Ahhh…the summer carefree sensation where days are filled with trips to the beach, long walks beside flower beds, and a glass of sangria.
Long Island, in New York, is a perfect place to experience that summer vibe. Stretching 118 miles from east to west, you’ll never be too far from the beach on this narrow strip.
But there’s more than that.
There’s gardens, grand estates from the last century, parks, wineries, and many outdoor activities on Long Island.
You can enjoy this destination as a fun day trip from New York City, or you can spend a long weekend at a slower pace while you make it all the way out to Montauk.
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Here you’ll find what to do on Long Island in the summer.
Table of Contents
Visit Historic Sagamore Hill
Theodore Roosevelt, former Governor of New York and 26th president of the United States from 1901 to 1909, wanted to prolong the happy days he spent as a teenager in Oyster Bay, enjoying the outdoors he loved so much.
To make that happen, in 1885 he built a house at the top of a hill in the nearby Cove Neck peninsula where he would raise six children.
The Queen Anne-style house is located on a vast property where you’ll find signs that teach you about the past of this National Historic Site and the daily life at Sagamore Hill.
Back then this was a farm with a vegetable garden and chickens and cows and horses roaming around, with crops of rye and alfalfa to feed them. A busy place where the Roosevelt family took part in some tasks.
Go past the Old Orchard House and take the 0.7-mile loop trail through a 34-acre forest of oaks and hickory that is home to more than 40 species of birds.
The trail will lead you to a boardwalk built across a salt marsh that ends on a beach (swimming isn’t allowed), part of the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge on Cold Spring Harbour.
Bring your binoculars as this is a great spot for birdwatching, with more than 120 species recorded in the area so far.
You can visit the free on-site museum (Theodore Roosevelt Museum) at the Old Orchard and/or buy a ticket for a guided tour of the main house, furnished as it was when the Roosevelts lived in it.
At the museum, you’ll learn about the life of Teddy Roosevelt, his determination to preserve the natural treasures of the United States (he created many of the National Parks and National Monuments we enjoy today), and see some of his personal items.
There’s also a native plants garden where you can see a lot of pollinators such as hummingbirds, bees, and monarch butterflies.
Sagamore Hill
Cove Neck, NY; 1.516.922.4788; Open sunrise to sunset (days vary according to season); Dogs allowed (on leash)
Enjoy a Beach Day
One of the big things to do on Long Island during the summer is going to the beach, and with more than 30 beaches you have plenty to choose from.
A handful is only available to town residents with a town pass, some are free, and most charge a parking fee or a day pass that can go between $10 up to $50.
Long Beach, my favourite of the three I visited, is about a one-hour train ride from New York City. It extends about seven miles and it’s one of the most popular on Long Island along with Jones Beach and the Robert Moses State Park.
It has a beach park and a section with a wide and beautiful boardwalk where you can enjoy a long walk with terrific ocean views.
Other than the clean, sandy, and wavy beach you have great facilities and tons of restaurants and bars in the vicinity.
Stroll in the Gardens of the Planting Fields Arboretum
Before becoming a public park the Planting Fields Arboretum was an early 20th century estate from the Gold Coast Era that managed to keep all of its 409 acres.
In 1918 the Olmsted Brothers -sons of Central Park’s landscape architect- took charge of the landscape design and created an oasis for the Coe family.
As you enter the park you’ll find the main greenhouse on your left, built in 1914. This is a tropical paradise with bromeliads, orchids, coffee plants, palms, begonias, cacti, and countless varieties of crotons, to name a few. In the vicinity, you’ll find the Daylily Garden and the Dahlia Garden, where you’ll also see the curious carnivorous pitcher plants.
On your right, you’ll come across the Italian Garden, the oldest garden in Planting Fields that, in 1918, replaced a tennis court. It has a rectangular pool featuring sculpture fountains surrounded by perennials, and a playful tea house (from 1915).
You’ll see as well the Camellia Greenhouse, first built in 1917. Here, you can see how the roughness of the red brick walls contrasts with the green foliage and the shine of the water ponds. A beautiful space to see the largest collection of camellias (in a greenhouse) in the Northeast, as you listen the soft sound of the water fountains.
This is the anteroom to Coe Hall, a Tudor Revival-style mansion from 1918 designed by architects Stewart Walker and Leon Gillette to enjoy the outdoors. There are paid tours available if you want to see the interiors.
Don’t miss the nearby circular pool (built in 1906) and the cute Play House for the children. It’s the oldest structure on the property and it seems to come out straight out of a children’s storybook.
In the surrounding lawns, you can walk -depending on the season- among a rose garden, cherries, azaleas, rhododendrons, magnolias, conifers, and scenic tunnels made out of tree branches.
Go back on the main paved path to find open fields with impossibly tall trees, a bird sanctuary, the Wedell Garden with native plants and a thriving pond, and the nature trails where you can explore the woods.
The Planting Fields Arboretum is on the National Register of Historic Places and it’s a fantastic opportunity to walk among gorgeous gardens, tall trees, and older-than-a-hundred-year houses.
You can see along the property smaller old constructions built for different purposes (garages, grain storage, grounds supervisor’s residence). One of the units serves as a visitor centre with restrooms, a café, and a gift shop.
Check out their event calendars for concerts, movies, and art exhibits.
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
1395 Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay; 1.516.922.8600; Open daily: 9AM-5PM; Parking fees apply; Paid tours available.
Check Out the Cradle of Aviation Museum
This is a great place to visit in the summer when you need a break from the heat or to take cover from a storm.
Long Island, often called The Cradle of Aviation, has played an important role in the history of aviation from man’s early attempts to imitate birds and further check out what’s beyond our planet.
Did you know that in the early 1900s the first attempts to jump on a plane happened right here?
You can learn about it when you walk through the eight galleries that take you from when it started it all with balloons and kites in the 18th century to the current era, including the two world wars, the jet age (think Cold War), and the space exploration.
You can see more than 70 artifacts on display with many hands-on exhibits.
At the museum, we had a chat with one of their helpful guides who provided interesting stories about the planes and made our visit even more enjoyable.
Even today the story continues as Long Island is a hub for companies that manufacture airplane parts.
You can also enjoy movies and shows in the planetarium.
Cradle of Aviation Museum
Charles Lindbergh Blvd., Garden City; Open Tue.Sun.:10AM-5PM; General admission: $16
Go Birdwatching at the Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center
This place has the distinction to be the first national Audubon Society songbird sanctuary.
As you go up and down the one-mile trail to peek inside the 14 acres of forest, keep your eyes peeled for woodpeckers, cardinals, blue jays, American goldfinch, tufted titmouse, and many other birds. Bring your binoculars!
You can also visit the native plants garden and the ponds, and see a Bessie Potter Vonnoh fountain sculpture.
Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary & Audubon Center
134 Cove Road, Oyster Bay; Open daily: sunrise to sunset; Dogs allowed (on leash)
BONUS TIP
Hungry after all these activities? Here are some suggestions:
For vegetarian Indian food, you can try the Saravanaa Bhavan chain in Hicksville. Really good, although too spicy for me (I’m a chicken with spicy food). If you have a higher level of tolerance than me (you probably do), you’ll enjoy a delicious meal.
For Greek food, I loved Platía Greek Kitchen in Syosset. I would go back anytime.
Sweet tooth alert! if you love Indian sweets as much as I do you can’t miss Bengali Sweet Shop in Hicksville. They also serve food, but I’ve only tried the desserts. And they’re awesome.
Have a cookie (or two) at The Milleridge Bakery in Jericho. You’re welcome.
And if you like pizza and bagels you’ll find a thousand places on Long Island.
Stop at Downtown Oyster Bay
Oyster Bay is a picturesque small coastal town in northwest Long Island that used to be the hangout of President Theodore Roosevelt.
It’s ideal for spending a couple of hours strolling along many art galleries, cafés, historic buildings, and manicured landscaping.
To learn more about Theodore Roosevelt visit the Memorial Park on the waterfront. You’ll see a unique memorial consisting of 24 rocks taken from places that were significant in Roosevelt’s life.
It was assembled in 1922 by a Swedish immigrant who was a fan and brought to Oyster Bay in 1947.
While you’re there you can enjoy some time at the beach swimming, kayaking, or taking a boat ride.
Check out cultural events such as outdoor dancing and concerts so you can have even more fun during your visit.
Raise Your Glass at Long Island’s Wineries
Along with the Catskills and the Finger Lakes region in Upstate New York, Long Island is an up-and-coming destination for wine aficionados with more than 30 wineries to choose from.
Most are located in the northeast and feature stylish tasting rooms and eating areas. Even if you don’t drink wine you can enjoy the beautiful landscape, live music, events, and delicious food.
Summertime on Long Island is a fun place with you’ll find an activity to suit your taste. Feeling thirsty? You can also visit one of its many wineries.
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Check the full list of travel resources on my Resource Page for more options and savings
Looks like a lot of fun stuff to see and do!! I’ve never been to New York but would love to some day 🙂
Even if you go on a day trip from NYC is lots of fun.