Long Island Family Day Trip Destinations

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Week-long vacations are nice, but those short one-day excursions or weekend trips can be just as great if you’re planning it on Long Island!

Whether you’re looking to fill in the regular weekday, weekend, extended holiday weekend, or summer day (when the kids are out of school) with interesting places to go and activities to do, there’s no shortage of options on Long Island.

From the west end to the eastern tip of Long Island, families can enjoy walks around town, parks & landmarks, fun attractions and museums. There’s something to suit everyone’s interest. Make a visit to some of these hotspots for a day trip destination on Long Island!

Walks Around Towns
From admiring the old homes and architecture of buildings to checking out the little shops, restaurants and parks, here are a few towns on Long Island worth a visit.

Cold Spring Harbor
This small village town dates back to the 1600s. It was once an active whaling port. A visit to the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum will help you learn about the history of whaling through artifacts like a 19th century whaleboat. Also in town and worth a visit is the Fish Hatchery & Aquarium where you can learn about the freshwater ecosystem of New York and see living collections of freshwater organisms.

Freeport Nautical Mile
This picturesque, waterfront street is lined with scrumptious seafood eateries and unique shops. The Freeport Nautical Mile allows tourists and town folk to travel back and experience Long Island’s maritime past.The nautical fare all along the stretch also provides cute photo ops for visitors. This is a stop the kids will love too! The area has mini golf, a waterfront park, and many exciting sights just waiting to be seen.

Fire Island
This barrier island sitting at the South Shore is a popular destination with its breath-taking shorefront view. There’s also plenty to do like a visit to the Fire Island National Seashore, the Fire Island Lighthouse, boating, kayaking, fishing, camping and other things to put you in touch with nature.

Port Jefferson Village
Practically every village has a Main Street. Port Jefferson Village’s Main Street is complete with restaurants, gift shops, old houses and even an enclosed mall. While in town, also make your way to the Maritime Explorium for interactive nautical theme science based exhibits and other activities. Also find ways to relax and have fun at Harbor Front Park and Rocket Ship Park.

Sag Harbor
Sitting between East Hampton and South Hampton is this charming little town. It features nautical attractions, shops, restaurants and theatre and cinema, including the Bay Street Theatre where live shows are available year round. You can also find peace taking a stroll around Trout Pond and Marine Park. If you and the kids need a sweet treat, head over to Big Olaf on Wharf St. for a taste of their homemade ice cream.

Stony Brook
While it is the home to a large university, Stony Brook also offers a pleasant experience for families looking to catch a view of the harbor. Check out Avalon Park and Preserve where there’s a duck pond and hiking trails. The Grist Mill, a national registered historic place and the Long Island Museum of American Art, History and Carriages is also located here.

Northport
This secluded small town is situated around a deep-water harbor where you can moor your boat before touring the town.  Enjoy a sunset stroll at Northport Village Park, see a show by the Bare Bones Theater Company, and sample ice cream or frozen yogurt at one of Northport's many ice cream stands.  Don't forget to handle all of your shopping needs while in the village, where you can shop (or windowshop) at a variety of upscale gift shops.

Greenport
Head to the North Fork of Long Island and enjoy all that this family-friendly town has to offer, including a beautiful antique carousel, an ice skating rink, and Greenport's own skate park. One can also expand their minds at Greenport's great museums, like the Railroad Museum or the Blacksmith Shop.  Since the town is on the water, make sure you take in the seaside activities and take a charter boat or a cruise around the lighthouse!

Montauk
Located on the extreme tip of the southern fork, Montauk is a huge go-to spot for Long Islanders and tourists, with over 5,000 acres of public beaches and 6 state parks there is never a lack of things to do. The town is teeming with superb shopping, delectable dining, and fishing opportunities. If you decide to elongate your day trip and spend the night there are many hotels and bed & breakfasts at which to find accommodations.

Parks & Landmarks
From state landmarks to national landmarks, Long Island is home to quite a few of them. There are also plenty of beaches and parks for the family traveler.

Fire Island Lighthouse
4640 Captree Island
Captree Island, NY 11702
631-661-4876

Take a steep climb up this 168-feet tall lighthouse tower for a view atop Long Island’s tallest lighthouse.


Montauk Point Lighthouse
2000 Montauk Highway
Montauk, NY 11954
888-MTK-POINT

Get a view of the Atlantic Ocean from the easternmost point on Long Island through this lighthouse tower standing 110 feet high. This was the first lighthouse built in New York and it is one of the oldest lighthouses to remain in the country.

Old Westbury Garden
71 Old Westbury Road
Westbury, NY 11590
516-333-0048

Make a visit to one of Long Island’s best-preserved estates. Old Westbury Gardens is on the National Register of Historic Places and offers 200 acres of beautiful landscape complete with gardens, woodlands, ponds and lakes. The Westbury House also sits here where you can see fine English antiques and decorative art.

Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
1395 Planting Fields Road
Oyster Bay, NY 11771

This state historic park is the former Gold Coast estate of the W.R. Coe family. Those who enjoy gardens, woodlands, and nature trails will find interest here.

Sagamore Hill
20 Sagamore Hill Road
Oyster Bay, NY 11771
516-922-4788

Home to our 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, Sagamore Hill is where his home and summer house reside. The location is now a national historic site where the public can explore his the legacy as one of America’s most popular presidents and the surrounding area complete with peaceful paths and nature trails.

Walt Whitman Birthplace
246 Old Walt Whitman Road
Huntington Station, NY 11746
631-427-5240

Many may know of the Walt Whitman Mall on Long Island, but how about the man himself? Make a visit to one of America’s finest poets’ birthplace and take a tour of his childhood home.

Local Attractions
Whether you have toddlers in tow or teenagers, a great amusement attraction park can be fun for the entire family from its rides, arcade games to challenging courses.

Adventureland
2245 Broad Hollow Road (RT. 110)
Farmingdale, NY 11735
631-694-6868

From water rides to rollercoasters and arcade games, enjoy hours of fun with the family at this amusement park! Those who are on a budget will also appreciate that there’s no admission fee, simply enter the park and pay only for the rides and activities you want to take part in. Unlimited riding bracelets are also available.

Adventure Park At Long Island
75 Colonial Spring Road
Wheatley Heights, NY 11789
631-983-3844

For the outdoor thrill seeker, have a try at zip lining and an aerial ropes challenge course. This place also has self-guided trails. The trails are designed with different challenges, including ones suitable for children as young as age 7.

Bayville Adventure Park
8 Bayville Avenue
Bayville, NY 11709
516-624-7433

No matter the season, adventure is what you’ll get at this location. Depending on the season you’re visiting, you can find enjoyment from a game of miniature golf, bumper boats, rock climbing, rope courses, ice skating, a lights show, train ride, haunted houses and much more!

Museums/Exhibits
Museums and exhibits aren’t just to learn, but to have fun while doing it! Many on Long Island feature interactive hands-on experiences for people of all ages to enjoy.

Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum
301 Main Street
Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724

Take a look into the history of whaling in the Long Island region. The Museum is complete with artifacts, including a 19th century whaleboat.

Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center
431 East Main Street
Riverhead, NY 11901
631-208-9200

The exhibits here are like taking a trip to go under the sea. It features an 120,000-gallon shark tank, penguin encounters, tropical fish from around the world and so much more!

Museum Row
Charles Lindenburgh Boulevard
Garden City, NY 11530

There’s a reason it’s called Museum Row. This place is essentially the home to several popular museums sitting practically next to one another in a row. Here, you can find the Cradle of Aviation Museum, the Long Island Children’s Museum, and the Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center. This is also home to The Long Island Museum for Science and Technology, which is currently under development and will be connected to the Cradle of Aviation Museum. After a fun day of museum hopping, catch a ride on Nunley’s Carousel adjacent to the Cradle of Aviation. The carousel was created in 1912 and has been restored to its former glory.

Old Bethpage Village Restoration
1303 Round Swamp Road
Old Bethpage, NY 11804
516-572-8400

Take a step back into the 19th century with a look at how the typical rural Long Island farm village looked. Roam through 200 acres of land complete with historic buildings, a school, farmhouse and general store.

Shinnecock National Cultural Center and Museum
100 Montauk Highway
Southampton, NY 11968
631-287-4923

Learn about the ancestors and living history of Native Americans – it looks at the Algonquin descendants. This is the only Native American operated museum on Long Island.

Suffolk County Farm and Education Center
350 Yaphank Avenue
Yaphank, NY 11980
631-852-4600

Get up close and see the workings of a real farm. Pet some farm animals, make crafts, take a wagon ride, learn how fruits and vegetables are grown at the Children’s Garden and so much more!

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