Save on summer fun with 20 free activities on Long Island
Ildy and Sal Loverde, of West Islip, dance outside of Lily’s Bar curing the Babylon Block Party, a free event on Babylon's Main Street. Credit: Linda Rosier
Spending a day out doesn’t have to mean spending money. Across Long Island, there are many activities to enjoy this summer without ever reaching for your wallet. From live music and outdoor movies to nature walks and splash parks, free fun is never far away. Local parks, beaches, libraries and more are bursting with zero-cost events, perfect for all ages.
1. Catch a concert at the Jones Beach Bandshell
1 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh, 516-785-1600, bandshell.jonesbeach.com
Gather for a free concert at Jones Beach Bandshell. Credit: Howard Simmons
From tribute bands to kids’ nights and line dancing, the bandshell hosts free shows all summer long at Field 4 of the boardwalk. Just bring a chair and enjoy live music by the ocean.
2. Watch a movie under the stars
Zola Cooper climbs on top of her dad, Rashad, while her mom, Monica, watches at Monday Movie night at Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood. Credit: Elizabeth Sagarin
Grab a blanket and settle in for an outdoor film screening at one of Long Island’s many free summer movie nights. Some locations to look out for: Eisenhower Park (Park Blvd., East Meadow, 516-572-0348, nassaucountyny.gov), Cedar Creek Park (3340 Merrick Rd., Seaford, 516-571-7470, nassaucountyny.gov) and several Long Beach beaches (516-705-7415, longbeachny.gov/movies).
3. Go fishing at Norman J. Levy Park
1600 Merrick Rd., Merrick, 516-804-2000, hempsteadny.gov
A fisherman casts his reel in Merrick Bay at the Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve in Merrick. Credit: Uli Seit
With a 500-foot pier into Merrick Bay, this spot is ideal for those who love to cast a line. Just make sure to bring your New York State fishing license ($25 ages 16-69), and you'll have a peaceful day full of bay views and bird-watching and maybe even hook a fish.
4. Stroll the outdoors of the Nassau County Museum of Art
1 Museum Dr., Roslyn, 516-484-9338, nassaumuseum.org/the-outdoors
Pose with the art installations at the Nassau County Museum of Art. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
With 145 acres of grounds outside of the museum, there's no shortage of opportunities for exploration. Open Tuesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. (closed on Mondays), the area is full of trails, gardens with more than 40 outdoor sculptures and an arboretum.
5. Attend a Main Street block party
A band performs at the Babylon Block Party in June 2025. Credit: Linda Rosier
Many downtowns across the Island come alive at night, hosting events with live music, food trucks and games (Alive By the Bay in Bay Shore; Patchogue's Alive After Five and more).
6. Celebrate a birthday at the Long Island Aquarium
431 E. Main St., Riverhead, 631-208-9200, longislandaquarium.com
Spend your birthday at the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead. Credit: Rick Kopstein
If your birthday’s coming up, the Long Island Aquarium already has a present for you. Bring a valid ID and you will get in free within seven days of your big day. You'll see sea lions, sharks and the butterfly garden; no party package required.
7. Play a game of pickleball
Rina Beach, of Lynbrook, and her granddaughters, Olivia and Penelope Beach, of Massapequa, play pickleball at John J. Burns Park in Massapequa. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Several locations offer free pickleball courts, including Forest City Community Park (3099 Morgan Dr., Wantagh, 516-783-2513, hempsteadny.gov) and Centereach Complex (286 Hawkins Rd., Centereach, 631-451-8696, brookhavenny.gov). You may have to wait in line, but bring your gear and show up ready to rally.
8. Spend a day at Quogue Wildlife Refuge
3 Old Country Rd., Quogue, 631-653-4771, quoguewildliferefuge.org
Ole, the Eastern screech owl, at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Here you can explore 7 miles of nature trails, enjoy the scenery, and spot local wildlife at this nonprofit nature preserve. Be sure to experience the refuge's storybook walk, where families can read a children's nature book together while hiking a short trail with book pages posted along the way. "It's a sweet experience for people who like to read and be out in the forest," said assistant director Marisa Nelson. Then visit the permanently injured wildlife like hawks, owls and falcons that are cared for here.
9. Walk your favorite beach boardwalk
Take a bike ride on the Long Beach boardwalk. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
A boardwalk stroll with ocean views will turn around any typical evening. Should your go-to be Long Beach (longbeachny.gov), be sure to bring your bike for a ride while you watch the sunset. If your evening brings you to Jones Beach (parks.ny.gov), you might come across live entertainment.
10. Visit the animals at Suffolk County Farm and Education Center
350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank, 631-852-4600, ccesuffolk.org
Make some new (furry) friends at the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center in Yaphank. Credit: Joseph Sperber
From goats, cows and pigs to peacocks and horses, the Suffolk County Farm and Education Center has an abundance of animals for visitors to meet. Operations coordinator Kaylyn Reynolds called it "a really great resource for local families."
"As a local mom on Long Island, my biggest thing is you can pack a lunch, come to the farm and spend an entire day with your kids and not really spend anything," she said.
11. Explore the grounds of Sagamore Hill
20 Sagamore Hill Rd., Oyster Bay, 516 922-4778, nps.gov/sahi
The grounds are open at Theodore Roosevelt's former home at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site. Credit: Jeff Bachner
If you're a history lover, or simply want to get in touch with Long Island's past, the grounds of Theodore Roosevelt's former home are free to explore. With a nature trail, beach, picnic area and the Old Orchard Museum, there's no shortage of things to do.
12. Browse for items at Arts in the Plaza
Kennedy Plaza, 1 W. Chester St., Long Beach, 516-476-2473, artsintheplaza.com
Julio Rodriguez, of Long Beach, right, shops at Caracas Gourmet NY, with owners Lilibeth Ugas and Dwayne Bartholomew, of Lynbrook, at Arts in the Plaza in Long Beach. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
A weekly Saturday arts market runs into the fall, featuring vendor booths hosted by local artists and live music, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. through Oct. 24. Attendees can shop for original jewelry, artwork, photography, home decor, accessories, clothing and more.
13. Burn off energy at the playground
Families enjoy the playground at Raynor Beach County Park off Ronkonkoma Avenue in Ronkonkoma. Credit: Randee Daddona
Kids have lots of energy, and Long Island has an abundance of playgrounds to keep them active while having fun. Gerry Park (10 Paper Mill Rd., Roslyn, 516-869-6311, northhempsteadny.gov) has open play areas and shaded benches for when a snack break is needed. Raynor Beach County Park (Ronkonkoma Avenue, Lake Ronkonkoma, suffolkcountyny.gov) is another local favorite. Many of these parks also feature walking paths and fields nearby, perfect to keep everyone in the family busy.
14. Stroll down Freeport’s Nautical Mile
300 Woodcleft Ave., Freeport, 516-377-2200, freeportny.com
Stroll along Nautical Mile in Freeport. Credit: Howard Simmons
There's nothing better than a waterfront stroll, and this mile-long waterfront stretch is the place to do it. As you walk along the marina, you’ll pass fishing boats and seafood spots and hear live music. Some weekends feature street festivals or pop-up events.
15. Use your library card for museum and park passes
The Riverhead Free Library offers free access to the Montauk Point Lighthouse. Credit: Randee Daddona
Your local library may be a free ticket to new summer adventures. Many Long Island libraries offer free museum passes, Empire Passes to state parks, and even lend out items like camping gear and lawn games. At Hicksville Public Library (169 Jerusalem Ave., Hicksville, 516-931-1417, hicksvillelibrary.org/museum-passes), for example, patrons can reserve entry to Garvies Point Museum & Preserve, Nassau County Museum of Art, Old Westbury Gardens, Cold Spring Harbor Firehouse Museum and more.
Riverhead Free Library (330 Court St., Riverhead, 631-727-3228, riverheadlibrary.org/passes) offers access to the Montauk Lighthouse, the Fire Island Lighthouse and more. Read the guidelines on your library's website and bring your library card when accessing these perks.
16. Ride the Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway bike path
The Ocean Parkway Coastal Greenway runs from the Town of Oyster Bay's Tobay Beach to Captree State Park in Bay Shore. Credit: Newsday/Danielle Finkelstein
Stretching 13.7 miles from Jones Beach State Park to Captree State Park, this paved path offers sweeping views of the ocean, marshes and dunes. Pack water and sunscreen, and enjoy the ride through Jones Beach Island. It connects from the Ellen Farrant Memorial Bikeway at Jones Beach (1 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh, 516-785-1600, parks.ny.gov) to Captree State Park (3500 Ocean Pkwy., Bay Shore, 631-669-0449, parks.ny.gov).
17. Join the Long Island History Hunt
Visit Long Island's historic sites, including Raynham Hall in Oyster Bay, for a chance to win prizes. Credit: Jeff Bachner
The 2026 "Redcoats and Rebels" edition, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary commemorations, spotlights 26 museums, landmarks and historical sites from Montauk to Brooklyn with ties to the Revolutionary War. Players are tasked with taking a selfie at designated sites and then uploading their photos to the Long Island History Hunt website for a chance to win merch and $1,776 grand prize. The contest runs May 23 through Sept. 30 and is sponsored by the Robert David Lion Gardiner Foundation. To register, participants can visit LIHistoryHunt.com.
18. Spend an evening at the beach
Teams play volleyball under the moon at Field 4 at Jones Beach State Park. Credit: Howard Simmons
After lifeguards go off duty, many beaches remain open to the public for free. Head to Cedar Beach (Ocean Parkway, Babylon, 631-893-2100, townofbabylonny.gov) after 5 p.m. or Jones Beach after 4 p.m. on weekdays (6 p.m. on weekends or holidays) for a quiet sunset, a game of volleyball, or a dinnertime picnic in the sand. It's a low-key way to end a summer day.
19. Commune with nature at a local preserve
A hiking path in Connetquot River State Park Preserve. Credit: Howard Simmons
Scenic trails across Long Island offer a peaceful escape into nature. You'll find forest paths at Welwyn Preserve (100 Crescent Beach Rd., Glen Cove, 516-572-0200, glencoveny.gov), wetlands at Connetquot River State Park Preserve (4090 Sunrise Hwy., Oakdale, 631-581-1005, parks.ny.gov) and coastal views at Mashomack Preserve (79 S. Ferry Rd., Shelter Island, 631-749-1001, nature.org). Keep an eye out for native wildlife as you wander through these spaces.
20. Cool off at a splash park
Stay cool at the Clark Street Playground in Long Beach. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
You don't need a pool to beat the heat. Free splash pads are open across the Island, offering an easy, family-friendly way to stay cool on a hot day. Bay Park (198 1st Ave., East Rockaway, 516-571-7245, nassaucountyny.gov) and Clark Street Playground (100 Clark St., Long Beach, 516-431-1000, longbeachny.gov) are two must-try spots.
