Top 20 Things to Do in Summer on Long Island

Have the most fun on Long Island this summer! Presenting the top 20 must-do events for your family, including Long Island Ducks games, outdoor music festivals and concerts, a pirate festival, an authentic pow wow, and more!

1. Enjoy crafts and music at a waterfront festival.

With so much handiwork, the HarborFest craft fair at the Town Dock in Port Washington in early June is the perfect place for a family looking to admire (and create) crafts alongside musical performances and a pretty park on the Manhasset Bay waterfront. 

2. A Little Bit Country

Celebrate Long Island’s rich history and traditions at the Hallockville Museum Farm’s Country Fair and Craft Show in late August which includes demos on basket weaving, yarn spinning, woodworking, blacksmithing, and more, plus more than 50 craft vendors.  See livestock displays, and farm animals including goats, horses, donkeys, and cows, farm machinery and tractor exhibits. 

3. Take a trolley ride back in time in Amityville.

Amityville Historical Society’s Annual Heritage Fair in early-June is a celebration of Amityville’s long and surprising history. Bring the whole family and enjoy trolley rides, food, music, and a host of enlightening activities geared toward kids. 

4. Ride and slide into summer at an amusement park.

Celebrate the start of summer near the end of June as Long Islanders have done for decades: at Adventureland Amusement Park in Farmingdale. Ride roller coasters, play in bumper cars, get chills in the Mystery Mansion, and hang in the arcade. Plus, check out our full list of amusement parks in the area.

5. Play a round of mini golf.

Go miniature golfing at Boomers Family Fun Center in Medford. Finish off the day racing in the go karts, practicing your swing in the batting cages, battling it out in the game room, or jumping on one of the kiddie rides with the littlest member of your family. And make sure to check out our full list of mini golf courses in the area.

6. Go berry picking.

Pick your own berries throughout the summer at Patty’s Berries & Bunches in Mattituck or another berry farm on Long Island. This fun (and healthy) outing will leave your kids wanting to grow their own. See our list of more sweet locations nearby.

7. Go for a spin on a carousel.

Take a spin on the historic Heckscher Carousel in Hempstead Lake State Park in West Hempstead. A timeless classic that only gets better with age, this carousel has a charm that families will find irresistibly fun. For more round and round fun, see our list of other carousels in the area.

8. Let out your inner cowboy (or cowgirl!).

Take a horseback riding lesson or ride a pony at Island Hills Stables in Middle Island. Island Hills offers lessons that encourage children to build relationships with the ponies on-site. For more places to ride horses on Long Island, see our list.

9. Get a front-row seat for Independence Day fireworks.

Get a front-row seat for the Fourth of July fireworks via the Freeport Water Taxis. The kids won’t soon forget seeing the night sky light up directly overhead, reflecting off the water.

10. Have a day of wellness.

Head to the One Million Dollar Duck Race at Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck in Center Moriches in mid-July to watch 7,000 small rubber ducks in a race for the top prize. They’re faster than you’d think! Cheer on your favorite quacker and stay for the family-style duck barbecue afterward. Proceeds from this event benefit the children with special needs who attend Camp Pa-Qua-Tuck.

11. Be a scientist for a day.

Hop aboard the Atlantis Explorer and become Scientists for a Day at the Long Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center in Riverhead. Collect and analyze data on local marine wildlife, just like a real marine biologist would, throughout the summer.

12. Be a beach bum.

Head to a nearby beach, soak up some rays, and enjoy the cool ocean (just don’t forget the SPF!). Jones Beach State Park in Wantagh offers 6.5 miles of ocean beach and two swimming pools, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the precious summer months. Don’t go home without trying your hand at shuffleboard. Plus, check out our round up of the best beaches on Long Island.

13. Take the kids out to the ballgame.

Catch a Long Island Ducks minor league baseball game at Bethpage Ballpark in Central Islip throughout the summer. With individual game tickets being very well-priced (up to $15 each), a Ducks game is an affordable way to enjoy America’s pasttime with the family. Plus, members of the Long Island Ducks’ Kids Club (for ages 14 and younger) are invited to Kids Club Day, when they can tour the ballpark, run the bases, and meet some of the Ducks as well as the mascot, QuackerJack. More minor league teams can be found on our list.

14. Cuddle some cuties.

What kid doesn’t like critters? At the Animal Farm Petting Zoo in Manorville, yours will love spending time with, feeding, and yes, petting exotic and barnyard buddies. Find even more furry and feathered friends at these local zoos.

15. Take in some tunes at a music festival for all ages.

At the Great South Bay Music Festival, held over several days in Patchogue’s Shorefront Park in mid-July, there is something for everyone. With dozens of established and emerging performers, a kid zone, and other enticements, this festival is the place for music lovers of any age. Before you go, read about how to make the most of your child’s live music experience.

16. Celebrate the season at Summerfest.

With a name like Summerfest, how could you not want to go? At the Sayville Summerfest in Downtown Sayville in early August, families will have a blast seeing the live musical performances, international food, checking a car show, and much more.

17. Kick up your kilt at a Scottish fest.

The Scottish Games at Old Westbury Gardens in late August is a great way to learn about Scottish culture. Enjoy pipe bands, taste shortbread, peruse stained glass and other craft displays, and compete in highland games.

18. Get up close with turtles, snakes, trout, and more.

Many Long Island parents have fond memories of going to the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium in Cold Spring Harbor on a grade-school field trip. It’s still around, and more interactive, educational, and fun than ever.

19. Try to sample all the ice cream flavors at this local favorite. 

A hand-dipped cone is a staple of summer, and we think no place does it better than Marvel Frozen Dairy in Lido Beach. Perhaps the best part of this Long Island hot spot is its proximity to Lido Beach Town Park, so no seconds of summer sun will be wasted in grabbing a refreshing cone.

20. Get down at an authentic Native American pow wow.

Shinnecock Indian Nation Pow Wow, held at the Shinnecock Indian Reservation in Southampton, allows visitors to learn about the culture of Long Island’s Native Americans. Traditional dances and a drum performance are only two of the entertaining, educational activities offered over the weekend-long festival, typically held in late August or early September. See our list for details on this and more cultural celebrations in the area.

More Seasonal Fun on Long Island