As summer's sunny days turn into fall, the hot weather yields to comfortable temperatures and the trees on Long Island go from a lush green to bright shades of blazing red, yellows and orange. It's time to go outdoors to enjoy this special time of the year. Here are some places to go and things to do for fall fun on Long Island.
1. Take A Hike Through Long Island's Autumn Landscapes
Photo © Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Long Island is home to a number of hiking trails like the ones in Garvies Point Preserve, which lead down to a quiet beach, and some wonderful wildlife refuges like the Oyster Bay National Wildlife Refuge. The Nature Conservancy’s Uplands Farm features a double-loop trail surrounded by red cedar, oak, hickory and other tall trees that put on a colorful display in the fall.
2. Pick Your Own Apples on Long Island
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Fall is a great time to go apple picking with your family and friends. Find out where you can get your own fresh apples in my article, Pick Your Own Apples on Long Island.
3. Pumpkin Picking on Long Island
Photo © Linda Tagliaferro
Many Long Island pumpkin farms also offer seasonal fun, such as corn mazes or Halloween events. Here's a sampling of Long Island farms where you can pick your own pumpkins. Included are some that sell already-picked pumpkins. Read more about pumpkin picking on Long Island....
4. Halloween on Long Island
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There are lots of places to go and things to do for a chilling, thrilling Halloween on Long Island. Read more about Halloween on Long Island...
5. Read About Long Island's Most Haunted Places for Halloween
Photo © Linda Tagliaferro
To celebrate Halloween, read about Long Island's most haunted places.... or even visit one, if you dare!
Read more about Long Island's Most Haunted Places....
6. Stroll Through Gardens on Long Island
Photo © Daniel Gonzales
Fall is a great time of year to take a leisurely walk through some of Long Island's beautiful gardens. Read more...
7. View An Outdoor Sculpture Garden
Photo © Linda Tagliaferro
The Nassau County Museum of Art in Roslyn Harbor, NY features exhibits of major artists in its Gold Coast Georgian mansion. Beyond the mansion, you can wander through 145 acres of fields, woods, ponds and formal gardens where sculptures by Niki de Saint Pahlle, Fernando Botero, Tom Otterness and other luminaries adorn the outdoor setting. Read more about the Nassau County Museum of Art's Outdoor Sculpture Garden...
8. Discovery Wetlands Cruises from Stony Brook Harbor
Photo © Linda Tagliaferro
Sit back aboard the 35-passenger pontoon boat Discovery in Stony Brook Harbor for a 1 1/2-hour cruise through the wetlands. An onboard naturalist will entertain you with facts about the history, geology and ecology of this beautiful area. The cruises run from May through the end of October and .... Read more about Discover Wetlands Cruises....
9. Stroll Across Long Island's Beautiful Beaches
Photo © Linda Tagliaferro
Fall is a great time to stroll the sands of Long Island's beaches and you won't have to pay a daily fee or a season's pass. The high temperatures of summer are gone and you can breathe in the salt air and listen to the soothing sounds of the surf. Read more about Long Island's beaches...
10. Take Fido To A Dog Run
t's great to go jogging or to take long walks with your dog, but some places in Nassau and Suffolk won't allow you to take your canine friend along. Here are some designated dog runs on Long Island, where you're free to bring along your dog. Both of you will easily make friends -- both human and canine.
