Fire Island has it all: gorgeous beaches, quaint communities, outdoor dining and waterfront hotels, boating, camping and hiking, and even a historic lighthouse. It’s the perfect vacation destination for families, whether for a quick day trip, a weekend getaway, or an extended stay.

About 31 miles long and 1,300 feet across at its widest point, Fire Island is a skinny sandbar between Babylon and Center Moriches. At its western end is Robert Moses State Park; Smith Point County Park is at its easternmost point, and in between lies Fire Island National Seashore. Cars are not allowed on Fire Island—only bicycles and little red wagons—which adds to its laid-back vibe.

With 17 distinct communities, there is always something going on. Here are some of our picks for the top things to do while you're there.

Find more great things to do this summer in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar.

The playground area of Newbridge Road Park in Bellmore has been upgraded, adding overdue updates to the first section of the park that greets visitors. A colorful new climbing structure was added in late spring and has been attracting everyone from toddlers to tweens since.

For more info on local outdoor play spaces, check out our rundown of Long Island's top playgrounds. Find more great outdoorsy things to do in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar. 

Baby swimming lessons on Long Island exist because babies and toddlers love to splish and splash in the water. Whether it's tub time, romping at a splash pad, or even dipping toes into the pool, it's important to keep our precious little ones safe while having fun. Swimming lessons aren't just for the big kids. In fact, there are specialized swimming classes made just for our tiniest and most precious family members, and we've rounded up 11 top swimming lessons for babies and toddlers across Long Island. 

If you're looking for more mommy-and-me classes, check out our Long Island Baby Guide. You can find more great things to in the warmer months in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar. 

Looking for the best parks to host a birthday bash on Long Island? Here are 16 fantastic options.

Birthdays: Our kids all have them. After deciding on the guest list comes the inevitable question of venues. Instead of heading to a party destination or organizing a party at home, did you ever consider a birthday party at a state, county, or community park?

Long Island is home to a host of beautiful and fun-filled parks that will make it a memorable day for your child. And a party at a park means less cleaning for you and no worrying about how many people can fit in your house.

Read on for our take on the best parks at which to host a birthday party. For more birthday fun, check out our Birthday Party Guide for Long Island Kids. Find more great outdoorsy things to do in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar. 

Looking for the best Long Island water parks, slides, and pools? We've got you covered.

There are few better ways to stay cool on Long Island this summer than by heading down a slippery water slide, splashing around in a refreshing swimming pool, or getting drenched at a water park. That's why we invite you to check out our list of the coolest spots for Long Island families to spend the hottest summer days.

Find more seasonal fun in our Guide Long Island Theme Parks and our Guide to Summer Fun.

A trip to Jones Beach with kids means experiencing the jewel of Long Island state parks. And with a whopping 6 million visitors each year, it’s the second most-visited state park in New York State after Niagara Falls.

Many New Yorkers have fond memories of spending time at Jones Beach with family and friends, walking the boardwalk, taking in a concert, or simply enjoying the surf and sand. A visit to this beach feels like being on vacation. It’s so much more than a beach, and we’ve got the rundown on what to do, see, play, and eat at Jones Beach so that you get the most out of your visit.

For other open-air cultural offerings, check out our rundown of the best beaches, pools, and lakes in the area, and bookmark our comprehensive Guide to Summer Activities.

Climbing aboard an enchanting Polar Express on Long Island used to be but a dream. Instead, it meant a long road trip to one of these Polar Express and Christmas trains near NYC or setting a calendar alert to grab the tickets to the uber-popular Essex North Pole Express train in Connecticut as soon as they went on sale, but there's a new Polar Express on Long Island that's very close to home, thanks to the newly launched Long Island Polar Express Experience courtesy of the Long Island Airstream Experience.

So, start dreaming of Christmas magic as you read on for details on this Polar Express train on Long Island, which comes straight to you, and say so long gas and tolls—it's a veritable Christmas miracle.

Sports outings on Long Island offer family traditions from Manhasset to Montauk. If you're eager to catch a game, spectator sports offer great entertainment, and it's possible to take in a variety of events without spending excessively. There are even a host of events that are totally FREE–just bring the kids, a few bottles of water, and maybe a snack or two.

So, batter up–here then are some of our favorite spectator sports options for families on Long Island. And, if you're looking for places to play sports, check out our Kids' Sports Centers and Fun Zones for Long Island Kids Guide.