Discover the Top 12 Entertaining Fun Facts About Long Island You Never Knew!

1. 18th Most Populous Island

If you thought sardines were crowded, wait until you visit the human-packed shores of this popular New York fish-shaped landmass: Long Island ranks as the 18th most populous island in the world, boasting over 8 million residents and leaving the populations of Tenerife, Palawan, and Réunion in its island-dwelling dust.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Accents Galore

If Long Island were a high school, it would be voted "most likely to have a thick accent": the land has gifted the world with such strong New York City dialects from personalities like Tony Danza, Fran Drescher, and Rosie Perez, while also shaping the evolution of accents in Philly and southern Florida.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know NYC has about 4 million pigeons with incredible homing and distance-trekking skills? But beware, they might also carry diseases! Discover more fun facts about the Big Apple.

=> Fun Facts about New-York

3. Tulip Festival Extravaganza

When tulips turn the town into a living, breathing, Dr. Seuss illustration, you know spring has sprung on Long Island: Heckscher Park in Huntington Village hosts an annual Tulip Festival, boasting over 20,000 vibrant tulips, interactive children's activities, and live performances for a bloomin' good time for all ages.
Source => longisland.kidsoutandabout.com

4. Gold Coast Celebrity Hangout

From Gatsby galas to Chaplin snoozes: Long Island's Gold Coast mansions have not only been frequented by historical figures such as past presidents and aristocracy, but they were also Charlie Chaplin's preferred napping spot when visiting the island.
Source => discoverlongisland.com

5. Long Island: the Longest Island

Ah, Long Island: where the shores are sandy, the accents are thick, and the island is, well, long: This landmass takes the cake as the largest island in the contiguous United States, boasting an impressive 1,401 square miles and a whopping 8,063,232 inhabitants according to the 2020 census. Not only that, but it also plays traffic cop to two of the nation's and NYC metro's busiest airports, JFK and LaGuardia, making it the head honcho of commercial aviation.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

6. East Coast Wine Haven

Who needs Napa Valley when you've got a grape little secret right here on the East Coast? Long Island's been bottling up its talent since the '70s, proving that age and glasses of wine should never be counted: Home to over 60 vineyards, LI's 4,000 acres of land has laid the foundation for the modern wine industry since 1973 – with 3,000 acres dedicated to grape vines alone! It's where Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Sauvignon Blanc first came to the party, producing a staggering 1.2 million gallons of deliciousness annually and attracting 1.3 million wine enthusiasts each year who know where the real grapes of wrath are hiding.
Source => lisustainablewine.org

7. Roosevelt's Summer White House

Before Seal Team Six raided the shores of Long Island, a different type of powerhouse peacekeeper made it his lair: President Theodore Roosevelt's "Summer White House" – Sagamore Hill – was the location of key peace talks that ended the Russo-Japanese War and hosted visits from foreign dignitaries, earning it a National Historic Site badge!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Homegrown Potato Chips

Who says you can't pick your own chips straight from the farm? In Long Island, they're digging up more than just dirt with their potatoes: North Fork Potato Chips, operated by Martin and Carol Sidor, make scrumptious chips using potatoes from their very own farm. These delightful snackables come in seven mouth-watering flavors – including Sweet Potato, Cheddar & Onion, and Rosemary & Garlic – and are cooked in genuine sunflower oil.
Source => indigoeastend.com

9. Lighthouses & Maritime Bliss

If lighthouses were laser pointers, Long Island would be a cat's ultimate playground: Boasting a rich maritime history, the island is adorned with iconic lighthouses such as those at Montauk Point and the Hamptons' cliffs, while its beaches and bays like Moriches Bay present picturesque spots for fishing, sailing, and swimming.
Source => istockphoto.com

10. Birthplace of Stars

If laughter, music, and magic had a geographic love child, they'd name it Long Island: The gorgeous shores of this idyllic isle have birthed the likes of comedian Billy Crystal, who once roamed the halls of Long Beach High School, singer Pat Benatar, a proud Lindenhurst native, and mystical maestro Criss Angel, who honed his illusionary arts at East Meadow High School.
Source => longisland.com

11. The Big Duck Attraction

If it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, but sells ducks, it must be…: The Big Duck, a 30-foot long, 20-foot tall duck-shaped structure built in 1931 on Long Island as a one-of-a-kind shop selling ducks! Originally created by a local duck farmer and his wife, this quacky billboard is now a beloved tourist attraction, housing a gift shop and visitor information center for the Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Source => suffolkcountyny.gov

12. Pirate Paradise on Long Island

Ahoy, landlubbers! If ye be searching for buried treasure and saltwater shenanigans, look no further than the beaches of a little-known pirate paradise – and we're not talking about the Caribbean: Long Island's South Shore was a hotspot for notorious pirates such as Captain William Kidd and Thomas Tew during the 17th and 18th centuries, with rumors still swirling that hidden loot awaits discovery along its sandy coastline.
Source => en.wikipedia.org