Wondering what kinds of things there are to do on Long Island, New York? Even after spending over 10 years of my life here, I am still amazed by how many beautiful places it has to offer! New York City is great, but the charming suburbs of Long Island offer castles, lighthouses, beautiful beaches, gardens, gold coast mansions, vineyards, and hiking, to name a few.
So, have you made it out to the Island yet? If not, here are 30 awesome things to do on Long Island that will have you planning your day trip out! I will even bring you to a ton of my favorite local spots. Finally, I have included a free map you can save.
Long Island is broken up into two counties, Nassau and Suffolk County, and we will explore both.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links where I may earn a commission at no cost to you.
1. Fire Island Lighthouse and National Seashore
The Fire Island Lighthouse is probably one of my favorite places to go on Long Island! Anytime someone visits, this is the first place I think of bringing them! Open all year round; it makes for the perfect outdoor activity.
Head over to Robert Moses Field 5 and drive all the way to the left. Next, make your way down a very scenic path by the beach with local white-tailed deer on either side to your way to the lighthouse.
Did you know the Fire Island Lighthouse is actually the tallest lighthouse on Long Island? Better yet, did you know you can climb the 182 steps to the top of the lighthouse?
From the top of the lighthouse, you can actually walk around the top for panoramic views of the seashore, and on a clear day, you can even see Manhattan!
The tower can be climbed every day from 10 AM until 4:30 PM. After climbing the tower, head to the beach and relax or tour the museum attached to the lighthouse. Oh, and if you happen to visit on November 2nd, they usually have free cake for the Lighthouse’s birthday!
2. Sands Point Preserve
Did you know there are Castles here? I didn’t know either until I was looking for places to take engagement photos back in 2017!
The grounds at Sands Point Preserve actually have two castles (mansions) and 216 acres located right on the Long Island Sound in Nassau County.
Built in 1902, the 100,000-square ft castle was inspired by Ireland’s Kilkenny Castle.
The owner, Howard Gould’s wife, unfortunately, wasn’t pleased, so he built a second 50,000-square-foot mansion across the property, called the Hempstead House, located closer to the sound.
The grounds and entrance to the beach are really beautiful. Sands Point Preserve is full of outdoor activities, including walking trails, large grassy picnic areas, and a beach where you can hang out. You can even bring your dogs, which is rare on the island, in my opinion! It is also a great spot to take photos on Long Island.
Additionally, there are tours to see the inside of the castle and mansion!
The entrance is $15 per car or a $4 walk-in fee and is open year-round.
Hours change with the season, and they are open from Wednesday to Sunday.
3. Montauk Lighthouse
Can you tell I have a thing for Lighthouses? One of the most famous lighthouses on Long Island is probably the Montauk Lighthouse. The lighthouse was built in 1796 and still serves as an important aid to navigation!
Located at the very tip of the Island (also known as the End of the World, Montauk) explore sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean, climb around the rocks or hang out on the beach.
They also offer tours to climb the lighthouse and have a museum.
There is an admission fee of $8 to park at the Montauk Point State Park lot and then an additional $5-$10 for climbing the tower of the lighthouse.
4. Long Island Beaches
If you want pristine beaches in New York, you will find them here! Those coming from New York City can take the Long Island Railroad (LIRR) to Long Beach and beyond to the Hamptons and even Montauk.
One of my favorite beaches is Long Beach. For one, the beach is huge, they have a great boardwalk and lots of bars and food nearby! Some of the most popular bars and eateries nearby are the Cabana, the Beach House, and Minnesota’s. Other nearby local beaches I adore are Lido Beach, Point Lookout, and Nickerson Beach Park.
Other Beaches to consider visiting:
- Jones Beach (Field 4)
- Robert Moses Beach
- Cooper’s Beach
- Tobay Beach
- Kirk Park Beach
Most beaches charge admission, so having cash with you and your ID is best. Depending on where you live, the entrance price will vary. If you are not a NY resident, I would choose Jones Beach or Long Beach, as the entrance is more reasonable.
5. Planting Fields Arboretum
Welcome to one of the most beautiful gardens on Long Island! The Planting Fields historic park, originally the estate of William Robertson Coe, covers over 400 acres of rolling hills, greenhouses, and historic estates that still stand.
The Planting Fields are the perfect place to spend a nice day strolling through the gardens or even setting up a picnic!
The planting fields are also a hot spot for photographers, especially around sunset! Don’t be surprised to see engagement and wedding shoots going on here; it’s just that pretty! During the fall, the foliage is also incredible here!
6. Lavender and Sunflower Farms
Visiting flower farms is such a fun activity to do during the Spring, Summer, and even Fall! It’s also a perfect outdoor activity for everyone!
Find your own little piece of France and frolic in the rows of Lavender at Lavender by the Bay.
They have two locations (East Marion & Calverton) where they grow English and French Lavender.
Right after Lavender season, head right over to some of the best Sunflower farms throughout the Island! No need to drive all the way to Jersey when we got the goods right here in New York!
7. Visit the Vineyards and Wineries
Did you know Long Island’s North Fork is full of vineyards and wineries? You now have another reason to take a day trip out East!
You will find over 60 vineyards on the North Fork (upper end), and a few sprinkled on the South Fork (lower end) around the Hamptons.
Many of the vineyards allow you to walk through the grape fields, offer tours, have live music, and serve food. Also consider going vineyard hopping since they are pretty close to one another, this way you can sample a few! This is popular with the locals. We usually hire a limo to take us around the different vineyards.
Some of my favorites include:
- Macari (make a reservation ahead of time)
- Baiting Hollow Farm & Vineyard
- Wölffer Estate Vineyard
You might even want to consider getting a Northfork rental for the weekend. A Wine Weekend and shopping at the Tanger Outlets, don’t mind if I do!
8. Hiking Through Long Island’s Parks
Exploring these State parks and trails is one of my favorite things to do – especially in the fall! One of the most popular hikes is the Greenbelt trail, which is over 31 miles in length and stretches from the North Shore to the South Shore.
The Greenbelt also goes through 4 very popular parks: Heckscher State Park, Sunken Meadow State Park, Caleb Smith State Park, and Connetquot State Park (one of my favorites).
Other favorite parks include Valley Stream State Park (where we took our Engagement photos), Hempstead Lake Park (dog friendly), and Heckscher Park, where you can go disc golfing!
When hiking through the parks, please be tick aware!
9. Old Westbury Garden
The Old Westbury Gardens is another beautiful garden to consider visiting! This former estate boasts 200 acres of formal grounds, gardens, ponds, and lakes, giving you total Great Gatsby vibes.
The property is so beautiful it’s even been a part of several movies, including Cruel Intentions, American Gangster, and Hitch. The estate was built in 1906 and is a very popular place for weddings, private events, and, of course, photographers.
Tickets to the Old Westbury grounds currently need to be purchased in advance and range from $7-$12 dollars a person.
Did you know: that while not a part of the suburb of Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens are technically all a part of the same island?
10. Apple Picking Orchards
As you might already know, Upstate New York has apple picking, but did you know Long Island also has some great places, too?
Believe it or not, Long Island is my favorite place to go apple picking, however, I guess I might be slightly biased.
Like the vineyards, most of the apple picking is located on the North Fork. I’d recommend taking a day trip out East early to apple pick and then reward yourself with a vineyard or two afterward! A lot of farms are also kid-friendly and have dwarf trees.
While you’re at it, you might as well enjoy pumpkin picking on Long Island, too!
11. The Hamptons
The Hamptons are known as a summer or weekend getaway for most local and affluent New Yorkers. This area is located on the South Fork and is comprised of Hamlets and Villages. Some of the most popular areas in the Hamptons include Sag Harbor, Westhampton, Southhampton, Easthampton, and Montauk.
You have likely heard of celebrities spending time in the Hamptons at beach mansions, luxury dining, and shopping.
One of the top things to do in this area is to visit the beach, and one of the best beaches you’ll want to head to is Coopers Beach. In fact, it is known as one of the best beaches in the Country (although I personally prefer Florida’s beaches).
You can also enjoy a handful of vineyards and farms, such as Wölffer Estate Vineyards and Seven Ponds Orchard. If you are looking for something fun to do during the winter, consider visiting Westhampton Beach to spot Harbor Seals!
12. Oyster Festival in Oyster Bay
One of the most popular events is in Oyster Bay at the Oyster Festival. Every year, there are tons of street vendors, live music, carnival games, and, of course, lots of Oyster shucking.
With over 150,000 people visiting each year, this festival is known as one of the largest East Coast Waterfront festivals.
You will find tons of great seafood and fun for the family. Parking is generally a bit of a walk, so it is best to get there early.
It happens every October!
13. Bayard Cutting Arboretum
Another very popular place to visit and enjoy is the Bayard Cutting Arboretum. This large state park covers 691 acres and was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted for William Bayard Cutting back in 1886.
Located in Great River, Bayard Cutting Arboretum was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. Enjoy lovely and expansive gardens, a stunning English Tutor Mansion, or a leisurely walk around the Great South Bay.
14. Oheka Historic Mansion
One of the most epic mansions (castles) on the island is the Oheka Historic Mansion. This iconic Gilded Age mansion sits at the highest point of Long Island and has a ton of history. It is located in Cold Spring Harbor and is the second-largest private home in the USA.
Originally, I thought the only way to see the Oheka Castle up close and personal was to attend a wedding. Later, I learned that you can actually take a tour or dine at the OHK Bar & Restaurant.
The tours give you limited access to the estate and gardens. They are by reservation only and can be found here. Prices range from $15 -$30 USD.
During your visit, they require proper country club or business casual attire at all times.
15. Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium
If you love mansions, add the Vanderbilt Museum to your Bucket List! This fabulous mansion sits on 43 acres. Enjoy a tour of the 24-room Spanish mansion that was built by the same firm, Warren and Wetmore, which was one of the two firms to build Grand Central Station!
Admission offers guided tours of the living quarters of the Vanderbilt Mansion, transporting visitors back in time to the life of William K. Vanderbilt II from the 1920s – 1940s. You can also enjoy Planetarium shows!
Additionally, for the holiday season, they have a whole Christmas Lightshow to enjoy.
Mansion Tours can be added to a General Admission ticket for $6. Open Friday- Sunday. For more information and tickets, click here!
16. Hit the Tanger Outlets
Love shopping at discounted prices? Then, don’t miss the Tanger Outlets. We have two Tanger Outlets. One is in Deer Park (closer to Nassau County), and one is in Riverhead.
I’ve shopped at both and personally like the Riverhead location better, however, they both have tons of top-designer stores with goods at a fraction of the cost. Find the Tanger Outlet Store list here.
17. Long Island Museums
For museum lovers, we have quite a few options. This is a great indoor activity for families. Both Nassau and Suffolk County offer great museums to check out! Some of the most visited museums on Long Island include:
- Cradle of Aviation Museum located in Garden City – very fun for families
- The Heckscher Museum of Art located in Huntington
- Long Island Maritime Museum located in West Sayville
- Nassau County Museum of Art located in Roslyn Harbor
- Parrish Art Museum, located in Water Mill
- Long Island Children’s Museum
18. Go Fishing
If you want to enjoy some sports fishing, Long Island is the place to do it! There are tons of fishing charters from Port Jefferson, Mattituck, the Hamptons, Montauk, Freeport, and more! One of our favorite places to go fishing is by Fire Island.
Some of the most popular fish to catch include Striped Bass, Flounder, Fluke, and Bluefish. Clamming is also quite popular. You can search for and eat Hard clams (quahogs), blue mussels, razor clams, soft clams, oysters, and bay scallops. Learn more about shellfishing on Long Island here.
If you don’t have your sea legs, there is also tons of freshwater fishing available. With plenty of lakes and streams, you have the opportunity to catch largemouth bass, trout, and panfish. Some popular places to do this are Hempstead Lake State Park, Smith Pond, and Massapequa Lake.
19. Go Whale and Seal Watching
Whale watching may just be one of my new favorite summer activities on the Island. The charters leave Montauk and Freeport with the opportunity to see humpback whales, among other marine life. We watched a few humpback whales jump out of the water. It was so cool! It starts in July, but the photographers I spoke to said the best viewings happen in August and September.
During winter months, they also run seal-watching tours, but you can also see them on foot. Westhampton Beach is one of my favorite spots to view seals! However, if you want a full experience, the tours will bring you to all the best-known seal spots.
Seals you are likely to see include the Grey Seal, Hooded Seal, Harp Seal, Harbor Seal, and Ringed Seal.
20. See a Hockey Game
Looking for fun things to do during the winter on Long Island? Well, if you are a hockey fan, you will be pleased to know this is home to The Islanders, and they are now playing at the UBS Arena at Belmont Park, which is located in Elmont, Long Island. The hockey season runs from early October to early April for 82 games.
21. Hang Out at the Nautical Mile
Want to enjoy a lively day at the waterfront? Freeport’s Nautical Mile offers great seafood, bars, music, and shopping. Located alongside the Woodcleft Canal, the Nautical Mile is especially popular on weekends. At night, many of these seaside restaurants turn into clubs.
The atmosphere is really nice. I actually had my engagement party here. Additionally, boat charters and water activities (kayaking, SUP) are also popular here.
22. Port Tiki Island Cruises
Brand new to our waters is the Port Tiki Island Cruises, which will be cruising around Manhasset Bay! Offering both private and public 90-minute and 3-hour pub float crawls, it makes for a fun and new way to get your drink on.
They are sailing with a minimum of 4 guests, and cruise times will happen between 3 PM – 9 PM on weekdays and 11 AM – 9 PM on weekends. Prices start at $45 per person and go up depending if you are doing the public or private cruise. Learn more about Booz cruising Long Island here!
23. Zipline Around the Island
For something with a little more thrill, make your way out to Jones Beach to go ziplining with Wild Play! The lines stretch 700 ft with beach views, and they offer several different difficulties, making it great for everyone. They even offer a 40ft plunge jump!
Wild Play Zipline is open on Thursday- Monday, 10 AM – 8 PM, in fields 4 and 5.
You can also zipline at The Adventure Park, located in Wheatly Heights. Designed to be like a Switzerland Park, you will be zooming through the trees from one platform to the next. This is a really unique experience since there are very few aerial parks in the states.
They even have a “Glow in the Park” where you can zipline at night with the lights illuminated throughout the trees.
Prices range from $57 USD and up, and The Adventure Park offers better prices if you purchase it online.
24. Skydiving on Long Island
If you have ever considered skydiving, you might be happy to find out it can be done right in Shirly, Long Island. In fact, it is one of the closest places from NYC to take the plunge from the sky!
All of their instructors have done over 500 jumps and are highly credentialed! Pricing ranges from $239 – $298. Learn more about the Long Island Sky Diving Center here!
25. Riverhead Long Island Aquarium
Another really fun thing to do (especially with kids) is to visit the Riverhead Long Island Aquarium. With dozens of indoor and outdoor activities, there are tons to explore.
One of their largest attractions is a 20,000-US-gallon coral reef display tank. They actually contain one of the largest all-living coral displays in the Western Hemisphere.
The aquarium also has live webcam views on its website, and what I personally love is that they do wildlife rehabilitation and release. This is all done through their Marine Rescue Center.
Get tickets and learn more about visiting the Aquarium here.
26. Adventureland Amusement Park
For something that is fun to do with the family, consider heading over to Adventure Land, the amusement park located in Farmingdale. I can’t even count how many times I’ve passed this park on my way to work.
While I have personally never been, my husband has very fond childhood memories here and said it must be on my list! Adventureland has over 25 rides and arcade games to enjoy.
Admission: Prices start at $31.99 USD, and their website offers a “discount” when purchasing tickets on their official website, Adventureland.
27. Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
If you love historical palaces, Sagamore Hill is a great place to add to your Long Island bucket list. Aside from the fact that this was the residence of Theodore Roosevelt, our 26th President, the whole area is just lovely.
The most popular activity is to explore his home. Just make sure you book this with the Park Service in advance. Even if you don’t go in his home, I love sitting on the patio chairs. I even like to use it as a rainy day activity (as long as it’s not pouring).
There are nature trails (dog-friendly), and you are right by Cold Spring Harbor Beach.
28. Check Out the Races at Belmont
Belmont is also well-known as a thoroughbred race track. I was surprised to learn Belmont Park Racetrack is known as one of the elite race tracks in North America, and almost every major champion has competed here, including all triple crown winners.
The horse races start from late April through mid-July, known as the spring/summer meet.
29. Splish Splash Waterpark
Also located in Riverhead is the Splish Splash Water Park. This is a great thing to do during the summer months on Long Island. The water park is 96 acres with a variety of different rides.
During a visit, you can enjoy 20 slides, a lazy river, two wave pools, and more!
To get Splish Splash tickets and park maps, check out the Splish Splash website here.
30. Roosevelt Field Mall
I wouldn’t necessarily put this at the top of my list, however, if you haven’t been to the Roosevelt Mall yet and want some shopping therapy, this is a pretty great mall.
I should know; I worked at Nespresso inside of Bloomingdales for years! Besides the luxury shops along with many other stores you’d expect a mall to have, they also have a really good dining scene. From the Capital Grill and 52 Seasons to the Cheesecake Factory and their newly designed food court, you can easily spend all day here. There is even a movie theater and gym if the shopping wasn’t enough!
See the Roosevelt Field Mall stores here. For even more luxury shopping, there is also the Americana Manhasset Mall, which has all the major designers.
Getting Around
Unlike the boroughs of New York, mass transit is not as popular here since it is a suburb. While there is the Long Island Railroad and buses, relying on that alone will make it quite difficult to explore the Island.
Renting a car is your best bet. You can also use Uber or Lyft, but it can become costly. Some trips can be made by train, like Montauk or Long Beach, just double check.
Where to Stay
If you’re just visiting on vacation, then you might be looking for somewhere to stay. Since the island is so large, it can be difficult to determine the best spots. Some of the best towns to check out when looking for a place to stay are Garden City, Manhasset, Long Beach, Port Jefferson, throughout the Hamptons, Montauk, and along the North Fork.
You can find both vacation rentals, as well as hotels. Some top-rated hotels include:
Wrap-up
As you can see, Long Island really does have tons of awesome attractions and things to offer! From castles and mansions to gardens and beaches, I hope you have the best time exploring the island!
If you enjoyed this guide, please share it below! It really helps a lot!