Oyster Fest

We are planning to go next weekend for the first time. I heard parking is a big issue and it can be very very crowded. Two questions-

1- is it still worth going to?
2- best way to get there? someone mentioned the shuttle from the train station. I have a double stroller and 3 young kids. Can you fold up the stroller? Do you just hold the kids on your lap? That's safe??? Any good options??? TIA!!!

Re: Oyster Fest

Sorry, I've never been but it sounds like fun! where is this?

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I go every year.

We usually find parking in one of the commercial businesses that open their lot as paid parking for the day.

The lines for the shuttle seem long when we've passed it. I'm not sure how often then run.

It's definitely crowded, but it's a lot of fun.

Message edited 10/12/2015 8:28:37 PM.

Oyster Fest

Go early in the day when crowds will be smaller. Sometimes you can luck out a find a space on the street around Lexington Avenue. Also the school right at that corner sometimes has parking in their lot as a fundraiser.

Oyster Fest

Last year the crowds were so bad you couldn't even walk

Oyster Fest

I went once and never again :( I thought the soup was very $$$ and watered down, BUT if is nice out and not too chilly it can be nice. When I went it was windy and cold

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I grew up in OB - went every year as I could walk…..tried to go a few years back (before kids) and was miserable. Now with two kids, I can't fathom dealing with the crowds.

That said, I parked up at St. Dom's and walked down the hill.

Oyster Fest

We go early, so it's not so bad. We always go on Saturday but this year we are going on Sunday. We try to get in and out quickly, we do the walk all the way down, get food and dessert, peruse the shops then walk back, always stopping for fresh pickles on the way. This will be our first year bringing DS and I am so excited. He loves parties and this is like one big party!

Oyster Fest

We went once before kids and it was absolutely crazy. Haven't been back since.

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Go early and you can get a spot in reasonable walking distance. We go every year with our young kids in strollers and have never had a problem finding a spot if we are there 30 minutes before the festival starts. Usually on our way out there is a huge influx of people just coming in and we are so grateful we are leaving at that point. If I had to deal with shuttles I wouldn't bother going.

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ive gone a few times, parking is tough. not going this yr. because the lines are ridiculous.

Oyster Fest

Used to go every year but then it started getting too crowded. Now, the crowds are insane - like pp said, you can barely walk. Just not worth it anymore. Maybe if you get there very early it won't be so bad

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Not going any more, too crowded and ridiculously long lines for oysters and clams.
We would take the RR at East Williston.

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We went last year on Sunday. My aunt lives there so we parked at her home. She said that Saturday was less crowded. If you go, go early and go directly to the seafood if you want it. The food lines were over an hour wait last year. It was so packed.

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We went a few times. It's just ok, not worth the aggravation.

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I live in OB area. Traffic sucks and I dread this weekend every year! That said, we go every year, usually on Sunday and right at 11 when it starts. We don't mind walking, so we park up on either Kellogg, School or Anstice street and just walk. There are paid lots at OB High school, the library, etc. You can also shuttle on yellow school buses from the middle school (Vernon on 106) or the LIRR at Syosset. These aren't best bets for strollers I would say.

What might be easiest for those who are coming from out of town anyway is to take a train ride from any of the train stations that are west of OB - Locust Valley, Glen Head, Sea Cliff, etc. The end will bring you right to the center of it all.

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I went once 3 or 4 years ago. Didn't think it was anything special and probably wouldn't go back. And yes, very crowded and parking was tough to find. I think it'd be very hard/frustrating to push a double stroller through there

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Go early, easier to find parking on the surrounding streets. Roosevelt Elementary school has parking spots for sale, as does the high school and other businesses.
Sunday, I have found that the lines for food are not that bad. Past few years, I can't really remember waiting on any line for more than a few minutes.