I love spending time outdoors, and I especially love walking in the gardens and greenhouses of Long Island.
1. Bring your camera! There’s so much to see!
2. Pack a snack or picnic lunch!
3. Spend the day alone and enjoy some peace and quiet.
4. Or...
Sections
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Arboretums
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Botanical Gardens
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Nature at the Beach
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Nature Preserve
Arboretums
Botanical gardens specifically devoted to trees! Many of these places have unique specimens that won’t be found anywhere else on the East Coast.
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This is one of my favorite places to spend the day! Indoor greenhouses, outdoor gardens, a big field, and a variety of trees, all on the Gold Coast of Long Island. Bring a picnic lunch!
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
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Another great place to walk around and spend the day! It’s also on the water, so there is extra scenery!
Bayard Cutting Arboretum
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Such a fun place to go with kids! There is a special children’s area to play, rare Dawn redwood trees, and a wildlife rehabilitation area.
Bailey Arboretum
Botanical Gardens
Beautiful, well-kept gardens, many on old estates.
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A great smaller botanical garden to take a walk and enjoy flowers.
Clark Botanic Gardens
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Visit Sagamore Hill, home of Teddy Roosevelt, walk the grounds, and do some birdwatching.
Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center
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A two-for-one deal: Museum/Planetarium with beautiful grounds that go down to the water.
Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium
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A well-maintained preserve with trails.
Muttontown Preserve
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Long Island is filled with old estates turned into public nature areas. This one is also by the water!
Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve
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This place is on my list - small, peaceful, and secluded location with trails.
John P. Humes Japanese Stroll Garden
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Another old estate turned into a great place to explore.
Old Westbury Gardens
Nature at the Beach
Beach and nature? It’s a win-win!
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I’ve been meaning to check out this nature center on the south shore, right on the water!
Jones Beach Energy & Nature Center
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Another great nature preserve by the water!
Cedar Beach Town Nature Preserve
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More Gold Coast beauty open to the public!
Sands Point Preserve
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This place is so much fun! Farm animals and a path down to a dock on the water.
Facilities • Norman J. Levy Park & Preserve
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I haven’t been here yet, but now I definitely need to!
MNSA
Nature Preserve
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Family friendly nature walk on the water!
Massapequa Preserve
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Animal exhibits? Ecology displays? Trails and birdwatching? Sounds like a great day!
Tackapausha Museum and Preserve | Nassau County, NY - Official Website
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Beautiful trails on the Nissaguogue River, science education, and wildlife rehabilitation!
