Jaime Sumersille

Latest posts by Jaime

Pregnancy and Parenting Classes on Long Island

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 08/08/2022 - 10:14am

The Nesting Place invites Long Island moms to gather and connect in its pregnancy and parenting classes. Photo courtesy of The Nesting Place.

Pregnancy and parenting classes are a milestone for new and expectant parents. Pregnancy brings on a roller coaster of emotions, but these local pregnancy and parenting classes on Long Island remind new parents they're not alone and help ease them into the challenges of parenthood.

Whether you're looking for labor breathing techniques, breastfeeding tips, or just want to connect with an educator who can answer your questions, we've found a handful of pregnancy and parenting classes on Long Island. Once your baby has arrived, you can find more great classes for babies, including everything from mommy-and-me classes to baby swimming lessons, in our Long Island Classes for Kids Guide and Classes Directory.

North Shore Rail Trail: Hike, Bike, and Explore

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 08/01/2022 - 6:23am

Hike, bike, or walk the North Shore Rail Trail. Photo by Jill Warshaw

The North Shore Rail Trail, a project 50 years in the making, opened to visitors recently, connecting Mt. Sinai to Wading River in a traffic-free environment. The abandoned railroad line now has a new life, providing walkers, runners, and bicyclists with a paved path to recreational fun.

From stroller-friendly paths and beach walks to hiking trails, Long Island boasts many outdoor adventures for those seeking exercise and vitamin D. And be sure to check out our Guide to Playgrounds and Parks on Long Island for other recreational destinations.

Fishing Lakes Near Long Island and More Kid-Friendly Places to Go Fishing

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 07/29/2022 - 6:24am

Drop a line in the pond at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery.

Fishing destinations on Long Island offer a fun outdoor family activity with deep roots in Long Island's maritime history and culture. Surrounded by the sea, kids on Long Island can drop a line at several beaches, local piers, from the deck of a boat, and parks. We've rounded up a few of our favorite family-friendly fishing venues where kids can test their skills and perhaps hook the catch of the day.

Looking for more seaside enjoyment? Make sure to visit these stunning Long Island lighthouses or Long Island boardwalks that are ideal for a family stroll.

Mini-Golf Courses on Long Island: 22 to Visit for Family Fun

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 07/18/2022 - 9:35am

Enjoy a pair of mini-golf courses at Eisenhower Park in Nassau County. Photo by the author

Mini-golf courses on Long Island may be miniature in size, but they deliver outsize fun. So stop putter-ing around and get on the green.

Miniature golf is one of those outings the entire family can enjoy. Some venues are part of larger amusement parks on Long Island that also offer kid-friendly fun such as arcades. Others are situated in county or state parks or beaches you may already be planning to check out this summer. Whatever the location, these courses offer a wonderful day or night of fun on the cheap.

If your family is ready to graduate to more advanced golf experiences, check out these p ar-3 golf courses on Long Island where kids can learn the game. Are you looking for other ideas for active family fun? Take a look at our rundowns on biking with the fam and hitting local hiking trails.

You can find more great things to do in the warmer months in our Summer Fun Guide, and be sure to bookmark our frequently-updated Long Island Family Activity Calendar.

Newbridge Road Park Installs New Playground

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Mon, 07/11/2022 - 11:31am

Enjoy the newly installed playground at Newbridge Road Park. Photo by Danielle Tienauchariya

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.

Playland Amusement Park Brings New Rides and Amenities to the Classic Family Destination

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 07/01/2022 - 12:00pm

Now operating under new ownership, Playland has preserved its rich history and charm while serving up new attractions and amenities.

Playland in Rye, New York has been a go-to amusement park for NYC families since 1928. Now operating under new ownership, the picturesque 280-acre park has preserved its rich early 20th century history and charm while serving up modern-day attractions and amenities. From exhilarating new rides great for teens and tweens to fun kiddie rides and new amenities like fancy family-friendly restrooms, it was time to revisit the renovated and restored Westchester gem.

My family headed out to Playland to see what was new and whether it still held the nostalgic fun I remembered. We arrived to sweet picket fences, brightly blooming flowers, lush lawns, and Art Deco buildings really set the scene, and loads of thrilling rides, carnival games, and concession stands made it a day to remember. Below, I’m breaking down some of our favorite attractions, and sharing tips for visiting the park.

Plan a Summer Day at Jones Beach with Kids: Top Things To See and Do

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Fri, 06/24/2022 - 1:31pm

Enjoy the sand and surf at Jones Beach in Nassau County. Photo courtesy of New York State Parks

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.

All Aboard the Polar Express on Long Island for Christmas 2022

Submitted by Jaime Sumersille on Tue, 06/07/2022 - 12:57pm

The Long Island Airstream Experience is hard at work prepping a new Airstream trailer to transform it into a Polar Express train on Long Island

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.