Long Island Visitor Information

Race

Race

Long Island sits just east of Manhattan and is a long suburban land mass that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. This area contains the two burroughs of Queens and Brooklyn. The land has been occupied by European settlers since the mid-16th century and has a rich history of Puritan, Dutch, and English influences. The area was largely a farming community until after World War II when many of the farms turned into suburban neighborhoods. Over the years, the area has been home to such famous residents as Julius Erving, Billy Joel, Pat Benatar, and others.

Long Island is a popular destination for a getaway with its long expanses of coastline and numerous attractions and historic sites. Your family will love spending a day of thrilling rides and exciting experiences at Adventureland on Long Island. This amusement park boasts 15 kiddie rides, over 300 video games and other games, an on-site restaurant, and a gift shop. You will also want to visit the Long Island Game Farm Wildlife Park and Children's Zoo. This is the largest zoo on Long Island and is home to a full range of wildlife in their natural habitat exhibits, including red kangaroos, kinkajous, lemurs, and so many more. Children will love spending time at the petting zoo for a personal experience with the animals and exploring the nature trails that lead to Bambiland, Old McDonald's Farmyard, and other whimsical places.

You can also explore a bit of the rich history of the area with a visit to the 1720 William Miller House. This house is open for tours from May through September and stands as the oldest existing home in Miller Place. The home has been beautiful restored and is filled with information and artifacts pertaining to the area. The Swan River Schoolhouse is another interesting historical site. This old schoolhouse dates back to 1858 and includes many of the original desks and benches the children used almost two centuries ago, as well as a large iron school bell and a pot belly stone.

Long Island is filled with fabulous parks and outdoor recreational areas that you will love exploring. At the Cupsogue Beach County Park, you can enjoy swimming, fishing, scuba diving, camping, and more. This park also offers food concessions, restrooms, showers, and outer beach access. The Belmont Lake State Park is another popular outdoor recreation area. This park offers boating, fishing, biking, horseback riding, hiking, and cross-country skiing. The park also boasts playing fields, horseshoes, basketball courts, and playgrounds.

The Long Island Rail Road and the Long Island Bus system provide you with convenient methods for reaching Long Island from New York City's other boroughs and districts. There are also several ferry services available, including Cross Sound Ferry Services, the Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Ferry Company, the Viking Fleet Company, and many others.

With so much to see and do on Long Island, you will want to choose lodging close to the action. The Best Western Bar Harbour Inn sits on Long Island's south shore and is close to the Jones Beach State Park, as well as many restaurants, golf courses, and arcades. The Best Western Mill River Manor is located in Long Island's Rockville Centre, and is close to the Belmont Race Track, the Edward Jones Theatre, and many beaches and shops. These are just a few of the many hotels located in Long Island.

Enjoy your wonderful getaway in the beautiful and historic area of Long Island!