Avalon Nature Preserve

Website

To explore the fields and back section of Avalon, it's best to park on Shep Jones Lane:

What you'll see:



A Mike Who Likes To Hike

This blog by Michael Ebert lists many parks and places to go hiking on Long Island, along with links to those places and his comments and photos from his hikes. Although some on his list will be familiar, there are others that you probably haven't heard of. Along with his critiques and photos, he also has a link to a map of all the parks on Long Island that form his list.

Website Map

Cold Spring Harbor

There are many things to do in Cold Spring Harbor, both indoors and outside.

Cold Spring Harbor Firehouse Museum

Website

Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum

Website

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

Website

There are also many possible outdoor activities in Cold Spring Harbor: the Wawapek Preserve, the Shore Road Sanctuary, and the Cold Spring Harbor State Park.

The photos below were taken by club member Gerta Polgardy. They give an idea of what a skillful photographer with a sharp eye can find in Cold Spring Harbor.

Bailey Arboretum

Website

Video

Hicks Flower Show

Website

Shooting photos of flowers can be delightful at the Hicks Flower Show: they are designed and arranged for maximum photogenic appeal. And you are indoors in March when the weather outside may not be optimal. But try to be discreet; setting up a tripod and using a large black card for background might be frowned upon. It's also wise to go on a week day, probably in the morning.

Here are some photos from previous years:

Website

Size: 7 Acres

Location: Dogwood Lane, Mill Neck

Parking: Available on site

Open and Closing Dates: Opening Weekend: Saturday, April 30 and closing weekend: Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30

Hours: Saturdays 10:00 am - 2:00 pm and Sundays: 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Although the open days and times are very restricted, this small garden is a gem for photographers. Keep in mind, though, that the paths can be steep and a challenge for those less sure of foot. If you like Japanese statues and lanterns, you have found your home.

Here are some personal photos from a visit.

Clark Botanic Gardens

Website

Hours: Garden is open seven days a week, all year long-10 am to 6 pm from April to October, and 10 am to 4 pm November to March.

Admission: A voluntary donation is greatly appreciated.

Click on the image above to see a video tour of Clark Gardens.

Some images of the gardens:

Long Island Maritime Museum

Website

Winter Hours

Monday: 10-4

Tuesday: 10-4

Wednesday: Closed through April

Thursday: 10-4

Friday: 10-4

Saturday: 10-4

Sunday: 12-4

Admission

Adults: $8.00

Children and Seniors: $6.00

Photos

Exterior Photos: Liz of the KPPC. Thanks, Liz.



Parish Art Museum

Website

Address: 279 Montauk Hwy, Water Mill, NY 11976

Hours: Monday, Thursday, Saturday & Sunday 11-5, Friday 11-8

Closed: Tuesday & Wednesday

Admission: Adults: $16, Seniors: $12

Personal Photography: Personal photography, without flash, is allowed in the Parrish galleries. No tripods or other photographic equipment (including selfie sticks) are permitted. We encourage guests to share their photos on our Facebook page and on Instagram and Twitter, @parrishart.

The Café: The Café will be closed for the month of February in preparation for an exciting reopening in March with a new menu and products made by local vendors that celebrate the seasonality of the region.

Personal Photos from Past Visits

Morton National Wildlife Refuge

Website

Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge protects 187 acres on the north shore of Long Island’s south fork in the town of Southampton. The refuge is located near Sag Harbor, and includes a peninsula one and a half miles long, locally known as Jessup’s Neck, which separates Little Peconic Bay from Noyack Bay.

What follows below are personal photos taken in March of 2013. The most amazing part of the visit was how the birds would fly down and eat seeds from your hand.

Connetquot River State Park

Website

Connetquot River State Park Preserve maintains 3,473 acres of land and water for the protection and propagation of game birds, fish and animals. Deer and waterfowl are numerous, rare nesting birds, including the osprey, are present and there are numerous rare plants, and other interesting flora, such as trailing arbutus and pink lady's slipper in their natural habitats. The preserve also has 50 miles of hiking, bridle, cross-country ski and nature trails, as well as freshwater fly fishing (by permit only) on the Connetquot River.

On the website you will find a link to download a Trail Map:

Here are some personal photos taken in October of 2012:

Islip Grange - Sayville

Website

slip Grange represents what a local hamlet would have looked like in the 19th century. Founded in 1974, a number of Long Island period structures were moved onto this 12 acre site. Currently the buildings include a carriage shed, Bicentennial Cottage, Dutch Reformed Church, Estate Managers Cottage, Ockers Barn and The Mill. The Islip Grange was planned as a repository for historic structures and landmarks to be situated in a park-like setting reflecting aspects of living pre-Civil War Long Island. The site is owned and maintained by the Town of Islip.

The photos below were taken by LisaMarie, who visited in the late fall. " There also a nice walking trail.  Also 10 minutes away is the Roosevelt estate and a winery on that property. It's a nice place to have a picnic and a glass of wine."



Sands Point Preserve

Website

The Sands Point Preserve on the original Guggenheim Estate embodies the grandeur and elegance that define the Gold Coast period of the early 20th century, when prominent American families built great mansions on large estates as summer retreats along the Long Island Sound. The Sands Point peninsula was the famed “East Egg” in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby.”

Today, the magnificent 216-acre park, including its historic mansions and the Phil Dejana Learning Center, is owned by Nassau County, NY, and is maintained and operated by the Sands Point Preserve Conservancy, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Conservancy provides year-round educational and cultural programs, seasonal celebrations, mansion tours, fitness activities as well as private/corporate event services and film/TV location facilities.

This map of the preserve is available to download on the website.

Here are some personal photos taken in June of 2013:



Mashomack Preserve - Shelter Island

Website

Edged in white by 11 miles of coastline, Mashomack on Shelter Island is considered one of the richest habitats in the Northeast. Just 90 miles from New York City, the preserve covers over 2,350 acres of interlacing tidal creeks, mature oak woodlands, fields, freshwater marshes and underwater lands.

This trail map is available to download on the website:

Some Reviews

I'm a regular visitor here to one of The Nature Conservancy's beautiful gems on lovely Shelter Island. Much to do here. Very family-friendly. Miles of great scenic hiking trails. You can also drive or hike out to the lovey historic Manor house. I have been to several birding events. They specialize in Educational events and outings. I highly recommend it!!

The Nature Conservancy has done a great job with this beautiful preserve. We hiked around 5 miles and went from shaded forest to grass fields to tidal Marsh. The clearly marked trails were very well maintained.

A fantastic day hike and nature retreat tucked away on Shelter Island. The Visitor Center volunteers/rangers are really friendly and helpful. We thoroughly enjoyed the Red & Yellow trail (3 mile loop). Trails are well marked and maintained. There's lots of wildlife spotted along the trail. During our hike, we saw a number of birds, chipmunks, squirrels, and a wild turkey!

Photos

Wang Center - Stony Brook University

Website

The Charles B. Wang Center building is adorned with a 100-foot octagonal pagoda, a structure traditionally associated with Chinese temples. The Center is an international hub bringing Asians and Americans into a common space, a marketplace of ideas for the 21st Century. Spare gray walls, pierced with three red trellis entrances, invite the visitor to explore the treasures of the interior. Within, Tuan has unified the elements of interior space, the outdoors, and the enclosing sky, using wide expanses of glass to frame traditional Asian gardens, pools, and bridges. 

Reviews

This mostly pertains to Jasmine, but they have THE BEST Asian food on campus. The chicken tikka is superb, sushi is decent, and the Korean food is top notch for campus food. The Korean potato pancakes are FIRE.

The building has a beautiful architecture and has fountains outside and inside of the building.

The Zen Garden is especially nice - fresh and peaceful. The water features are lovely. Lots of yummy food in the Jasmine food court. Even the bathrooms are nice!

This place is beautiful!!! Its pretty, has fountains. Rock gardens, theater, art displays, a mini market and tea shop!! So amazing!

Photos

Parking

Parking is free all day Saturday and Sunday.

Farmingdale College Teaching Gardens

Website

Enter the Teaching Gardens through the wrought iron gates. Stroll down the long axial walkway that stretches before you. You'll pass the Annual Beds, the Rose Garden, and enter into the Beech Hedge Garden, now a Gray or 'Ghost Garden.' Or, walk to your left into the Dwarf Conifer Collection, or to your right, behind the grove of weeping Higan cherries (Prunus subhirtella 'Pendula') into the Joan Bisset Memorial Garden.  

Video

Click on the image below to see a video of the gardens.

Photos

Below are some personal photos taken in May of 2019.

Sunken Meadow State Park

Website

Offering one of the most stunning views of the Long Island Sound with Connecticut in the distance, Sunken Meadow State Park has a wide range of topography that sustains a variety of flora and fauna. Three lovely bridges stretch over Sunken Meadow Creek as it runs from the interior of the park to tidal flats at the mouth of the Nissequogue river. South of the flats are acres of undeveloped and heavily wooded rolling hills. Many people enjoy the health benefits of measured walks along the ¾ mile boardwalk. Cross country running events are held over the hilly running course. The park is the northern terminus of the Long Island Greenbelt trail for hiking.

Entrance Fees / Parking

• VUF/Parking Fee (per car)
• 4/2/22 - 5/27/22: 8am-4:00pm, weekends and holidays - $8/car
• 5/28/22 - 9/11/22: 7am - 6:00pm weekends and holidays; 8am-4:00pm weekdays - $10/car.
• 9/12/22 - 11/6/22: 8am-4:00pm, weekends & holidays - $8/car

If you can go on a weekday, you won't pay an entrance fee.

Trail Map

You can download a trail map here

Sample Photos

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve

Website

Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve, situated on a scenic peninsula extending into Long Island Sound, offers miles of bridle paths, walking, jogging, hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and nature trails over acres of woodland, meadows, rock shoreline and salt marsh. The park is open from sunrise to sunset, 7 days a week, year round.

Vehicle Entrance Fee: $8

Fee is collected on the weekends 8:00am - 4:00pm until Columbus Day

You can download a trail map of the park. TrailMap

Photos from Dec. 2014

Bayard Cutting Arboretum

Website

Parking

Vehicle Use Fee is $8 per vehicle is collected from April through November using the automated-pay meters. Seniors (62+) placard and access passes can now be obtained at any of our parking kiosks!

Hours

Open Tuesday- Sunday 9:00AM – 4:00PM

Visitor Map & Guide

You can download a visitor map and guide here. Visitor Map

Photos

The photos below were taken in July of 2012.