How many of these ultimate Long Island summer activities have you done?
Everyone has their own idea of an ideal summer day on Long Island, whether it's spending time in the sand at your favorite beach or enjoying the open waters en route to Fire Island. How many of these bucket-list-worthy summer activities help shape yours?
1. Walk your favorite beach boardwalk
A typical evening is spent picking a boardwalk and setting out on a stroll. Should your go-to be Jones Beach (2400 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh), you can play on the game courts. If your evenings bring you to Long Beach (entrances between New York Avenue and Neptune Boulevard, Long Beach), bring your bike or drop by a restaurant.
2. Take a photo in front of the Big Duck
Pause for a photo in front of the iconic Long Island roadside attraction, the Big Duck, in Flanders. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
On your way to the East End, stop for a photo in front of the iconic roadside attraction, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. It was originally built in 1931. (1012 NY-24, Flanders)
3. Try a wine flight on the North Fork
Whether it’s reds or whites you prefer, you sip some Long Island-made wine at one of the many vineyards such as Osprey's Dominion Vineyards (44075 Main Rd., Peconic), which has a large outdoor area, or at Rose Hill Vineyards (2000 Oregon Rd., Mattituck).
4. Take the ferry to Fire Island
Take a ferry to Fire Island to explore different beach communities. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
From family-friendly spots to lively bar and restaurant scenes, check out what each Fire Island community has to offer. (fiferries.com; sayvilleferry.com; davisparkferry.com)
5. Eat hamburgers in the car at a drive-in
A burger, a hot dog, a shake, fries or a knish — eat one or more streetside at All American Hamburger Drive-In. (4286 Merrick Rd., Massapequa)
6. Cool off at a splash park
Children play in the Splash Zone at the Summer Splash Pool Party at Roberto Clemente Park in Brentwood. Credit: Linda Rosier
Bring the kids to cool off at a local splash park for the afternoon, and join in on the fun, too. Splish Splash has a new kid zone, StringRay Bay, featuring three pint-sized water slides, six interactive spray features, five water play features and a dump bucket. (2549 Splish Splash Dr., Calverton)
7. See a movie under the stars
Outdoor or drive-in movies are a summer tradition for those who like to watch a flick al fresco with the whole family. Check your town listings for movies in the park.
8. Watch the FourLeaf Air Show
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds during the FourLeaf Jones Beach Air Show rehearsal in 2025. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
The U.S. Navy Blue Angels are a fan-favorite at the FourLeaf Air Show at Jones Beach. This year's show moves to July Fourth weekend as part of the semiquincentennial (250th) celebration of the United States.
9. Indulge in an Italian ice
It’s an after-dinner specialty or a poolside treat. You typically drop by Ralph’s, Rita’s or whichever local ice shop you prefer.
10. Strike a pose at a lavender farm
Snap a photo while lounging in the colorful chairs surrounded by lavender in full bloom at Lavender by the Bay. (7540 Main Rd., East Marion)
11. Take yourself out to the ballgame
Jorge Bonifacio of the Long Island Ducks bats during an Atlantic League baseball game against the Staten Island FerryHawks in Central Islip. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
Root, root, root for the hometown Long Island Ducks at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. Individual game tickets for the 2026 season start at $18. (3 Court House Dr., Central Islip)
12. Camp on the beach
Be one with nature and spend a summer weekend camping at Wildwood State Park (790 Hulse Landing Rd., Wading River) or on Montauk beaches (Montauk County Park: 527 E. Lake Dr.; Hither Hills State Park: 164 Old Montauk Hwy.).
13. Have your own shark week
Experience the thrill of seeing sharks behind the glass at the Long Island Aquarium. (431 E. Main St., Riverhead)
14. Surf at Ditch Plains Beach
Surfers get ready to catch a wave at Ditch Plains Beach. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Take a ride at this Montauk Peninsula hot spot, with both active waves and non-rocky sand. (18 Ditch Plains Rd., Montauk)
15. Cheer on your favorite horse at Belmont
Races return Sept. 18 at the new five-story, over 50,000-seating track at Belmont Park, where American Pharoah (2015) and Justify (2018) won the Triple Crown. (2150 Hempstead Tpke., Elmont)
16. Climb the Montauk Point Lighthouse
Visit this National Historic Landmark, built in 1796, and travel up the 137 steps up the spiral staircase to the watch deck 86 feet in the air to catch the view. (2000 Montauk Hwy., Montauk)
17. Lay eyes on a Gold Coast mansion
Stroll the gardens and tour Oheka Castle in Huntington. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
The splendor of the Gatsby era lives on at luxury properties open to the public, including Mill Neck Manor, a Tudor Revival mansion and former home of Robert and Lillian Dodge built in 1923, on 86 acres overlooking Long Island Sound. Or visit Oheka Castle, the 109,000-square-foot, 127-room estate of Otto Hermann Kahn in Cold Spring Harbor. (Mill Neck Manor: 40 Frost Mill Rd., Mill Neck; Oheka Castle: 135 W. Gate Dr., Huntington)
18. Bring your pup to a dog park
Your four-legged furry friend roams free at the Eisenhower Park Dog Park (576 Salisbury Park Dr., Westbury), the Nickerson Beach Park Dog Park (880 Lido Blvd., Lido Beach) or the Tully Dog Park (1801 Evergreen Ave., New Hyde Park), where there’s artificial turf, pea gravel, a water station and play equipment such as tunnel and jump obstacles.
19. Go crabbing and clamming
Grab a long-handled net and the proper permit and travel to a dock that allows you to seek out the crabs. Northwest Harbor, in East Hampton, for example, requires a permit.
20. Satisfy your lobster roll craving
The hot lobster roll at Haskell's Seafood Market and Cafe in Westhampton Beach contains little more than local lobster meat and butter. Credit: Newsday/Erica Marcus
Wrap up your summer with a bite into a delicious, in-season lobster roll from one of Long Island's seafood shacks — everyone has a favorite.
21. Ride a Ferris wheel
Check out the three new rides expected at Adventureland this season — the return of the pirate ship, a new carousel and the Wave Twister — before returning to the classic Ferris wheel. (2245 Broadhollow Rd., Farmingdale)
22. Set sail via water taxi or tiki boat
Ride one of Long Island's real bamboo tiki boats for a tropical adventure close to home.
23. Catch a fireworks show
Crowds gather to watch Fourth of July fireworks explode over Jones Beach State Park. Credit: Newsday/Thomas A. Ferrara
The sky will light up at parks and beaches this July Fourth weekend in celebration of America's 250th anniversary.
24. Embark on a summer escape from MacArthur
Fly nonstop to 16 destinations (all reachable in three hours or less) from Long Island MacArthur Airport. (100 Arrival Ave., Ronkonkoma)
