From buzzing nightlife parties to energetic music and food scenes, discover the best things to do on Long Island in the winter
Home to some of New York City’s finest escapes – Long Island is a multi-cultural peninsula boasting world-class beaches, buzzy wineries, and gastronomical delicacies. Sometimes referred to as ‘the island’ or ‘out east’ – Long Island strives heavily on tourists to indulge in the experiences the region has to offer. Right from exploring fascinating museums, to discovering beaches near NYC and shops in the Hamptons – exploration never ends. This guide on “best things to do on Long Island in the winter” is a culmination of all the outdoor activities and winter attractions that you can do while you’re here.
Often considered as the ‘beach backyard of NYC‘ – Long Island is known to house sparkling ocean beaches, historic sites, and quaint downtown villages. It’s ideally a perfect place for long-summer vacations or weekend trips.
Long Island is divided into 4 counties – Nassau, Suffolk, Kings, and Queens (also boroughs of New York). In this guide, I’ll be covering the Nassau and Suffolk part of Long Island – mostly due to its immense popularity. From top experiences and a wide range of family-friendly & kid activities – you’ll discover amazing Long Island winter activities.
HOW TO REACH LONG ISLAND, NY?
It’s easy to travel Long Island if you’re specifically in New York. There’s no question of accessibility because seven bridges and two tunnels connect to Long Island from New York. Once you cross over, it’s a short drive to the counties/regions you prefer to travel to in Long Island.
In total, there are three express run routes – the Long Island Expressway (interstate Route 495), Northern State Parkway, and Southern State Parkway that runs east and west through Long Island.
Long Island is also well-connected through major airports – JFK International (JFK) and Long Island Islip MacArthur Airport (ISP). You could also avail public transportation from Manhattan to reach most Long Island towns via Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).
Best Things to Do On Long Island in the Winter
Old Westbury Garden
Built-in 1906, Old Westbury Garden is a beautiful garden inspired by Charles II-styled mansion. The area is surrounded by over 200-acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds, and lakes. All of these gardens are well-proportioned and layered in a neat structure, which itself is a magnificent sight to witness. You could also see a wide range of sweeping lawns, grand allées, and wooded trails boasting many different types of trees, meadows, lakes, fountains, and statuary. Some of the features of these gardens are also inspired by France and Holland.
The overall look of Old Westbury Garden has also inspired many filmmakers to use the property as a location in movies like – Cruel Intentions, American Gangster, and Hitch. With more tourists flourishing to witness this elegant garden – bookings for weddings, private events, and parties have also increased.
Old Westbury Garden tickets range from $7-$12 a person. It needs to be purchased well in advance, to avoid any blocking reservations.
Address – 71 Old Westbury Rd, Old Westbury, NY 11568
Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium
Situated on the north shore of Long Island – Vanderbilt Museum is a popular place to travel in winter. With year-round appeal, the museum is known to pull in thousands of travelers to witness state-of-the-art planetarium and expansive mansion.
Recently, the planetarium got renovated – making it one of the largest and advanced in the United States. It has around 147-seating facility and an Observatory deck with a reflecting telescope. Along with this, the planetarium is known to host programs like – star talks, full-dome films, laser shows, and concerts. This adds up to having a real-life experience of galaxies & the universe whilst you’re visiting.
When it comes to exploring the Vanderbilt Museum, it’s advisable to take a proper guided tour. Experts guide you around the entire museum showing a rich collection of jaw-dropping exhibits and intriguing artifacts. Vanderbilt Museum is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
If the weather cooperates in Long Island, then the Vanderbilt Museum is a perfect place for family picnics. Embrace the fresh air & soak in spectacular views of the Northport Bay as you enjoy or stop at Hometown Bake Shop and try out delicious pastries and pies.
Fire Island Lighthouse
Nestled along the southern coast of Long Island, is a visible landmark – Fire Island Lighthouse. It’s probably one of my favorite winter tourist attractions on Long Island. Perfect for family outdoors – you could see the lighthouse being crowded almost every weekend.
Just make your way to Robert Moses Field 5 and drive left. You’ll come across a very scenic beach on Broadway that will take you to the lighthouse. The best part about the lighthouse on Fire Island is you can climb the 182 steps. Walk around the top and absorb all the panoramic views of the seashore. On a clear sunny day, you could also get to see Manhattan skylines!
It costs USD 10 for adults and USD 5 for children to climb to the top of the lighthouse. Timings are 10 AM to 4.30 PM.
Other than the lighthouse on Fire Island, you could explore the beach & spend a leisurely time.
Sands Point Reserve
It’s hard to believe – but there are castles on Long Island. Yes, you heard it right! When you visit Sands Point Reserve, you’ll come across 3 spectacular castles – Falaise, Hempstead House, and CastleGould. All of them have a rich history and are influenced by some of the other architectural styles.
Falaise, a Normandy-style castle, is open for public tours – meaning you could go around the mansion and do your exploration as you wish. Hempstead House structure is more of an English Castle and CastleGould design was inspired by Ireland’s Kilkenny Castle. There’s also a huge 216-acre park located on the Long Island Sound. Both the park and its historic castles are owned by Nassau County, NY.
The highlight of visiting Sands Point Reserve is experiencing the hikes & walks of the region. With diverse & natural landscaped areas to explore, hiking or strolling is very convenient with easy to moderate difficulty.
If you wish to explore the castles and mansions from inside – then the guided tours will cost you USD 4. There’s also a USD 5 entrance fee per car.
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
Located in the Upper Brookville village, Planting Fields Arboretum is one of the most beautiful gardens of Long Island. It was once a home of William Robertson Coe and his wife – which has now turned into a popular tourist attraction of Long Island.
Planting Fields Arboretum is massive in size – with over 400-acres of land filled with all species of plants and herbarium. The gardens are well-maintained and you can see woodland paths, greenhouses, and historic estates all around.
The place is open to the public, so visitors can stroll around the lawns & gardens and enjoy the green rolling hills of the Planting Fields Arboretum. You can also have a small picnic lunch here!
The state historic park is also famous for wedding and engagement photoshoots! So don’t be surprised if you ever come across photo events during the evening time! Ideally, the place is a hot spot for all your Instagram posts and stories! Make sure you click a lot of them.
The admission fee to Planting Fields Arboretum is approx. USD 8 per car at the entrance.
Long Island Game Farm
Long Island is not short of family-friendly tourist attractions. But amongst the list, Long Island Game Farm really stands apart. Located in Manorville, this wildlife is a perfect place for all groups to unwind themselves from the hustle & bustle of the city.
Long Island Game Farm has been operational for a long time and is Long Island’s largest zoo. Featuring over 100 animals that include – giraffes, wallabies, peacocks, Bison, and Barbados sheep – the collection of the wildlife park is exotic. As you explore more, you’ll also come across different indigenous breeds of parrots, zebras, monkeys, emus, and tortoises.
If sightseeing doesn’t justify your experience at the Long Island Game Farm, then explore the nature trails of “Bambiland” and “The Nursery”. As a part of their program, the zoo also encourages you to feed the animals. The food only needs to be purchased from the park, as you are not permitted to bring outside food. Additionally, there are stalls and souvenir stands that sell amazing merchandise and apparel.
Long Island Game Farm admission fee is $18.75 for adults and $14.25 for children (3-12 age).
Opening hours – 11 AM to 3 PM
Montauk Lighthouse
Located on the extreme eastern part of the south fork, Montauk Lighthouse is one of the most visited places on Long Island. Built in 1796, the lighthouse serves as an important navigational aid to date. Originally, even before the lighthouse was built – the region was home to Montauks (Native Americans). In the form of its history, we have Montauk Lighthouse today that represents a landmark to the American native land.
Montauk is not only filled with history but is also known for many attractions and outdoor activities. Ideally, the best part about Montauk is the sweeping coastline views of the Atlantic Ocean. The scenes showcase truly an amazing sight to grasp in!
Travelers often hang around here to explore the seasonal fun. You can take a stroll around the region, do some shopping, dine at delicious restaurants and explore local beaches.
Montauk Lighthouse also has guided tours for you to take. For parking, the fee is approx. $9 per car and additionally the tours will cost approx. $8 – $10.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
If you’re a history buff, then you should visit the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. The place was President Theodore Roosevelt’s (America’s 26th President) former estate – which has now turned into a historic site with guided tours & educational programs.
You can take a guided tour of the 23 room Victorian mansion, filled with intriguing antiques and objects the President liked. You could also observe the game trophies from his exploring days on the cabinet. Check out the trails near the estates that will take you around the meadows, woodlands, and a beach. Do visit the Audubon Center as well.
Sagamore Hill is listed on the National Historic Places registry and holds immense importance as an attraction on Long Island.
Cradle of Aviation Museum
Located in the Garden City of Long Island, the Cradle of Aviation Museum boasts a massive collection of over 75 air & spacecraft. With an area of 150,000 square feet – the museum is home to numerous 1920 displays, models, and objects.
The best part about the place – is that you could see varied models of airplanes that flew across different periods. Be it the iconic Charles Lindbergh’s Curtiss Jenny or the A-10 Thunderbolt II – the exploration of the museum will be an awe-inspiring moment for you. Amazingly, the displays aren’t everything that makes this museum special. The digital virtual experience through films & documentaries is something that will entice you.
The Cradle of Aviation Museum also has a dedicated zone called ‘JetBlueSky Theater Planetarium’ that provides a state-of-the-art experience of real-life journeys to all visitors. Along with the things to indulge in, the museum hosts dynamic exhibitions and events throughout the year.
Some of the popular ones include – the Golden Age, World War II, and Exploring Space. Do check their official website for the latest updates on events & activities.
If you are only exploring the Museum galleries, then the admission fee is approx. $16 for adults and $14 for children. They also have combo packages with exclusive events & shows – you can check out detailed pricing here.
The Hamptons
Visiting the Hamptons is one of the best Long Island weekend getaways. When you visit the Hamptons, you get hit by a refreshing vibe. They look different, feel unique, and overall becoming a perfect place for vacation.
Hamptons on Long Island is home to glistening beaches, dramatic dunes, shingled windmills, and famous gastronomical cuisines. It’s a group of towns – perhaps the most famous ones – that has flourished with tourism. Also known as one of the best weekend getaways – Hamptons is renowned amongst local and affluent New Yorkers and travelers. Thousands escape the busy city life to many hamlets and villages located here to enjoy winter activities.
Most popular areas in the Hamptons include visiting Southhampton, Easthampton, Westhampton, Sag Harbor, and Montauk. You could enjoy a bounty load of activities at one of these areas – to live up to the experience of Hamptons. Some of these places have large luxurious mansions belonging to many celebrities and America’s elite.
Out of the many attractions you could visit in Hamptons on Long Island, you should explore Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center at Riverhead, Sylvester Manor, and Cooper’s Beach.
To experience some of Long Island’s famous vineyards – head to Wölffer Estate Vineyards and Seven Ponds Orchard.
I would recommend you book a rental home & stay a night so that you could get more out of this place.
Explore Long Island Winter Activities
Oyster Festival in Oyster Bay
Oyster Festivals is one of the massive outdoor festivals of Long Island, which is held every October at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park. The festival is known to pull around 200,000 visitors every year due to its insane entertainment variety.
As the name suggests, the festival is all about shucking oysters! But that’s not the end. The festival runs for two days hosting popular live music events, pirate shows, and carnival midway rides. Musicians travel from different countries to energize the crowd visiting during the festival. You could also indulge in family activities like – treasure hunt, scavenger hunt, and pretty fun games. All of the entertainment hot-spots at one festival – pretty crazy right?
Sadly, the committee has canceled the October 2021 event as a precautionary plan for coronavirus. Hopefully, we could see the return of the Oyster Festival in 2022.
Hiking & Walking Trails
If adventure activity excites you, then Long Island is the place for you to experience it! Who doesn’t love venturing out and discovering coastlines and remote peninsulas? Plus, we already know that Long Island houses plenty of state forests, estates, rolling hills, and lush green meadows. The best way to explore them is by hiking on Long Island.
Head straight to the point of Montauk Lighthouse, and you’ll see dramatic, forlorn of rugged Atlantic coastlines. Visit the Fire Island and you’ll see stretches of endless sandy beaches to walk on. Stop at Cold Spring Harbor State Parkland and you’ll witness woodland hikes and challenging trails.
The most popular hiking trail on Long Island is the Greenbelt trail, which stretches over 31 miles from North Shore to the south. Whilst you take up this moderate trail, you’ll go through some popular parks of Long Island – Sunken Meadow State Park, Caleb Smith State Park, Heckscher Park, and Connetquot Park.
Overall, Long Island is an amazing place for you to tackle hiking trails across the region. Make sure you are well-equipped and always check the weather before leaving for a particular place.
North Fork Wineries
One of the best things to do in Long Island in the winter – is to visit the North Fork Wineries. What was known as a potato produce farm earlier, turned out to be a stellar wine-producing region.
North Fork Wineries is home to 60+ vineyards – making it an ideal location for a wine tour experience. With an amazing range of restaurants, local shops, quaint village markets, the North Fork has become a popular tourist vacation spot for all sorts of travelers.
Many of the wineries out here on North Fork allow visitors to take a walk through the fields. Live music shows, concerts, and amazing food add up to your overall outing.
One of the most famous winery stops is the ‘Lenz Winery’. Originally, the first vineyard of the North Fork – Lenz has been fantastic in making wines since its inception. And if you need to choose from their selection, ‘Merlot’ should be the one. Other notable vineyards that you should look forward to – including visiting Macari, Baiting Hollow Farm & Vineyard, and Wölffer Estate Vineyard.
The Adventureland Park
Exploring the Long Island is an adventure in itself. But one of the fun outdoor things to do on Long Island is to visit Adventureland Park. You can do all sorts of activities here – climb, zip line, go on zig-zag rides, and much more. You could even walk across wobbly bridges from one end to the other. If this is what excites you, then head straight to the park & have adventurous fun.
Wrapping Up
This concludes my list of best things to do on Long Island in the winter. I’m hopeful this guide was useful to bucket-list most of Long Island winter attractions in your travel plan. There’s much more to it, and I’ll keep this post frequently updated.
Hope you had a good read overall! For any suggestions/feedback, just use the comment box below. Feel free to share your personal opinions & travel ideas. Till then, happy traveling!
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