"Even though I’m from Long Island, I usually go upstate," he says. But he’s a new fan of camping by the waves, he says. "I like the beach. I like the mountains, too, but I like the beach.

Ocean Beach is ideal for a day away or an extended stay. Credit: Linda Rosier For other visitors, the trip to Fire Island is a close-to-home staycation. “It’s like another world with no cars ...