Upcoming events on Long Island
Continuing the list — 255 curated events total. Handpicked by The Editors.
Insect Safari, Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
Search Caleb Smith's meadows and forest edges for late-summer insects—dragonflies, beetles, butterflies, whatever's out. Guides help you spot and identify different species. Bring $4 cash per person and bug spray if you're sensitive to bites.
- When
- Where
- Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Smithtown
Bird and Breakfast: Adult Program, $4 per adult upon arrival
Start your Saturday morning with coffee, pastries, and a short talk about seasonal birds at Connetquot River State Park. The 8 AM start time puts you there during peak bird activity, so you might spot some of the species discussed during the presentation. Listed as free but expect a $4 arrival fee.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Trout-Tastic! Tiny Tots (Ages 3-5years), $4 per child upon arrival
This 30-minute program gets preschoolers looking at trout and the freshwater ecosystem up close at Connetquot River. The $4 fee is payable when you arrive at the Sunrise Highway entrance in Oakdale. Designed specifically for the 3-5 age group, so expect short attention spans and lots of questions.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Geology Rocks!-Tiny Tots (3-5 years), $4 cash per child
Little ones discover rocks, minerals, and fossils through touch-and-see activities designed for preschool energy levels. The program costs $4 cash per child at Sunken Meadow's Nature Center in Lot 1. Bring a snack for afterwards—there's picnic space near the parking area.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 1, Nature Center, Kings Park
Dusk Walk, Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
Caumsett's 1,500 acres look completely different as the sun goes down—different wildlife, different light, different vibe. This 4:30 PM start gives families time to walk the trails and see the park shift into evening mode. $4 per person at the Lloyd Harbor Road gatehouse when you pull in.
- When
- Where
- Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, Lloyd Harbor
Passport Through Parks: Robert Moses, Family Program, $4 per person
This monthly hiking series hits a different state park each time—September's stop is Robert Moses Field 5. It's a guided walk meant to get you familiar with parks you might not know well. Meet at 10 AM near the Burma Road entrance; $4 per person on arrival.
- When
- Where
- Robert Moses State Park Field 5, Bay Shore
Survival and Scavenging Skills: Family Program (ages 8+), $4 per person
Learn basic foraging and survival techniques on a guided hike through Connetquot's woods and wetlands. Geared toward kids 8 and up who can handle a longer walk and more detailed instruction. Show up at the Sunrise Highway preserve entrance by 5 PM; $4 per person.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale
Arboretum Nature Hike: Adult Program, $4 per adult upon arrival
Late September is prime time to see Planting Fields transition from summer to fall—changing leaves, migrating birds, shifting plant cycles. This adults-only hike focuses on seasonal ecology across the arboretum's 409 acres. $4 at the Planting Fields Road entrance; starts 10:30 AM.
- When
- Where
- Planting Fields Arboretum, Oyster Bay
Harvest Moon Hike-Adult program, $4 cash per adult upon arrival
Walk under September's full Harvest Moon as the season shifts from summer to fall. The educator-led hike starts at 6:30 PM when there's still some light, so you'll see the moon rise during the walk. Bring $4 cash per adult.
- When
- Where
- Sunken Meadow State Park Lot 1, Kings Park
Passport Through Parks: Robert Moses, Family Program, $4 per person
This monthly hiking series covers a different Long Island state park each time—September's stop is Robert Moses at Field 2. It's designed to get you familiar with trails and ecosystems across the island's park system, led by educators who know the terrain. Bring $4 per person and expect about two hours on foot.
- When
- Where
- Robert Moses State Park Field 2, Babylon
Nature Bike Tour: Family Program, $4 per person upon arrival
A guided bike tour traces the Great South Bay shoreline at Heckscher, hitting scenic overlooks and bayside trails most visitors miss. Bring your own bike and $4 per person at arrival (despite the free tag, check with the park). The ride starts from the main Heckscher entrance off the parkway—parking is $10 if you don't have an Empire Pass.
- When
- Where
- Heckscher State Park, East Islip
Shark Extravaganza, Tiny Tots (ages 3-5), $4 per child upon arrival
Tiny kids (ages 3-5) learn about sharks through games, stories, and hands-on activities at Connetquot River Preserve. The program runs about an hour and costs $4 per child at the door. Park on-site off Sunrise Highway—the preserve has its own entrance separate from the usual state park setup.
- When
- Where
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Oakdale