Best Suffolk County Parks for a Family Picnic
Long Islanders love a good picnic, especially when it’s done on one of our beautiful park grounds. From beach parks with scenic views to wooded areas with hiking trails, Suffolk County Long Island has the perfect place for your family to spend a day enjoying nature and the outdoors.
If you are looking for a great picnic area with lots of space to stretch out and relax in Suffolk County Long Island, look no further than Heckscher Park in Huntington. This park is home to a large pond that offers beautiful scenery, and it’s also popular with the ducks who are known to join in on visitors’ picnics. The park has many places to sit and enjoy a nice meal on a sunny day, including a spacious picnic and pavilion area with grills.
Another spot that is a favorite for picnics in Suffolk County Long Island is Belmont Lake State Park in North Babylon. This park is a beautiful location to eat a picnic, and it has many tables, charcoal grills, and pavilions for your family to enjoy. This park is also home to a beautiful beach, a playground, and a variety of activities to get your kids up and moving once they’ve finished their picnic. This includes an exercise trail, paddle boarding, row boating, fishing, biking, a walking path, and more.
Cold Spring Harbor State Park in Suffolk County Long Island is a great option for hikers and picnickers alike. This park is located on a peninsula and features almost a mile of sandy beach along with a variety of other amenities, including picnic areas and a general store. The park is also home to a playground and offers several hiking trails.
Another great option for a picnic in Suffolk County Long Island is Captree State Park, which features a picnic and recreation area overlooking Fire Island. This park is home to one of the largest fishing fleets on the island, and it has many places for picnicking. This park also has a playground, full-service dining, and camping for individuals, families, and youth groups.
Other popular picnic locations in Suffolk County Long Island include Heckscher State Park, which is a wonderful destination for a day of exploring nature. This park is home to hiking trails, a beach, and more, and it even has a historic Walt Whitman Trail that leads to Jayne’s Hill, Long Island’s highest peak.
In Suffolk County Long Island, where the Long Island Sound and the Atlantic Ocean meet, the sea shaped our region’s unique history. Coastal towns and villages grew up around the harbors, bays, estuaries, and inlets whose waters provided livelihoods, transportation, trade, and entertainment.
Whaling was one of the most significant commercial activities shaping the economy, social fabric, and international image of Long Island during the 19th century. The town of Cold Spring Harbor, which is home to the Whaling Museum & Education Center, provides a microcosm of this rich whaling heritage that can be seen in area museum exhibits including a fully-equipped 19th-century whale boat and one of the largest scrimshaw collections in the country.
The Museum also offers innovative education programs that reach over 12,000 students annually in Suffolk County Long Island – from school visits and classes to birthday parties, scout overnights, and family events. Additionally, the Museum offers a range of other services including community outreach, family memberships, a robust program for seniors, and an extensive cataloging and archival collection.
The unique coastal setting in Suffolk County Long Island has also given birth to a rich maritime culture that continues to shape the lives of its inhabitants today. The lighthouses that dot the coastline are a reminder of the rich seafaring past, and although most residents no longer depend on fishing for their livelihoods, they enjoy a strong connection to the ocean that surrounds them.
Exploring the Maritime History of Suffolk County Long Island is a fascinating account of this complex relationship between the region and the sea. Its largely thematic chapters – on ports, fisheries, trade, shipbuilding, lifesaving, and military actions – work well for the general reader. They can, however, be a little frustrating for a more academic audience, who would want to see some of the broad context for these maritime stories brought to light in a bit more detail.
Located on the easternmost part of New York State, Suffolk County Long Island is surrounded by waterways and oceans that offer a wealth of recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike. From surfing huge Atlantic Ocean swells on the South Shore to exploring quaint and historic fishing villages, our waterways provide a variety of experiences for all to enjoy. In Suffolk County Long Island, many stunning downtowns are steeped in rich history, maritime lore, and modern cuisine and shopping. These towns are a true escape, offering an opportunity to slow down and enjoy our coastal heritage.
The beauty of Long Island offers a variety of pet-friendly activities and destinations for those traveling with their pets in Suffolk County Long Island. The area is home to numerous hotels, resorts, vacation rentals, cabins, cottages, wilderness resorts, and more – many of which are listed on the Pet Friendly website, which allows you to compare, book, and reserve accommodations that allow pets. You can also find plenty of dog-friendly restaurants, wineries, and other places to eat at while on the go with your four-legged companion.
Located on the easternmost end of Suffolk County Long Island, Montauk Point State Park is a scenic destination for tourists and locals alike. Here, you can enjoy miles of dog-friendly trails and beach access, as well as hike to the summit of Kings Park Bluff for sweeping views of Gardiner’s Bay. The campgrounds and outer beach areas of the park are pet-friendly, but be sure to bring a leash and clean up after your dog.
Another pet-friendly spot on the East End of Suffolk County Long Island is Cedar Point County Park in East Hampton. This massive park has so much to offer, including miles of scenic hiking trails and spectacular views of Gardiner’s Bay. If you’re feeling adventurous, the hike to Kings Park Bluff is definitely worth the effort, and if you’re up for it, you can even try to conquer the 100-foot Cliff Trail.
Pet-friendly parks and beaches are scattered throughout Suffolk County Long Island. In Greenport, you can visit Mill Pond Park for a peaceful 1.5-mile trail around the pond or explore wooded trails for more varied terrain. Montauk has a great beach that’s pet-friendly in both the north and south sections, and Port Jefferson’s pet-friendly village streets are ideal for a stroll with your furry friend.
Suffolk County Long Island has several enclosed dog parks where you can let your dog run off-leash for some socialization. Just remember to have your dog on a 6-foot leash and up-to-date on rabies vaccinations. Be prepared with food and water for your pet in case of a sudden emergency, as well as copies of important documents such as insurance policies and identification cards. Be sure to check each location’s specific rules and regulations before visiting. Some locations may require you to keep your dog on a lead at all times or close off certain trails.