Fall
Pumpkin picking, corn mazes, harvest festivals, Halloween attractions, scenic foliage walks and North Fork farm outings.
CORDEIRA HOMES | LONG ISLAND LOCAL GUIDE
FUN Things to Do on Long Island
Find your next adventure across Nassau and Suffolk County. From fall festivals and holiday lights to beaches, amusement parks, museums, outdoor escapes and great date-night ideas, there's more to Long Island than the places you already know.
Looking for something fun to do on Long Island this weekend, planning an outing with the kids, or just ready to try something different? Start here. This guide is organized by season, activity and county, so you can find an idea close to home or make a full day of it.
I'm John Cordeira, Broker/Owner of Cordeira Homes. I've spent more than 20 years helping people buy and sell homes across Nassau and Suffolk, and I'm always interested in finding new places to explore. I created this resource to share the experiences, businesses and outdoor destinations that make living on Long Island interesting, beyond the real estate.
Fall & Halloween Fun on Long Island
October is an ideal time to explore somewhere new. Think pumpkin patches, cider donuts, corn mazes, harvest festivals, haunted houses and walks through changing leaves. There are plenty of options in Nassau County, and the farms and scenic destinations in Suffolk make for a memorable day trip.
A Few Fall Favorites to Explore Right Now
- Nassau | Westbury: Hicks Nurseries Fall Festival - seasonal displays, a family-friendly Halloween walk and free general admission, with some paid activities.
- Nassau | Bayville: Bayville Scream Park - haunted nighttime experiences, plus separate family-oriented daytime offerings.
- Nassau | Rockville Centre: Spooky Fest - choose a non-scary experience for younger children or scarier attractions for those who want them.
- Suffolk | Mattituck and Riverhead: Harbes Farms - harvest-season family outings; locations have different activities and admissions.
Seasonal note: These attractions publish their own dates, ticket rules and weather updates. Always check before visiting. Explore the full Fall & Halloween guide for more attractions and tips.
Want to enjoy the season without a ticketed event? Try an autumn walk at Massapequa Preserve, Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve or Bethpage State Park. The cooler weather often makes a longer walk much more appealing.
Things to Do on Long Island in Every Season
Pick a season to explore the full guide to Long Island activities and attractions.
Winter
Holiday light displays, festive villages, ice skating, cozy indoor attractions, winter waterfront walks and family outings during school breaks.
Spring
Flowering gardens, nature preserves, scenic bike rides, festivals and the return of warmer-weather outdoor attractions.
Summer
Atlantic beaches, water parks, boating, waterfront dining, outdoor concerts, amusement rides and beach-town adventures.
Find Fun by Activity, Not Just by Season
Sometimes you know what kind of day you want, but not where to go. The categories below now link to dedicated, more detailed guides where there is enough local content to make them useful.
Rides & excitement
Amusement Parks & Adventure »
Roller coasters, arcades, mini golf, ropes courses and water slides. Start with Adventureland in East Farmingdale or Bayville Adventure Park. Seasonal operations vary.
Kids & families
Family Activities »
Farm adventures, hands-on exhibits and experiences that work for different ages. Try the Long Island Children's Museum in Garden City or the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead.
Rainy-day plans
Indoor Attractions & Museums »
Explore space and aviation at the Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, enjoy the aquarium or look for a local theater performance.
Something different together
Date Nights & Grown-Up Fun »
Pair a concert, show, museum or sunset walk with a local restaurant. Downtown Farmingdale and the waterfront communities around Long Island are great places to start exploring.
Fresh air & fitness
Hikes, Parks & Scenic Walks
From Massapequa Preserve and the Bethpage Bikeway to the North Shore hills, discover wooded trails, coastal walks and places to get moving.
Local flavor
Festivals, Farms & Special Events
Harvest weekends, holiday celebrations, outdoor concerts, local markets and the North Fork's farm season. Check organizer calendars for current dates before making plans.
Where to Have Fun: Nassau County vs. Suffolk County
There's no single "best" part of Long Island for activities. Nassau is convenient for museum days, South Shore beach outings and local festivals. Suffolk offers everything from western-county amusement rides to North Fork farms, wooded North Shore parks and East End excursions.
Nassau County Favorites
- Garden City: Long Island Children's Museum and Cradle of Aviation Museum.
- Westbury: Seasonal experiences at Hicks Nurseries.
- Old Westbury: Landscaped walks and events at Old Westbury Gardens.
- Wantagh: Jones Beach, the boardwalk and coastal recreation.
- Bayville: Bayville Adventure Park and seasonal themed attractions.
Suffolk County Favorites
- East Farmingdale: Adventureland amusement park.
- Riverhead: Long Island Aquarium and nearby North Fork outings.
- Calverton: Splish Splash water park in warmer months.
- Mattituck: Harbes Family Farm and seasonal harvest activities.
- Lloyd Harbor: Trails and coastal landscapes at Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve.
Some businesses operate seasonally, some events require reservations, and admission prices and age restrictions can change. Use official websites for the latest details.
Don't Just Visit Long Island. Get Out and Explore It.
Not every great day out requires a ticket. Long Island's beaches, parks, waterfronts and open spaces are also worth exploring. If you enjoy active outings, there are plenty of options from the South Shore to the North Shore.
South Shore Trails
Discover wooded routes, bike paths and nature around Massapequa and Seaford.
Coastal Adventures
Get to know Jones Beach beyond the summer crowds with our Jones Beach local guide.
North Shore Hiking
Explore trails and scenery around Cold Spring Harbor.
Move With John is my separate, more personal guide to hiking, walking and outdoor adventures. This FUN Things to Do hub focuses on attractions, entertainment, events and experiences across Long Island, while the outdoor guide is there when you're looking for trails and active outings.
Explore the Complete FUN Long Island Guide Collection
Browse by season or by type of outing. Each guide covers actual Nassau and Suffolk County destinations, with practical planning details and official attraction links.
Explore the Communities Around Your Next Adventure
Sometimes an attraction introduces you to an entirely different town. Stop for lunch, walk the main street or explore a nearby park. These Cordeira Homes guides connect local activities with the neighborhoods, businesses and community details worth knowing.
- Massapequa Real Estate & Local Guide - preserves, South Shore parks and local favorites.
- Wantagh Real Estate & Local Guide - Jones Beach, recreation and surrounding communities.
- Cold Spring Harbor Real Estate & Local Guide - North Shore scenery, village character and nearby trails.
- Farmingdale Shopping & Dining Guide - Main Street restaurants and local businesses.
- Garden City Parks & Outdoor Recreation - active options near Museum Row.
- Move With John - firsthand hikes and outdoor adventures around Long Island and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions: Things to Do on Long Island
What are some fun things to do on Long Island?
Popular options include Jones Beach, Nassau County museums, Suffolk County amusement parks and water parks, North Fork farms, nature preserves, waterfront towns and seasonal festivals. Your best choice depends on the weather, who's coming and how far you want to travel.
What can families do on Long Island with kids?
The Long Island Children's Museum in Garden City, Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead, Adventureland in East Farmingdale, Bayville Adventure Park and seasonal farm attractions offer different types of family outings. Check each attraction's age and height requirements.
Where can I find fun things to do in Nassau County?
Start with Garden City's museums, Jones Beach in Wantagh, Hicks Nurseries in Westbury, Old Westbury Gardens and Bayville's seasonal attractions. Public parks and community events can also provide low-cost outings.
What about fun things to do in Suffolk County?
Look at Adventureland, the Long Island Aquarium, Splish Splash during its operating season, North Fork farm activities and nature destinations such as Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve.
Are there free things to do on Long Island?
Yes. Walking trails, town parks, beaches outside fee-collection periods and certain community festivals or displays can be free, although parking, permits or special activities may cost extra. Hicks Nurseries advertises free general admission to its 2026 Fall Festival.
What are good Long Island rainy-day activities?
Museums, aquariums and indoor exhibits are dependable options. The Cradle of Aviation Museum, Long Island Children's Museum and Long Island Aquarium are good starting points; check for special closures or timed admissions.
How often will this guide be updated?
This is an ongoing, year-round resource. The featured season will change throughout the year. Our seasonal, amusement, indoor family and entertainment guides are now available, and we will keep their event information updated.
Have a Long Island Business, Attraction or Event We Should Feature?
Own or operate a great local attraction, seasonal festival, family activity business, performance venue or community event? Send me your official website, location and visitor details. Suggestions are reviewed for local relevance and are not guaranteed placement. I want this to become a useful guide people come back to.
Enjoying Long Island? Find a Home That Fits the Way You Live.
I'm John Cordeira, Broker/Owner of Cordeira Homes. If you're exploring a new town, considering a move or curious about your property's value, I can help with 20+ years of Nassau and Suffolk real estate experience.
Live on Long Island. Explore Long Island.
There's something pretty great about finding a new favorite place close to home. I hope these ideas encourage you to get out, try something new and see a little more of Nassau and Suffolk County.
If exploring has you thinking differently about where you want to live, I can help with that, too. Explore Long Island homes for sale »
John Cordeira
Broker/Owner, Cordeira Homes
Helping Long Island Buyers & Sellers for More Than 20 Years
#RippedRealtor