40 Things to Do Outdoors on Long Island with Your Kids
The warmer weather is finally here so it’s time to head outside for some fun in the sun. There is no shortage of outdoor activities on Long Island to do with your kids. From fishing and fruit farms to amusement parks and festivals, here are some locations and activities you’ll want to check out this month. Think of this as your pre-summer bucket list.
1. Whale Watching with Captain Lout Fleet
Take a whale-watching tour with Captain Lou Fleet. You might also spot some dolphins, birds, and other wildlife, with a naturalist on board to explain it all.
2. White Post Farms
Pay a visit to Patches and Oliver, the resident giraffes at White Post Farms. While there, enjoy a train and pony rides, and feed the birds at Ronnie’s Birdie Landing.
3. Long Island Ducks
Cheer on the Long Island Ducks, the local baseball team that plays out in Riverhead.
4. Adventure Park at Long Island
Bring out your inner daredevil at Adventure Park at Long Island! Your family can climb and zip line through low- and high-ropes courses.
5. Splish Splash
Check out the 20 waters slides at Splish Splash. Two new additions for this year are Bombs Away and Riptide Racer.
6. Long Island Game Farm
Say hello to more than 200 animals at the Long Island Game Farm, the largest combined children’s zoo and wildlife park on Long Island. Its zebra, Zypher, is expecting!
7. Bethpage Air Show
Celebrate the official start of summer at the Bethpage Air Show on Memorial Day weekend. This year, capacity is limited, and tickets must be bought in advance.
8. Old Westbury Gardens
Pack a picnic and enjoy the 200 acres of gardens, ponds, and lakes at Old Westbury Gardens.
9. Adventureland
Hop on amusement park rides for kids of all ages at Adventureland. You can then cool off at the arcade and grab some food at the park’s family-style restaurant.
10. Sweet Briar Nature Center
Visit the butterfly vivarium and reptile room at the Sweet Briar Nature Center. Don’t forget to also check out the Discovery Area, which includes a sandbox, a hobbit house, other activities where children can paint and make music.
11. Planting Fields Arboretum
Explore the colorful gardens and greenhouses at Planting Fields Arboretum. While there, take a tour of historic Cole Hall.
12. Harbes Barnyard Adventure
Spend the entire day at Harbes Barnyard Adventure. Kids can get close to the animals at the petting zoo, play some games at the new sports zone, challenge themselves on the obstacle course, and even pretend to milk a cow!
13. Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve
Hike or bike through acres of woodland, meadows, rock shoreline, and salt marsh at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve.
14. Garden of Eve
Pick strawberries this spring at Garden of Eve. Its annual Strawberry Fest will be hosted in May and June. Just be sure to buy tickets in advance!
15. Bayard Cutting Arboretum
Surround yourself with nature at the Bayard Cutting Arboretum. It has 690 acres of open spaces, woodlands, and gardens.
16. Bayville Adventure Park
Challenge the kids to a round of mini golf at Bayville Adventure Park. There’s also indoor rock climbing, bumper boats, a jungle tree top adventure, and more.
17. Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden
There are plenty of photo ops at Waterdrinker Family Farm & Garden thanks to its annual tulip and sunflower festivals. Families can also enjoy a round of mini golf, the jumbo jump pad, and a visit to the petting zoo.
18. Gateway Drive-In
Watch a movie from the comfort of your car at the Gateway Drive-In, which boasts the largest outdoor projection surface on Long Island. All proceeds go to the Performing Arts Center of Suffolk County.
19. Wild Play Elements Park at Jones Beach
Swing through the air at Wild Play Elements Park at Jones Beach. There are three levels of obstacles that get higher and more challenging, including tightropes, cargo nets, ziplines, rope swings, swinging logs, and wobbly bridges
20. Animal Farm Petting Zoo
Pet, feed, and cuddle with the hundreds of rescued animals at the Animal Farm Petting Zoo. Your admission also includes the puppet theater, picnic areas, and playgrounds, along with a ride on the Safari Family Train.
21. Fire Island
Walk along the pristine beaches of Fire Island. Then explore the salt marsh on a guided tour and climb to the top of the Fire Island Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse on Long Island.
22. Uplands Farm Nature Sanctuary
Walk the nearly 2½ miles of marked trails at the Uplands Farm Nature Sanctuary. It’s a former dairy farm that has been transformed into a preserve with bird and butterfly meadows and a white pine-shaded ravine.
23. Jones Beach
Take a drive to New York’s most-visited state park: Jones Beach. In addition to the sandy beach and beautiful ocean, walk on the boardwalk or take a bike ride, play miniature golf, and more.
24. Holtsville Ecology Site and Animal Preserve
Book a guided tour at the Holtsville Ecology Site and Animal Preserve, then head over to the playground and picnic area.
25. Old Bethpage Village Restoration
Take a step back in time at the Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Your family will find out what it was like to live during the mid-19th century.
26. Long Island Children’s Museum
Get your hands dirty at the outdoor backyard at Long Island Children’s Museum. This interactive outdoor exhibition includes a weather boat, herb garden, strawberry maze, sunflower house, evaporating art easels, and water play area.
27. Sands Point Preserve
See a real-life castle at Sands Point Preserve. Built-in 1902, Hampstead House is a 100,000 square-foot castle inspired by Ireland’s Kilkenny Castle.
28. Montauk Lighthouse
Sign up for surf lessons in Montauk. Then visit the Montauk Lighthouse, which was built in 1796 and is a national historic landmark.
29. Lavender by the Bay
Walk through fields of lovely lavender—and buy some to take home—at Lavender by the Bay.
30. Country Fair Park
Ride the go-karts at Country Fair Park. Then round out the day of fun with mini golf, batting cages, outdoor laser tag, and more.
31. Caleb Smith State Park Preserve
There’s plenty of bird watching at the Caleb Smith State Park Preserve. Plus, the Nature Museum has been recently renovated and showcases natural history exhibits.
32. Long Island Aquarium
Sail on an interactive and educational adventure aboard the Atlantis Explorer. Conducted by Long Island Aquarium educators, you’ll travel down the Peconic River and into Flanders Bay. When your excursion is over, stop by to say hello to the aquarium’s resident penguins.
33. American Beauty II Cruises
Take a sunset cruise aboard the American Beauty II—or learn about the historic whaling village of Sag Harbor on a sightseeing tour.
34. Belmont Lake State Park
Catch some fish at Belmont Lake State Park. There is trout fishing in the spring and bass fishing in the summer.
35. Nassau County Museum of Art
Marvel at the outdoor sculpture garden at the Nassau County Museum of Art. There’s also an arboretum, nature garden, and trails to explore.
36. Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
Teach the kids how to fish at Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium. Just be sure to make a reservation in advance.
37. Clark Botanical Gardens
Spend a quiet morning or afternoon at Clark Botanic Gardens. This 12-acre botanical garden was designed by Alice Recknagel Ireys.
38. Deep Hollow Ranch
Live like a cowboy at Deep Hollow Ranch, the oldest working ranch in the U.S. Families can ride horses on the trail to explore Montauk’s beautiful scenery (private guided tours are available).
39. Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
See Teddy Roosevelt’s historic home at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. Then explore the grounds and take a hike to the small nearby beach.
40. The Big Duck
Snap a photo in front of The Big Duck, which is recognized by the National Register of Historic places and has become a roadside attraction for many motorists driving out to the east end.
psst…https://www.newyorkfamily.com/15-best-family-friendly-hikes-on-long-island/
