A Day Trip to Long Island's Cold Spring Harbor

8/2/10 - By Maria

A former whaling port, Cold Spring Harbor is a tranquil community where the past and the present meet. Take a stroll through the historic village with your family and discover a Main Street lined with boutiques, art galleries, and antique shops. Enjoy the town's charm while taking in some of the educational and cultural organizations it has to offer--we've listed a few for you here.

 

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Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery And Aquarium
1660 Route 25A
Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
(516) 692-6768
Visitors to the Fish Hatchery can tour two aquarium buildings and eight outdoor ponds. The outdoor section consists of a fish hatchery that produces thousands of trout to be released into nearby bodies of water.  You can observe and feed the trout or try their 'Catch and Keep Fishing'.
Indoors, you can find N.Y. State's largest collection of native freshwater fish, reptiles and amphibians.

Upcoming event: August 21st at 2:00 p.m.
Turtle Hatch Day
This is your chance to see some super cute baby turtles. The eggs were laid in June and July and now that the eggs have hatched you are invited to come out, have some refreshments, and catch a view of these tenacious, amazing creatures.
 

 
Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum
279 Main Street
Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724-1405
(631) 367-3418
The Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum is a maritime museum dedicated to the local history of the whaling industry.  Founded in 1942, the museum holds about 6,000 documents and artifacts from Cold Spring Harbor and other whaling towns. The museum contains New York State's only fully-equipped 19th century whaleboat with original gear and one of the most notable scrimshaw (carvings on whale teeth made by sailors) collections in the northeast.   There are children's programs throughout the year, and especially during school breaks.
 
Upcoming events: Water Workshop Wednesdays
These hands-on, creative workshops for children explore water’s connections to culture, art, and science. They occur every Wednesday at 2:30 in August.  For ages 5-12. $3 for Members,  $8 Others.  Please RSVP at 631.367.3418.
Location: Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum. 301 Main Street, Route 25A. Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724.
Directions: www.cshwhalingmuseum.org
 
August 4 at 2:30  Try being a conchologist and have fun with shell experiments. Paint your own artwork on a shell to take home.
August 11 at 2:30  Create your own classic Ship-in-a-Bottle, the timeless maritime art! Bring a wide-mouthed, label-free jar, such as a pasta sauce jar. They’ll supply the rest.
August 18 at 2:30 Cool off this summer with hands-on ice experiments! If you’re not too cold, try painting a picture with colored ice.
August 25 at 2:30 Calling all designers and artists – head out  for their annual Ocean T-Shirt decorating workshop. Bring your own T shirt and imagination, and they will supply paints, smocks, puff paints, glitter, and ocean-inspired stencils for your creation.
 
 
84 Main Street
Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724-1402
(631) 367-0400 
This is a Nationally Registered Fire House (circa 1866).  It'll bring you back to a time when neighbors stood side by side in this small whaling port and fought the ravages of fire.  Learn how they formed a bucket brigade in order to attempt to save a home or business from destruction.
 
 
 
 
 
Nearby Dining Options:
 
134 Main Street
Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724-1404
(631) 367-6060
Formerly an Italian restaurant, Grasso’s now serves seafood, steaks, as well as Italian cuisine. The dining room is spacious and bright, and the outdoor seating is quite comfortable on terraced street side patios. If you’re a fan of jazz, then be there at night, Wednesday through Sunday, to enjoy some truly outstanding jazz artists.
 

Secret Garden Cafe
29 Main Street
Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724-1401
(631) 692-8065
Follow the red brick road in the alley behind the store to The Secret Garden Café for coffee or a snack. Open for breakfast and lunch.

 
 
Check out our Mommy Poppins Summer Fun Guide for more things to do this summer, and visit our Itineraries and our Travel Guide for other family getaways (near and far).