Hours:
Ferries run year round, with varying schedules.
Ferry Ride Cost:
Adult - $16.00 per person round-trip during summer months
(Credit Cards accepted only for purchases over $24)
More information about the ferry can be found on their website.
The Details...
Water Rating: No (Jon) / Awesome (David)
Sand Quality - 8.5 to 9
The Fire Island Beach is one of the main attractions of the island, offering beautiful open beaches stretching for miles. The beaches are on the south side of the island, which is open directly to the Atlantic Ocean. The sand is clean and very fine, similar to that of many Caribbean beaches. The water is cool and refreshing, with nice sized waves. However, if you plan to go to the club later in the evening, you might want to think twice about going into the water. If you do plan to take a dip, make sure to bring towels, a bottle of fresh water to rinse off with and some body spray so that you can freshen up.
We brought a small tent with us to provide shade from the sun and some privacy. Many people had umbrellas. Don't forget your suntan lotion!
As we said, supplies on the island are expensive, so bring your own food and liquor.
We stopped at the market located on East Walk and spent $40 on just
water, cheese, hummus and a small veggie plate. Moreover, we did not
find a liquor store in Cherry Grove.
When you add it all up: Food, Water, Liquor, Chang of Clothes, Tent/Umbrella, etc... you may find that you feel more like you are going camping than spending a day at the beach. We needed two backpacks and a side bag just to carry everything. But, trust us when we say that it is worth the effort to avoid the high prices of the island and to be able to look fresh and fierce for your late night adventures!
The beach itself is clothing optional and predominantly gay. Many people were walking around nude, but most were wearing short-shorts or bikinis. There were some children, so please use your discretion. The crowd ranges from late-20's and up.
The beach is closed at night, with cops stationed at all the major boardwalks leading up to the beach. And don't even think of trying to sneak onto the beach from one of the side boardwalks, because the beach is heavily patrolled by the cops. Play safe!
Back in town, the gay fun continues! You'll probably find a lot of people walking around in beachwear and other very "casual" attire. And don't mess with the drag queens... Never mess with the drag queens!
Cherry's Bar is one of the main bars in town, located on the main boardwalk. At night, you can hear the music bumping from outside, with the usual Britney, GaGa, Gay club mix. There is a cover and usually a drink special. Our opinion was that the main attraction of this bar was that it was located in Cherry Grove. But, the music and drink specials were nothing special.
Tides Cozy Bar, located on the Ocean Walk Boardwalk, holds cabaret and piano shows in their small theater area. They also serve drinks and cocktails.
Cherry Grove Pizza is located in the heart of Cherry Grove next to the Grove Hotel. We ordered a whole cheese pizza for $30. It came with eight slices and was just e nough for the two of us. Add two cans of soda and some garlic bread and the total came to $45 with tax and tip. So, while it might be nice to get some hot, fresh New York-style pizza while on the island, be prepared to pay for it.
The Grove Hotel and Ice Palace is another spot in town that's hard to miss. They usually host afternoon pool parties and drag shows. The hotel also hosts the annual "Miss Fire Island" drag contest.
Another hotel in Cherry Grove is the Belvedere Fire Island Guesthouse. This gated and private hotel is a men's guest house, with basic rooms starting at $269 during the summer! Suffice it to say, we only got a peek at the place through the gates and over the fence... A number of other bed and breakfasts and men's guesthouses are also available in Cherry Grove, but will probably also cost you a pretty penny.
Another thing Fire Island is know for is it's parties. Check the telephone poles and bulletin boards as you walk around town for fliers advertizing any parties happening while you are there. Or, find a friend who owns a house on the island and crash their party!
Lastly, there's the Meat Rack, which is the infamous cruising area located in the wooded area between Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines. There are a number of paths through the woods, including the main path connecting the two communities. Off of the paths are a number of secluded areas where men usually "meet"... Jon and I did run across a number of men waiting in the woods. If you are not cruising, make sure to walk with a friend and watch for deer ticks, which are common on Fire Island. If you are cruising, always be safe and use protection. We would not recommend walking through the meat rack at night.
Overall, Cherry Grove is a great experience either as a day-trip or a weekend getaway. The best times to come are in the summer, or course, but also the early fall (September) when it is a lot less buggy.
Gays at Play! Rating:
Flaming!!
In this spot, not only is there no problem with being gay, but it hard not to be! Just be yourself and enjoy the rainbows and unicorns, honey, because haters are not welcome here!
Recommended for: Gay Couples, Gay Friends
That's all for now. Thanks for watching and reading! Don't forget to like us, leave a comment and share us with your friends if you enjoy the video!
Peace and Love,
Jon and David
Episode 002:
White Silo Farm and Winery
Sherman, CT
Gays at Play! is all about finding fun and unique spots for gay travel and adventure, even places where you might not expect it. For our second video, we got in the car and drove out to the White Silo Farm & Winery in Sherman, CT. On the way back, we thought we would tell you a bit about our experience.
Where is this place...
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The winery is located on Route 37 in Sherman, CT. Take US 7 North from Danbury until Route 37. Follow Route 37 up the hill and past the airport until you see the big white silo. Take a left into the parking lot.
The Basics...
Hours:
Friday-Sunday, 11am to 6pm
April to December
Wine Tastings:
Five Wine Tasting - $7
More information can be found on their website.
The Details...
Overall Experience: Medium
Wine Rating: OK, Decent
In general, the White Silo Winery produces fruit wines, which are sweet wines made with estate fruits. These wines can serve either as an accompaniment to a meal or as a nice after dinner refreshment.
During our visit, the Rhubarb wine was the best, with a nice tart flavor. The Raspberry wine, which is sweet and slightly tart, was also good. The Cassis wine, a semi-sweet wine promoted to us by the winery, was nice. Gays at Play! recommends mixing it with your favorite cognac to enhance the flavor. The Sangria, also promoted by the winery, was alright but not really worth the price. Besides, you probably already know someone who can make a mean sangria... Other Wines produced by the winery are a Black Currant wine and a Blackberry wine.
Of course the only way to know if you'll like them is to try them out! Tastings were $7 per person and include a free souvenir glass. There are no set times for tastings and walk-ins are welcome. Dress is casual. Bottles of wine will cost you between $10 and $15, while the Sangria will cost you $29 per bottle. On occasion, the winery will have live music during the main operating hours.
Our experience was that the service can be a bit slow when busy. In order to get served you will need to be somewhat aggressive (but of course polite) in getting to the bar, as people will try to cut in front of you.
The estate is very nice, with views of the rolling Litchfield hills. There are tables available inside and outside for you to enjoy a bottle of wine or a picnic lunch. A walk around the property and through the vineyards can also be very enjoyable.
As we mentioned, the winery is part of the larger Connecticut Wine Trail, which includes roughly 30 vineyards and wineries across the state. The Wine Trail provides a "passport," which you can get stamped at the wineries you visit. At the end of the season, you send in your passport and you can enter to win various prizes. The grand prize is a two-week trip to Malaga, Spain. We actually know a couple who won the trip a few years back! Other prizes include local hotel stays, limo rides and of course wine.
Gays at Play! Rating:
Gay Friendly
There is no problem with being "out" here and general levels of affection, such as holding hands, should also be okay. Still, use your better judgement to avoid any problems.
Recommended for: Gay Couples, Gay Date
That's all for now. Thanks for watching and reading! Don't forget to like us, leave a comment and share us with your friends if you enjoy the video!
Peace and Love,
Jon and David
Episode 001:
Lighthouse Point Park
New Haven, CT
Hey everyone! This is our first video and we are so excited! Gays at Play! is all about finding fun and unique spots for gay travel and adventure, even places where you might not expect it. We thought we'd start off right here in our own backyard and let you know about Lighthouse Point Park in New Haven, CT.
Where is this place...
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The park is located in New Haven, CT. Take I-95 to the Exit 50, Townsend Ave. Follow Townsend Ave. until the traffic light a Lighthouse Road. Take a right and follow the road to the end. Parking is located inside the park for a fee. You can try to park on the local streets and walk into the park to avoid the fee, but beware of parking restrictions and watchful neighbors.
The Basics...
Hours:
7am to Sunset
April 1 to November 1
Admission Fees:
New Haven Residents - FREE
Connecticut Residents - $20/day
Out-of-State Residents - $30/day
More park information can be found on their website.
The Details...
Water Rating: Not swimming water due to slippery rocks and not-so-clean harbor water
Sand Rating: 5.5
The beach itself is very picturesque, with nice views of Long Island Sound, New Haven Harbor, the Southwest Ledge Lighthouse, and even Long Island on a clear day. As you might have seen in our video, the beach is excellent for sunbathing, flying a kite, enjoying a picnic lunch, beach sports, etc... Tweed Regional Airport is nearby, with several flights leaving each day. Even though there are no major noise concerns, don't be surprised if you see a couple airplanes taking off or landing during your visit.
The lighthouse located on the beach, also called Five Mile Point Lighthouse, was in operation until 1877 when the Southwest Ledge Lighthouse was built on the breakers in New Haven Harbor. For information about occasional tours, contact New Haven Parks and Recreation from the phone number on their website.
The Lighthouse Park Splashpad and playground are located adjacent to the beach. The splashpad is a small water attraction that is popular with children and families. It looks like a very refreshing way to spend the afternoon and the water is certainly cleaner and fresher than the ocean water.
The Carousel House is one of the main attractions of Lighthouse Point Park and is often rented out for weddings and large functions. The carousel itself operates on weekends between Memorial Day and Labor Day. A single ride costs only $0.50.
There are also a number of other pavilions around the park. As we mentioned, they can be rented out for a very reasonable fee. If you don't feel like spending the money, you can always set up your own tables and barbeque. Be aware that alcoholic beverages are prohibited in the park.
Lastly, there is the bathhouse building located on the beach itself. It is the large yellow building to the east of the splashpad and basketball court. Ideally, one would be able to shower off and change here, but this very dark and dim building should be avoided, if possible. Not only is it unclean, but the smell overwhelming. If you need to use the bathroom, try the bathrooms located at the Ranger Station across from the lighthouse.
Gays at Play! Rating:
Gay Friendly
There is no problem with being "out" here and general levels of affection, such as holding hands, should also be okay. Still, use your better judgement to avoid any problems.
Recommended for: Gay Families, Gay Friends
That's all for now. Thanks for watching and reading! Don't forget to like us, leave a comment and share us with your friends if you enjoy the video!
Peace and Love,
Jon and David
