118 miles. That is how many miles our beloved Long Island stretches. And summertime on this island? There is nothing that compares. Long Island summers are the best summers, no questions asked. Not exactly sure what to do to make your summer on the island an unforgettable one? Fear no more, I am here to help. Odds are, if you have lived on Long Island as long as I have, you probably have done every single one of these things more than once. So you can back me up by agreeing that yes, this list is the key to making the most out of your Long Island summer.
1. The Beach
This one goes without question. Long Island is famous for our beaches. We are so fortunate to be so close to the Atlantic Ocean, and sometimes we don't appreciate it or take full advantage. It may be crowded as hell on the weekends, but you'll kick yourself if you don't spend your days lying on the sand eating your deli sandwiches and drinking wine coolers with your best friends.
2. Local fairs
There are so many traveling fairs that pop up across Long Island, you will definitely find one very close to your house. This was the highlight of your summer as a middle schooler, and it should remain a highlight of your summer. Take a few hours at night, go get yourself some zeppoli's and ride those rides that can fold up onto a truck, as terrifying as that sounds.
3. Splish Splash
I LIVE for water parks, and Splish Splash is easily one of the best water parks I've ever been too, and it's right here in Riverhead! Get your friends together, pile into your moms van and spend the day going on every slide, getting in trouble by lifeguards for leaving your tube on the lazy river, and questioning if the water in the wave pool is sanitary. It's a great, great time.
4. Belmont Lake State Park
This place is just beautiful, and a great day trip with your friends or family. Rent a kayak or pedal boat and enjoy the gorgeous scenery surrounding you. Then once you're done with that, have a picnic. It's the perfect day out.
5. Long Island Aquarium
Riverhead is a pretty popping place in the summer. This aquarium is awesome. I go every summer, and every summer I'm never disappointed. It's clean, beautiful, and the Sea Lion show gets even cuter each year. Who doesn't love a good trip to the aquarium?
6. Montauk/The Hamptons
The End. Literally. It's the furthest point east of Long Island and it's beautiful. The perfect place to spend a weekend, and the beaches are gorgeous. And the Hamptons are not much different. It's the perfect day/weekend trip that you must take at least once a summer. And don't forget to visit the Montauk lighthouse!
7. Boating days
Don't have a boat? Make friends with people who have boats (kidding, but not really). Days spent on the water tubing, jet skiing or whatever are the best days of the summer. Pack your coolers, head over to places like Hemlock Cove and spend the day with your friends on the water.
8. Outdoor concerts
I'm not even just talking about Jones Beach concerts. There are so many local, free concerts and parks that are just something to do, and are so much fun. Of course, Jones Beach concerts are the best as well, especially this summers country lineup.
9. Adventureland
Another staple of being a middle schooler/high schooler. You went to Adventureland with just your friends and no parents and felt awesome. And guess what, it's still an awesome place! There are the perfect amount of thrill rides and kiddie rides, that there's something for everyone.
10. Fire Island
Just a short ferry boat ride away is Fire Island, the island apart of the island. It's like a mini vacation. Go for the day, or rent a house and stay for a week. It's a great escape and incredibly relaxing, but also can be quite the party. If you've ever had rocket fuel at Flynn's, you know what I mean....
11. LI Ducks games
Wanna drink some beer and eat a hot dog and watch some baseball? Maybe you don't feel like spending an arm and a leg on Yankee or Mets tickets, but want your baseball fix. Ducks games are perfect, and are usually relatively cheap. It's a fun night out, and it's right in our backyard in Bethpage.
12. The Nautical Mile
Located in Freeport, the Nautical Mile is a picture perfect strip of restaurants, bars and shops all on the water. Go with the family and have a nice dinner on the water and finish your night with a game of mini golf and ice cream, or go with your friends and have the time of your life at Tropix.
13. Boardy Barn
Okay, enter this one at your own risk...I recommend Boardy Barn once a summer, if you're a brave soul, you could go more than once. For me, once is plenty, but it's a great time. What's better than cheap beer, great music and smiley face stickers all over your body? Rent a party bus and load up your friends and head out to the Hampton Bays for the day.
14. Diner By The Sea
Do it for the Insta pic. Diner By The Sea in Long Beach is that place with those funky looking milkshakes that yo see all over social media. Do yourself a favor and head over there to get one, then walk off the sugar overload on the Long Beach boardwalk.
