Nestled in the heart of Smithtown, Caleb State Park Preserve is only one of two nature preserves on Long Island. Much of the Preserve's 543 acres are undeveloped, allowing visitors to explore its many different habitats including freshwater wetlands, ponds, streams, fields and upland woods. Jericho … [Read more...]
Washington Spy Trail Attractions
Attractions, Museums, Historic Sites, Parks, Gardens, and Natural Preserves on Long Island's North Shore along the Washington Spy Trail
Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site
246 Old Walt Whitman Rd., South Huntington. The home of Walt Whitman, America’s greatest poet, c.1819. Exhibit includes his papers, school master’s desk, recordings of his voice, and more. In 2007, the Walt Whitman Trail, which begins at the birthplace, was designated a National Recreational Trail … [Read more...]
Take the Ferry to the Heart of Spy Country
The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company brings visitors straight into a journey along the Washington Spy Trail (Rte. 25A). Founded in 1883, by several backers, including entrepreneur P.T. Barnum, the company is one of the oldest ferry companies in America. A ferry bearing Barnum’s name … [Read more...]
Hercules Pavillion
Across Dock Road to the west of the Three Village Inn, along side Stony Brook Harbor, the Hercules Pavilion houses the figurehead and anchor from the U.S.S. Ohio, the first ship launched from the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 1820. The figurehead was carved from a single piece of cedar at a cost of … [Read more...]
The Ward Melville Heritage Organization Education & Cultural Center
Located in the historic Stony Brook Village Center, The Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s 8800 square-foot Educational and Cultural Center is a year-round facility providing activities, theatrical performances and exhibits. Available for rental. For detailed information call … [Read more...]
Oheka Castle Historic Hotel
This magnificent Gold Coast Mansion, resting majestically on the highest point of Long Island, emanates the elegant refinement of a chateaux in France coupled with world-class service and a rich history that is distinctly American. OHEKA has been celebrating the art of entertaining since 1919, when … [Read more...]
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
Theodore Roosevelt’s Home, a National Historic Site Sagamore Hill was the home of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, from 1885 until his death in 1919. During Roosevelt’s time in office, his “Summer White House” was the focus of international attention. Otherwise, it was the … [Read more...]
Caumsett State Historic Park
Lloyd Neck. 1,500 acres with bridle path, salt water fishing, hiking, cross country skiing. 631-423-1770 Originally purchased in 1921 by Marshall Field III, it became one of the largest estates of the Gold Coast Mansions. The estate was purchased by the State of NY in 1961 and designated a … [Read more...]
Gov. Alfred E. Smith Sunken Meadow State Park
Located on Long Island Sound, the Park has a wide range of topography that sustains a variety of flora and fauna. The three miles of beach meets tall, glacier-formed bluffs at the west end of the shoreline. A man-made dam separates the park's brackish creek and marshes from the tidal flats. South of … [Read more...]
The Thompson House, c. 1709
The Thompson House stands nestled among trees on one of Setauket’s country roads, reflecting the heritage of the community and its people. Built in 1709, this charming saltbox was the foundation of Thompson family life for generations. A very interesting account of the life in this house is … [Read more...]
Avalon Park & Preserve
Located across the street from the Stony Brook Grist Mill, Avalon Park & Preserve is a privately owned nature preserve with the mission of maintaining a beautiful landscape in which visitors can enjoy nature. The park and preserve are open daily from dusk to dawn and is free to … [Read more...]
Nissequogue River State Park
The former estate of a psychiatric center, the Park 's terrain suits bicycles and horses as well as it does shoes and feet, and everyone can trek for hours without encountering another human. The Park also has a soccer field, a canoe and kayak launch, fishing, bird watching, interpretive signs, … [Read more...]
Erwin J. Ernst Marine Conservation Center
Located in the heart of The Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s 88-acre wetlands preserve is the Erwin J. Ernst Marine Conservation Center (EMCC). Named after Dr. Erwin J. Ernst, the Center has been an important part of WMHO for more than 50 years. Throughout his career, Dr. Ernst worked to … [Read more...]
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
Nassau/Suffolk border at Rtes. 25A & 108. Environmental education center and demonstration hatchery. Open daily year-round, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and Easter Sunday. Two buildings with tanks and aquariums, eight outdoor tanks. Largest collection of native freshwater … [Read more...]
Raynham Hall Museum
Home of George Washington’s intelligence operative Robert Townsend, Raynham Hall is a time capsule of Long Island life in the 18th and 19th centuries. Purchased by Robert’s father Samuel around 1740 and expanded from a two-over-two farmhouse into a four-over-four town house whose land extended down … [Read more...]
Nathan Hale Monument
During the Revolutionary War American forces suffered a humiliating defeat at the Battle of Long Island. George Washington and his army had to escape from the battle to Manhattan at night under cover of fog. The British army meanwhile took control of Long Island and Huntington. They remained here … [Read more...]
Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium
The spectacular Spanish-Revival mansion and museum of William K. Vanderbilt II in Centerport, New York, is one of the few remaining estates on the legendary North Shore of Long Island. The mansion, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a time machine to a rare and privilged way of … [Read more...]
Jazz Loft
The Jazz Loft in Stony Brook is a combination of jazz history museum, a performance venue, and a center for educational outreach. The 6,000 sq. ft. venue, located in an historic building, is all about preservation, education and performance. Located at 275 Christian Avenue, Stony Brook (next to … [Read more...]
Huntington Historical Society
The Huntington Society protects and interprets the history of Huntington and the central Long Island region. The Society maintains several national register historic properties – two as house museums, one for a gallery and display space for exhibiting selected portions of our collection. The fourth … [Read more...]
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
The DNA Learning Center (DNALC) has a major impact not only in the New York metropolitan area, but across the globe, in pioneering public science education for the genome age. With teaching facilities in Long Island and New York City, it brings a hands-on approach to learning about biology and … [Read more...]
Staller Center for the Arts
Staller Center for the Arts presents music, dance, theatre, film, visual art and more as one of the most comprehensive arts centers on Long Island. Enjoy professional performances from September to May and the Stony Brook Film Festival in July. Box office is open Mon-Sat, 12 noon to 6 … [Read more...]
Discovery Cruise
Across Dock Road from the Three Village Inn, The Ward Melville Heritage Organization’s pontoon boat “Discovery” departs from the Stony Brook Yacht Club marina. The 27-passenger vessel cruises through the organization’s 88-acre wetlands preserve for a 1 1/2 hour tour. A naturalist from the Stony … [Read more...]
Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages
The Museum is known for its collection of over 200 carriages and its extensive collection of work by the Hudson River School painter William Sidney Mount and over 4000 other paintings, sculptures and prints. It became a Smithsonian affiliate in 2006. Main Street at Route 25A. Nine-acre, … [Read more...]
The Brewster House, c. 1665
The Brewster House of Setauket has a history which dates back to 1665. The quaint saltbox farmhouse, which sits on a knoll on Route 25A alongside Setauket Harbor, was home to six generations of Brewsters. One of the homeowners was Joseph Brewster, who was born in 1735 and served as a lieutenant … [Read more...]
The Heckscher Museum of Art
The Heckscher Museum of Art is located in scenic Heckscher Park in Huntington, New York, within walking distance of downtown shops and award-winning restaurants. The Museum provides a dynamic schedule of changing exhibitions on American art. Additionally, public programs for adults, families, and … [Read more...]
Old Westbury Gardens
Old Westbury Road. The Gardens’ 160 acres include the Walled Perennial Garden, the Boxwood Gardens, the formal Rose Garden, Cottage Garden and demonstration gardens, as well as sweeping lawns, over 100 species of trees, rolling fields and wildlife. The Westbury House mansion, virtually unchanged … [Read more...]
Stony Brook Grist Mill, c.1751
The Stony Brook Grist Mill was built in 1699 by Adam Smith, son of Richard “Bull” Smith. When the original mill and dam washed out in 1751, a new mill was erected on the present site using beams from the original 17th century structure. During the Revolutionary War, grains ground at the Stony Brook … [Read more...]
The Hawkins-Mount House, c. 1725
In the late 18th century, Jonas Hawkins used the house as a store and tavern. During the Revolutionary War, Jonas Hawkins was a messenger for the Culper Spy Ring. … [Read more...]
