In late May, Long Island’s farm country comes to life. Strawberry picking is one of the most popular summer activities on the island. Visit Lewin Farms in East Marion to pick your own strawberries and enjoy the fresh, sweet taste of summer. Later in the season, you can harvest other fruits such as blueberries and plums. Lavender by the Bay is also a popular attraction, with fields of fragrant lavender growing in East Marion and Calverton. There are multiple blooming periods, including the French lavender peak in July.
Oyster Bay
If you are visiting Oyster Bay, you may be surprised to learn that this hamlet has much more history than its famous residents. In the 18th century, the Townshend family lived in the area and helped to set up the nation’s first spy network. This family’s home is now the Raynham Hall Museum.
The museum is open every day of the week, with the exception of Monday. There is also a self-guided tour that you can take on a Sunday afternoon. The museum is free to enter and features exhibits about Long Island railroad history. Visitors can also purchase a discount coupon for a meal at a local restaurant, cafe or store. The museum also offers free audio wands, so you can learn more about the railroad history of Long Island.
Oyster Bay is a beautiful and historic town located on Long Island. It is just 45 minutes from New York City. Former US President Theodore Roosevelt spent part of his summers in the area, and his summer home and office are now open to the public. Oyster Bay is also a great place to fish.
For history lovers, there’s Raynham Hall Museum, located in Oyster Bay. During the American Revolution, this town was a headquarters for the British. The main house dates from around 1740, and a Victorian wing was added later. Today, the museum is run by the Friends of Raynham Hall. You can take your children to the museum for free.
In addition to the historic houses and attractions, Oyster Bay is home to the Oyster Festival, which is the biggest waterfront festival on the East Coast. Oyster Bay’s annual festival draws over 150,000 people. It includes live performances and an oyster eating competition. Visitors can also enjoy oyster-themed food and try out unique seafood dishes.
Montauk Lighthouse
If you’re looking for sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, you can’t go wrong with the Montauk Lighthouse, a National Historic Landmark. Located at the eastern tip of Long Island, the lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in New York State. Visitors can take the 137 iron stairs to the top and then take in the stunning views of the harbor. The visitor center has a museum with maritime artifacts and a gift shop. The lighthouse is also closed during certain seasons.
Visitors can also check out the Keeper’s House, which was built in 1860 and contains artifacts from the maritime world. It also houses historic documents signed by George Washington. Climbing to the top of the lighthouse requires one to be at least 41 inches tall. Afterward, visitors can tour the rest of the grounds. Nearby, there’s a gift shop and a restaurant called the Lighthouse Grill.
The Montauk Point Lighthouse is one of the most famous landmarks in Montauk. It is located on the easternmost point of Long Island, in the Hamptons. There’s a great view of the Atlantic Ocean from Turtle Hill, and the lighthouse also has a museum that tells the history of the island. The lighthouse is one of the oldest lighthouses in New York and the fourth oldest active light station in the country. It is also 19 miles above sea level and flashes five times a second.
Another place to visit in Montauk is Montauk Point State Park. There are scenic cliffs, beautiful beaches, and a lighthouse you can climb. The lighthouse is also a popular spot for watching humpback whales and dolphins. The park is also home to nature trails and Camp Hero.
Jones Beach State Park
If you are planning a vacation to Long Island, one of the places you should consider visiting is Jones Beach State Park. This New York state park is located on Jones Beach Island, a barrier island that is connected to Long Island by three state parkways. The state park offers a variety of attractions that will delight the whole family.
There is also a variety of activities available in the park, including stand-up paddle-boarding, wind surfing, and more. For those who like to get in the water, the park also features an outdoor arena with two swimming pools. A variety of music and dance shows are held there throughout the year.
The park is home to an air show each year that features both civilian and military aircraft. The show is a popular event, and it is free of charge. A practice run is held the Friday before the actual show. The show is full of loud music and colorful lights, and it ends with a spectacular fireworks display.
The park is also home to the yearly Bethpage Air Show, which attracts more than 181,000 people. Though the show on Saturday was cancelled due to the poor weather, the Sunday show featured the United States Army Golden Knights Parachute Team and the U.S. Navy F-35C Tac Demonstration Team. The National Air Guard’s 106th Rescue Wing also performed displays during the show.
The Jones Beach Nature Center is also a great place to take the family. With a touch pool and an authentic shipwreck, this park is great for small children and adults alike. Families can also take advantage of the many programs and activities available at the Jones Beach Nature Center.
Planting Fields Arboretum
Located in Oyster Bay, New York, Planting Fields Arboretum is 400 acres of history. The state historic park also features Coe Hall Historic House Museum. The park is open to the public and includes a variety of programs.
The 409-acre Arboretum has formal gardens, greenhouses, and plant collections. Visitors can learn about various types of plants and animals, including twelve different species of birds. Its greenhouses and formal gardens are particularly beautiful and offer beautiful views of the surrounding woodlands.
Its rich soil was once home to the Matinecock Indians, who grew maize and pumpkins there. In the early 20th century, wealthy industrialists and bankers began to build mansions here. Their designs were inspired by the grand country houses of the European gentry. In fact, it was the inspiration for the famous novel “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, which depicted the extravagant lifestyle of the Gold Coast during the Roaring Twenties.
If you have a child, Planting Fields Arboretum is an excellent place to take them. The Arboretum has numerous educational programs and exhibits for children. The gardens contain more than ten thousand species of plants and flowers.
Visitors can also visit the Planting Fields Estate, a former Gold Coast estate. The estate contains over 400 acres of gardens and grounds. The property includes the largest collection of camellias in the northeast and a variety of specimen plants. There are also seasonal displays to enjoy. The historic mansion Coe Hall, which is open for tours from April through September, is also open for visitors. The house and gardens have many furnishings and outbuildings that are worth a visit.
The Planting Fields Arboretum is one of the premier places to visit in Long Island. The gardens are often host to different events. Seniors can park for free during the week. There are also discounts for community partners.
Adventureland
Adventureland is a popular amusement park located in East Farmingdale, New York, off of Route 110. It has been in operation since 1962 and has 28 rides including two roller coasters and three water rides. There are also a variety of restaurants, shops, and other attractions.
In addition to the rides, Adventureland is also home to more than 50 former rides. It is still owned by the Gentile Family, which includes Steven Gentile, who is the current president and co-owner. This Long Island attraction is also known for its mascot, Alfie.
Opened in 1962, Adventureland has grown over the years as Long Island became more populated. The popularity of family entertainment grew, and “kiddielands” began popping up all over Long Island. In 1962, Alvin Cohen and Herb Budin purchased a six-acre property and constructed a building with arcade games and restaurants. They also installed four outdoor rides. This opened the gates to Adventureland, which was later renamed 110 Adventureland.
Adventureland is an amusement park located in Farmingdale, Long Island. It features thrill rides and fun arcades for the whole family. In addition to the rides, Adventureland also hosts birthday parties, magic shows, and many other events. You can even buy group tickets for the entire family and enjoy a fun day out!
Long Island’s largest spinning roller coaster is Turbulence. It’s located at the center of the park. Children 48 inches or taller can ride on it alone, but kids between 44 inches and 47 inches need an adult companion. However, line ups are always long and wait times can be hard to predict.
