If you’re planning a vacation to Farmingdale, NY, there are several fun activities you can enjoy. For those who love the outdoors, you can check out Adventureland, an amusement park in the area. It has been operating since 1962 and is located on Meadowbrook Parkway. You can also visit the nearby Merrick Mountain, a refurbished landfill turned wildlife sanctuary.
Sands Point Preserve
If you’re looking for a place to spend your Sunday afternoon on Long Island, then look no further than Sands Point Preserve. This 216-acre park is the perfect place to kick back and relax. It’s an excellent choice for a day of family fun. You can explore three castle-like treats on foot and admire the views of Long Island Sound. It’s also a great venue for large-scale events.
The preserve has a large grassy picnic area, a pond, and the historic Castle Gould, one of the last intact mansions on the North Shore. There’s also a visitor center, restrooms, and snack options. The preserve is also rich with natural scenery, including a lush lawn and a freshwater pond.
The park also features hiking trails, gardens, and artifact rooms. Visitors can also take guided nature walks. The preserve also has a beautiful view of the ocean. MTK Cruises offers daily tours through the preserve. Whether you’re looking for a quiet place to relax or enjoy a hike with your family, you’ll have a great time at Sands Point Preserve.
The Sands Point Preserve was originally the Guggenheim estate. This estate is a beautiful representation of the “Golden Age” when wealthy American families built huge mansions on sprawling estates. In fact, it was also the inspiration for the “West Egg” in Fitzgerald’s novel, “The Great Gatsby.” While the park is owned by Nassau County, NY, it is operated by the nonprofit Sands Point Preserve Conservancy.
Oheka Castle
This historic castle has been the setting for many movie, television, and music video shoots. Aside from its stunning interior, Oheka Castle is also home to a posh restaurant and bar. The restaurant serves European and American cuisine. The castle’s grounds have also been the location for several weddings and other events.
Otto Kahn, who was a religious man, was the first to design the Oheka Castle in the early 20th century. Because of his religious views, he was not allowed to build any other golf courses in Long Island. The name “OHEKA” is an acronym for Otto HErmann Kahn, who built the castle in 1919. Later, it served as a military academy and a retirement home for NYC sanitation workers. It fell into disrepair but was eventually reconstructed by a developer named Gary Melius.
The grounds are reminiscent of a fairytale. The castle is surrounded by perfectly trimmed trees. Its roof resembles a chateau and gives the entire castle a fairy tale appearance. The Melius team used the same construction company that worked with Kahn.
The castle also has a fine dining restaurant. Chef Daniel Andreotti has created a cuisine that is unique to the area. The restaurant serves lunch from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. and dinner from 4:00 to 10 p.m. During special events like Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, the hours of operation are extended.
Oheka Castle is a wonderful place for weddings. Its luxurious rooms and grounds are perfect for weddings. And the hotel offers several wedding packages, some of which even include overnight accommodations. In addition to hosting weddings, the castle is also a popular location for bridal showers.
Vanderbilt Museum
The Vanderbilt Museum is located on the grounds of a historic mansion and includes a planetarium. Admission to the museum includes general admission to the grounds. There are guided tours available, and daytime planetarium shows are generally free of charge. During evening hours, planetarium tickets do not include general admission, and they are $10 for adults and $8 for children 12 and under. Children under two are admitted free.
The museum has three floors, and displays include preserved invertebrates like sea cucumbers and octopus. It also has stuffed birds, colorful butterflies, and ethnographic artifacts. On the lower level, children can touch their favorites in the marine life exhibit. The museum is also home to the Turntable Gallery, which houses artifacts from the Vanderbilt Cup Race.
Whether you’re an art history buff or just someone who appreciates beautiful art, you’re sure to find something of interest at the Vanderbilt Museum. The museum is a great place to take a family for a day out. During the holiday season, the Vanderbilt Museum has its Bright Lights Holiday Celebration.
While visiting the Vanderbilt Museum, be sure to also check out the estate. This 43-acre estate was once home to the Vanderbilt family. It now houses an extensive collection of wildlife specimens, as well as a museum with exhibits and a rooftop observatory. Admission is free, and the grounds are open to the public on Friday nights.
Long Beach Boardwalk
Long Beach is a beautiful beach community that offers many outdoor activities and amenities. There are tennis courts, shuffleboard courts, basketball courts, a golf course, and an expansive 2-mile boardwalk. In addition, Long Beach is home to summer concerts in the Northwell Health Theater and a Memorial Day air show. You can easily get to the beach via the Long Island Rail Road. However, be aware that pets are not permitted on the boardwalk.
There are also several public golf courses in the area, including Bethpage State Golf Course. This course is considered one of the most difficult courses in the country, and has hosted the U.S. Open in 2002, 2009, and the PGA Championship in 2019. Another place to bring children is the Long Island Children’s Museum, which is a hands-on museum that encourages creativity.
In addition to the beach, Long Beach is home to the Long Beach Barrier Island, a barrier island that sits off of the South Shore of Long Island. The barrier island was home to Lenape tribes before the arrival of European settlers in 1643. After the Lenape left the area, local businessman Austin Corbin turned the community into a vacation spot and opened Long Beach Hotel in 1880. The hotel had 27 cottages that were set along a 1,100-foot line of beach.
Long Beach’s famous boardwalk is a popular tourist destination. The boardwalk was recently renovated and is 2.2 miles long. During summer, the boardwalk is open every day, but no pets are permitted.