Summary
Short description
Follow in the footsteps of F. Scott Fitzgerald on this 10-day holiday to New York State
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In pictures
About
Recommended for:
City | History & culture | Self-drive
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a literary classic; an era-defining novel set in 1920's Long Island - a golden age of excess, opulence and unprecedented American prosperity. Lavish parties were held in Long Island's sprawling north-shore estates, now known as the Gold Coast Mansions, where the rich and famous gathered to share in their unparalleled success.
This ten-day tailor-made New York State self-drive begins in New York City where you'll stay at the historic Morgans Hotel, originally completed in 1929 and now restored to its former glory by legendary designer Andrée Putman in 2008. After a four-night stay discovering the many highlights of the Big Apple you'll drive to the exclusive coastal town of East Hampton at the eastern end of Long Island where you'll spend three nights before heading to Long Island's North Shore and the chance to explore the Gold Coast Mansions that were the inspiration for the book, and now the film, The Great Gatsby.
If you have more time you may wish to extend your trip. The historic estates of the Hudson valley, the scenic wine region of Finger Lakes, the iconic Niagara Falls and the vibrant city of Buffalo, where Fitzgerald spent much of his childhood, are all options for those looking to experience more of New York State.
Day by day itinerary
Days
1-4
New York City
Arrive in New York City and make your way to Morgans Hotel on Madison Avenue in the heart of Manhattan.
You'll have four days to explore all that New York City has to offer from the iconic attractions of Broadway, the Empire State Building, Times Square and the Statue of Liberty to the city's many and varied neighbourhoods including Harlem, Greenwich Village, East Village, Soho and the Lower East Side.
We have a number of exciting optional excursions to help make your time in New York City even more memorable such as shopping tours, helicopter tours and walking tours, taking you to lesser-visited areas of the city. If you're in town on a weekend you might consider a Harlem gospel church service with lunch - a truly unique way to spend a day in the Big Apple.
Stay: Morgans New York (RO)
Days
5-7
The Hamptons, Long Island
Leave the city behind this morning as you collect your hire car and begin your journey through Long Island. Your final destination today will be the town of East Hampton, part of the exclusive Hamptons that make up the south-eastern corner of Long Island and just a two hour drive from Manhattan. As you make your way across Long Island be sure to stop at some of the many attractions you'll find along the way including the fascinating Cradle of Aviation, a museum charting the history of aviation in the United States, and the gorgeous sandy expanses of Long Beach, one of Long Island's premiere summer vacation spots.
Your next three nights will be spent in the picturesque town of East Hampton, staying at the wonderful 1770 House, a luxury historic inn dating back to 1663 that still retains many of its original features. Spend your days exploring the beautiful beaches and exclusive coastal towns that make up the Hamptons as well as the region's superb wineries that dot the north and south forks of eastern Long Island.
Stay: 1770 House, East Hampton (RO)
Days
8-9
North Shore, Long Island
Depart the Hamptons this morning and head to Long Island's north shore, also known as The Gold Coast. Check into the characterful Three Village Inn at Stony Brook where you'll spend the next two nights. This part of your trip will be like stepping back in time to the height of the Roaring Twenties and the era of The Great Gatsby as you explore the vast, opulent mansions that line Long Island's northern shore. Several of these huge estates are open to the public and host regular tours, including the magnificent Old Westbury Gardens, Otto Hermann Khan's French-influenced Oheka Castle and Eagle's Nest - home to the Vanderbilt Museum.
Stay: The Estate at Three Village Inn, Stony Brook (RO)
Day
10
Departure
Depart Long Island and make your way back to the airport where you'll return your hire car and board your onward flight. Alternatively you can extend your stay in New York State.
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