Islip

15 Long Island State Parks Worth a Visit

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Thu, 09/07/2017 - 6:20pm

No matter what the season, and no matter where you live on Long Island, there’s a state park just waiting for you and your family.

From hiking in the fall to snow shoeing in the winter…from bird watching in the spring to camping in the summer, these gorgeous state parks have something special to offer Long Island families all year round.

To get you started, we’ve compiled a list of parks we believe are worth a visit. An Empire Pass gives you access to any New York state park for the year, but be sure to look at each park’s website for additional vehicle and/or entry fees and restrictions. Of course, Jones Beach and Robert Moses state parks are prime oceanside getaways in the summer; these parks offer year-round entertainment.

For more family fun, see our September GoList, explore our suggestions for a fun weekend getaway, or check out our Long Island Events Calendar.

Best Festivals for Long Island Families This June

Submitted by Lisa Mancuso on Tue, 05/30/2017 - 12:30pm

The month of June on Long Island is the unofficial kickoff to summer street fairs, festivals, and fun for the entire family. From food-focused events to arts and crafts and pirate-themed festivals, there is plenty of fun to be found on the streets and in the parks of Nassau and Suffolk counties in June. And, the best part: Admission to many of these events is FREE.

So check out our picks for the top June street fairs and festivals and be sure to mark them on your calendar. Click through the listings for locations, times, specific costs, potential weather postponements, and other information. As always, you’ll find more family-friendly things to do this summer in our June GoList and our Long Island Events Calendar.

Awesome Arcades for Long Island Kids

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 04/21/2017 - 1:15pm

Get your little gamers off the couch and out of the house at these awesome arcades on Long Island. As a bonus, most arcades are located at party places or sports complexes. Get the whole family (and friends) together for some bowling, laser tag or mini-golf, and cap off your trip with ticket-winning arcade games for a chance to win some valuable prizes.

Get more ideas on what to do inside with kids in our Indoor Play Spaces Guide or Kids' Sports Centers Guide. And for even more kid-friendly activities, check out our Long Island Events Calendar.