Located close to the eastern tip of Long Island, Shelter Island is an island town that makes up for what it lacks in population—on last count by the United States census, in 2020, that population came in at under 3,500—with a ton of charm, great food and beautiful beaches. It’s an amazing spot for a day trip and quite possibly the best coastal town in New York State.

If you want to get to Shelter Island, you got to get on a boat—it can be accessed by two different ferries from the north and south. It is 8,000 acres in size, with a third of that taken up by wild land preserved by the The Nature Conservancy.
Shelter Island Chamber of Commerce
The beaches of Shelter Island are one of its major draws—this private beach in particular is from the Ram's Head Inn, a great restaurant and resort located on 4.5 acres of land.
Management/TripAdvisor
Click here to visit the Ram's Head Inn.
Another amazing restaurant on the island is Vine Street Cafe. It specializes in local produce and wine, all in a cozy cottage-style space. Everything is made from scratch!
Vine Street Cafe
Click here to visit Vine Street Cafe.

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If you want to get to know a bit of the island's history, it's worth visiting the Shelter Island Historical Society. It tells the story of the island, from its early Native American residents to settlers to the current day.
Management/TripAdvisor
Click here to visit the Shelter Island Historical Society.
Feel like spending the night? Shelter Island House is a remodeled luxury hotel that dates back to 1945. It's on a street just a block away from the legendary Sunset Beach.
Management/TripAdvisor
Click here to visit the Shelter Island House.
Other attractions in Shelter Island include the Sylvester Manor Educational Farm and the Shelter Island Craft Brewery. If you just feel like relaxing, though, you can spend most of your time at one of the island's many beaches.
Melisande/TripAdvisor

When it comes to small costal towns, Shelter Island checks all the boxes. Amazing beaches? Check. Great food? Double check. Interesting historical sites? Triple check. So, what are you waiting for? This summer, make the trip to Shelter Island. And, hey, if you are in the Long Island area and love pie, it might be worth considering going on this road trip, which takes you around to all the best bakeries in the area.

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Shelter Island, NY, USA