Discover island living, Long Island style.
Between the beaches, historic sites, mansions and shopping, there’s plenty to do during your visit without venturing too far.
Take in the sites
- Visit Sagamore Hill. Known as the “Summer White House” while Teddy Roosevelt was in office, the 26th President lived here from 1885 until his death in 1919.
- Get your Gatsby on by exploring Gold Coast Mansions. For the highlights, look no further than this guide.
- Visit the Walt Whitman Birthplace. Before he was a noted poet, Whitman was simply a Long Island boy who lived across the street from a shopping mall. Or something. You’ll have to go to the birthplace to find out more.
- Take in the nature at Planting Fields Arboretum, and while you’re there, take a tour of Coe Hall, the former home of Standard Oil heiress Mai Rogers Coe and her husband, insurance tycoon William Robertson Coe. The Tudor Revival mansion still maintains its Roaring ’20s stateliness. The 409-acre grounds, known as the Planting Fields, have remained intact—something unique to this Gold Coast estate.
- Vanderbilt Mansion, Museum & Planetarium Go for the mansion, stay for the astronaut ice cream!
- Travel back in time and see how early settlers lived at Old Bethpage Restoration. We’ll give you a hint: it involved petting zoos.
- Visit the Old Westbury Gardens and tour the grounds.
- Tour Oheka Castle. Situated on the highest point on Long Island, the Gold Coast Estate was commissioned by financier Otto Hermann Kahn, a financier and philanthropist who was called the “Man of Velvet and Steel” by The New York Times.
- Explore the skies at The Cradle of Aviation Museum because who doesn’t like big planes and their history? If you’re staying at the Marriott in Uniondale, you’ll be less than 1 mile away.
- Celebrate Science at the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. James D. Watson made his first public presentation of DNA’s double-helix structure here. While a private facility, the laboratory is often open to the public for events.
Enjoy the Beaches
- Spend the afternoon at Jones Beach where you can dip your feet into the Atlantic Ocean, stroll along the boardwalk or even take in a concert.
- Robert Moses State Park: Soak in the sun (while wearing sunscreen), picnic or visit field 2 to use the pitch and putt course.
Visit Huntington Village:
- Stop by Book Review, Long Island’s largest Independent Bookstore which has a large selection and frequently hosts events.
- The Cinema Arts Centre always has interesting films, but be warned that parking can be a bit tricky so get there early.
- Stroll in Heckscher Park and take in a visit at the Museum. Hillary’s artwork was displayed here when she was eleven years old. We can assure you that the quality has gotten much better since.
- See what’s on during the Huntington Summer Arts Festival and at The Paramount.
Go full Long Island and go shopping
- In addition to a variety of outlet stores, the Tanger Outlets in Deer Park also has a movie theater and farmer’s market on Saturdays in the Summer.
- Contrary to popular belief, Walt Whitman did not actually shop at the Walt Whitman Mall, but we’re certain that he would have had it been around.
Eat Up
- Town Bagel Many people will tell you their bagel place is the best. Unless it’s the Plainview location of Town Bagel, they’re wrong.
- Joanina A homey family run Italian restaurant in the Town of Huntington. Make sure that you get there early enough to visit the wine shop next door
- Piccolo Winner of a 2017 Wine Spectator Award for Excellence. You’ll need to make a reservation at this Italian restaurant.
- Jewel The Sunday price fixe dinner is a great deal.
- On Parade Diner If you haven’t been to a diner, have you really been to Long Island?
- Ruvo Quality food made with local ingredients with a great prix fixe option.
- Albert’s Mandarin Gourmet
- Bon Bon Chocolatier if you need satisfy your sweet tooth, you won’t go wrong here.
- Looking for more dining ideas? Thrillist has you covered.