Enjoy summer's last fling: Labor Day weekend

Labor Day is a bittersweet holiday. It's the "last" weekend of summer, and even with Hurricane Earl swirling off Long Island's coast, everyone wants to squeeze the most out of the beach, the pool and the backyard before thoughts turn to apple cider and Halloween.

Among those already dreading the end: Tawana Williams' children - ages 4 and 5 - who were recently hitting the water at Cantiague Park in Hicksville with a couple of young friends on a Friday afternoon.

"They don't want the pool to shut down," says Williams, who lives in Baldwin.

The sentiment was the same at Jones Beach boardwalk, where Jon Hannett, 21, of Bay Shore, was attending one of the free bandshell concerts with his sister and some friends.

"The crowd, the boardwalk, the ocean, the whole scene," Hannett says. "Where could you find a setting like this anywhere but Long Island?"

Whether it's dancing under the stars, taking a cruise or just lolling by the pool, answer summer's last call this weekend:

1. HIT THE BOARDWALK 

Jones Beach's famed boardwalk is a summer crowd-pleaser - particularly after dark. The beach and game courts still will be open after this weekend, but it's your last chance for free concerts and entertainment at the bandshell. Who's Next, a Who tribute band, plays at 7:30 Friday night, followed by Real Diamond, a Neil Diamond tribute band, at the same time Saturday. Sunday evening, the "Latin Night" series wraps up with music and dance lessons at 7:30. All events are weather-permitting, no charge for parking after 6 p.m. (516-785-1600, jonesbeachevents.com).

ALSO TRY The season's last outdoor concerts at the open-air Nikon at Jones Beach Theater, including Friday night's 7:30 performance by Michael McDonald, Donald Fagen and Boz Scaggs (from $30.50, 877-598-8497, livenation.com) and Saturday's Stone Temple Pilots concert (7 p.m., tickets from $29).

2. GET WET

Labor Day weekend marks the last hours of operation for many town and community pools. If you didn't get a summer pass, you can still buy single-day admission at parks such as Cantiague in Hicksville, which has waterslides. "There's a lot to do here," says Patti Campanella of Upper Brookville. "There's the waterslides, diving, a pool for little ones" ($15-$20 a person; or $5-$7 with a Nassau County Leisure Pass; $5 parking for nonresidents, 516-571-7056, www.nassaucountyny.gov/parks. Open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. through Monday.

ALSO TRY Serious water-lovers can play the afternoon away among the slides, Lazy River and pools at Splish Splash water park in Calverton. Last call for the 2010 season is Monday ($36.99; $27.99 under 48 inches tall; 631-727-3600, splishsplashlongisland .com).

3. SET SAIL

Whether you're trying to catch a fish, spot a whale or just take in the scenery, summer is prime time to cruise the waters off Long Island. Among the options this weekend: In Montauk, Viking Fleet hosts its last all-day whale-watching cruises Saturday and Sunday, boarding at 9 a.m., returning at 3:30 p.m. ($59; $25 ages 5-12, 631-668-5700, vikingfleet.com. Be sure to call or check the website in the morning if the weather is iffy.) Bring your camera and binoculars to get a good look at whales, dolphins, sea turtles and water birds.

In Babylon, the Captree Delta Lady will cruise the Great South Bay at 1 p.m. Saturday from Captree State Park. Guests are encouraged to pack a picnic lunch for the narrated 90-minute trip, which includes sightings of the Fire Island Lighthouse and surrounding communities ($18; $15 younger than 12; 631-669-0065, captreedeltalady.com)