From free movies and concerts to its pristine white sand beaches, from its world-renowned wine region to exhibits without admission fees, this place exudes luxury. That too without having to spend a cent from your wallet.
Need to entertain your kids as well? That's not a big deal. The island is ideal for the whole family, no matter the age. Scroll down for the best of the budget-friendly activities on Long Island.
1. Delight In Jazz Music At Charlotte's Speakeasy
Things to do in Long Island at night consist of being entertained by a diversity of music genres. Charlotte's Speakeasy is one of the best New York City Jazz Clubs.
Along with jazz music, the go-to fun bar offers signature cocktails making the visitors feel giddy. Amaretto Sour, Eveuning in Paris, Margarita en Llamas, and Mary Pickford are some of their most-demand cocktails.
Be sure to work on your moves before entering the club, as I doubt you can stop yourself from dancing to the music. The electrifying atmosphere will make your evening even more delightful.
Cherry on the ice, you don't need to make a reservation to come in. They welcome you at the entrance. However, they have a password to enter.
Location: 294 Main Street Farmingdale
2. Watch The Sun Go Down On The Beach
One of the cool things to do on Long Island is hitting the beach! Yes, you hear it right the sun, sea, and sand are calling.
Sitting on the sand and watching the sun sink below the horizon. What else can be astonishing more than this experience? Make sure to carry your camera or handset to capture the relishing eyesight.
Jones Beach State Park features a beautiful boardwalk and occupies 6.5 miles of white sand beach. From the spot, you can see the perfect view of the sun going down or rising up early in the morning.
Better to stroll around before Memorial Day and after Labor Day after 5 or 6 in the evening. Long Beach, Port Washington, and Cold Spring can be the best waterfront spots to view spectacular sunsets.
Alongside, you can try swimming, surfing, or sunning, including saltwater fishing at Robert Moses State Park. Likewise, Marvel is an ideal place for surfers or a volleyball game.
3. Celebrate Your Kids' Birthday At Long Island Aquarium
Fun things to do in Long Island, especially for the kids, can be a tour of the Long Island Aquarium. It's fun and knowledgeable at the same time.
Here, young visitors can be friends with penguins, sea lions, clams, and many more. It is home to the Amazon Rainforest habitat and thousands of diverse animals.
The home of one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in the Western Hemisphere features free admission to guests on their cake day.
To celebrate the birthday, you must show a valid photo ID and a birth certificate or passport in case of the children. Moreover, free admission is valid within seven days of your birthday.
To date, it has organized over a hundred exhibits to educate kids on conversation efforts in the area. Thus, it can be a must-have on New York City bucket list for you and your little ones.
Location: 431 E Main Street, Riverhead
4.Travel To France At Lavender By The Bay
Things to do in Long Island weekend is touring around France-looking landscapes. Yes, you hear it right; there is a place in Long Island to feel like you are in France.
Lavender by the Bay is a family-owned lavender farm, operating since 2002 in East Marion and Calverton. This lush lavender field is free to pop by for a fragrant whiff.
The landscape gives a vibe that you are almost in France. Make sure to capture a selfie. And, if you want to pick a bunch for yourself, you will have to pay around $5 to enter the field.
Similarly, their farm shop offers lavender products like oils and lotions, handmade sachets, and fresh and dried bouquets, which can make the perfect gifts.
This weekend would be the last day to witness the big bloom. Tickets are available through July 23rd.
Location: 7540 Main Road, East Marion
5. Chow Down Seasonal Foods And Taste Renowned Wines
Things to do in Long Island August include seasonal food tasting and much more. The month is bursting with activities throughout.
Long Island is a summer magnet for vacationers and known faces to escape the sweltering heat of Manhattan. It is known for offering must-eat food in New York, like local seafood and many other seasonal foods.
Likewise, flowers are blossoming all over the parks, and over 60 vineyards, breweries, and craft distilleries are fun attractions to give a try.
Stop by Lenz Winery, Palmer Vineyards, or Greenport Harbor Brewery for a sip of renowned wine. Briermere Farms or Claudio's can be the best spot for a famed pie and a luscious lobster.
Some of the other attractions this month are:
- Sayville Summerfest
- Riverhead Cardboard Boat Race
- Harry Potter Scavenger Hunt
- The Long Island Retro Gaming Expo
- Harbes Annual Watermelon Harvest
- Paumanauke Native American Festival
6. Get A Close Look At The Stars
How can someone forget Custer Institute and Observatory while listing the things to do on Long Island night? It is set in Southold, facing Peconic Bay.
Custer is a non-profit organization running to promote astronomy and space science education. It has been operating since 1927.
It has a vast collection of telescopes of all sizes and descriptions. They can help the visitor get a close look at stars and other planets. Delight yourself with the beauty of the night sky and the wonders of the universe.
Every Saturday, the observatory is open to the public and offers tours and opportunities to explore the dusk sky.
7. Pick Your Own Fruits At Wickham's Fruit Farm
Pondering cheap things to do on Long Island, except for budget-friendly restaurants in NYC? How about some fruit picking by yourself?
Three great things about the island are the finest wine, eye-catching beaches, and last but not least, low-hanging fruit.
Whether that is strawberry in June, Cherry in July, Blueberry in August, or Peach and Apple during the fall, filling up a basket to take it home is a kind of escapade.
Wickham's Fruit Farm is at your service for the exciting pick-your-own outing. It is around 90 miles east of the Big Apple. They charge you just about $5 per quart container.
Moreover, educational groups and schools can tour the 300-acre farm and learn more about its history on the weekdays except for Saturday. Saturdays are mostly crowded with U-Pick activities.
Location: 28700 Main Road, Cutchogue
8. Watch An Outdoor Movie
Family things to do on Long Island include watching outdoor movies that too free of cost. Lakeside Theater at Eisenhower Park is at your service. Have you ever watched a movie on a giant screen outdoors? Give it a try next time you visit Long Island.
Lakeside Theater shows weekly movies that begin at dusk. They usually view family favorites and classics, and each movie is free. What's more interesting is there is o formal seating in the theatre, so the viewers need to bring a chair or blanket with them.
Next, you can enjoy an outdoor movie screening while camping. Wildwood State Park can be the best option while camping in the woods with square dancing and other fun events. However, you must pay $18 a night for a tent set up and other adventures.
9. Stroll Around Museum
Family things to do on Long Island this weekend include a stroll around a museum. Here I don't pick a particular name as there are so many!
For instance, the is American Guitar Museum located in a former farmhouse in New Hyde Park. It is House to John D'Angelico guitar and one of Lesa Paul's original Gibson guitars.
Likewise, there is the Long Island Children's Museum specially dedicated to young explorers. Old Westbury Gardens, Ling Island Museum, and the Hecksher Museum of Art.
Looking for a free admission exhibit? Well, Long Island has Stoby Brook's Museum of Natural Science, Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor, and Center of Education and Applied Art.
Next, the African American Museum highlights the cultural contribution of the African American community.
10. Attend A Free Festival
Free things to do on Long Island today include attending admission-free events. There are many around the island throughout the year.
For instance, the Long Island Shakespeare Festival during June and July. Hosted and managed by the Suffolk County Community College, it serves as a transition for theatre artists of the area into the business of theatre.
The festival mainly offers William Shakespeare plays in quality professional theatre.
Next, we have Oyster Bay Festival, one of the largest waterfront festivals attracting over 150,000 attendees annually. It houses musical performances, local food stalls, shopping vendors, and many more.
It is hosted around the second week of October. Thus, there is a vibrant festival scene in Long Island with zero admission cost for entertainment purposes. Not to forget the Cow Harbor Festival, one in Northport.
11. Shake Your Legs With Some Live Music On The Water
Wondering what to do in Long Island today? Consider some live music on the water, that too free of cost.
Yes, you heard it right. View Restaurant is hosting live music daily from July 23 through July 31. It is conveniently set at 3 Consuelo Place, Oakdale.
The musical event starts from 3:00 PM till 6:00. They offer icy handcrafted drinks and fresh local seafood in a spectacular waterfront atmosphere.
Their famous Rum Punch, House Wine, and Draught Beer are available at half price during Sunset Happy Hour (3-6). You must wait till 6 PM to try the Watermelon Jalapeno Margaritas at $10.
Likewise, you can have other options for the day, like the New Summer Menu at Mirabelle, Late Afternoon Fluke Fishing at Captain Guillen Babylon, and more!
