Post #86348 by thejab on Thu, Apr 15, 2004 11:35 AM

If you're driving and not drinking, I recommend lunch or dinner (depending on your plans and their hours) at the Islands with a stroll around the pool area, and don't miss the gardens and waterfall inside the atrium of the main tower.

Nearby is Albie's Beef Inn, which is more fun at night when the piano bar is happening, but you could do no wrong by having lunch there if the Islands isn't open for lunch.

Then drive over to Shelter Island (20 min), park in the huge lot in front of the Bali Hai, check out the gift shop (call first as their hours are limited) and the pictures along the stairs on the way to the dining room, which has great views but isn't very tiki anymore (I much prefer the Islands' atmosphere). Take a walk around the grounds as well.

Walk over to the Half Moon Inn along the water. Enter through the lobby (pretend you own the place) and into the beautiful gardens chock full o' tikis.

Drive around Shelter Island to see the other Polynesian architecture, and as you leave stop at Trader Mort's.

All of this is best after sunset when the torches are lit at the Half Moon Inn and at Trader Mort's.