East Hampton

Nature Walks on Long Island to View Fall Foliage

Submitted by Thien August on Thu, 09/26/2019 - 5:35am

Long Island is at its peak beauty in the fall as the leaves change. And you're in luck, Nassau, Suffolk, and the East End have some of the best nature trails around, ideal for looking at that gorgeous fall foliage. These lovely backdrops lend themselves to great family photos that will put you ahead of the game for upcoming holiday cards. Strike a pose and take some candid shots of the kids. Fall on Long Island is perfect for memory-making.

So, strap on your hiking shoes, pack a few snacks and head out to one of these destinations for fresh air and splendid fall oranges, reds, and yellows. For more kid-friendly activities, be sure to check out our F all Fun Guide.

Ready for 'Glamping'? Glamorous Camping Coming to LI

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Tue, 05/21/2019 - 1:00pm

If you’ve avoided taking your family camping because the thought of pitching a tent, sleeping on a hard floor, and eating roasted wieners for a week wasn’t your idea of a vacation, we’ve got some good news. A family camping trip no longer means you have to rough it: Glamorous camping, or “glamping,” has made its way to Long Island.

To Cedar Point County Park in East Hampton, to be exact.

8 Kid-Friendly LIRR Stops for a Fun Day Trip

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Mon, 07/09/2018 - 3:53pm

Let’s face it. Traffic on Long Island is no picnic. In fact, sometimes the thought of taking a day trip to another part of this beautiful island makes us cringe when we think of the hours on the road and the challenge of keeping the kids in the backseat entertained.

But there is a another way to get from here to there…the LIRR! Taking the train is a convenient, fun way for families to get around the Island without the hassle of driving. From beach communities to charming downtowns to family-friendly museums, there are plenty of LIRR stops where families can hop off and explore the area for the day.

We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite family day trips reachable via the LIRR, highlighting the best attractions and sights in the area. All aboard!

Kayak, Canoe, and Paddle Board Rentals for Families in the Hamptons and North Fork

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Tue, 06/27/2017 - 12:30pm

Scenic, protected waterways are abundant on eastern Long Island. It’s one of the reasons we love living or visiting there, especially in the summer.

If your family enjoys kayaking, canoeing, surfing, or paddle boarding, why not head to the East End, where there are plenty of bucolic spots to enjoy your favorite water sport. From Westhampton to Montauk and all over the North Fork, local shops rent gear and offer instruction. Always call ahead for availability and to make reservations.

For other suggestions on how to enjoy the East End this summer, check out our guide to the Hamptons and North Fork. Visit our Summer Fun Guide for more ways to celebrate the season, and if you're feeling especially ambitious take on a few of our 100 Things to Do With Kids on Long Island.

Pony Rides and Horseback Riding Lessons in the Hamptons

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Mon, 05/01/2017 - 2:51pm

Whether your child aspires to one day compete in The Hampton Classic or has never been in a saddle before, there are plenty of places on the East End where children can explore their equestrian side.

From first-time horseback riding lessons and trail rides to pony rides and camps, we’ve rounded up some of the best kid-friendly ranches, farms, and riding stables in the Hamptons.

You’ll find even more suggestions for seasonal fun on the East End in our guide to the Hamptons and North Fork. Our guide to kayaking, canoeing, and paddle boarding offers some of the best deals on aquatic adventures. And don’t forget to check out the Event Calendar for the latest happenings all over the Island.

Pop-Up Ice Skating Rinks in the Hamptons and North Fork

Submitted by James Smith on Fri, 10/14/2016 - 11:47am

What’s better than gliding across a sheet of ice on a lovely winter day? How about doing it outdoors, where all of the season’s pageantry is on display?

Pop-up-ice rinks are popping up all over the East End of Long Island these days, from low-cost, low-frills facilities to high-end clubs that cater to every perk a skater could imagine.

We’ve got your winter entertainment covered here, with five seasonal rinks from Riverhead to East Hampton and Greenport. All are open to the public without residency restrictions but costs can be higher for nonresidents. For good measure, we’ve also included a pair of up-Island pop-up rinks just in case your seasonal shopping takes you off the East End.

As always, be advised these facilities are weather-dependent and opening and closing dates vary based on temperature, rainfall and patron interest. Prices are as of October 2016.

Labor Day Weekend Fun for LI Kids in the Hamptons & North Fork, September 4-7

Submitted by James Smith on Tue, 09/01/2015 - 9:00am

Labor Day weekend brings an unofficial end to the vacation season on the East End of Long Island. The calendar gave us an extra week to celebrate and Mother Nature blessed us with near-ideal weather all season long. Let’s hope she stays kind for one more final weekend because there’s just too much going on to be stuck inside.

From Friday to Monday, East Enders can enjoy arts festivals, community parties, fishing derbies and, of course, the Shinnecock Pow Wow, Southampton’s annual celebration of the East End's indigenous people.

So get out and enjoy yourself. Take one more look at our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide for the best in East End entertainment and check out our Long Island Classes Guide to help you get ready for the school year. And remember: Memorial Day 2016 is only nine months away!

12 Places Where LI Kids Can Learn and Have Fun in the Hamptons & North Fork

Submitted by James Smith on Mon, 08/31/2015 - 6:00am

Few places bring history to life better than the East End of Long Island. And that's not really surprising. Eastern Long Island is, after all, home of the first permanent English settlement in the state. Not to mention two of the nation’s oldest lighthouses, both commissioned by George Washington himself.

Parents eager to indulge their children’s intellectual curiosity will find no shortage of destinations out east. We’ve rounded up a dozen of our favorites that can be visited at limited cost and whose insights are bound to inspire your budding historian.

So check these out, and while you’re at it, enjoy our L ong Island Classes Guide for more education fun for the kids. Find more Hamptons and North Fork activities in our local guide to the area for families.

Weekend Fun for LI Families in the Hamptons & North Fork, August 27-August 30

Submitted by James Smith on Tue, 08/25/2015 - 6:00pm

With Labor Day on the horizon, you might assume things would slow down a bit on the East End of Long Island this weekend. That assumption would be wrong.

This weekend, parents and kids can experience the glamor of the Hampton Classic Horse show, take a railroad trip back in time, catch some fish together and even race a rubber duck or two at the East End’s most recognized landmark, the Big Duck.

So start to get your last licks of summer fun this weekend. Check out our Hamptons and North Fork Family Guide for the best in local entertainment, and with back to school looming be sure to see our Long Island Classes Guide for the best in after-school programs Islandwide.

Last-Minute Childcare Options for Families in the Hamptons & North Fork

Submitted by James Smith on Mon, 08/17/2015 - 6:00am

Your babysitter has bailed and your night out is in jeopardy. Fortunately on the East End of Long Island there are a number of emergency child care options that just might preserve that essential date night. Some are local companies whose sitters are known to other parents in the community, while others are parts of larger national companies with well-earned reputations for reliability and security.

Most require registration on the firm’s website. Be aware that most sitters are independent contractors and not employees of their firms. so company liability varies.

Still, with less than a day’s notice, these services offer experienced sitters with recommendations that can be accessed online or by email. Prices are as of summer 2015 and vary depending on time, distance and services provided. Cancellation policies also vary.

For other information on activities and events in the area, be sure to check out our Hamptons & North Fork Family Guide.