Planning a trip to the East Coast and wondering what the best things to do in Long Island are? There are quite a few! Here you’ll find a list of the unmissable activities.
Long Island is the longest island in the contiguous United States and offers plenty of activities and attractions to delight its visitors.
From miles of pristine beaches to wine country, many gorgeous villages to stroll around, and historic sites you’ll probably be wanting to extend your stay to be able to enjoy it all.
Let’s find out what are the ultimate things to do in Long Island so you can get started on your itinerary!
THINGS TO DO IN LONG ISLAND, NY
Go Celebrity-Spotting in The Hamptons
The Hamptons are probably the epitome of Long Island, a very unique seaside area popular for being the summer destination of the famous and wealthy citizens of NYC.
But you don’t need to have millions in your wallet to enjoy its long, gorgeous beaches, or stroll around the little towns admiring the incredible houses and estates or designer boutiques.
If you feel like splurging a bit you could even have a drink at one of the bars or dine at a high-end restaurant – who knows? You might run into a celebrity while you’re there!
➤ If you’re staying in New York City, you can visit the Hamptons, Sag Harbor and the Tanger Outlets with a guided tour. It starts with a walk around Southampton, where many celebrities live, and continues to Sag Harbor, a charming village by the sea. You’ll end the day with some free time to shop before heading back to NYC. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Head to Montauk Point Lighthouse
Montauk Point Lighthouse is a gorgeous landmark in Long Island that you shouldn’t miss either. The lighthouse is the oldest one in New York State and it’s located in Montauk Point State Park, an area also referred to as The End because it’s the easternmost area of the island.
You can climb up the tower of the lighthouse, which still works to this day, and visit the museum and gift shop, as well as admire the spectacular views of the sea; one of the loveliest things to see in Long Island, and a must while spending a day in Montauk.
One of the most memorable Montauk activities includes having a picnic by the beach.
➤ Unless you’re bringing your own meal, you can take the experience to a whole other level by booking a Luxury Beach Bonfire and Picnic Dinner. It includes the food and wine, the setting and a fire attendant to keep the bonfire burning. It’s one of the most beautiful Long Island activities to celebrate special occasions. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Stroll around Montauk Downtown
Point Lighthouse is not, however, the only thing to see in Montauk, a village on the east end of the peninsula.
Besides the gorgeous beaches and natural landscapes that surround it, Montauk has an incredible history (check out the keeper’s museum for historical documents signed by George Washington), an impressive State Park with WWII bunkers that was once a military base, and fantastic restaurants.
Try the Lobster Roll at LUNCH
For lunch during your visit to Long Island head to The Lobster Roll, also known as LUNCH in Amagansett. This dining spot has been serving lobster rolls since the 1950s and it’s one of the cool places on Long Island to have a bite.
Not only will you find hot and cold lobster rolls on the menu but a wide variety of seafood. Think of chowders and chili, as well as salads, appetizers, and homemade desserts, as well as craft cocktails.
The Lobster Roll LUNCH opens only during the summer season, from April to October.
▶ If you’re visiting any other time, check out my post about the best restaurants in Montauk for more options!
Get a Picture at The Big Duck
Visiting the Big Duck in Flanders is one of the most fun things to do on Long Island. Big Duck is basically a building in the shape of a duck, originally built as a shop that sold duck eggs. Nowadays it is a tourist center that sells duck souvenirs and displays all sorts of duck artifacts.
The Big Duck is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the organization Friends of the Big Duck works hard to preserve the history of the building.
The building itself is impressive, and a great example of roadside architecture, so stopping by to see it and get a picture is one of the best things to do on Long Island, especially if you’re traveling with kids!
Visit Fire Island
If we’re talking about beautiful places in Long Island, Fire Island ought to be on the list. Fire Island is a barrier island in the south of Long Island, incredibly thin, being only 2 blocks wide, and it’s home to world-known, magnificent white-sand beaches with a laid-back vibe, offering a much more tranquil atmosphere than the Hamptons, for instance.
Cars are not allowed during the summer, so you can get around walking or biking, which adds to the island’s charm. Apart from exploring its beaches, you’ll get to meet the wild deer that wander around and enjoy some of the best outdoor activities in Long Island, including hiking, surfing, sailing, or playing beach volleyball.
Check out the Beaches in Long Island
The beaches are probably the first answer to every what to do in Long Island NY question. I mean, the island is famous for a reason, right? And one of its utmost reasons are its magnificent beaches offering fantastic waves for surfers and other fun watersports.
Even if you’re just looking to lay back and get tanned, visiting the beach is a must, and it’s one of the greatest free things to do on Long Island!
Some of the most beautiful beaches are: Ditch Plains Beach in Montauk, Coopers Beach in Southampton, Watch Hill in Fire Island and Jones Beach State Park.
Go Wine Tasting in the Long Island Vineyards
Long Island is also well-known for its farmland and vineyards, so no visit to the island is complete without sampling its wines. Besides, one of the ultimate fun activities on Long Island (if you’re a wine person) is touring around vineyards and pretending you’re a sommelier!
Here are some suggestions of the best Long Island Vineyards so you know where to go for your first glass.
One of the best places to visit in Long Island for a fancy wine experience is Sparkling Pointe, a winery that specializes in producing sparkling wine in the traditional Champenoise method. Here you can enjoy wine tasting or go on a tour around the vineyards and learn about the process of winemaking.
If you’re looking for a more relaxed and rural experience check out Baiting Hollow, a farm vineyard that offers wine tastings and a backyard and large picnic area where music events take place. At the winery they produce red, white, rosé and dessert wines, so whatever your taste you’ll find something to your liking.
Jamesport Vineyards is also a great place to visit on Long Island, a father-and-son winery with an extensive tasting room and wide outdoor areas where musical events and light fares take place on the weekends.
Other great wineries include Sannino Vineyard, Kontokosta Winery, Pellegrini Vineyards and Bedell Cellars.
➤ If you’re staying in NYC, you can opt to go on a private Long Island Winery Tour. You can either book a whole tour, with transportation and tastings, or only book the transfer and arrange your own tastings on the wineries of your choice. ➥ BOOK IT HERE
Visit Old Westbury Gardens
Old Westbury Gardens is one of the best Long Island attractions. This incredible estate, now turned into a museum, features a beautiful historic mansion and vast gardens that will transport you to another era.
The estate was the property of one of the Phipps family heirs and it has been the setting of many movies including North by Northwest (Hitchcock), The Age of Innocence (Scorsese) and American Gangster (Scott).
The museum offers tours from April to October, and it also hosts programs and events throughout the year.
Make a Stop at Oheka Castle
Oheka Castle is also often referred to as the real life Gatsby mansion, as it’s said to be the place that inspired the novel The Great Gatsby, especially for the glamorous parties that took place in the estate.
After the owner passed, however, Oheka Castle became a retirement home and later a military academy. The mansion is now a hotel and a popular wedding venue, and you can visit it with a tour or book a table at the restaurant to get a chance to admire its architecture and splendor.
Get there if you have the chance, as it’s one of the most impressive places to see in Long Island!
Tour Sands Point Preserve
Sands Point Preserve is an incredibly large estate home to three (yep, three!) mansions, Hempstead House which was built in an English style, Falaise, a Normandy-style home and Castle Gould, inspired in the Irish Kilkenny Castle.
Apparently, the landowner, Henry Gould, built the first mansion – Castle Gould – to be their main residence, but his wife Katherine decided it didn’t suit her, so the construction of Hempstead House began. Castle Gould was then used as a stable, servants’ quarters and carriage house.
Besides touring the mansions you can also go on nature walks across the woods, open fields and a pond, do self-guided tours of the grounds or join some of the events held here, like concerts, lectures and exhibitions.
Go Shopping at Tanger Outlets
There are two Tanger outlets, one in Riverhead and the other one in Deer Park; if you enjoy shopping, this is one of the best places to go in Long Island.
The Tanger outlets are popular for selling top-brands items at lower prices, so it might be your chance to get that designer bag you’ve always wanted without breaking the bank. It’s also one of the best things to do in Long Island in winter or during bad weather.
Planting Fields Arboretum
This State Park covers more than 400 acres and boasts an arboretum, a vast collection of gardens and 2 greenhouses. It’s also home to Coe Hall, a historic family estate built in the early 1900s that now works as a museum. Besides checking it out, you can also tour the property.
The state park is especially gorgeous during the fall, and you’ll likely encounter engagement and wedding photo shoots taking place in the grounds.
Hike in the State Parks’ Trails
Long Island’s gorgeous natural landscapes aren’t limited to its beaches; it also features incredible state parks where you can go hiking, a perfect attraction on Long Island for outdoor enthusiasts.
At Montauk Point State Park you can do an easy 1.6-mile hike called the Seal Haul Out, named after the seals you’ll likely be able to see from your hike. If you want to take the hike a little bit further, you can continue the loop on the Money Pond Trail and the Oyster Pond Trail, completing a 3-mile loop hike.
A more moderately difficult hike is the 6.9-mile Stillwell Woods loop in Trail View State Park, and if you’re feeling more adventurous, check out the Greenbelt trail that goes through four different parks, completing a distance of over 30 miles.
Hiking is definitely one of the favorite Fall activities in Long Island, but be sure to enjoy it any time of the year!
Go Museum-Hunting in Long Island
If you’re an art or history aficionado, you’ll find quite a few museums in Long Island, so what better plan than driving around museum hunting? It’s one of the perfect indoor activities in Long Island, and a great backup plan if the weather is poor.
For art museums and galleries check out Nassau County Museum of Art, located on a spectacular estate that hosts festivals, art lessons, a sculpture garden and also an arboretum and trails to enjoy nature.
The Parrish Art Museum, located in Water Mill, displays the work of local artists, and Southampton Arts Center hosts workshops as well as exhibiting paintings and sculptures.
For history buffs the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, the Fireboat Firefighter Museum and Southampton History Museum are great choices. Long Island’s Children Museum is ideal for those traveling with kids as well.
THINGS TO DO IN LONG ISLAND FAQ
There are plenty of things to do on your Long Island trip. Some of the best include visiting Montauk, hiking the state parks’ trails, touring wineries and chilling at the beach.
Long Island is mainly known for its beaches, astounding estates, and wineries. It’s also popular as a celebrity vacation spot, and the beautiful trails to hike on.
Some of the most expensive houses in Long Island, and where the celebrities can often be found, is in the Hamptons.
Long Island is a great location, and it’s worth visiting if you enjoy hiking, spending time at the beach, and exploring charming little towns. It’s also a fabulous shopping destination.
Montauk is one of the most gorgeous places in Long Island. Fire Island is also top of the list, along with the beaches and State Parks.
