Nassau County Family Friendly Day Trips

New York residents and out-of-town visitors can find plenty to do with the family on summer days in Nassau County!

Begin your morning with a visit to the Long Island Children’s Museum (LICM). The expansive museum is filled with interactive exhibits to encourage your children’s creativity, live theater, art spaces, and plenty of unique daily activities. The museum is suitable for children of all ages and has won numerous awards for its exhibitions, practices, and educational components. Children under one can explore for free, while admission is $17 for children one and older and adults.

After exploring the museum, ride on Nunley’s Carousel right next door. Not only is the carousel open to ride year-round thanks to its glass enclosure and heated interior, but it also has an accessible seat for riders in need. Visit their website for operating hours, as it’s typically only open on weekend afternoons.

While the young ones explore LICM, older children in your family can experience the wonders of the Cradle of Aviation, Long Island’s Air and Space Museum. Here, you can explore Long Island’s aerospace heritage throughout the mammoth 150,000-square-foot space. Patrons can investigate the museum’s multitude of exhibits, which feature 75 air- and spacecrafts (Apollo Lunar Module included), watch some of the offered short films, take a seat in the planetarium, and even get hands-on inside cockpits. You and your family may be surprised to learn just how much Long Island has contributed to the advancement of aviation. And, don’t forget to mark your calendars for the return of the museum’s Arcade Age exhibit, which reopens in 2025. The exhibit features more than 60 (playable!) arcade games of yesteryear and allows you to explore the fascinating history of video games. Get your Pacman fingers ready!

There are countless local restaurants within driving distance of the museums, and you can pick your favorites based on what the family’s craving. The Cuban is a fun and lively joint less than five minutes away. As its name implies, the restaurant offers delicious Cuban food for affordable prices. Plus, it features a kids’ menu and the La Familia Sample, an assortment of dishes that serves six people.

Grand Luxe Café is another popular option nearby that has an array of lunch specials on its menu for the family to choose from, including soup-and-salad or pasta-and-salad options.

We’re also loving Tocolo Cantina, with locations in nearby Garden City and Glen Cove. The menu is packed with twists on traditional favorites, plus a kids’ menu that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters. Pro tip: order their birria tacos and save room for dessert. Their churro sundae is incredible (and will easily feed the whole family).

Post-lunch, head to Nassau County Coliseum should you be lucky enough to be in town when it is hosting an event. Popular in the early summer season is the Empire State Fair,  which features everything from rides and attractions to a petting zoo, circus, and even the brand-new (as of 2024) Pirates of the Caribbean Thrill Show. Other events range from concerts to family-friendly performances and showcases. Make sure to check the site for upcoming events!

If you don’t happen to luck out and time your visit in conjunction with one of these events, you can head on over to Eisenhower Park, a sprawling space even bigger than Central Park. In addition to its wide-open green space, the park is also home to picnic areas, athletic fields and courts, playgrounds, fitness trails, and even swimming facilities and a golf course (mini golf, too!). Both kids and adults will have a blast here, with a splash park, batting cages, bocce ball, and checkers for the littles, and cricket, ice skating, outdoor theater, and chess for the older crowd. 

If you’d rather take advantage of Nassau County’s proximity to the water, head to Freeport’s Nautical Mile. In addition to shopping, ice cream, and exploring the area, families can hop aboard a cruise from the port and take in the sunset, watch for whales, or simply enjoy the views from the water. Equally as engaging is a visit to the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium, located less than 30 minutes from LICM. Not only does it house a public aquarium home to the biggest living collection of the state’s freshwater reptiles, amphibians, and fish, but it also houses a hatchery where kids can feed trout, do some hands-on fishing, and explore the property’s outdoor ponds. Plus, it hosts special events such as turtle hatching that will make your kiddos go googly-eyed.

For families with tweens and teens in tow, there are plenty of exciting activities to enjoy beyond shopping — which is a must, must, must while you’re here. Here’s a suggested itinerary that incorporates shopping, beach time, and amazing food options:

If you plan on treating the kids to a souvenir or two from your time on Long Island, hit up Americana. This luxury shopping destination is open-air and home to big names like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Fendi, and St. John.

For your tweens and teens, swing through their faves—Sephora, Lululemon, Madewell, Nike, and more. Be sure to check out Kith and grab a scoop of Kith Treats ice cream while you peruse the shelves. Pop inside Blue Mercury to stock up on everyone’s favorite makeup brands and beauty products, or grab a cup of joe at Ralph’s Coffee.

Youngs Farm Cafe is another favorite for much-needed sustenance — a small bakery and marketplace that sells cookies, pies, coffees, teas, and select grocery items, much of which is sourced from local farms and makers.

Long Beach, New York, offers plenty of activities for teens to enjoy on the beach after a morning of shopping. The most obvious option is to take advantage of the beautiful sandy beaches along the Atlantic Ocean, where families can swim, surf, or sun to their hearts’ content. Lifeguards are typically on duty during the summer months to ensure safety. Long Beach is known for its top-notch surfing conditions, particularly at Lincoln Boulevard Beach and National Boulevard Beach. Additionally, teens new to the sport can rent surfboards or take lessons from local surf schools to ride the waves.

That’s not all there is to do on the beach, either. Many of the beaches on Long Beach have volleyball courts available for public use. Teens can gather friends for a game and enjoy friendly competition in the sun. In addition to volleyball, teens can also enjoy other beach sports like soccer, frisbee, or paddleball. Bring some sports equipment and organize a game with friends or join others on the beach. 

Long Beach also boasts a boardwalk that stretches for miles along the beachfront, providing the perfect setting for teens to skateboard or bike. The boardwalk offers scenic ocean views and is a popular spot for outdoor recreation. During the summer months, stay on top of the ongoing events and festivals on the beach. You’ll find concerts, movie nights, farmers markets, and beach parties on the local event calendar. 

And if your teens still have energy for dinner, treat the family to a hearty meal at a trendy restaurant nearby. While the many concession stands and food carts along the boardwalk will keep you from reaching peak hunger, there’s nothing like tucking into a full meal. Consider local favorites known for their atmosphere, stunning ocean views, and delicious food.

Shine’s Seafood & Raw Bar is a local favorite for its fresh seafood dishes and laid-back atmosphere. It is located near the beach and offers a diverse menu, from oysters and clams to lobster rolls and fish tacos. Their outdoor seating area is perfect for enjoying the ocean breeze while indulging in delicious seafood. It is the oldest bar on the beach, dating back to 1912.

For something slightly more elevated, head to Lost and Found, a rustic New American restaurant that customers often hail as the best on Long Island. Enjoy everything from steak frites and seared scallops to octopus and mussels. Five Ocean is another hot spot nearby with a tantalizing cocktail menu, tons of Mediterranean-inspired entrees, and plenty of seafood.

If casual is more your calling, you can stroll into Billy’s Beach Cafe, famous for its sought-after wings and elevated bar fare. The Atlantica, Allegria Hotel’s signature restaurant, is an elegant spot for a delicious breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Here, you’ll find top-tier seafood and gourmet plates, and a robust offering of wines, local beers, and cocktails. End the day with a relaxing evening stroll along the Long Beach Boardwalk. Teens can enjoy the ocean views, grab some ice cream or snacks from one of the boardwalk vendors, and unwind after a day of excitement, and so can you!

Looking for more summer fun?  Share your pics with @VisitNassauCountyLI and be entered to win some Nassau County faves!