Hamptons, North Fork, Hudson Valley and Lake George: Winter road trips to take this season
Ice Castles is an interactive winter attraction held at five locations across the U.S. The NYS edition is located at Charles R. Wood Park in Lake George, NY. Credit: AJ Mellor
This winter, plan a weekend escape filled with live entertainment, an ice festival and family-friendly adventures. Here are places on Long Island and north of the city where seasonal fun abounds. COVID restrictions vary per venue; be sure to check what’s presently in effect before visiting.
NORTH FORK
Pop-up museum at Tanger Riverhead
This interactive Leonardo daVinci invention exhibit is one of the many things to see at the pop-up extension of the Long Island Science Center, located at the Tanger Outlet Center in Riverhead. Credit: Cailin Kaller
The Long Island Science Center has opened a pop-up edition over at the large outlet center in Tanger One. Open daily, kids can try drone racing, an augmented reality sandbox, plus a virtual reality exhibit, 3D printer pens and a pixel art station. Guests can explore an interactive Leonardo da Vinci invention exhibit and STEAM classes. Admission is $15 per person.
INFO Suite 401, 1770 W. Main St.; 631-208-8000, sciencecenterli.org
Pindar Vineyards
Order up hot mulled wine, cookies and enjoy live music Saturday afternoons this winter. The vineyard is hosting a cupcake-and-wine pairing on Feb. 13 and Feb. 26 ($30). Live music will continue into February on Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations are required.
INFO 37645 Main Rd., Peconic; 631-734-6200, pindar.net
Long Island Aquarium
The Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead hosts sea lion shows year-round. Credit: Long Island Aquarium
The aquarium is home to and hosts a wide variety of living sea creatures and land animals. Check out the "Sea Lion Coliseum," a live sea lion show, held outside all year and daily through January and February. $39.99 (ages 13-61) while seniors pay $29.99 and children (ages 3-12) are $27.99 (ages two and younger are free).
INFO 431 E. Main St., Riverhead; 631-208-9200, longislandaquarium.com
Sound View Greenport
Located on the Sound, the fittingly named Sound View luxury hotel in Greenport is offering deals this winter. Credit: Read McKendree
The hotel is offering the "A Wild Wild Winter" getaway package until March 31. Stay two or more midweek nights (Monday through Thursday on select dates) and save 30% off rates.
INFO 58775 CR-48, Greenport; 631-477-1910, soundviewgreenport.com
HAMPTONS
Candlelight Fridays in the Wölffer Estate Vineyard Tasting Room
Wolffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack is holding "Candlelight Fridays in the Wolffer tasting room on Fridays through to the end of February. Credit: Wölffer Estate Vineyard
The Wölffer Estate Vineyard Estate Vineyard will be holding this series featuring live music from 5 to 8 p.m. Fridays through the end of February. Guests can purchase wine by the glass or bottle, plus charcuterie and cheese plates.
INFO 139 Sagg Rd., Sagaponack; 631-537-5106, wolffer.com
Southampton Ice Rink
Public skating sessions are offered daily and sessions need to be reserved in advance for weekends and holidays. Weekday rates are $15, $12 for children; weekends $20 for all. Skates are available to rent for $5 (cash only).
INFO 668 CR-39, Southampton; 631-283-2158, southamptonicerink.com
The Green Room at Sag Harbor Cinema
The Green Room at Sag Harbor Cinema is a lounge for ticketholders that features a full bar serving signature cocktails with names inspired by famous movie quotes. Credit: Sag Harbor Cinema
Once you have your movie ticket, you can hang in the Green Room until showtime. Stick around after the movie for more lounging. The bar features a signature cocktail menu with clever movie-inspired quaffs like "Fear and Loathing in Sag Harbor" and "May the spritz be with you."
INFO 90 Main St.; 631-725-0010, sagharborcinema.org
The Hamptons Jazz Fest Winter Series
The Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill. Credit: Randee Daddona
The Hamptons Jazz Fest is scheduled to hold performances at the Parrish Art Museum (279 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill; 631-283-2118, parrishart.org) and Southampton Arts Center (25 Jobs Ln., Southampton; 631-283-0967, southamptonartscenter.org). Greg Lewis and his group Organ Monk are slated for Feb. 25 at the Parrish and Manuel Valera and the New Cuban Express are set for Southampton Arts Center on March 18.
INFO hamptonsjazzfest.com
Southampton Inn
A guest room at the Southampton Inn, located in Southampton Village. Credit: Southampton Inn
The hotel is offering winter deals Presidents' Week (Feb. 14-20). Reserve one room for $145, get a second room for only $72.50 on the same night.
INFO 91 Hill St.; 631-283-6500, southamptoninn.com
LAKE GEORGE
Ice Castles
Ice Castles is an interactive winter attraction held at five locations across the U.S. The NYS edition is located at Charles R. Wood Park in Lake George, NY. Credit: AJ Mellor
The festival, located at Charles R. Wood Park in Lake George, consists of ice castles, a maze, caverns, slides and crawl tunnels. Sculpted by artisans, there are embedded lights to make each castle glow and change colors on pace with accompanying music. $20 for ages 12 and older Mondays through Thursdays, $27 on weekends. Ages 4-12 $15, $22 Fridays through Sundays. Check website for dates.
INFO 17 W. Brook Rd.; icecastles.com
The Lake George Winter Carnival
This monthlong festival will be taking place weekends throughout February. Each Saturday and Sunday, there will be events in the town’s Shepard Park, including a daily dog talent show, polar plunges and bonfires on the beach. Highlights include the annual Outhouse Race (Feb. 5), motorcycle and ATV ice races (Feb. 19-20) and car ice racing on Lake George (Feb. 26).
INFO Canada St., Lake George; 518-668-5771, lakegeorgewintercarnival.com
Gore Mountain
There are more than 120 trails with terrain for all levels of expertise for skiers and a dozen cross-country skiing and snowshoe options.
INFO 793 Peaceful Valley Rd., North Creek; 518-251-2411, goremountain.com
Courtyard Lake George
For visitors attending the Winter Carnival or Ice Castles, the Courtyard Lake George is nearby. Rates start at $119 nightly.
INFO 365 Canada St., Lake George; 518-761-1150, modules.marriott.com. For more information about the area, visit visitlakegeorge.com.
HUDSON VALLEY
The Empire State Plaza Ice Rink
The Empire State Plaza Ice Rink, located in Albany, NY, allows for skating within direct view of state Capitol Building. Credit: Discover Albany
Come to glide within view of the grand state Capitol Building at this rink open Tuesdays through Sundays. Skates can be rented for $4 ($3 for children age 12 and younger), but free skate rentals are offered on Saturdays to all. There are also lockers and a pavilion concession area.
INFO Empire State Plaza, Albany; 518-473-6299, empirestateplaza.ny.gov
Renaissance Albany Hotel
Located close to the Capitol Building, it has an upscale restaurant on-site, Wellington’s, serving dishes made from locally-grown and produced elements. Rates start at $179.
INFO 144 State St., Albany; 518-992-2500, marriott.com
