Fall may be over, but don’t worry, because there are plenty of fun winter activities on Long Island to enjoy! From Christmas and holiday events to indoor activities to help you warm up, there is something for everyone! In this guide, I am covering some of the best winter activities to add to your Long Island bucket list!
As a Long Islander myself, I have tried to find ways to enjoy the brutal months, so if you have any other ideas I may have forgotten, let me know in the comments below!
Visit a Christmas Tree Farm
It’s the holiday season, so of course, a Christmas Tree farm is in order! Thankfully, there are several places you can go claim your perfect Christmas Tree, and some of these farms even hold additional festivities.
Winter Wonderland at The Waterdrinker Family Farm is a great place to get in the holiday spirit while also getting your Christmas Tree. This is one of my favorite farms to visit, and I think they do such a great job. Their Winter Village includes a Holiday Light Display, Airstream Christmas Village, Barnyard Animals, Fire Pits & S’mores, a Giant Santa Sleigh & Reindeer, and so much more! They also have a Synthetic ice surface for ice skating.
To U-pick your Christmas tree is free. You can also enjoy their brewery on-site! You can get more information at the Waterdrinker Farm here.
Another great Christmas farm is Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm in Cutchogue. You can actually cut your own Christmas tree here. Their 28-acre farm includes 8,000 Christmas trees to wander through.
On the weekends, the kids can visit Santa from 12 PM – 4 PM. You can also enjoy hot chocolate, skating s’mores, and more! Make sure to bring cash to this farm.
Go Wine Tasting in Peace
Who said wine tasting was just a summer event? This is one of the best things to do on the Island and another fun winter activity to enjoy with fewer crowds. In fact, one of my favorite vineyards, Marcari Wines, has heated bungalows to enjoy!
Go Seal Watching on Long Island
A unique thing you can do during the winter is to go seal-watching! From boat cruises to seal walks at many Long Island beaches, you have plenty of options. You can even try spotting them on your own.
We saw seals in the Hamptons and at Jones Beach without a tour. One of the most popular tours if you want to see seals by boat is with Captin Lou Fleet, which leaves out of Freeport.
Some seals you can see on Long Island include the Harbor Seal, Grey Seal, Hooded Seal, and Harp Seal.
Visit the Vanderbilt Museum & Planetarium Candlelight Tour
Want to tour one of Long Island’s best mansions decked out in holiday spirit? Then, add The Vanderbilt Museum to your winter bucket list. This year, it is still TBA, but I do think they will still have the event. Their Bright Lights event will include tons of Christmas lights, visits with Santa in his workshop, a 15-minute Laser Show in the Reichert Planetarium, and even a Children’s scavenger hunt.
Go on a Winter Hike
One of my favorite winter activities to enjoy when I am tired of being stuck in the house is going for a winter hike, especially after a snowfall. The parks look magical, and you don’t have to worry about many bugs bothering you.
Some great parks to enjoy a winter hike include Hempstead Lake State Park, Hechsher Park, Sunken Meadow State Park, the Fire Island Lighthouse boardwalk, and Arthur J. Hendrickson Park.
Enjoy a Hockey Game
If the holidays have passed, but you are still looking for fun winter activities, head over to UBS Arena in Belmont to watch the Islanders play! The hockey season runs from early October to early April for 82 games.
Visit One of the Long Island Museums
Another great way to escape the cold is by checking out one of the many museums on Long Island.
Some of the most visited museums on Long Island include the Cradle of Aviation Museum (Garden City), Long Island Maritime Museum (West Sayville)
The Heckscher Museum of Art (Huntington), the Parrish Art Museum (Water Mill), and the Nassau County Museum of Art (Roslyn Harbor).
Go Sledding
This one is pretty obvious, but I couldn’t leave it out of my winter list! After a nice snowstorm, there are some great places to go sledding on the Island.
Some popular areas include Malverne High School (by the football field) and Bethpage State Park.
Enjoy Outdoor Ice Skating
Another great winter activity on the Island is outdoor ice skating. Some places to check out include Grant Park (Hewlett), Northwell Health Ice Center (East Meadow), Marjorie R. Post Community Park Ice Rink (Massapequa), and Syosset-Woodbury Community Park Ice Rink (Syosset).
Drive Through the Magic of Lights at Jones Beach
Another local favorite goes to the Magic of Lights at Jones Beach State Park drive-thru. This event usually starts in mid-November and runs through the end of December. This family-friendly drive includes light tunnels and a festival spread over a 1-2 Mile course.
After driving through, you can check out the Holiday Village, which has food and drinks, a visit with Santa, an Ice skating Rink, and more!
Admission: $30 per car on weekdays, Monday -Thursday; $40 per car on weekends. Find tickets here.
Christmas at the Old Westbury House and Gardens
Update: It has not been confirmed for 2024 yet. The Old Westbury House and Gardens is one of the most beautiful gardens I have visited, and this year, they are hosting Christmas at the Old Westbury House. This event allows you to self-guide walk through the impressive mansion that has been the backdrop in numerous movies. It is, of course, decorated beautifully for the holidays and the gardens are open to walk through as well.
Check Out the Huntington Holiday Spectacular
Find yourself near Huntington? Make sure to check out the Huntington Holiday Spectacular that is set up right on Main Street. They transform this street into holiday cheer with decorations, an 80 Foot Christmas Tree, and more. Local businesses join in the holiday festivities with special holiday deals along with joining in to help bring the community together.
The Holiday Spectacular usually starts at the end of November and goes through the beginning of January. Additionally, there will be a light show every 30 minutes.
Explore the Milleridge Village Holiday Decorations
Another great place to check out winter villages is at the Milleridge Village. They have a Christmas Shoppe year round.
Aside from fun lights and decorations, you can warm up and enjoy a nice cappuccino at the Milleridge Cafe or some delicious pastries at the Millerigde Bakery.
Eat in Igloos at the Coach Meeting House
If you’re a foodie, one of the coolest winter activities to do on Long Island is chowing down in the Igloos at the Coach Meeting House. Located in Oyster Bay, enjoy their expansive drink menu along with tons of bites.
The igloos it 6 guests comfortably, and there are firepits, and even TVs that have Roku and Disney + on them for families. They also offer bottomless brunch.
For reservations, call 516-588-9288!
See the LuminoCity Festival
If the other Lantern festivals didn’t do you justice, then head to LuminoCity Festival at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, NY. In 2023, the lights and decorations covered a span of 17 acres, so we can expect this year to be just as grand.
Admission: $32 plus taxes and fees For ages 12+; Ages 3-12 $19 plus taxes and fees. Get tickets here.
Wrap-up
This concludes some fun activities to do on Long Island this holiday and winter season. If I missed any fun activities you enjoy on Long Island during the winter, let me know in the comments below!
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