Mascot Dock

If you're looking for something to do outdoors in the Patchogue/Holbrook area, we've got just the place - Mascot Dock and the adjacent Shorefront Park. This is a great place to sit and enjoy views of the Great South Bay, watch ferries to Fire Island, or just relax on a park bench. Kids will also enjoy watching people crab and fish along the dock!

If you're hungry, eat at Lombardi's on the Bay. Both places are right in the park area. Nancy's is a take-out type of place serving crab cakes and other seafood treats. We haven't tried Nancy's yet but, judging by the lines, it must be delicious. We did eat at Lombardi's on the Bay and we really enjoyed their VERY generous (and tasty) portions. The Salad with Grilled Salmon, Chicken Caprese Sandwich and Spaghetti with Meatballs were all good.

PARK and RESTAURANT LOCATION:

600 South Ocean Avenue

Patchogue, NY

What A Fluke!

"What a Fluke" is what you could be saying if you head to Captree State Park for a day of fishing. Located on Long Island's South Shore, at the eastern tip of Jones Beach, the park has a boat basin loaded with charter boats for cruising, fishing and partys. The boats range in size and price (depending on how long and what type of fishing or activity you'd like to do). Common catches are Fluke, Flounder, Blackfish and Sea Bass. Some boats will also take you Shark fishing!

Many visitors also come to the park to fish at the dock by the bay. This is a great activity to do with the kids, especially since you can also watch the many species of sea birds and observe the crabs crawling along the dock - there are a lot! 

In the summer, the park provides guided nature walks and bird watchers come to view the various types of seagulls, terns, pelicans, black skimmers, common loon, plover and ducks. A variety of other birds (some less common in our area) have also been sighted at Captree - very exciting for birders!

If you arrive early, you can find a spot on the shore of the bay and picnic in the park for lunch. Be sure to enjoy the lovely view of the Fire Island Lighthouse in the distance and the scenic boats cruising off in the horizon. 

Entrance to the park is free if you have a yearly New York State Parks Pass, which you can purchase for $59.00. We highly recommend this option, especially if you'll be taking advantage of other New York state parks! Without a pass, there is an entrance fee of $8.00.  

PARK LOCATION:

Robert Moses Causeway Exit 40 South to Park

631-669-0449

631-321-3510

Breaking the Waves

Escape the heat wave by cooling down at Robert Moses State Park. Swim, surf or fish in the approximately 5 miles of ocean beach, or take a nap on the soft sand while listening to the breaking waves - one of our favorite things to do! 

Once you're done swimming and napping, head over to the Fire Island Lighthouse to explore a little bit of the western part of Fire Island National Seashore (yes this is one of the only parts of Fire Island you can get to without taking a ferry). Park in Field 5 at Robert Moses State Park and follow the scenic boardwalk, which will lead you directly to the lighthouse.

We're sure you'll enjoy having fun in the sun, but there's one bit of advice we suggest you take: Arrive and leave early to avoid the return traffic on the causeway.  The park opens at sunrise and closes at sunset. The entrance fee is $8.00 unless you have a New York State Parks Pass ($59.00 for the year).

See you at the beach!

PARK LOCATION:

Robert Moses Causeway (exit 40)

Box 247

Babylon, NY  11702

631-669-0470

Daytrippin in Caumsett State Park

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and located on Long Island's North Shore, in the village of Lloyd Harbor, Caumsett (meaning "place of sharp rock,") is the perfect daytrip destination. With over 1,700 acres, there are plenty of places to hike, bike, relax or reflect. The problem - with only 12 hours in the day, it's difficult to do everything!

Before giving you some ideas, we're providing some background. This is for the history buffs (and you know who you are). 

In 1654, 3,000 acres of present-day Lloyd Harbor was sold to English settlers by the Matinecock Indians. In 1676, James Lloyd purchased the land. His son farmed there and built a home that still stands today. Then, Lloyd's grandson eventually erected the Joseph Lloyd Manor house, where he remained until he was forced away by the British during the Revolutionary War. The last of the Lloyds to own the estate, around 1841, was Henry Lloyd IV.  

By the 1880's visitors from New York City arrived in Lloyd Harbor by steamboat. In the 1900's wealthy families began building their Gold Coast estates. In 1921, 1,750 acres of land was purchased by Marshall Field III. He built the estate he named "Caumsett." The park was aquired by New York State in 1961. 

In the twenty-first century, visitors (that includes you), can come to the park to cross-country ski in winter, scuba dive and fish (with a permit) in summer, view rehabilitated wildlife at the rescue center, or bike, walk and hike anytime.  Choose to remain on the park's main, paived road or venture on to one of the many off-road trails. 

Also look for the Willow Tree Farm Equestrian Center, which provides lessons and boarding at the polo pony barn. For further information about this, you can call 631-423-1770. 

For all of you planners, there is also a calendar of organized events. Some of these include wilderness survival classes, evening hikes to search for owls, fox and deer and the Caumsett Cultural Arts Festival. 

If you come for the day, you can bring your lunch and eat on the green or at the beach. After leaving the park, stop in neighboring Huntington Village or Cold Spring Harbor for a bite to eat at one of the many top-notch restaurants.

PARK LOCATION:

25 Lloyd Harbor Road 

Huntington, NY 11743

631-423-1770

New York State Parks

caumsettfoundation.org