Jaunted

Your write up about Fire Island is a little off---there are only two towns that can be called “Gay resorts”. Fire Island is one of the best summer locals for straight single 21-35 somethings. Ocean Beach, Ocean Bay Park, Kismet, etc are great beach towns packed with good-looking, fun loving, non-pretentious singles who flock out to FI to truly unwind. Cherry Grove and The Pines are the "gay Resorts" , during the summer there are two major events that I know of--one is called the Invasion -this is where groups of partygoers from the Grove and the pines take a ferry and go to all the straight party towns for a major bar crawl -it is pretty funny and everyone is in good spirits--even the frat boy type homophobes can be found doing shots with a drag queen. Also, the famous Miss Fire Island Pageant--in Cherry Grove is when all the other towns flock to Cherry Grove for a fun filled day that centers around a well produced drag queen pageant show. It is hysterical.
 
Ocean Bay Park and Ocean Beach are the real party towns. This is where my friends and I get summer places--we've done the hamptons as well, but have more fun on FI--it's more relaxing, less of a commute from the city. People tend to drink more since they do not have to drive anywhere - my guys friends like it cause they think it's easier to get a girl to go home with them since all they have to do is walk a few blocks from the bar to get home.  In the morning you can see many dishelved guys and girls doing the walk of shame.  Lots of romance happens on FI.

Sea view is really family centered, lots of kids, grandparents, etc,

Point o Woods is Ultra conservative, gated community, very preppy, very family centered.

The beaches overall are gorgeous, lots of action, plenty of space. Ocean Beach has more rules--I don't think you can eat or drink on the beach, but Ocean Bay park is more relaxed--you can bring coolers, etc and people are pretty respectful about cleaning up after themselves.  Dogs are allowed on the beaches--dogs are actually a common site on FI as are bikes. Maguire's in OB is a great restaurant, great apps and lobster dinner specials, Flynns in Ocean Bay Park is great for Happy hour, especially on Sundays.  Schooners in OBP has a great late night scene and strong drinks. Rocket Fuels are a popular drink in OB & OBP -it's like a pina Colada with a lot of alcohol--goes down easy and gets Fire Island First timers really drunk.

Ocean Bay Park has the annual Cayuga Crawl--a block full of summer renters organize a house crawl, each house has to have a theme, costumes and drinks and it goes all day.  Lots of fun. Some people go all out.  

Here and there on FI you find your fare share of ...hmmm....dare I saw "White trash" - more like that group of late 30'somthings that are still stuck in the 80's/90's---not uncommon to see some teased hair, blue eyeshadow and maybe even a mullet or two with a can of Budweiser.

I know it's common for people to think Fire Island is strictly for the gay community, but it has a lot to offer. Hope this helps!

PS—Rumor has it the makers of Real World and Surreal life are filming an 8-week show on Fire Island’ Ocean Beach entitled Summer Share.

[Image via Blaise K/Flickr]

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