Fire Island — The Pines & Cherry Grove

Gay Fire Island is one of the oldest gay destinations in the USA and is located as a narrow sand island off the south coast of Long Island, about two hours by train from Manhattan. You can travel by train to Sayville and from there by ferry, because there are no cars on the island. You move on foot over wooden footbridges, and you pull your luggage in the handcart. The queer heart of the island is formed by two places: Cherry Grove and Fire Island Pines.

Cherry Grove is the older of the two, known for drag, cabaret and a mixed audience of all generations. The fancier, party-oriented neighborhood is considered The Pines, with modern architecture and the famous Tea Dance in the late afternoon. Between the two places is the so-called Meat Rack, a piece of forest that you can cross in half an hour. Both Hamlets are suitable for accommodation, depending on whether you like it more hustle and bustle or more down-to-earth. The season runs from Memorial Day weekend at the end of May to Labor Day at the beginning of September, and it gets crowded from mid-July to mid-August. The highlight is the Invasion of the Pines on July 4th, when drag performers come over by ferry from Cherry Grove. If you are there for the first time, it is best to go in the high season and plan a few days.