It can be more difficult to get out and enjoy local Long Island activities as the weather gets colder, but there are so many fun things to do on Long Island in the fall and winter. Get out into the community and see what Long Island has to offer in the coming months!
Saying Goodbye to Fall Activities on Long Island
As the temperatures (and leaves!) continue to fall, take advantage of the remaining autumn days to enjoy these fun and healthy fall activities on Long Island:
Fall Activities for Kids and Families on Long Island
If you’re looking for fall things to do with kids on Long Island, look no further!
- Rise of the Jack-O-Lanterns This unique, family-friendly experience features over 5,000 illuminated pumpkins hand-carved by artists. Get ready to move and view the pumpkins from a walking path, where you can also see hand-painted and hand-sculpted pumpkin art. Music and ambient lighting add to the experience, and treats and beverages are available for purchase. Tickets are available for various dates and times through October 28.
- Ghostly Gala Halloween Party The Long Island Children’s Museum is hosting its Ghostly Gala on October 26 from 6 - 9 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear their costumes, decorate a goody bag and go trick-or-treating through the galleries. The spooky fun continues with face painting, creepy crafts and a Scaredy-cat Scarecrow show. Tickets are on sale now.
- Corn Maze A corn maze is a quintessential fall activity and the perfect choice if you’re looking for some physical activity! Luckily there are many to choose from if you’re looking for fun things to do on Long Island in the autumn. Visit Schmitt’s Family Farm for a mad scientist themed maze or Fairview Farm’s surfer maze! Find a corn maze near you.
Fall Activities for Couples and Individuals on Long Island
- Fall Festival Weekends at The Shoppes On Saturdays and Sundays through October, visit The Shoppes at East Wind Long Island! Enjoy the fall weather as you stroll and browse local vendors and enjoy great food.
- Visit an Apple Orchard What could be more romantic than a stroll through an apple orchard on a crisp autumn day? There are tons of Long Island apple orchards to choose from for your apple picking date. Plus, enjoy an apple picked fresh from the tree as a healthy snack after!
Fall Activities for Groups of Friends on Long Island
- Long Island Vegan Extravaganza Fall Fest On October 26, stop by Sisters of St. Joseph in Brentwood for a day of vegan food and wares, live music and more! This event is family-friendly and features many local non-profit organizations. Try some healthy plant-based cuisine from one of the vegan food trucks!
- Fall Foliage Hiking Enjoy the beautiful autumn colors while they last! A crisp fall walk or hike is one of the healthiest, best things to do on Long Island in the fall. First of all, it’s free. Second, you can do it anywhere. Third, it’s exercise and it’s good for you! Take a fall nature walk anywhere, but try to find a place with a lot of pretty trees with changing leaves. The Long Island University campus is consistently recognized for its fall foliage. Find more options for a great fall hike on Long Island.
Saying Hello to Winter Activities on Long Island
As the end of fall ushers in the start of winter, start making plans for winter fun things to do on Long Island! If you’re into weathering the cold, find some outdoor fun to enjoy. If you’d rather be cozy inside, check out these indoor activities and events. There are so many fun activities of all types on Long Island!
Winter Activities for Kids and Families on Long Island
- Sledding and Ice Skating Sometimes, you just want to be outside in spite of the cold. If there’s some snow on the ground, find a good sledding hill and enjoy racing down with your family! There are lots of ice skating opportunities on Long Island, at both indoor and outdoor rinks. Both sledding and ice skating are good forms of exercise and healthy family fun. Make sure to bundle up in appropriate winter gear if you’re going to be outside for a while, and if temperatures get dangerously low, opt for indoor activities instead.
- Annual Christmas Tree Lighting at the Vanderbilt Museum Each year, the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum invites guests to join a Christmas tree lighting event to kick off the holiday season. This year’s event is November 30, and admission is free. The event includes hot chocolate, cookies, Christmas carols, crafts and more! Guests can also enjoy guided tours of the house decorated for Christmas.
- Indoor Fun When you want a break from the winter weather, consider your options for indoor winter fun on Long Island. Enjoy the Nutcracker performed by the Long Island Ballet Theatre, or attend a storytime at a local bookstore or library. Other indoor activities include trampoline parks, laser tag and local museums and aquariums.
Winter Activities for Couples and Individuals on Long Island
- Cooking Class A cooking class is the perfect cozy, romantic winter activity to do with your partner. Long Island has many offerings, including this cooking class at The Cook's Studio where participants will make easy and healthy comfort food. For a budget-friendly alternative, stay at home and cook a meal with your honey! Try a new recipe with seasonal winter vegetables like Brussels sprouts or kale.
- Riverhead Indoor Farmers Market Grab some local handmade products and seasonal produce at the Riverhead Farmers Market. Browse a variety of vendors selling items like coffee, hot sauce, pickles, bread, herbs, soaps and more!
- Long Island Winterfest Each year, Long Island Winterfest presents five weeks of events and local cultural offerings. This year, Winterfest kicks off with a party on Friday, February 7, and will continue through the month with live music, wine tastings and other events.
Winter Activities for Groups of Friends on Long Island
- Skiing and Snowboarding Grab your friends, coats, skis and snowboards (or rent your winter gear!). We recommend taking a day trip to get to the best skiing and snowboarding locations near Long Island, but you won’t have to drive too far. If Long Island gets a good blanket of snow, Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a great place for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing - both are great exercise!
- Yoga Class Maintaining an exercise routine can be difficult when the weather gets cold. Outside walking and jogging can become uncomfortable or downright impossible. When it’s freezing outside, enlist a buddy to join you for a yoga class! If you don’t have a yoga studio membership, don’t worry. Most studios invite drop-ins for a small class fee. Yoga is an excellent form of exercise, and it can even help you avoid seasonal depression.
The weather may be getting colder, but the best way to beat the winter blues is to get out and enjoy healthy activities during the fall and winter months. Check out the LIHC calendar to get started!