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Summer FunBook: Your guide to can't-miss family fun, food, experiences and more

Updated August 12, 2025

See inside the 2025 FunBook with guides to water excursions, state parks, seafood experiences and plenty more.

Ultimate guide to exploring LI state parks

Fall fun awaits, whether camping, golfing or hiking is your thing.

Your guide to excitement under the sun!

From new rides at Adventureland and Splish Splash to Long Island's best gelato to must-see summer concerts, NewsdayTV's Elisa DiStefano has your inside look at Newsday's summer FunBook.

Complete guide to 90+ LI beaches

Find fees, lifeguard status, amenities and more so you can swim, sunbathe or build sandcastles at one of Long Island's many beaches.

Ultimate guide to Long Island wineries

Plan a day at Long Island's wineries, with private wine tours, outdoor tastings, live music and more.

See inside Newsday's 2025 summer Fun Book

Let the fun begin.

4 grab-and-go picnics from LI supermarkets

Newsday's food critics curated ready to eat picnics from Lidl, H Mart, Stop & Shop and Uncle Guiseppe's.

Camping by the beach on LI: A budget-friendly escape

Long Islanders enjoy affordable oceanfront camping, bypassing costly rentals and beach houses.

Critics' picks: Best lobster rolls on LI

Newsday's food critics have found the top lobster rolls on Long Island.

Guide to fairs and festivals on LI this summer

Find live music, fabulous food, rides, fun, games and more at these fairs and fests.

Make a splash at these public pools on Long Island

Find locations, hours, fees and lifeguard information to take a cool dip this summer.

Where to pick your own strawberries on LI

Long Island farms open for strawberry picking as June marks the peak season.

Best LI restaurants on the water

Find your waterside table with our searchable guide to restaurants on the north and south shores.

LI hotels with outdoor pools

Explore hotels featuring pools and amenities for a relaxing vacation close to home. Enjoy live music, dining and more.

SUP yoga, water trampoline and more: Water sports to try this summer

Explore rental services and guided experiences, such as jet skiing, surfing and pedal boating this summer.

LI beach bars, restaurants for every personality

Behold six common types of after-sun Island haunts, complete with real-time info on who and what you'll find when you get there.

Guide: LI party boat rentals, fishing trips, sailing tours and more

Get out on the water with our list of charters, sunset cruises, pedal pubs, tours and other vessels.

How well do you know Jones Beach? Take our quiz

Test your knowldge of Long Island's crown jewel.

Where to see fireworks this summer on LI

Explore the best summer fireworks events on Long Island, including festivals, carnivals, and games.

LI's best homemade ice cream

No matter where you are on Long Island, you're never far from homemade ice cream.

LI U-pick farms for raspberries, tomatoes and more

Gather fresh produce at these Long Island fields when the time is right.

Ferry trips from LI: Explore Fire Island, Block Island and more

Long Island offers several ferry-based day trip options.

Hit the links at these public golf courses

Diverse challenges and scenic views await golfers in Nassau and Suffolk.

Live music schedule at wineries this summer

Pair your glass of rosé with live music this season as some Long Island wineries are hosting indoor and outdoor entertainment.

LI winery experiences: Caviar pairings to movie nights

Long Island wineries now feature caviar pairings, movie nights and art workshops for visitors.

5 scenic communities for kayak drop-in trips

Discover five picturesque Long Island locations perfect for kayaking enthusiasts this season.

Reserve your own lounger or cabana at these East End escapes

Lounge in a cabana, kick back on a daybed or relax under a private umbrella, all with your feet in the sand and a drink in hand.

Giving it a try: 4 water sport lessons for first-timers

Local companies offer lessons in paddleboarding, eFoiling and more for newbies.

4 retro motels for a North Fork getaway this summer

North Fork's midcentury motels are reborn as luxury retreats, blending nostalgia with modern elegance.

Exploring LI's beaches after hours: Live music, seaside dining and more

Check out Long Island beaches open to all after sunset, offering music, dining and stunning views.

Where to find LI food trucks

Weekly and annual gatherings of Long Island food trucks this season.

Block Island: Quick and easy getaway from LI

A short ferry ride away, escape to this hot Rhode Island mecca for sights, shopping, food and more.

Jones Beach summer concerts are here! Get tickets now.

The Who, Papa Roach and Devo are among the performers coming to Wantagh this summer.

Camp in style: Reserve a cabin or tent at these LI parks

Why rough it when you can get a furnished spot with bathrooms, hot water and heat.

Mini golf courses on LI

Tee off at these miniature golf courses in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Patchogue's Alive After Five and more live music events returning this summer

Enjoy live music, food trucks and outdoor dining at these summer happenings.

7 nearby amusement parks offering summer deals

Visitors can take advantage of special deals, including discounted tickets and passes this summer at drivable amusement parks.

Driving ranges on LI: Perfect your swing

Be par for the course after practicing at these driving ranges.

Critic's picks: Best gelato on LI

Here are 12 shops making their own creamy flavors in house.

Luxury picnics transform LI backyards, beaches into worldly escapes

Luxury picnic services are gaining popularity for events like anniversaries, bachelorette parties and birthday celebrations.

Shelter Island day trip: Restaurants and things to do

Discover the best spots for a memorable day trip, including kayaking and dining at local favorites.

Crabbing and clamming on LI: Where to go

Before you set out, knowing the best spots to visit and permits to gather will help ensure a fruitful experience.

Top LI hiking, walking trails

Explore the best bets for hiking trails in Nassau and Suffolk counties, offering thousands of miles through woods, fields and sand.

LI playgrounds worth the drive

Explore themed playgrounds that go beyond everyday parks, where kids can climb a sand-castle tower, a pirate ship, fire truck and more.

Guide to LI boardwalks: Long Beach, Jones Beach and more

Experience the iconic boardwalks of Jones Beach, Long Beach and more.

LI's blooming botanical gardens and arboretums

Enjoy a visit to Long Island's botanical gardens, where nature's beauty unfolds across acres of lush greenery and vibrant blooms.

LI spots packed to the gills with freshwater fish

For freshwater fishing, all you need is a basic, well-made fishing rod and appropriate bait.

Running on LI: 5K, 10K, marathons, walks and more

On your marks, get set and go to these races all over Long Island.

Stroller, wheelchair-friendly trails to explore

Find accessible paths in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Escape to Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket

Scenic charm, nautical history and delicious seafood are calling for you.

LI spots packed to the gills with freshwater fish

For freshwater fishing, all you need is a basic, well-made fishing rod and appropriate bait.

It's game on at these LI breweries

You can have your beer and drink it, too, while playing everything from Scrabble to darts

If you like to bike, hit these trails

Discover the scenic paths, including Belmont Lake State Park, Jones Beach boardwalk and more.

Mini golf courses on LI

Tee off at these miniature golf courses in Nassau and Suffolk counties.

LI summer theater preview: '42nd Street' and more must-see shows

See "42nd Street," "Fiddler on the Roof." "South Pacific," Shakespeare and more.

LI's blooming botanical gardens and arboretums

Enjoy a visit to Long Island's botanical gardens, where nature's beauty unfolds across acres of lush greenery and vibrant blooms.

Guide: County parks on LI

Explore county parks offering campgrounds, ballfields, trails, dog runs, tennis courts, beaches and more.

How to get passes for state, county parks on Long Island

Leisure Pass, Green Key and Empire Pass can be your passports to summer fun.

Ice cream dipped in melted butter? Stew Leonard's has it

Despite 30% increase in Hispanic officers, LI police forces still overwhelmingly white