Things to Do

Recreation

It was in 1910 that William K. “Willie K.” Vanderbilt II first started building a bungalow-sized bachelor pad on an estate in Centerport. By 1935, it had been developed into the 24-room Gold Coast mansion known as “Eagle’s Nest,” a massive home with a private museum, golf course, boathouse, seaplane hangar and other luxurious amenities.It was deeded to Suffolk County upon his death in 1944 and was opened to the public in 1950 — with a planetarium added in 1970. The Vanderbilt estate has been an esteemed, well-attended attraction … but it still has plenty of secrets.

They were 'from the Bilt'

SECRETSOFVANDERBILT

Fossils in the walls

Mystery of the Madonna and Child sculpture

About the Alva

The private museum

A pair of pigeons from the past

Dinner with the Vanderbilts

The forgotten safe

The importance of art at Eagle's Nest

The faces of Crusaders?

A closer look at an ancient face

A room for royals

A room for clothing

A hidden window

Why she wanted leather fenders

A salty swim

A secret face that used to watch peacocks

Before the planetarium

A tee with a view

A (true) big fish tale

Secrets of The Vanderbilt estate in Centerport

Secrets and legends of Centerport's Vanderbilt estate

The life of businessman and entrepreneur Frank Winfield Woolworth (1852-1919), also known as F.W. Woolworth or Frank W. Woolworth, was an American financial success story. Woolworth, who rose from a general store stock clerk to the owner of a company that comprised more than 580 variety stores, also was builder of the Woolworth Building in 1913 — which at the time stood as the tallest building on Earth.Woolworth always had a connection to Long Island, aside from his signature five-and-dime stores that served LI communities, it was in Glen Cove that his eponymous Gold Coast mansion “Winfield” was built. There have been those who have suggested that Woolworth had unusual penchants and supernatural predilections, and looked at the large house as a center for mysterious doings and paranormal occurrences. Here’s a breakdown of some of the facts, some of the legends — and some of the tragedies — linked to the massive manor that was built as the mogul’s home, but today stands as one of his monuments.

Meet the mansion

WINFIELD/rb

Pricey flight of steps

Winfield a 'Napoleon complex'?

Woolworth on the keys

A tale of lightning and tragedy

More claims of supernatural activity

Winfield hosts filmmaking (not always family-friendly)

Felled by a dental infection

The birthplace of Reynolds Wrap?

Fire a part of the legacy

A final ‘foot’ note

Secrets of Glen Cove's Woolworth mansion

Ghosts and legends of Glen Cove's Woolworth mansion

The hamlet of Montauk might be one of the hotter summer destinations on Long Island, although for much of its existence the most eastern section of Suffolk County was largely an ignored, remote piece of land appreciated mostly for its grazing potential. However, with a history that dates to the very beginnings of the United States, there is quite a story to tell. Here are some not-so-well-known facts about Montauk, U.S.A.

Lost burial grounds and Massacre Valley

SECRETSOFMONTAUKGO / mg

Indian Field

Stephen Talkhouse, the man

The Montauk Wye

What about “First House?”

The late Mary Hedges

Violence and rum-running at Third House

Montauk: home of the first cowboys?

Pirate treasure in the pond?

The "village" of Camp Hero

Montauk Airport

Secrets of Montauk: Massacres, rum-running, pirates and more

Montauk's best-kept secrets

For many, riding one of the iconic carved wooden horses on Nunley's Carousel is a quintessential childhood must-do.

Nunley's Carousel originated in Canarsie, Brooklyn, in 1912 and was later relocated to Nunley's Amusement Park in Baldwin, where it remained until 1995. The beloved carousel celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2012, where it now resides on Museum Row in Garden City.

Riding one of the 41 horses or one lion on the carousel was a rite of passage for many Long Islanders -- and some are experiencing the classic ride as adults with their children.

Think you know everything there is to know about one of LI's most treasured attractions? Take a look at 20 secrets and fun facts we found about Nunley's Carousel.

Family

In 1912, Nunley's Carousel was located in Canarsie

Nunley's Carousel / jcm

William Nunley moved his carousel to Baldwin in 1939

Nunley's Carousel lived in Baldwin for 56 years

Nunley's Baldwin / jcm

The carousel was restored in Ohio

Nunley's restoration / jcm

Nunley's Carousel lives at the Cradle of Aviation

Nunleys at Cradle of Aviation / jcm

The music played during a carousel ride is a band organ

Nunley's organ / jcm

Billy Joel wrote one of the songs played on the carousel

Nunley's Billy Joel / jcm

Billy Joel sponsored a horse on the carousel

Billy Joel's horse / jcm

A time capsule lives inside one of the horses

Nunley's time capsule / jcm

The carousel features popular Long Island images

Nunley's pictures / jcm

Aliens are present on the carousel

Nunley's spaceship / jcm

Horses aren't the only animals on the carousel

Animals on the carousel / jcm

Nunley's horses receive beauty treatments

Nunley's horses / jcm

Nunley's was mentioned on a hit HBO show

Entourage / jcm

Couples have said 'I do' on Nunley's Carousel

Nunley's weddings / jcm

Nunley's Carousel has welcomed famous people

Nunley's Celebs / jcm

Horses are named by Long Island schoolchilden

The loud bell rings actually represent something

Carousel bell / jcm

The lion predates the carousel by 20 years

Nunley's lion / jcm

You can win a free ride on the carousel

Free ride on the carousel / jcm

Nunley's Carousel: 20 things you didn't know

Billy Joel song, 19 more secrets of Nunley's Carousel

Guests visiting the main sanctuary of the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City can be forgiven for gaping upward like awestruck tourists.The ceiling, held in place by flying buttresses like cathedrals in Paris and Rome, is meant to inspire the same sense of awe today as it did in the Long Islanders who first worshipped there more than 130 years ago.&ldquo;The cathedral is meant to be a place where heaven meets Earth,&rdquo; says the Very Rev. Michael Sniffen, dean of the Cathedral as well as a guide for what is perhaps Long Island&rsquo;s most unusual historic tour. &nbsp;

xlmain1117_gallery

xlmain1117

Garden City's Cathedral of the Incarnation tours inspire awe

Secrets of the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Garden City

At the very end of Long Island stands a lighthouse that has served as a symbol of the region and a sentinel for ships since 1796. But there's far more to the Montauk Point Lighthouse than what meets the eye. Henry Osmers, the national landmark's historian, shined a light on some of its secrets.

News

HLMONT23

Civil War divides

The fire tower

Target practice

A much lighter lens

Abigail the Ghost

T.R.'s tour

A side business

Bunker on the beach

Amistad connection

Secrets of the Montauk Lighthouse

9 secrets of the Montauk Lighthouse

Adventureland is one of the most iconic places to visit on Long Island.

Located in Farmingdale, the amusement park opened in 1962. The original four rides were the carousel, the train, Little Dipper Coaster and boats. Today, Adventureland features more than 30 rides and attractions, including The Ghost House, Lady Bug Roller Coaster, Adventure Falls Log Flume, the Wave Swings and more. In spring 2015, Adventureland debuted Turbulence, the first spinning roller coaster in the tristate area.

You may have enjoyed every ride in the park season after season, but how much do you really know about Long Island's most famous amusement park?

Here we found 18 fun facts about Adventureland.

Adventureland: 15 things you didn't know

Long Island prefers Turbulence 

Adventureland roller coaster / mg

There was a mini golf course where the log flume now lives

Adventure Falls / mg

The park opened in 1962

Adventureland tomato / mg

Adventureland celebrates National Roller Coaster Day

National Roller Coaster Day

Adventureland has had two mascots

Adventureland mascots / mg

 You can leave your legacy at Adventureland 

Legacy Brick

Adventureland hosts Santa Saturdays in July

Santa Saturdays

Adventureland has gone green

Go green / mg

Adventureland loves to have fun in the dark

Adventureland / mg

Several movies have been filmed or written about Adventureland

Adventureland movies / mg

Adventureland and the Islanders are connected

Islanders / Adventureland / mg

The original Haunted House came from overseas

Adventureland haunted house / mg

Twisted Sister performed at Adventureland

Twisted Sister / mg

Train station relocation

Adventureland train station / mg

From farm to amusement park

Ariel view of Adventureland / mg

Antique cars go from gas to electric

Antique cars / mg

There used to be fireworks shows

Fireworks shows / mg

Adventureland gives back to the community

Adventureland overview / mg

Adventureland: 18 things you didn't know

18 things you didn't know about Adventureland

The Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach in Wantagh will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29. This season&#39;s show will feature the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. You&rsquo;re probably aware these jets will perform stunts, but what do you know about those planes and the pilots?&nbsp;If you would like to get better acquainted with the aircraft, the fliers and the facts, you don&rsquo;t need to look to the skies. Here are some things you may not know about the Bethpage Air Show.

Holidays

Memorial Day

Bethpage Air Show at Jones Beach secrets and fun facts

Grumman ties to the air show

Get to know Sean D. Tucker

Why 'Blue Angels'?

Want to be a 'Blue Angel'?

The boss of the air

You won't be the only person buying a T-shirt

More than 19,000 pounds of French fries are served

Flying in for a slice?

The Knights must 'smoke' at the beach

Saturday vs. Sunday

11 secrets of the Bethpage Air Show

FBEVFAIRS220601

The Long Island Marathon is one of LI’s ultimate athletic events. From its starting point on Charles Lindbergh Boulevard in Uniondale, runners follow a course that travels past the Nassau Coliseum, into the village of Westbury and then down the Wantagh Parkway to Sunrise Highway, only to turn north back to Old Country Road, then to Carmen Avenue until reaching the Eisenhower Park Golf Course, into the park, finishing across from Parking Field 5. Its history is long as well — and here’s an opportunity to get better acquainted with some of the faces and facts connected to the marathon — some of which only a few insiders know … until now.

Earth Day Marathon?

SECRETSLIMARATHON

Born in the Bronx

The first winner

Where they ran

Eight communities long

Heavy hydration

All-time record run

The slowest possible finish

Don’t cheat (you’ll get caught)

‘Negative splits’

Women's record time holder

Peter Hawkins, 22 races and counting

Facing the other runners in competition — literally

A marathon of LI Marathons

The Long Island Marathon: Secrets and fun facts

Long Island Marathon: 14 secrets and fun facts

Lake Ronkonkoma isn’t only the largest lake on Long Island – it’s also considered by many residents to be a place of haunting mystery going back to the days of the American Indians. 
 Some stories depict the murky waters as being bottomless or having secret underground connections to nearby waterways, while others describe it as having mystical healing powers or an uncanny tendency to rise and fall in cyclical patterns. Perhaps the most popular myths concern an Indian princess who died in the lake and returns annually to claim the life of a young male. 
 While the mile-wide lake might seem like an innocent place, keep these stories in mind the next time you walk along its shore.

Secrets of Long Island

Stay logged in.