Farms, petting zoos on Long Island where you can spot animals
Meet capybara pups at the Long Island Game Farm in Manorville. Credit: Tom Lambui/Tom Lambui
Whether you want to see a goat, spy on an osprey, watch sharks or just view the unusual, Long Island has several spots where you can get a close peek at nature. Be aware that feeding and/or petting the animals is off-limits at many places.
Center for Science Teaching and Learning
Arianna Avila, of Hempstead, exhibit docent, holds a Ball Python, to show Zevi Eichenbaum, of Oceanside, and his dad Marc. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
FEATURES Goats, snakes, turtles, an emu and many more animals. Dinosaurs exhibit includes robotic and life-size skeletal dinosaurs.
HOURS 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thur.-Tue. Programs and classes by registration.
COST $15, $12 ages 1-12
MORE INFO 1450 Tanglewood Rd., Rockville Centre; 516-764-0045, cstl.org
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium
Aquarist Christine Dunlop shows off some of the frogs and toads at the hatchery and aquarium. Credit: Danielle Silverman
FEATURES Brook and rainbow trout, from fry through maturity, as well as freshwater fish, turtles, snakes and amphibians native to the state. Offers Catch & Keep trout fishing program Fri.-Tue., reservation required ($16 per person, $4 per trout caught).
HOURS 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily year-round, with extended hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from June through August.
COST $7, $5 ages 3-12
MORE INFO 1660 Rte. 25A, Cold Spring Harbor; 516-692-6768, cshfishhatchery.org
Long Island Aquarium
Penguins inside the the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead. Credit: Newsday/James Carbone
FEATURES Coral reef displays, shark tank, sea lion shows, penguins, touch tanks and more than 100 exhibits and interactive experiences, including butterflies, bugs and birds.
HOURS 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. and holidays.
COST $50.99, $35.99 ages 3-12
MORE INFO 431 E. Main St., Riverhead; 631-208-9200, longislandaquarium.com
Long Island Game Farm - Wildlife Park
Melinda Novak feeds Thor the zebra. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
FEATURES New alligator exhibit, playground, Camp Zoo, main stage animal presentations, Songbird Session concerts, squirrel monkeys, lemurs, zebra, camels, African serval cat, animal encounters, tortoise sanctuary, feeding exhibits, deer park and nursery, picnic areas and snack bar.
HOURS 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mon.-Fri. and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. and holidays
COST $29.95, $20.95 ages 3-12; fee for animal food, tours and capybara, wallaby, pony and baby goat encounters
MORE INFO 489 Chapman Blvd., Manorville; 631-878-6644, longislandgamefarm.com
Norman J. Levy Park
See Nigerian dwarf goats at Norman J. Levy Park. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
FEATURES: A herd of Nigerian dwarf goats can be seen grazing. Also spot wildlife including osprey, ducks, foxes and reptiles. Features 50 acres surrounded by tidal wetland, hiking trails, accessible fishing pier on Merrick Bay and canoe and kayak launch.
HOURS Opens 7 a.m. daily, closing time varies seasonally.
COST Free
MORE INFO 1600 Merrick Rd., Merrick; 516-804-2000, hempsteadny.gov
Old Bethpage Village Restoration
Alexandria Messina, of Westbury, is delighted as an Alpaca eats out of her hand at the Long Island Fair at Old Bethpage Village Restoration. Credit: Jeff Bachner
FEATURES Long Island’s only living history museum. Step into a working 19th century village in rural Long Island, including historic homes and a working farm. Spanning the areas of and between the Powell House and Williams House, there are fields planted with crops and several barns and outbuildings. Visitors can see cows, sheep, goats, turkeys, chickens, pigs, ducks and geese. HOURS Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fri.-Sun. July 1 and Sept. 4-Nov. 29 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thur.-Sun. July 2-Sept. 4.
COST $15, $12 for ages 5-12, free for ages 4 and under
MORE INFO 1303 Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage; 516-572-8409, oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org
Quogue Wildlife Refuge
Ole, the Eastern screech owl, one of the many animals at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge in Quogue. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
FEATURES 305 acres, 7 miles of trails through habitats including pine barrens, bogs, wetlands, a field and a tidal estuary. Outdoor wildlife complex houses permanently injured wildlife that require human care to survive including owls, falcons, hawks and other native New York animals. Summer camps and educational programming are held throughout the year. Although it is under renovation for the summer of 2026, the Charles Banks Nature Center offers views of Old Ice Pond as well as a variety of wildlife exhibits, live animals, and gift shop. Dogs, bicycles and picnicking are not permitted at the preserve.
HOURS Sunrise-sunset daily for refuge trails, outdoor wildlife complex and restroom facilities.
COST Free, donations accepted
MORE INFO 3 Old Country Rd., Quogue; 631-653-4771, quoguewildliferefuge.org
South Shore Nature Center
Deer are spotted at the South Shore Nature Center in East Islip. Credit: Barry Sloan
FEATURES 2.3-mile trail through salt marsh, upland oak and hickory forest; nature museum, picnic area, weekend programs.
HOURS 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily grounds; visitor center, 1 to 4 p.m. Sat.-Sun.
COST Free (program fees may apply)
MORE INFO 130 Bayview Ave., East Islip; 631-581-6908, seatuck.org
Suffolk County Farm and Education Center
Livestock at the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center in Yaphank. Credit: Joseph Sperber
FEATURES Llamas, sheep, pigs, rabbits, cows and other farm animals; picnic areas; nature-based programs including special-needs audiences.
HOURS 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily, closed holidays.
COST Free (fee for special events), $5 for wagon rides available on weekends, $5 for animal feed cup ($3 for refills)
MORE INFO 350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank; 631-852-4600, ccesuffolk.org
Sweetbriar Nature Center
Noelle Dunlap a staff member at Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown starts her with Turnip an Eastern Screech Owl that was rescued after being struck by a car. Credit: /Joseph Sperber
FEATURES Visitors can explore hiking trails through wetlands, fields and forests with views of the Nissequogue River. They can also engage with educational exhibits in the nature museum, featuring a simulated rainforest, a reptile room and local forest displays, along with a seasonal butterfly vivarium. The center provides educational programs, special events and wildlife rehabilitation while also serving as a sanctuary for many non-releasable wild animals.
HOURS Nature center museum and preserve, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily; butterfly vivarium, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 8-September.
COST Free; butterfly vivarium: $10, $5 ages 2-14; rainforest exhibit: $5
MORE INFO 62 Eckernkamp Dr., Smithtown; 631-979-6344, sweetbriarnc.org
Tackapausha Museum and Preserve
Explore nature trails and learn about animals at Tackapausha Museum and Preserve. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
FEATURES 3,000-square-foot natural history museum with displays about the ecology of Long Island, as well as animal exhibits and shows with interactive activities for children. Exhibits include birds of prey, small reptiles, snakes, small rodents and mammals and a fox. Also features a "Bat Cave." Along the 5 miles of nature trails, more than 170 bird species have been identified within the preserve.
HOURS 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thur.-Sun.
COST $5, $3 ages 5-12
MORE INFO 2225 Washington Ave., Seaford; 516-571-7443, nassaucountyny.gov
Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center
An American Goldfinch sits on a Coneflower at the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center in Oyster Bay. Credit: Linda Rosier
FEATURES A 1-mile trail loop on 14 acres with songbirds and other wildlife. Nature programs and conservation-themed events throughout the year.
HOURS Trails and gardens dawn-dusk daily; visitor center 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wed.-Fri., 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sat.
COST Free
MORE INFO 134 Cove Rd., Oyster Bay; 516-922-3200, roosevelt.audubon.org
White Post Farms
Tali Ellis, of Locust Valley, feeds the giraffes with dad Jake Ellis at White Post Farms in Melville. Credit: Danielle Silverman
FEATURES Petting zoo and animal farm with barn animals, bird aviary, monkey barn, giraffe station (when above 60 degrees), plus a market and garden center.
HOURS 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, last admission at 5 p.m.
COST $29.95 cash at the farm, $33.95 online purchase; additional cost for pony and train rides, animal feed
MORE INFO 250 Old Country Rd., Melville; 631-351-9373, whitepostfarms.com and whitepostfarms.net
