Long Island family fun: 7 places off the beaten path
Now that you’ve been to the beach way too many times to count and the kids have dug enough holes in the sand to nearly make it to China, your family is probably ready to try something new. Here are a few suggestions of places you might have missed that’ll help beat the summer doldrums and make the most of the season’s waning days.
Bayville Adventure Park
Credit: Marisol Diaz
Hours of adventure await at Bayville Adventure Park (8 Bayville Ave.; 516-624-7433, bayvilleadventurepark.com). Enjoy the bungee bounce, ropes course, treasure hunts, bumper boats, fun house and miniature golf.
Have some clams and chowder on the bay at The Clam Bar at Bridge Marina (40 Ludlam Ave., 516-628-8688; closed Mondays except holidays).
The WaterFront Center in Oyster Bay
Credit: Heather Walsh
Check out The WaterFront Center (1 West End Ave.; 516-922-7245, thewaterfrontcenter.org), where you can take lessons or simply rent sailboats, double kayaks and paddleboards (age restrictions vary with rentals). If you’re feeling a tad less energetic, take a harbor tour, sunset sail or marine discovery sail on Christeen, a restored historic 40-foot oyster sloop. On weekends, head over to the Oyster Bay Railroad Museum (102 Audrey Ave.; 516-558-7036, obrm.org), where you’ll get a sense of Long Island’s rich railroad history.
Don’t even think of leaving O.B. until you’ve sampled a hot dog, fries and ices at the legendary Bonanza Stand (25 Shore Ave., 516-922-7796).
Nickerson Beach Park, Lido Beach/Point Lookout
Credit: Linda Rosier
There’s something for everyone — even the dogs — at Nickerson Beach Park (880 Lido Blvd.; 516-571-7700, nassaucountyny.gov): Pitch and Putt near the dunes, two swimming pools, a skate park, beach volleyball and a dog run.
Have a burger or panino — and save room for a sundae — at Jo Jo Apples Cafe (85 Lido Blvd., Point Lookout; 516-432-6494, jojoapples.com).
Credit: Barry Sloan
Larger than Central Park, Eisenhower Park (Merrick and Stewart avenues; 516-572-0347, nassaucountyny.gov) has lots going on, from playgrounds, golf, tennis, indoor ice skating rink, miniature golf and a sprinkler park to the Harry Chapin Lakeside Theater for free concerts and international-themed nights.
Break for Southwestern-style steak at the Texas Roadhouse (2571 Hempstead Tpke.; 516-520-7427, texasroadhouse.com).
Quogue Wildlife Refuge
Credit: Steve Pfost
Explore wildlife up close at the 300-acre Quoque Wildlife Refuge (3 Old Country Rd.; 631-653-4771, quoguewildliferefuge.org). There are seven miles of scenic trails with dwarf pine forest and ponds, rescued animals, a butterfly garden and nature center. Various kayak expeditions are also available through the refuge. The trail opens from sunrise to sunset; the nature center on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Head over to East Quogue to sample some Tex-Mex and barbecue at The New Moon Cafe (524 Montauk Hwy.; 631-653-4042, newmooncafeeq.com).
Parks in Wantagh/Seaford
Credit: Johnny Milano
See a shipwreck, marine habitats and animals up close at the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center (West End Field 1, Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh; 516-780-3295, parks.ny.gov). Burn off a little energy at the playgrounds and spray park of Wantagh Park (1 King Rd., Wantagh; 516-571-7460, nassaucountyny.gov). Nearby is Cedar Creek Park (3340 Merrick Rd., Seaford; 516-571-7470, nassaucountyny.gov), with an outdoor roller skating rink and an aerodrome to fly or watch remote-controlled airplanes.
Choose your own blend of cereal, candy and ice cream at Spoons Ice Cream & Cereal Bar (3935 Merrick Rd., Seaford, behind Cara Mia restaurant; 516-804-9280, spoonsli.com).
