Day Trips: Long Island's Best Parks

Photo of Caumsette State Park by sparkylu25

One of the great things about NYC is that it's possible to have the best of both worlds. You can be in the middle of one of the greatest cities on the planet and in minutes find yourself on a beautiful rocky beach or thick in the woods on a nature trail. Check out these little known North Shore Long Island Parks that are perfect for a day trip with your family.

Caumsett State Park
Tucked away on the North Shore of Long Island, this place is a best kept secret. Originally owned by Marshall Field (as in the department store), the 1750 acre park was once his estate, complete with multiple homes, dairy barn, and horse stables. Today the park offers peace, serenity, and the best walking, biking or running trails on Long Island, not to mention open fields where the kids can stretch their legs after the ride up there, and spectacular serene beaches which feel completely private, even during the Summer. The park also has an equestrian center offering lessons and services, an outdoor education center which provides guided nature tours and a wildlife rehabilitation center. For an adventure filled day, you can fish, horseback ride and trek through the trails. Weekend mornings are the best time to go, before the heat can keep you from enjoying the park. And afterwards, take a quick detour into the town of Huntington for a slice of great pizza at Rosa’s on Main street.

Sands Point Preserve
The stuff of Gatsby, the Sands Point Preserve is another North Shore gem with a straight up castle that houses a museum and one of the few intact historical houses remaining on Long Island's Gold Coast. The property was once owned by the Guggenheim family and is now run by Nassau County. I've been there several times mid-week and there is often only one or two other people on the property. The park has 4 self-guided walking trails, some of which are paved so you can actually take the stroller. There is also a nice rocky beach where you can hang out (I haven't ever seen anyone swim there but I guess you could) and lots of beautiful spots to picnic. On your way there you will pass right by a Whole Foods which is perfect for the last minute picnic.

Planting Fields
The Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park is another former Gold Coast estate that is over four hundred acres and includes greenhouses, gardens, wooded paths and a museum. The grounds were landscaped by the Olmsted Brothers of Central Park fame and the estate buildings include Coe Hall, a 65 room former residence of the Coe family which has been restored as a museum. The two greenhouses offer one of the largest collections of camellias in the Northeast as well as hibiscus, orchids, succulents and seasonal displays. The best  thing about this park is that it's like having Central Park all to yourself. Your kids can run on the huge sweeping lawns while you lie on a blanket and watch and mid-week there are never too many people. Also, the LIE exit for the Planting Fields is the same exit for IKEA so you can also satisfy your hankering for Swedish meatballs or wine glasses on the way home.