Surrounded by water - enjoy every drop.
In any season, the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center in Riverhead brings you nose to nose with the water. Over 100 exhibits include Shark Reef Lagoon, the Lost Temple of Atlantis and a living Coral Reef. Explore ancient ruins, tropical lagoons or exotic foreign shores at this top-rated family destination.
Saturday, September 22, is a perfect day to explore acres of wildlife at Jones Beach State Park in a First Day of Fall Hike, a guided trek showcasing the changing season. On October 7 the Jones Beach Nature Center hosts its Fall Wildlife Festival. Stop by for crafts vendors, walks, activities, interactive nature exhibits, wildlife walks, special activities and crafters.
Hit the seashore September 29-30 for Lido Beach Town Park’s Family Festival By The Sea, a popular annual seaside event featuring live bands, giant inflatables, children's shows, a biathlon, petting zoo and terrific food on Lido Beach. Parking and admission are free.
Over three decades, Oyster Festival has grown from a simple hometown parade to one of the biggest waterfront festivals on the east coast. Join the throng, October 13-14 on the waterfront in Oyster Bay, for live performers, Tall Ships, artisans and pirate shows, midway rides and a petting zoo, harbor cruises, and the famous oyster eating and shucking contest. The seafood is not to be missed.
Journey from Stony Brook Harbor’s Boatworks marina through an 88-acre wetlands preserve in a Discovery Wetlands Cruise. In cruises scheduled through October, a marine science naturalist will narrate your 90-minute tour through wetland plants and wildlife aboard the 35-passenger pontoon boat, Discovery. Don’t forget to visit the working Stony Brook Grist Mill.
Hypnotic waves and ancient forests welcome you to Fire Island National Seashore and the Fire Island Lighthouse. New York's tallest lighthouse beacon, completed in 1858, can be seen more than 20 miles away. Year round tower tours reveal spectacular views and a maritime artifacts at the top of its 156-step spiral staircase.
From beach or boat, the fishing on Long Island is second to none. Over 400 miles of coastline offer salt water adventures from calm bay fishing to challenging deep sea jaunts. Both serious and the novice anglers can find charters and boat rentals, while shoreline fishing is permitted at many state park beaches. The big fall run starts in September when the fish bulk up for winter.
A favorite of locals, Hither Hills State Park in Montauk draws legions of tent campers to its grassy campgrounds behind the beach. Open sunrise to sunset every day of the year with campsites available through mid-November, its two miles of oceanfront beach and 40-acre freshwater lake lure anglers for year-round fishing, while others enjoy its walking dunes and picnic areas.
For more information, visit the Long Island region.