A pocket guide to Long Island, New York

While there are fun things to do on Long Island year-round, perhaps the best time to visit is in the late spring or summer. During this time of year, you’ll be able to enjoy outdoor activities without worrying about getting too cold. Long Island can get humid during the summer, so come prepared with clothing for warm weather and plenty of water.

If you’re flying to New York, land at John F. Kennedy Airport, LaGuardia Airport, or Long Island MacArthur Airport. From there, take a rental car or the Long Island Railroad to the town your hotel is in. Alternatively, you can take an Amtrak train to New York City and transfer to the LIRR at Penn Station

The easiest way to get around Long Island is by car. If you’re reliant on public transportation, you can take a bus or the Long Island Railroad. Most towns in Nassau and western Suffolk have a train station, but there’s generally only one per town.

While the train isn’t your best option for transportation within Long Island, it’s the best way to get to New York City for a day trip. If you decide to visit Manhattan, you can take an LIRR train to Penn Station. Traffic is congested in the city, so you won’t want to bring your rental car!

Given the area’s size, there’s no way we could cover everything there is to do on Long Island. Instead, we’ll show you some must-see attractions:

Jones Beach

Jones Beach might be the most popular beach in Nassau County. The beach has concessions, a playground, and mini golf, so you could easily spend a whole day here.

Jones Beach doubles as a concert venue - if you have time, consider catching a performance there. The Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater routinely hosts popular acts like Tim McGraw, Phish, and Pitbull. Grab your tickets before they sell out!

Long Island Children’s Museum

If you’re visiting Long Island with kids, be sure to add the Long Island Children’s Museum in Nassau County to your trip itinerary. It has interactive, educational exhibits on a variety of topics so kids can learn while they play.

Cradle of Aviation Museum

Near the Children’s Museum is the Cradle of Aviation Museum. Here, you’ll see several galleries filled with aircraft and spacecraft. There’s also a digital planetarium theater that shows films about astronomy. Whether you’re visiting Long Island with your family or with a group of adults, this museum offers something for everyone.

Most of Long Island’s wineries are in the north fork of Suffolk County. If you don’t want to drive around all day, you can take an organized wine tour that will bring you to local wineries in the area. Several companies do this, so look into them to find the excursion that’s most appealing to you.

If you’d rather visit one or two wineries instead of taking a tour, you can do that, too. Clovis Point Vineyard & Winery, Macari Vineyards, and RGNY are just a few that have tasting rooms. There are dozens of wineries to choose from, so consider visiting one close to other attractions you’d like to check out.

Many towns on Long Island have hotels in or near them. Here are some lodging options near the attractions above:

Near the Long Island Children’s Museum and Cradle of Aviation Museum: Courtyard by Marriott Westbury Long Island

Near Jones Beach: Jones Beach Hotel and Best Western Bar Harbour Inn.

Near Suffolk County’s Wineries: Sound View Greenport, Rose Hill Vineyards Farmhouse Inn, and Residence Inn by Marriott Long Island.

New York City may be known for its pizza, but Long Island also has some fantastic spots to grab a bite from. You’ll find multiple pizzerias in every town.

There are also great places to get seafood on Long Island. If you’ll be in Nassau County, take a stroll down Freeport’s Nautical Mile, where you’ll see several seafood establishments. There, you can enjoy clam chowder and calamari overlooking the water. If you’re craving something other than seafood and pizza, don’t worry - Long Island probably has a restaurant for it.