With school coming to an end and warmer weather approaching, Long Island provides many opportunities to entertain those looking for activities to do this spring and upcoming summer. From the beach to the wineries to the outlet ,all there are multiple ways to see the island. For both outdoor and indoor fun, here are 11 offbeat and unusual summer activities in Long Island to try out.
1: Explore wildlife: Get up close and personal with extraordinary wildlife creatures. Try going to the Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge in Noyac. It allows visitors to walk the upland forest, grasslands, ponds, saltmarsh, beach and lagoon to explore and take pictures of the vast wildlife present.
2: Golf: There are 61 different public golf courses on Long Island, 20 are in Nassau County and 41 are in Suffolk. The Montauk Downs State Park Golf Course is one of the best courses on the island, being number 8 out of 72 outdoor things to do in Long Island.
3:Waterworks: Long Island is surrounded by beaches from one end of the island to the other. Some famous beaches include Jones Beach in Wantagh and the Hamptons, a town and a large divided section of different bodies of water at the south end of the island. There are also smaller beaches that provide opportunity for activities such as paddle boarding. Southold is a town that has many park district beaches along with its own shop for beach activities. Eagle’s Neck Paddling Company provides gear rental for paddle boarding on these Southold beaches.
4: Take a bike ride: Aside from leisurely rides, there are 17 bike trails and trips to take all throughout Long Island. Hosted by “Bike Around Long Island,” this gives riders an opportunity to bike on certain trails to their desire. For a tour or group activities, also try North Fork Bicycle Tours in Mattituck.
5: Go for a hike: There are over 100 places to go hiking on the Island. If wanting to find a way to save money, try the Massapequa Preserve where the entry fee is free.
6: Visit the bay: Aside from beaches, there are other different bodies of water that are made for outdoor adventures. Bays, for example, are smaller bodies of water that are enclosed by land, but lead out to the sea. This usually means lack of waves and strong tides. If wanting to do something different, go to Oyster Bay. Their Waterfront Center includes activities such as sailboating, kayaking and taking a sunset cruise, all for an affordable price.
7: Get close to animals: Get to see animals and fish at a place like the Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center in Riverhead. Not only are there fish and other aquatic creatures such as sharks but there’s also butterfly and monkey exhibits. This Exhibition Center was rated a top 10 aquarium for children by People’s Magazine, and strives to have visitors acknowledge the importance of marine life and environmental preservation while creating an educational experience.
8: Go shopping: There are about 250 outlet malls in the United States, and a couple happen to be in Long Island. A chain of outlets called the Tanger Outlets have a placement in Riverhead. There is also a Tanger Outlets located at the Arches in Deer Park, which was voted best mall on Long Island of 2015.
9:Get Creative: There are many art crafting centers on Long Island for those wanting to try something different. Visit the Earth Arts of Long Beach, where anyone is able to paint pre-made ceramic pieces. There are also opportunities to go to craft fairs all over the island throughout the spring and summer season.
10:Visit the vines: Many do not know about the original history of vineyards, once created for the crop of potatoes. Since then, vineyards on Long Island started in 1973 and have expanded greatly. For those 21 and over, take a tour at the vineyards with companies such as Vintage tours, which are located in the North Fork; Greenport, Peconic and Cutchogue.
11: Visit a brewery: The island has a specialty industry with microbrewing, a limited-production brewery that typically produces specialty beers and often selling its products only locally.Beer is a popular drink on Long Island, given that there are solely 23 craft bars, and about 100 beer bars, plus many other restaurants and pubs that highlight beer. Long Island Beer Guide not only links to these beer breweries and pubs on the Island, but also give details about upcoming beer festivals and tours.
Click onthis map to see where these activities are located on the island:
Kayla Garritano 