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Old Bethpage Village Restoration - 10:00 AM Pick
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Children's Museum of the East End - 9:30 AM
Long Island Children's Museum - 11:30 AM
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A Bug's Night: A Magical Drive-thru Adventure in Roslyn Harbor
Through the magic of fairies, your car shrinks down to the size of a ladybug to experience the dazzling lantern displays of A Bug's Night: Drive-Thru Adventure. Travel through 20 acres of spectacular lights, mapped projections, and animatronics at the Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn. Bugs are only part of this whimsical experience.
A Bug's Night: Drive-Thru Adventure is one of three lantern shows debuting on Long Island this season, and is the only drive-thru lantern experience. For other holiday light drive-thrus and displays, check out our Holiday Fun Guide.
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Some playful kittens greet you along the journey.
The name of this attraction can be misleading, as it has more to do with viewing things from a bug's perspective than seeing bug lanterns. When you enter the experience, there is a sign alerting you that your car is about to be "shrunk" to the size of a ladybug with the help of some fairies. Tune your radio to hear the soothing and enchanting music that accompanies the drive. The first displays are actually of an insect predator, a group of frogs. A pleasant surprise is that some of the displays, including the first one, are actually animatronic, and move. Many of the lanterns live in their own lighted habitat, immersing the viewer in the experience.
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It's not just illuminated bugs: This frog is a popular resident.
A group of dinosaurs is also on the loose, including the infamous T-rex. While at the beginning, this is a main attraction for any dino-loving kid. The underwater scenes are also breathtaking, with jellyfish, sea turtles, seaweed, and other sea life. Some might even remind you of a familiar animated movie featuring a lost clownfish. Other lantern highlights include a viper, lion, crocodile, and a parliament of owls nestled among a tree.
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Saddle up and ride the dinosaurs at the end of the drive-thru experience.
At the end of the drive, you'll come to a parking lot featuring a small holiday market, which sells mostly light-up toys. There are a few lantern displays you can get close to, as well as large, ride-on dinosaurs that require a push. There are also porta-potties here.
The entire experience is full of whimsy, bright colors, and engaging displays. But for those looking for something holiday-specific, A Bug's Night: Drive-Thru Adventure does not have anything that really invokes the spirit of the season. Tickets are timed and priced per car, not per person. Wednesday and Thursdays are the least costly, at $35 a car. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays are $50 per car. The holiday week of Friday, December 24 to Sunday, January 2 is $60 per car. Commercial trucks, vans, and buses are not permitted. Join its email list to get a coupon for 15% off. The show runs until Sunday, January 9, 2022.
Photos by the author
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