The Dr.STITCH Guide to Summer Activities on Long Island
The start of summer is an exciting time, especially on Long Island. We’ve made it through a frosty winter and a rainy spring and we’re ready to be rewarded with sunshine and beach time! When you have kids at home, you may find yourself scrambling to fill their free time, but you also want to make sure you’re spending those precious summer days on activities that are worthwhile and fun for the whole family. We’ve put together some of our favorite summer activity recommendations.
Experience Long Island Nature Together
- Delight Little Animal Lovers – At Brookhaven Wildlife and Ecology Center Animal Preserve you can see wildlife, such as foxes, bears and bald eagles and learn about animal rehabilitation. Guided educational tours are available. Pack a lunch to enjoy at one of the adjacent picnic areas.
- Have Fun with Fish! – Observe tidal creeks, visit the turtle pond, or try your hand at trout fishing at Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium a non-profit educational center in Cold Spring Harbor that is dedicated to educating visitors about the freshwater ecosystems of New York.
- Relax and Take in the View – Take a breathtakingly beautiful stroll and learn about flower cultivation at Lavender by the Bay, Long Island’s premier lavender farm. This is a great spot to snap some family pictures and shop for unique gifts.
- Enjoy the Local Tastes of Summer – Load up on healthy local produce, connect with local farmers, and get a little workout in during a pick-your-own fruit outing. From strawberries in June to blueberries in August, Long Island has lots of delicious options. Check this list to find a farm near you and stay updated on what is in season.
Classic Family Summer Fun, Long Island Style
- Enjoy a Good Old-Fashioned Petting Zoo – Check out White Post Farms in Melville where can you pet a zebra, bottle-feed a baby goat, see a magic show, and pick up a fresh baked pie. Admission and extras are cash only, so be sure to stop at an ATM on the way.
- Thrill and Chill – Long Island natives may have their own memories of Adventureland, which has been an LI tradition since 1962. This park features classic roller coasters and ferris wheels, plus water rides and kiddie rides for little ones.
- Ahoy Lil’ Mateys! – Take a trip to Bayville Adventure Park, a pirate themed amusement park with mini golf, indoor climbing, and treasure hunts. After all the adventure, parents can unwind with a tiki drink at the shipwreck tavern.
- Hop Aboard – If you have any train enthusiasts in the family, then Long Island Live Steamers is a must for your summer fun list. This volunteer run attraction is devoted to steam train preservation and model making and features groundline and highline train rides.
Grab Your Swimsuits to Stay Cool
Get Our 8 Tips for Beach and Pool Safety
- Hit the Beach! – For many of us, beach trips are the focal point of the season. Pack the cooler, slather on the sunscreen and try out one of our favorites: Nickerson Beach Park, a Nassau County beach, features a half mile of beach front and includes a skate park for keeping teens entertained as well as kiddie pools for tiny tots. Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh is spread over miles of oceanfront and includes a boardwalk with traditional and gourmet food offerings. Jones Beach also recently added a Water Wheel mobility aid to assist swimmers with mobility impairment across the sand.
- Don’t Overlook the Local Pool – Access to oceanside beaches is one of the major benefits of life on Long Island, but public swimming pools also offer summer fun. Pools can be a good choice if you’re looking to stay closer to home and they can be great for little ones to practice swimming skills. Residents of Babylon have access to five different public pool facilities. If you’re in Oyster Bay you can register for several pools, including a saltwater pool. Valley Stream residents can check out the Arthur J. Henrickson community pool. Check with your town or neighborhood recreation department to learn about your pool options.
- Have a Sprinkling of Summer Fun – Sprinkler parks are a great way to beat the heat and meet up with friends for a summer playdate. If you’re looking for a quick cool-off without committing to an entire day at the beach or pool, check out one of the many sprinkler parks throughout Long Island.
Contact Dr.STITCH
We hope that all your summer adventures are fun ones that are also safe for you and the whole family. If accidents do happen, call Dr.STITCH – we hope you never need us, but we’re here if you do. Our skilled surgeons are here to provide 24 hour immediate and urgent treatment of lacerations, burns, complex wounds, facial trauma, and hand injuries for children and adults. Keep our contact card in your phone and have a fun and safe summer!