17 Top Attractions & Things to Do on Long Island, NY

Any New Yorker has a strong love for Long Island. This 118-mile-long, 23-mile-wide island is just off the coast of Manhattan and is even home to the New York City boroughs of Queens and Brooklyn.

Long Island is where New Yorkers go for the best beaches near NYC, as well as beautiful historic mansions, parks, and gardens. The communities along Long Island are known for their love of the water, whether it's a beautiful boardwalk, a surf school, or a great seafood restaurant.

Flanked by the Atlantic Ocean on the south and the Long Island Sound on the north, Long Island is home to the world-famous Hamptons communities known for their legendary summer seasons. The 10th largest island in the country, Long Island is peppered with lighthouses, veined with bike trails, and dotted with various other islands that locals love to frequent.

It's also a spot to find a large number of ethnic communities, which helps to add to the overall richness and diversity of Long Island. Long Island is the birthplace of some of the world's greatest figures, from Walt Whitman and Jerry Seinfeld to LL Cool J, Mariah Carey, and Billy Joel.

Families can spend their days exploring the beaches or visiting the Long Island Aquarium. Summer is the most popular time to hit Jones Beach, which often has outdoor concerts, air shows, and fun weekend festivals.

And because Long Island is so close to New York City, you can get there very easily with the Long Island Railroad, which leaves from Penn Station and Grand Central in Manhattan, Atlantic Terminal in Brooklyn, or Jamaica Station in Queens.

Plan your next vacation with our list of the top attractions and things to do on Long Island.

Montauk Point Lighthouse

At the farthest point east on Long Island stands the historic Montauk Point Lighthouse in the hamlet of Montauk. Commissioned by George Washington and completed in 1797, the oldest lighthouse in New York State became a beacon of hope and the first sight millions of immigrants saw on their way to the free world. It later became a strategic fire control station by the armed forces during WWII.

Today, the lighthouse attracts scores of tourists wanting to take in the expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean and catch glimpses of the seals that gather on the shores.

On these dog-friendly grounds, there are walking trails that take you around the buildings and onto a rocky beach. You can climb up to the top of the lighthouse for panoramic views or visit the museum, located in the 1860 Keepers' house.

Address: 2000 Montauk Hwy, Montauk, New York

Old Westbury Gardens

Step right into the pages of The Great Gatsby when you enter the grounds of this Old Westbury opulent estate, former property of John S. and Margarita Grace Phipps. This Gold Coast estate, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, consists of 160 acres.

Old Westbury Gardens features the main attraction of the palatial Westbury House surrounded by sweeping lawns, rose gardens, water fountains, serene ponds, and lakes. Begin with a tour of the mansion, followed by a stroll through its gorgeous gardens.

During the warmer months, Old Westbury Gardens has concerts and special events on the main lawn. Their most popular event, Dog Days, happening in the spring and fall, attracts dog owners and lovers to the gardens for a fun-filled outing with hikes, themed-entertainment, and vendors.

Address: 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, New York

Cross Sound Ferry

Long Island's North Shore is framed by the beautiful Long Island Sound, which separates the island from the southern shore of Connecticut. One of the most beautiful ways to see the sights is to get out on the water with the Cross Sound Ferry.

The ferry offers passenger and vehicle transport year-round between Orient Point, Long Island and New London, Connecticut. The ferry itself is clean and comfortable with an open-air roof deck, perfect for taking in the views.

For something extra scenic and educational, you can even book a lighthouse cruise from Orient Point to check out some of the historic lighthouses along the Long Island Sound.

Read More: Touring New York by Water Using the NYC Ferry System

Long Island Aquarium

The Atlantis-themed Long Island Aquarium boasts one of the largest living coral displays in the Western Hemisphere. In addition to the 20,000-gallon display tank, this Riverhead aquarium has a massive shark tank and a number of indoor and outdoor exhibits of marine and island wildlife.

Kids can have up-close encounters thanks to touch tanks and other interactive features like meet-and-greet with penguins, selfies with sea lions, and meal prep for seals. The aquarium is now offering remote learning opportunities for students in Pre-K to 12th grade.

In the summer, a 90-minute Atlantis Explorer Boat educational tour takes visitors down the Peconic River. If you are feeling a bit adventurous, you can do a shark dive in a cage in their Lost City of Atlantis Shark exhibit. The aquarium also hosts sleepovers, so you can spend the night next to the tanks. But you can always opt for the nearby waterfront Hyatt Place Long Island/East End.

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

If you have dogs and love history, be sure to explore the "Summer White House" on the North Shore. The former estate of the country's 26th President, Theodore Roosevelt, is open for visitors year-round between sunrise and sunset.

Take a guided tour of the 23-room Victorian mansion (filled with game trophies from his exploring days), check out the Audubon Center, and walk the trail to the Cold Spring Harbor beach on the Long Island Sound that the president enjoyed with his furry friends. Armchair explorers and educators can now take virtual tours of the house.

Sagamore Hill is part of the U.S. National Parks Service and is listed on the National Historic Places registry. Every year, it hosts educational programs and annual events, including a free Independence Day celebration that features a visit from an actor resembling the late president.

Address: 20 Sagamore Hill Road, Oyster Bay, New York

The Hamptons

From world-class beaches to lovely hamlets and towns boasting mansions with manicured lawns, the Hamptons, in the easternmost part of the South Fork of Long Island, embody the quintessential summer getaway.

You can fill your days with outdoor parties, gallery openings and museum outings, alfresco dining, and of course celebrity watching. The area encompasses Southampton and East Hampton, with hamlets such as Sag Harbor, Bridgehampton, Water Mill, and Amagansett among others.

This seaside resort destination has miles of sunny beaches, including the world-famous Main Beach and Cooper's Beach. Getting to the Hamptons may take a while, whether you are taking the Hampton Jitney or the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) or driving, but the trip is well worth the time.

Jones Beach State Park

As one of the most beautiful beaches on Long Island, the 6.5-mile-long Jones Beach, with sugary sand and refreshing waves, is a popular place to visit in the summer. Walk or bike the boardwalk, play basketball or miniature golf, or simply hang out on your beach blanket after a swim.

Get delicious tacos, burgers, and rice bowls at the newly revamped Boardwalk Cafe adjacent to the Central Mall Concession. Be sure to arrive early in the day to beat the crowds, or come after sunset to enjoy cool ocean breezes and a nearly empty beach.

Don't miss the biggest show the state park puts on, the Memorial Day Bethpage Air Show, where the U.S. Navy Blue Angels put on a breathtaking show over the water. Music lovers can catch concerts for free at the bandshell or get tickets to big-name musical acts at the Northwell Health outdoor arena.

The Nature Center, located on a barrier island within the state park, has a lot of fun things to do for kids, including a Discovery Bone Cove where they can dig up whale bones, see a butterfly garden, or view a shipwreck.

The state park charges a vehicle entrance fee until 4pm on weekdays and 6pm on weekends and holidays during beach season, from Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day weekend; it charges a reduced fee until 3pm/4pm on weekends in the months of April and September through November.

Address: 1 Ocean Pkwy, Wantagh, New York

Long Beach Boardwalk

For a fun outing with surf and fine white sand, there's no better place to visit than Long Beach, located a 50-minute train ride from New York City. Stroll or bike the 2.2-mile boardwalk, rebuilt after Superstorm Sandy. Grab a bite to eat at Five Ocean Bar and Grill, and cool off with frozen yogurt at Tutti Frutti on W Park Ave nearby.

Visitors can take advantage of the free concert series in the summer. If you want to learn how to surf or paddleboard, Skudin Surf Long Beach is located right on the beach. Surf2Live runs weekly summer surf camps and private lessons for children and adults.

The Cradle of Aviation Museum

The world-class Cradle of Aviation Museum houses Donald Everett Axinn Air & Space Museum Hall, which has permanent and changing collections chronicling the history of aviation, specifically that of Long Island. It has air and spacecraft displays (from biplanes to a lunar landing module), hands-on exhibits, and cockpits to climb into.

The museum has an IMAX Dome surround-screen theater, showcasing immersive virtual reality experiences and films that transport viewers to far-flung places. The museum celebrated Apollo at 50 with an exhibit titled, Space: A Journey to Our Future.

Next door on Museum Row, the historic Nunley's Carousel, created in 1912, has been restored to its former glory and is available for rides.

Address: Charles Lindbergh Blvd, Garden City, New York

Coe Hall and the Planting Fields

Coe Hall, the former estate of Standard Oil heiress Mai Rogers Coe and her husband insurance magnate William Robertson Coe, is the main attraction of this popular North Shore property in Oyster Bay. This Tudor Revival mansion still maintains its 20s elegance, and a tour inside reveals priceless antiques, handcrafted details, and original furnishings and artwork.

The 409-acre grounds surrounding the estate are known as Planting Fields, and are included in the National Register of Historic Places. It is a feast for the eyes, with blooming flowers, lush rolling lawns, greenhouses, and formal gardens.

In April, the Planting Fields Foundation celebrates Arbor Day with its annual festival full of fun activities, including tree climbing with a harness, planting ceremonies with Smokey Bear, and live music with Peat Moss & the Fertilizers and Johnny Herbert. Kids can also enjoy scavenger hunts, arts and crafts, and book readings.

On summer Friday evenings, the Planting Fields puts on "Music in the Garden" outdoor concerts featuring blues, jazz, and swing music.

Address: 1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay, New York

Fire Island

Miles of enchanting beaches and tiny villages flanked by sand dunes, white-tailed deer, and pristine wilderness make Fire Island seem like a world away from the concrete jungle of New York City. This narrow barrier island parallels Long Island on the South Shore, with the westernmost tip beginning at the popular Robert Moses State Park and separated by the Great South Bay.

From the Robert Moses Beach, you can take a nature trail to the Fire Island Lighthouse and Smith Point Visitor Center. The best way to explore Fire Island is on an overnight stay, either at a campground at Watch Hill or by renting a beach house, but be sure to book early in the year to reserve a spot. Take time to explore the Sunken Forest on a relaxing walk on the elevated boardwalk under the canopy of a maritime holly forest.

On this car-free island, the Robert Moses Causeway takes you to the state park, while the William Floyd Parkway takes you to the eastern end to the William Floyd estate. The Fire Island National Seashore, which covers 26 miles of the island, can be accessed by boat or ferry from Patchogue, Sayville, and Bay Shore.

Oheka Castle

Travel to the time of Long Island's Gilded Age with a visit to Oheka Castle, sitting on the highest point of Long Island in the town of Huntington. With expansive manicured lawns and gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, responsible for the layout of Central Park, this French chateau-inspired building has been the setting for many weddings.

This former estate of financier and philanthropist Otto Herman Kahn was built in 1919 and had its share of extravagant soirees in the roaring 20s. The name of the castle comes from the first letters of its former owner. Available on the grounds are tennis courts, an 18-hole golf course, a large greenhouse complex, and a French Formal Garden in the front of the house.

After Kahn's death, the property had multiple owners, and the latest owner, Gary Melius, did a complete renovation and turned this second-largest private residence in America into a luxury hotel. This Historic Hotels of America member boasts 32 guest rooms and suites on the upper floors of the estate. The property also has an events space, and conference center, and hosts mansion tours.

Address: 135 W. Gate Drive, Huntington, New York

Sands Point Preserve

Overlooking the Long Island Sound, Sands Point Preserve is a magnificent 216-acre park featuring three castle-like mansions on the original Guggenheim Estate and several dog-friendly, wooded hiking trails. The preserve has the stately Hempstead House, Castle Gould, and Falaise.

Falaise, built by Harry S. Guggenheim, boasts paintings from the Renaissance and antiques that date back to the 16th century. Hempstead House, an opulent Tudor-style mansion, boasts 40 rooms, a rose garden, and a terrace with sweeping views of the Long Island Sound. It's often used as a venue for weddings and special events.

Sands Point Preserve hosts a number of events for visitors, including mansion tours, yoga classes, and a Halloween Ball. Dogs can have fun splashing around in the cool waters of the Long Island Sound, and the grounds are ideal for picnics.

Address: 127 Middle Neck Road, Sands Point, New York

Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium

Located on the North Shore, the 43-acre former estate of William K. Vanderbilt includes the Spanish Revival-style mansion of Eagle's Nest, turned museum and Planetarium. The museum houses thousands of wildlife specimens that Vanderbilt collected during his overseas expeditions. Additional structures on the property include a boathouse, a seaplane hangar, and a curator's cottage surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Vanderbilt's Charles and Helen Reichert Planetarium has full-dome films, laser shows, live star talks, and concerts. The rooftop observatory is open to the public Friday nights (depending on weather) where visitors can see the night sky through a 16-inch Meade reflecting telescope with the guidance of an astronomy educator.

The venue is a perfect place for weddings and special events. Tours of the planetarium and other exhibits are available daily except holidays.

Address: 180 Little Neck Road, Centerport, New York

Nassau County Museum of Art

On the grounds of the former estate of Henry Clay Frick, the Georgian mansion-turned-museum hosts permanent and rotating exhibitions by famous artists like Pierre Bonnard, Auguste Rodin, Roy Lichtenstein, Moses Soyer, Edouard Vuillard, and others.

The Nassau County Museum of Art also features an outdoor sculpture garden with works by Botero, Calder, and more. Walking trails through 145 verdant acres offer opportunities to go for a leisurely stroll to reflect after a visit to the gallery. The museum also offers fun activities for kids, art classes, and workshops like flower felting and scarf painting.

Address: One, Museum Drive, Roslyn, New York

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve

Perched on a beautiful peninsula that juts into Long Island Sound, Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve is a picturesque outdoor escape on Long Island's North Shore. The park features miles of walking and running paths, as well as opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, and, come winter, cross-country skiing.

The 1,520-acre park was acquired by the state of New York in the 1960s and ever since has been providing residents of Long Island, as well as visitors, a diverse landscape of marshland and woods to explore. Prior to becoming a state park, it was the Marshall Field III estate that was built in the 1920s. Field purchased more than 1,700 acres of land to create his large estate, which was a combination of a hunting preserve, country club, and home. It was a self-sustainable endeavor, as well, and had its own water and electrical supply.

Today visitors will find many historic buildings from the estate in the park that are still used today, such as the polo barns and the Lloyd Harbor Historical Society. Now a state historic park, the grounds are beloved for their variety of plants and animals, as well as the relaxing meadows and forests. The park also limits the use of cars, so guests find it particularly easy to unplug and enjoy the views.

Address: 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Lloyd Harbor, New York

Freeport's Nautical Mile

So much of Long Island's history and culture is tied to the sea. One of the best places to soak it all in is in the town of Freeport, along what is called the Nautical Mile.

The town of Freeport was settled in the mid-17th century as a fishing village. Today it is a charming suburb and a bedroom community for those who work in New York City. But you can still get in touch with its seafaring routes along the Nautical Mile.

This waterfront Main Street runs along the Woodcleft Canal and gives both residents and tourists a lovely look into the community and culture of Freeport. In the warmer months, check out the boats that line the canal and set sail in the evening for sunset views of the South Shore. Local cruise companies host a variety of experiences, from inner cruises to sunset sails.

The Mile also has many attractions, from the Crow's Nest Mini Golf course to the Sea Breeze waterfront park and marina. Dining abounds along the Nautical Mile, as well, especially when it comes to seafood restaurants.

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