One of the best venues on Long Island is the Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh. If you’re not a native, or haven’t spent much time exploring the strip of beaches on the south shore, it can be difficult to find. I recommend using the name of the theater in your GPS instead of the address.

You’ll know you’re getting close to the theater when you see what locals call the “needle” or “pencil.” This fully operating water tower was built in 1930 and supplies the park with all its fresh water. It extends 1,000 feet underground!

Growing up here, no one I knew shared any knowledge about the “needle” or seemed to care about its existence. The most attention it got? Penis jokes.

Did I mention Long Island has a raunchy sense of humor?

Anyway, I still get butterflies when I see that tower. It’s the center of a roundabout that leads to beaches in every direction. At dusk, the sky turns into a show of inky rainbow colors, often ending with cotton candy pink. Deer graze on the grass as the sun sets and stick their noses in garbage cans, feeding on whatever nibbles beach goers left behind.

Jones Beach welcomes visitors from all over the country with it’s scenic lighthouse and miles of light tan sand and deep blue ocean waves. It’s a frequent summer day trip for residents of New York City who don’t have the time, money or desire to head hours east to the Hamptons where many beaches are off limits to non-locals. Some go to Jones Beach to cast their fishing poles in the sea and pull out a fluke or bluefish for dinner.

There is no town here. Just beach and one popular venue—the historic Jones Beach Theater.

The outdoor theater seats 15,000 but I’ve rarely seen every seat filled. The most memorable shows I’ve seen there were Blink 182, Kesha with Macklemore, and Adam Sandler.

Jones Beach Theater has turned fancy.

Before, it was just a big stadium designed by the infamous Robert Moses (king of gentrification), surrounded by nothing but a vast parking lot where ticketless tailgaters listened to concerts from their lawn chairs or cars.

Now there’s a whole little village of kiosks and cafes serving wine, cocktails, finer type foods, even gluten-free. Dare I say it’s sophisticated! This is a far cry from it’s modest, no frills past.

The water view is beautiful. It’s one of few concert venues where a refreshing breeze, fresh salty sea air and circling seagulls are part of the experience. I find most indoor venues stuffy, hot, draining. Not here. At Jones Beach I leave feeling invigorated.

Find a deal online? No worries if you’re in the reasonably priced seats. That’s where you’ll find us. Gigantic TV screens adorn both sides of the stage so you won’t miss the details. Just avoid sitting too far left or right. You’ll have a great view of the water but your view of the stage may be obstructed.

There is generally good energy at this theater, including the staff. During the Kesha concert, I wasn’t feeling well from Dysautonomia and after showing my medical ID card, the staff kindly let me and my husband sit on the open deck, away from the crowds.

Adam Sandler’s tour was hilarious. He brought his film buddies on stage with him, including Rob Schneider. Sandler has fond memories of Long Island, he lived here for a bit when he was a kid. He shared nostalgia with his audience, pumping up that Island pride.

His affection for this place carries on. L.A. with all those palm trees and 70 degree days can get boring for an antsy East Coaster like Sandler. He must miss the edginess of “Strong Island.”

So he comes back here to play basketball with the locals in Roslyn. He was recently treated as a local (no red carpet here!) at IHOP in Manhasset that went viral and sparked a “Milkshake Monday” fundraiser that he personally attended. And sometimes he rents Long Island homes, that most locals can’t afford, for his film shoots.

He ended his standup at Jones Beach with Phone, Wallet, Keys. It was raining by then, and chilly for summertime. But no one stopped laughing.