Give Long Island experience gifts this holiday season
Giving gifts during the holidays can be tricky. With everyone ordering whatever they need online, it's hard to get a standout gift for family and friends. Try something different this year by giving them an experience they won't forget. Here are eight Long Island-based ideas to choose from.
RACE A GO-KART
40 Daniel St., Farmingdale
Get behind the wheel of a go-kart to take on the twists and turns of the track at RPM Raceway. The 100,000-square-foot facility features three multilevel tracks with LED lighting that interact with the karts.
"It’s like walking into 'Tron.' There’s a gamey, immersive digital world vibe to it," CEO and founder Andrew Farage says. "When the race starts, everything goes green and it’s go-go-go. When there’s a pileup in one area of the track, everything will be yellow, indicating caution. There’s even lighting that tracks the person in first place."
- COST $30 per race
- MORE INFO 631-752-7223, rpmraceway.com
TAKE A COOKING CLASS
45 E. Main St., Babylon
Head into the commercial kitchen at the Babylon Mercantile for a professional cooking class. Learn how to make tailgating treats (jalapeño poppers, potato skins, Buffalo chicken dip wontons), homemade fried chicken and biscuits, steak and frites, rainbow cookies or even Chinese takeout.
Cook international cuisine during a class at the Babylon Mercantile. Credit: Howard Simmons
"After you cook, everyone eats in a communal dining experience serving whatever you have made together," owner Donna Sesto says. "No experience is necessary. Our chefs cook alongside you and help assist in the process."
- COST $95-$145 per class
- MORE INFO 631-818-1100, babylonmercantile.com
GO TO A COMEDY CLUB
Governor’s Comedy Club, 90 Division Ave., Levittown; The Brokerage Comedy Club, 2797 Merrick Rd., Bellmore; McGuire’s Comedy Club, 1627 Smithtown Ave., Bohemia
Beverly Munter performs at Governor's Comedy Club in Levittown. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Experience the vibe of a comedy club by sitting at a table sipping cocktails and munching on appetizers while stand-up comedians perform live just a few feet away. Long Island has three to choose from: Governor’s, The Brokerage and McGuire’s.
"Giving someone a comedy night out as a gift is like giving them a Christmas sweater," owner James Dolce says. "They will remember and love it forever."
- COST $18-$55.95 (plus two item minimum) per person
- MORE INFO Governor’s: 516-731-3358, The Brokerage: 516-781-5233, McGuire’s: 631-467-5413; govs.com
TAKE A RIDE ON A TIKI BOAT
118 W. Broadway, Slip C-4, Port Jefferson
Spend time aboard a custom built floating tiki bar on Long Island Sound. Credit: /Johnny Milano
Look toward the warmer days of spring and summer by booking an excursion with Tiki Boat Long Island. Launching out of Port Jefferson Marina starting in May, this party boat, which holds up to 30 people, offers a fully stocked bar serving tropical drinks and has an open dance floor with streaming music during each 90-minute trip. Light snacks are for sale, but a catering option is also available featuring crudités, fruit platters and sandwiches.
- COST $99 per person
- MORE INFO 631-648-8055, tikiboatlongisland.com
HIT A SUMMER MUSIC FESTIVAL
Shorefront Park, 49 Smith St., Patchogue
Give the gift of live music with tickets to the Great South Bay Music Festival. Credit: Neil Miller
Going to the Great South Bay Music Festival is a rite of passage for any Long Islander. Attend one day or all four days of the July 23-26 event, which will feature more than 50 bands spread out across three stages.
"We believe in a variety of musical styles from blues to reggae to jam bands to classic rock," founder-promoter Jim Faith says. "Each day can’t be the same because that can get boring."
- COST $89 per person each day
- MORE INFO greatsouthbaymusicfestival.com
VISIT A HALL OF FAME MUSEUM
97 Main St., Stony Brook
Visit the Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame in Stony Brook. Credit: Tom Lambui
Take a drive to the village of Stony Brook to spend an afternoon at the entertainment museum. Inside there’s a new exhibit, "Everybody Loves Raymond: Celebrating 30 Years," showcasing the 70-foot-wide set from the show’s 30th anniversary TV special that aired on CBS last month. Visitors can also check out "Billy Joel — The LIMEHOF Collection," which will include items on loan from the Billy Joel Archives that have never been seen by the public. The museum's display of inductees is part of your admission as well.
- COST $36 per person
- MORE INFO 631-689-5888, limusichalloffame.org
TAKE ON AN ESCAPE ROOM
1500 Old Country Rd., Second Floor, Westbury
RYCO’s Escape Room & Lounge features themed escape rooms and a lounge area that serves food and drinks. Credit: RYCO’s Escape Room & Lounge/RYCO’s Escape Room & Lounge
Need a challenge? Go to RYCO’s Escape Room, where the scenarios change from an abandoned asylum to an island prison to being on board the Titanic. After making it through, relax at the full-service bar and lounge serving shareable snacks, craft cocktails and draft beer.
- COST $90 for two people
- MORE INFO 516-407-2537, rycosescape.com
PLAY INDOOR GOLF
115 Middle Neck Rd., Great Neck
Practice your swing on a simulator at Lounge X in Great Neck. Credit: James Escher
It might be cold outside, but the links are heating up at Lounge X,where virtual golf is available at nine Golfzon simulators on site.
"It can be set up as a driving range or a full 18-hole course. There are over 200 courses preloaded in the computer system," co-owner and majority partner Kenix Wang says. "You are not rushed because there’s nobody playing behind you and there’s no concern about the weather. You can solely focus on your shot."
After golf, head to the floor below, where the lounge offers an array of couches, cocktail tables and a full-size bar with flatscreens.
- COST Open bays starting at $50-$70 per hour
- MORE INFO 516-888-8859, theloungex.com
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
