Free Things to Do on Long Island

In season, you may have to pay to go to some of those lovely Long Island beaches (especially if you’re not a resident of the town or village.) But before Memorial Day and after Labor Day, and usually after 5 or 6 p.m., you can sit on the sand for free and watch as the sky turns a deep shade of red and the sun sinks below the horizon. You can also sit on the waterfront at places like Port Washington and Cold Spring Harbor to view spectacular sunsets.

Visit some of the many vineyards and wineries on the North Fork, and a few on the South Fork. Many offer free wine tastings and some feature free music and special events. For example, every Saturday and Sunday from May through September, the Peconic Bay Winery features free tours of their vineyard and winery at noon, 1 and 2 p.m. You must reserve in advance. Call (631) 734-7361.

Wolffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack hosts its popular Twilight Thursdays from 5-7:30 p.m., with free snacks of artisanal cheese and crackers and live jazz from May to November. Also in season, Wolffer’s wine stand hosts Sunset Fridays starting at 5 p.m.. Free cheese and crackers plus live music. Call (631) 537-5106 or go to Wolffer Estate Vineyard.

Enjoy a day of culture at a number of free museums on Long Island. The American Guitar Museum, located in a former farmhouse in New Hyde Park, houses treasures like the John D’Angelico guitar played in the wedding scene of The Godfather, one of Les Paul’s original Gibson guitars and an 1840 La Cote guitar.

The African American Museum of Nassau County in Hempstead highlights the many cultural contributions of the African American community. The permanent collection features Eubie Blake’s piano, and there are special events and changing exhibits. Admission is free.

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. Butterflies and birds, as well as wood frogs and salamanders frolic in the area’s pools in season.

You can also enjoy walking through shaded trails in Long Island gardens like the Bailey Arboretum and Clark Garden, which have no admission charge (although Clark Garden greatly appreciates voluntary donations.)

Long Island's own big bird was built in the 1930s by duck farmers to attract passersby to their duck emporium. The famous building is free to visit, but you might want to spend some money inside on the "duck-a-bilia" that's for sale. And don't forget to visit on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving each year. That's when there's an annual holiday lighting of the Big Duck.

The Big Duck
Route 24
Flanders, NY
Please call (631) 852-8292 for opening hours.

It’s always free to browse through art galleries, and it’s as much fun as viewing paintings in a museum. Visit galleries throughout Long Island, and don't forget that some colleges here also have art galleries that are free and open to the public. Adelphi University has its Adele and Herbert J. Klapper Center for Fine Arts Gallery, the University Center Gallery and the Swirbul Library Gallery in Garden City. Suffolk County Community College’s Lyceum Gallery at the Eastern Campus in Riverhead and the Gallery East on the Michael J. Grant Campus in Brentwood both offer free exhibits during the academic year, and there are artists’ receptions that are open to the public.

Long Island is home to many free concerts. The Steinway & Sons Piano Gallery of Long Island in Melville is a showroom for the legendary instruments, and they also offer free concerts in their recital space.

The Islip Arts Council usually presents free concerts in the summer. For the schedule, please go to the Islip Arts Council or call (631) 224-5420. And Long Beach also offers a free series of musical entertainment. To learn more, please go to Long Beach Free Summer Concert Series.

Oyster Bay presents its Music Under the Stars Concerts in the summer as well. Check my Special Events & Festivals on Long Island for updated listings.

The Nassau County Museum of Art's Sculpture Park features over 50 sculptures by artistic luminaries like Botero, Calder and more, all displayed outdoors on the museum's sprawling property. The Nassau County Museum of Art is located on One Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor. Call (516) 484-9337 or visit the Nassau County Museum of Art.

The museum's 145 acres also include marked nature trails through the woods, so you can take a leisurely hike through the greenery. (On weekends, you’ll have to pay a minimal charge to park your car in their lot. There is also a fee for entering the museum building.)