96 Best Sights in Long Island, New York

You may walk along peaceful woodland trails lined with native flora and fauna at this National Historic Landmark and important archaeological site. The fort dates to at least the early 1600s and is largely intact. At the visitor center a volunteer can explain exhibits about the Native American Corchaug tribe, who built the fort, and the early colonial settlers. Family and children's events are held here regularly.

One of Bay Shore's oldest houses and home to the historical society, this restored 1820s tradesman's house is authentically furnished and has on its property a Victorian herb garden, a chicken coop, and a two-seater outhouse. The research library in the basement contains antique postcards, old newspapers, maps, and books about the Bay Shore/Brightwaters area. Temporary exhibits display memorabilia and artifacts related to topics ranging from the world wars to crafts and sports.

The 400-foot with a playground, beach house, and summer lifeguards, faces Huntington Bay.

Changing exhibitions at this fine-arts museum and cultural center focus on regional artists, and the museum offers an array of childrens programs and educational programs for all ages. The John Drew Theater presents several stage productions a year, and also hosts concerts, film festivals, lectures, and readings.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the home of First Colonial Congress member William Havens was built in 1743. The Shelter Island Historical Society maintains a museum here—seven rooms with period furnishings, as well as a barn with antique fishing equipment. Kids’ programs are hosted here, and there's a Saturday morning farmers’ market.

The museum, a wonderful example of beaux-arts architecture two blocks from downtown Huntington, houses more than 1,800 paintings, sculptures, and drawings. The permanent collection spans more than five centuries of European and American art, including Georgia O'Keeffe's Machu Picchu (Peruvian Landscape) and contemporary work by artist Olafur Eliasson. The museum also hosts impressive traveling exhibits. It's on the grounds of pleasant Heckscher Park, which has a playground, pond, tennis courts, and a band shell.

An institution on the North Fork since 1976, this casual yet lovely restaurant (definitely more than a snack bar) offers beautifully prepared authentic Greek specialties and fresh, local fish such as fluke—and the homemade lemonade is heavenly. The appetizer platter overflows with favorites like spinach pie, souvlaki (kebabs), and tzatziki (a yogurt-cucumber based sauce). Try the saganaki (broiled Greek cheese with lemon), for something different. For dessert, try the hard-to-pronounce but delicious galaktobouriko (custard pie with phyllo pastry). It's open from 7 or 8 am and closes at 9, 9:30, or 10 pm, depending on the day and season.

If you eat outside, you may want to bring bug spray.

The 240-acre Hofstra campus includes the Hofstra Arboretum, which basically is spread throughout the entire campus. It counts more than 8,000 trees of 425 varieties, 50 outdoor sculptures, a 2-acre bird sanctuary, and a 40-foot stone labyrinth for meditation.

The Hofstra Museum has three main spaces in which it shows paintings, drawings, photographs, sculptures, decorative arts, African and Asian artifacts, and other objects from its permanent collection: the Emily Lowe Gallery (Jun.–July, Mon.–Thurs. 10–4; rest of year, Tues.–Fri. 10–5 and weekends 1–5), in Emily Lowe Hall, and the Rochelle and Irwin A. Lowenfeld Conference and Exhibition Hall and the David Filderman Gallery, both in the main library. Temporary exhibits have covered a range of subjects from Web design to Long Island history.

The 240-acre Hofstra campus includes the Hofstra Arboretum, which basically is spread throughout the entire campus. It counts more than 8,000 trees of 425 varieties, 50 outdoor sculptures, a 2-acre bird sanctuary, and a 40-foot stone labyrinth for meditation. 516/463–6623.

The 58-foot-tall lighthouse, operated by the Southold Historical Society, was built in 1847. Together with the adjoining lighthouse keeper's home, it resembles a church. The museum, in the keeper's residence, displays sea captains' journals, sea chests, paintings, and maps. Enjoy the 8-acre park surrounding the lighthouse.

Within this tranquil 4-acre garden are a teahouse, paths of gravel and stepping-stones, stone lanterns, and a waterfall, plus various mosses and Asian plants. Guided tours, which include a tea ceremony, are usually given once a day on alternate Saturdays; call for more information.

A wood-shingled, circa-1850 barn holds a modern winery and tasting room; the feel is casual and friendly, with knowledgeable pourers willing to give extra attention. The Melange de Trois blend is their best-selling red, and the crisp Sauvignon Blanc is a highly accomplished expression of a grape that's gaining ground in this region. Jamesport Vineyards supports sustainable farming practices.

The winery, built in 1998, has an antique bar salvaged from an old hotel. Laurel Lake grows its own chardonnay grapes and obtains red grapes from other North Fork growers. The Moscato Sparkling is a standout, and their Gewürztraminer is one of the best from the region. Half-hour tours are available by appointment for parties of four or more and include tastings, and on weekend afternoons from Memorial Day through October there's live music in the backyard.

This iconoclastic winery enjoys pitting its wines against top international pours in blind tastings, and critics are often generous with their praise. An enclosed courtyard flanked by old vines leads into an old barn, now a large tasting room. Tours are held only in February and March.

Premium Wine Group is a custom crush facility, a unique place where dozens of labels are produced for private clients with small vineyards. Lieb wines are poured in a no-frills room at the front; try the Pinot Blanc, a unique wine for this region. If you prefer red, the Cab Franc is a popular choice. Cheese board platters are available and there's live music most weekends in season

The gallery, arboretum, sculpture gardens, and special programs at this 16-acre reserve all underscore the mission of Long House—to show that experiencing art and nature together is essential to living a whole and creative life. You can explore the grounds on your own.

Housed in an old airplane hangar, this is a learning laboratory with hands-on exhibits. Children ages 2 to 12 can explore a multi-sensory garden, climb into big bubbles, build Roman arches, play musical instruments, or pretend they're TV-news anchors.

A 19th-century oystering vessel and a small collection of local craft are on display at this museum 1½ miles west of Sayville village. Changing exhibits focus on boating and maritime history. Boatbuilding can be observed most days, and guided tours are available by appointment. The big draw here is the calendar of annual events, including a pirate festival, kite festival, seafood festival, and boat burning. Summer camps and educational programs are available for kids. The museum also offers seasonal sailings on its 19th-century, 60-foot fishing sloop Priscilla, departing from the Snapper Inn on Shore Drive in Oakdale.

The family-owned winery is committed to organic and sustainable vineyard practices, and wines like its 2010 Bergen Road red and 2012 Reserve Chardonnay enjoy consistent critical acclaim. The tasting room is big and modern; vineyards nestle below the Long Island Sound bluffs. Best sellers here are 2012 Katherine Fields Sauvignon Blanc, 2008 Dos Aguas, and the Sette blend. Cheese boards and charcuterie are available for wine pairings. Off-season, barrel tastings and pairings of food prepared by a local chef are offered one Saturday a month for $50.

A stroll around this whimsical, plant- and sculpture-studded 2-acre preserve designed by artist Robert Dash reveals why HomeStyle magazine once described it as one of the 10 most beautiful gardens in America. Many adult and childrens' educational programs are offered here. Photographs are permitted, but dogs and strollers are not.

Once a roadside farm stand, the winery founded by the Entenmann family and named for their matriarch, Martha Clara, now has a large, barn-style summer tasting room with patio and has become quite popular for its large-scale events. Off-season, a winter tasting room gives a more intimate feel, although it's becoming increasingly busy. Original old barns serve as art galleries and event spaces; pet goats, live music, and antique-carriage tours pulled by resident Clydesdales add to the down-on-the-farm feel. Making waves in the wine world is the 2010 Norseville Red, and the Rieslings are always a popular choice.

Built in 1725 and full of beautifully preserved colonial antiques, the museum contains artifacts and exhibits illustrating Amagansett life from the colonial period through the 20th century. On summer weekends pony rides are given on the museum lawn, and twice during the season there are huge antiques sales full of local treasures. In a barn to the rear of the property is the Roy Lester Carriage Museum, which displays locally made horse-drawn carriages.

You can still play "catch the brass ring" at this 1920s carousel, housed in a round, gleaming glass structure, the highlight of Greenport's renovated waterfront.

The Montauk Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse still in operation in the state and a well-known Long Island landmark, is perched solidly on a bluff in Montauk Point State Park. President George Washington signed an order to build the lighthouse in 1792. Climb the 137 iron steps to the top for spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean and, to the northeast, Block Island, or take a moment to ponder the touching memorial to local fishermen lost at sea. The museum, in the former lightkeeper's quarters, displays a wealth of photos and artifacts.

A wedding gift in 1919 from industrialist Henry Clay Frick to his son and daughter-in-law, this Georgian brick mansion, designed by Ogden Codman Jr., in 1900, now houses an art museum. The permanent collection contains 600 works from 19th- and 20th-century European and American artists, including Edouard Vuillard, Roy Lichtenstein, Moses Soyer, George Segal, Auguste Rodin, Alex Katz, and Frederick Warren Freer. The museum sits amid 145 groomed acres with rose, azalea, and other gardens. Scattered across the grounds are 20 unique abstract and stylized sculptures, including Jaguar by Anna Vaughn Hyatt, Moonlight Goddess by Reuben Nakian, and Caring by Chaim Gross. The Tee Ridder Miniatures Museum, also on the grounds, holds a collection of 26 miniature rooms.

This 15,000-seat amphitheater in Jones Beach State Park presents big-name musicians, including Aerosmith, The Beach Boys, and The King of Leon. It also hosts several large-scale music festivals. The concert season usually runs June through August and most concerts are rain or shine.

Built by Andrew Carnegie in 1914 as the village library, this structure now houses exhibits about the history, culture, and geography of Northport and its environs. Walking tours of Northport, educational programs, and lectures are offered.

Sun seekers throng this beach park, which stretches for 5 miles on the barrier island's south side, to play volleyball, surf, swim, and sunbathe—all under the watchful eyes of lifeguards (on duty weekends late May to mid-June, daily mid-June to early September). While well known as a summer haven, the 2-mile boardwalk attracts walkers, runners and cyclists year-round. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.