Visitors are pleased and often somewhat surprised to find such an array of things to do and see. The proximity of New York City ensures an ample supply of performing arts, but there's no need to make the commute when Long Island itself has its own theater companies, philharmonic orchestra, and ballet and opera companies. If music is your thing, Long Island has plenty to offer. Excellent local bands play everywhere from hole-in-the-wall bars and mega-clubs to church basements and public libraries, not to mention the slew of cultural festivals held in virtually every town. Alternatively, the summer concert series at Jones Beach State Park features big name acts, as do several performing arts centers and colloseums.
Attractions
Beaches
Long Island has a great number of fine beaches to choose from. Long Beach, Point Lookout and Jones Beach are all on southeastern Long Island and are highly ranked beaches. Cooper's Beach, Main Beach and Ditch Plains are on the opposite side of the island and are also excellent places.
Museums and Historic Places
Montauk Point Lighthouse Museum: Located on the eastern point of the island is the oldest lighthouse on Long Island.
The Sagamore Hill National Historic Site was Teddy Roosevelt's "summer White House," a Victorian mansion built in 1885 in Oyster Bay.
The birthplace of famous poet Walt Whitman is in Huntington Station, while the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame is in Commack.
The Old Bethpage Village Restoration is a pre-Civil War farm village comprised of original buildings from around Long Island.
Nassau County Museum of Art: A must-see for Long Island vacationers, this beautiful museum campus ranges across some 140 acres and includes an 18th-century Georgian mansion that belonged to William Cullen Bryant and, later, the son of US Steel co-founder, Henry Clay Frick. The museum's priceless permanent collection features more than 600 pieces of American and European art, including works by Roy Lichtenstein, Auguste Rodin, and Irving Ramsey Wiles. Also noteworthy are the formal gardens, sculpture gardens, and Tee Ridder Miniature Museum, whose diminutive items hail from all over the world. Call ahead, as museum closes several weeks each season.
Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum: Housed in a stately 19th-century Greek Revival mansion, this unique museumcharts the industry that kept Sag Harbor "in business" for so many years. Whaling drew adventurous young men from the four corners of the globe, all hoping to make their fortunes aboard ships anchored in the harbor. Exhibits of century-old whale jawbones, tools, weapons, artwork, historical documents, and clippings capture that thrilling past, as do temporary exhibits each season. The museum itself was built by Benjamin Huntting II, who owned several whaling ships in the mid-1800s.
Flora and Fauna
Zoos and Aquariums: There are several zoos and aquariums on Long island to bring the family to. The Long Island Game Farm in Manorville and the Animal Farm Petting Zoo in the same town are just two examples. Cold Spring Harbor features a fish hatchery and aquarium, and Riverhead is home to the Atlantis Marine World aquarium. The Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay and the Bailey Arboretum in Lattingtown are great for taking in a view of native and exotic plants.
Vineyards
Duck Walk Vineyards: This vineyard on the South Fork is a prime tourist attraction, thanks to its proximity to the Hamptons' main resort areas – of course, award-winning merlots, cabernets, chardonnays, and blueberry ports don't hurt the popularity either. The 50+-acre vineyard features a Normandy-style chateau, and its "tell-tail" labels (designed to honor the Long Island duck) may be found at many stores in the Hamptons. Folks who want a more intimate experience with Duck Walk may visit the estate and enjoy a guided tour, followed by a complimentary tasting.
Parks
Jones Beach State Park: Considered one of Long Island's best (and most crowded) beaches, Jones Beach has been a popular day-trip destination since the 1920s. Take a stroll along the boardwalk, play miniature golf, grab some food, or just hang out on the beach and build a sandcastle with the kids – 2400 acres and 6-plus miles of shoreline offer plenty of options. Each summer, thousands of folks come to watch the beach light up during the popular Fourth of July fireworks display, widely regarded as the best of its kind on Long Island. There's also an amphitheater that hosts big-name musical acts.
Activities
On the opposite end of the spectrum, options for sports enthusiasts are plenty. In fact, you can see a game of some sort no matter what time of year it is - check out the Mets (baseball), the Islanders (hockey), or the Roller Rebels (roller derby). Outdoorsy pursuits are a big tourist draw, too. You'll find picturesque beaches presided over by historic lighthouses, parks bursting with wildflowers, meandering trails for bicycling and walking, even kiteboarding. Places like the Sweetbriar Nature Center plan a full schedule of engaging and educational programs for kids, families and individuals.
Football: Long Island is also home to an Arena Football League team, the Dragons, a professional lacrosse team, the Long Island Lizards.
Baseball: You will find a minor league baseball club, the Ducks in Long Island City.
Water Activities: Main Beach and Ditch Plains are on the opposite side of the island and are also excellent places for swimming and sunbathing. Wildwood State Park offers 2 miles of beachfront on the northern portion of Long Island.
Dining: Long Island also harbors tons of restaurants, ranging from mom-and-pop pizza joints to fine dining establishments with world-class chefs. There's no need to wait to experience what most people consider the prettiest part of the island, the wine country, also known as the North Fork. Numerous vineyards are concentrated here, some 3000 acres' worth.
Festivals and Events
Food-related festivals: Strawberries are feted in the early summer, while oysters and the island's best pizza are celebrated in October. February marks the arrival of the Winter Wine Festival.
Grace Church Harvest Fair (Sep 26, 2009): Farmers'Market -L.I. Produce; Baked goods; Homemade jams, jellies, stews, soups; Crafts- crocheting, knitting, hand-made quilt; Costume jewelry; Food; Children's Games, Pony Rides, pumpkin painting, moon bouncer; Giant Yard Sale, Book Nook.
Fine Arts and Craft Fall Festival (Sep 19, 2009 - Sep 20, 2009): This festival features products of Gourmet Food Vendors, Kettle Corn, Smoothies, Chocolatiers, Artists, Oil and Canvas, Watercolors, Photographers, Potters, Ceramics, Monogrammed Items, Jewelry, Stainglass, Decoupage, Handpainted Ornaments, Victorian Dolls, Floral and Wreath Designers, Quilting, Tapestry, Decorated Pillows, Wooden Crafts, Victorian Items, Handpainted Furniture and Accesories for the home, Personalized or Decorated Pet Clothing and Accessories, Handpainted Glassware, Personalized Childrens Wooden Toys, Furniture and Accessories, Vintage Quilts and Bedding, Organic Candles, Lotions, Handmade Soaps, Holistic Oils, Wearable Art, Clothing and Hats - Handpainted, Tye Dye, Swarovski Crystal - Designer Handbags, Accessories and many more items.
Fine Arts and Crafts Fall Spectacular: (Oct 24, 2009): This festival will features products of Chocolatiers, Artists, Oil and Canvas, Watercolors, Photographers, Potters, Ceramics, Monogrammed Items, Jewelry, Stainglass, Decoupage, Victorian Dolls, Decorated Ornaments, Quilting, Tapestry, Decorated Pillows, Jewelry, Wooden Crafts, Victorian Items, Handpainted Furniture and Accesories for the home, Personalized or Decorated Pet Clothing and Accessories, Handpainted Glassware, Personalized Childrens Wooden Toys, Furniture and Accessories, Vintage Quilts and Bedding, Organic Candles, Lotions, Handmade Soaps, Holistic Oils, Wearable Art, Clothing and Hats...Handpainted, Tye Dye, Swarovski Crystal...Designer Handbags, Accessories and more.
29th Annual Hallockville Museum Farm Fall Festival and Craft Fair (Oct 03, 2009 - Oct 04, 2009): 50 craftspeople, handmade folk art, wool spinning, weaving, quilting, knitting, rug hooking, chair caning, basket making, decoy and woodcarving, antique tractor pulls & displays, vintage cars, hayrides, music, children's activities, livestock, food & wine.
Oyster Festival (October 17 and 18, 2009): More than a quarter-century old, the Bank of America's Oyster Festival, presented by Newsday, reigns as the biggest waterfront festival on the East Coast. Organized by the Oyster Bay Rotary Club, Oyster Festival is a renowned celebration of seafood, an occasion to feast and frolic among family and friends. Whether you shop in the fabulous arts and crafts tents, board a tall ship, go on a treasure hunt or simply listen to great folk music, or enjoy the best seafood anywhere, revenues go directly to many key nonprofit organizations helping the quality of life here in Oyster Bay.
