Places to Go and Things to Do for Kids
American Airpower Museum
This is a museum commemorating the World War II big iron birds, especially the P-47 “Thunderbolt.” Some sixty five years ago, the current home of the American Airpower Museum at Republic Airport was a crucial part of the “Arsenal of Democracy”. Home to Republic Aviation, the complex produced over 9,000 P-47 Thunderbolts in Farmingdale.
1230 New Highway, Farmingdale, NY, 11735
Atlantis Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center
Prepare for a voyage of undersea discovery at Atlantis Marine World —
Long Island’s own full-scale Aquarium. From shark dives to snorkeling,
boat tours to salt marsh explorations, a giant octopus to the Western hemisphere’s largest all-living Coral Reef display…it’s all happening at Atlantis Marine World.
431 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901
Tel: 631.208.9200 • Fax: 631.208.0466
Open year-round from 10am to 5pm. Closed December 25
The Big Duck
In 1931, Riverhead duck farmer Martin Maurer built this 20-ft. tall, 30-ft. long eye-catcher using concrete (technically, “ferrocement”) applied over a wooden frame. Taillights from a Model T Ford became its eyes, glowing red at night. Maurer sold ducks and eggs from the shop in its belly.
Flanders Rd, Flanders, NY 631-852-8290
Brookhaven Volunteer Fire Fighters Museum
1889 Fire House, two floors of Fire Memorabilia, two truck buildings house, 12 fire trucks.
Brookhaven Volunteer Fire Fighters Museum
Fireman’s Memorial Park, Route 25 Ridge, NY 11961
Cedar Point Lighthouse and County Park
Cedar Point Lighthouse is located on the south shore of Long Island in Cedar Point Park in Easthampton. The lighthouse is situated on Cedar Island, just off of Cedar Point, between the waters of Northwest Harbor and Gardiners Bay.
Settled in 1651, Cedar Point was once a busy port for shipping farm goods, fish, and timber from Sag Harbor. The historic Cedar Point Lighthouse stood on an island 200 yards from shore when it was built in 1860. Its beacon served to guide whaling ships in and out of Sag Harbor during its hey-day as a major port. The hurricane of 1938 transformed the shoreline, shifting sands to create a narrow, walkable strip that now connects the lighthouse with the mainland.
Cedar Point Lighthouse & County Park
Suffolk County Dept of Parks, Recreation and Conservation
631-854-4949
Children’s Maritime Museum
Come to the Children’s Maritime Museum where children can explore the Working Waterfront. Build a bridge, engineer a water wheel, operate a water taxi, bail a boat and much more. Visit us to see our “What’s New Center”. Open all summer
Port Jefferson Village Center, East Broadway,
Port Jefferson, NY 11777
Children’s Museum of the East End
Interactive exhibits are both permanent and rotating. The permanent exhibit focuses on what makes the East End a special place, with an emphasis on the people and living creatures that inhabit it. Themes include agriculture, fishing, world celebrations, and community.
In addition to the indoor activities, visitors are encouraged to explore outdoor exhibits, mazes and gardens. There is space for year-round workshops, performances, and special events, as well as a permanent art workshop for children to explore their own creativity.
Children’s Museum of the East End
376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike
Bridgehampton, NY 11932,
tel: (631) 537-8250
East Hampton Historical Farm Museum
The East Hampton Historical Farm Museum offers visitors the chance to step back in time and experience local farm life during the 1880s-1930s.
At the East Hampton Historical Farm Museum, we believe that a museum is a place not just for storing unique objects, but rather, it’s a place for people to engage, interact and ponder. This is because education involves active participation which is why we offer a wide array of events and exhibitions that range from celebrational to educational, targeting both adult audiences and the entire family. We invite you to peruse our upcoming schedule and plan to spend a day with us.
East Hampton Town Marine Museum
The Marine Museum tells the unique story of Long Island’s East End community and its relationship with sea through artifacts, photographs, models and displays.
Three floors of exhibits are characterized by thoughtful interpretation of historical research and the perspective of the men who work on the water everyday of their lives.
East Hampton Town Marine Museum
East Hampton Historical Society, 101 Main St., East Hampton, NY 11937, tel: (631) 324-6850
The Green School (Sagaponack)
In our warm and stimulating environment, we nurture independence, creativity, and consideration in our growing children.
Entering each day through the barn doors, the children step into our magical setting, separated by sliding doors from farm life. Here, in this idyllic atmosphere, they discover and learn hands on as we incorporate science, language arts, and math skills into activities like gardening, art, and animal care.
We offer weekly programs such as: Playgroup, Riding Lessons, Adaptive Riding Lessons, Saturday Camps, Birthday Parties, Holiday Camps, and Summer Camp!
The Green School, 287 Merchants Path, Sagaponack, NY 11962, tel: (631) 237-1148
Hither Hills State Park
Hither Hills State Park is sure to be popular with the kids. On just 2.5 miles of beach, you’ll find a softball field, a playground, sand chairs, fishing on a 40-acre freshwater pond, 2 volleyball courts, and even campsites (open April through November).
50 South Fairview Ave, Montauk, NY 11954, tel:(631) 668-2554
Long Island Game Farm
The Long Island Game Farm Wildlife and Children’s Zoo features hundreds of animals, including an 18-foot giraffe, red kangaroos, kinkajous, cougars, Barbados sheep, peacocks, and the only lemurs born and bred on Long Island (season is open April 16, 2016).
489 Chapman Blvd, Manorville, NY 11949, tel:(631) 878-6644
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
The original historic estate buildings remain including the 65 room Tudor Revival mansion, Coe Hall, which is open for tours spring through fall. The grounds, landscaped by the Olmsted Brothers of Brookline, Massachusetts, are spectacularly beautiful year round. Educational programs are offered for children and adults. Planting Fields is an ideal location for wedding photography. Also a great place for a picnic and a romp on the lawn.
Planting Fields Arboretum & State Historic Park
1395 Planting Fields Rd, Oyster Bay, NY, 11771, tel:(516) 922-9200
Railroad Museum of Long Island
Historic Railroad collection including steam engine #39, Diesel engine #1556, Porter engine #1 and 8 other vintage railroad cars. Indoor museum, miniature railroad, working site.
Railroad Museum of Long Island
416 Griffing Avenue Riverhead, NY 11901 631-727-7920
4th Street at the Tracks Greenport, NY 11944 631-477-0439
The South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center
This is the only state-of-the-art natural history museum on the South Fork of Long Island. A visit to SoFo provides a day of fun and discovery for adults and children. The museum brings nature indoors, and a walk through the museum is like taking an interpretive nature hike. The museum even furnishes you with a field guide to the exhibits. Each of the displays engages all your senses, making you feel like a naturalist who is exploring a new territory and asking, “What have I come upon?” and “Why is it here”?
South Fork Natural History Museum & Nature Center
377 Bridgehampton / Sag Harbor Turnpike
P.O. Box 455,
Bridgehampton, NY 11932-0455, 631-537-9735
Splish Splash Water Park
The East End water park—voted one of the best parks in America by the Travel Channel.
2549 Splish Splash Drive,
Riverhead, NY 11901,
(631) 727-3600