Cradle of Aviation Museum
Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden City
516-572-4111
The Cradle boasts two floors of Long Island's air and space history. The mission is to engages all ages in the exploration of aerospace heritage by preserving and displaying these massive exhibits. Interactive exhibits, museum classes (such as Lunar Explorers). The Planetarium Dome Theater offers a state-of-the-art viewing and sound system, playing educational films. The Junior Jet Club is the perfect place for little ones to crawl and tots to explore. It's a contained play area that's all space-themed. Birthday parties are also offered here.

Custer Institute
1115 Main Bayview Road, Southold
631-765-2626
This public observatory established in the early 1920s is open every Saturday night from dusk until midnight. The 22' diameter dome atop the Custer Observatory is an an astronomical observatory facing the Picnic Bay and Shelter Island. It offers some of the darkest skies on Long Island. A ground-based observatory shed contains a binocular telescope and a 14" Celestron telescope as well.

Vanderbilt Mansion, Museum, Planetarium
180 Little Neck Road, Centerport
631-854-5579
The Planetarium’s William and Mollie Rogers Theater offers all-new programs for visitors of all ages. Year-round viewing of the night sky (weather permitting), Friday only, 9-10pm (free with show ticket; free without show ticket)They offer family events and children-based activities/workshops throughout the year.

Main Photo: Cradle of Aviation