Long Island's Lavender By the Bay lavender farms offer a stunning and serene experience—not to mention fantastic photo ops and a great summer day trip. Lavender By the Bay has two North Fork locations, Calverton and East Marion, and both are an oasis of delicious-smelling flowering plants in early summer. 

Both lavender farms offer more than 20 varieties of lavender in shades ranging from white to pale blue, pink, and, of course, purple. 

Check out our Guide to Visiting the Hamptons and North Fork for more things to do in the area, and be sure to bookmark our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide for tons of seasonal family fun. 

The best blueberry picking farms on Long Island offer a great activity for kids of all ages: Bushes are low to the ground, berries are small enough for little fingers to grasp, and who can resist a bowl of fresh berries and cream?

July is the peak season for blueberries and raspberries, while blackberries ripen in August. If you're in the market for some farm-fresh berries, call the farms before heading out to confirm picking hours and berry availability. Don't forget to check out our Pick-Your-Own Guide to Farms Near New York City for more fruit-picking options and farm fun in the tri-state area, and bookmark our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide for tons of other things to do this season.

Glamping sites and campgrounds with cabins on Long Island offer wonderful opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. From the beaches that line our shores, to our rivers, wetlands, and forests, there is an abundance of nature to become one with on Long Island–and you don't need a sleeping bag or tent to do it.

Here is our list of the top glamping campgrounds on Long Island. Some locations have cabin rentals, while others offer RV and camper hookups. 

Check out our list of the 18 Best Places to Go Camping on Long Island with Kids for more great camping ideas. 

Patchogue is a vibrant seaside community offering loads of family-friendly things to do. The village is nestled halfway between Montauk and Manhattan, on the shore of Great South Bay. Patchogue boasts a walkable downtown area, a thriving arts and music scene, and a variety of yummy eats and treats.

Restored and revived areas have breathed new life into this village over the past several years, making it a haven for Long Island families. It's also a gateway to the bucolic barrier beach communities of Fire Island. Read on about sights to see, ways to wander, and signature experiences to be had in Patchogue.

Still got that day-trippin' itch? Explore our Visitors Guide to plan your next Long Island adventure close to home.

So much to do, so little time: That’s an often-heard summer refrain on Long Island’s East End, where vacationers and residents alike struggle to pack as many things to do as possible into the 80-odd days between school years. We're here to help with our list of the best family beaches, state and county parks, pools, mini-golf courses, and even indoor options to explore in the Hamptons and North Fork this summer.

So, whether you're visiting the East End for the first time or are part of a well-established local family, have a look at this kid-friendly list of great summer activities. While you’re at it, check out our Famly Guide to the Hamptons and North Fork, and find more seasonal must-dos in our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

For all the wonderful things they do for their families, our Long Island dads and grandads deserve some extra special attention on Father’s Day. If you haven’t made plans yet, we’ve put together a list of activities to do with dear old dad or grandpa to let them know how much they're loved and appreciated.

So, whether he’s crazy for sports, loves to spend time outdoors, or enjoys creating things with his hands, we hope this roundup sparks some fun ideas for Sunday, June 18. Find more family-friendly options on our list of the best things to do with Long Island kids in June and our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

To catch a movie, toss an axe, have an immersive art experience, and see a live wrestling match, you'd usually have to visit separate venues on different days. However, at Axe & Smash in Mattituck–a new smash painting and axe-throwing attraction nestled within Mattituck Cinemas building complex–you could conceivably do all those things during one visit. 

Whether it's a family outing, a birthday gathering, or a date night, Axe & Smash caters to all.

Find more fun places for the family to play together, including the best bowling alleys on Long Island, in our Guide to Sports Centers and Fun Zones for LI Families.

Nicknamed the "City by the Sea," the eclectic enclave of Long Beach, NY, offers visitors a rare combination of energy and relaxation.

One of only two cities in Nassau County, Long Beach has an ocean vibe generally reserved for vacation communities. And yet Long Beach is less than an hour from Manhattan and 15 minutes from Jones Beach State Park. It is accessible by car via the Meadowbrook State Parkway or the Long Island Rail Road, whose Long Beach station is in the heart of the city.

In summer, the population of Long Beach swells with beachgoers, surfers, sightseers, and fans of the city’s famous boardwalk. So pack up the kids, bring your beach gear, and work up a healthy appetite—there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants in the city—as you take in all this Nassau County gem has to offer.