Islip

Understand

Islip is a suburb of New York City and one of ten townships in Suffolk County. While not as spectacular as Montauk or Jones Beach, it doesn't lack for things to do.

Get in

By plane

Bus from airport

• Suffolk Transit's S57 bus (Sayville–Smith Haven Mall) directly serves MacArthur Airport and the Ronkonkoma LIRR station. It runs M-Sa once an hour but ends service before 8 PM at most stops.

By train

Islip has two main LIRR stations (Islip and Central Islip) that take visitors from New York City. However, there are other stations you can get off at depending on where you want to go.

The five stations on the Montauk Branch (in order), which usually starts at Jamaica, Queens, are:

The three on the Ronkonkoma Branch (in order), which is more convenient for traveling from Penn Station, in Manhattan, are:

Yeah, that's a lot of stations, but with the exception of traveling somewhere specific, it's best to get off at Islip or Central Islip.

Stay safe

Crime

For the most part, Islip is a very safe town – you will find many communities within the town which are safe both during day and at night (including Sayville, Brightwaters, and the Fire Island communities – along with the hamlet of Islip (which is also the town's center of government)). However, like any large municipality, there are also some areas where one should exercise caution – namely, Brentwood, North Bay Shore, and portions of Central Islip. Although generally safe during the day, they can get very dangerous at night. Gangs like MS-13 – along with trafficking and illegal aliens – are infamous nationally for having a massive presence in these communities (especially Brentwood) and there is a lot of gang-related crime and drug dealing & usage in these areas. If you have no reason to travel through these communities after the sun sets, then avoid them. And if you must travel through those areas, make sure to stick to the main thoroughfares: do not travel through the residential areas (especially if there is no street lighting), and do not walk alone under any circumstances in the area at night. Additionally, if you see sneakers dangling from overhead wires or gang graffiti in these areas, leave (as these are signs that drug deals & gangs may be active in the immediate area). However, you should also realize that those crimes in those communities are rarely targeted at tourists – rather, they are targeted against known victims and rival gang members. You should be fine simply by minding your own business and using the same basic common sense you would anywhere else.

Outside of Brentwood, North Bay Shore, and parts of Central Islip, the area is incredibly safe. Locals care about their community, and it is constantly patrolled by the police.

Should you encounter any problems or witness something suspicious, dial 911. The Suffolk County Police Department is always active and patrolling the area and are happy to assist anybody in need of assistance.

Poison ivy, ticks, and mosquitoes

If venturing into the town's many pristine, wooded nature preserves or visiting Fire Island, be sure to stick to the pathways, so as to avoid encounters with poison ivy and ticks in the brush. Being bitten by a deer tick can cause Lyme Disease. To protect yourself, make sure to dress appropriately (i.e.: light colors, long sleeves, long pants, closed-tip shoes or boots, etc.), wear insect repellent, and check carefully for ticks after exposure.

Also, while they are typically harmless, be sure to watch out for mosquitos at dusk – lest you get bitten (that's never fun). Either leave before dusk or make sure to use some insect repellent.

Respect

Many Islip locals knew or are related to victims who died on – or from complications caused by – the collapse of the Twin Towers on 9/11. Some locals themselves were there themselves and survived. Some are very open about the subject, while others aren't. It's a sensitive, emotional topic for obvious reasons, and, unless they bring it up first, it is best to either ask before having a conversation with locals about it, or to avoid the topic altogether.

Mutual respect, politeness, and modesty are greatly valued everywhere in town.

Go next

• Babylon
• Smithtown
• Brookhaven