8 Day Trips For Memorial Day Weekend

5/16/14 - By Erica Jackson

The unofficial start of summer — Memorial Day weekend — is nearly here, which means lots of parades and backyard barbecues. But for those looking for something a little different, taking a day trip with the family can be the perfect way to get away while still staying close to home. We've created a list of 8 fun places to spend a day over Memorial Day weekend. And for more kid-friendly activities and events, be sure to check out our Long Island Calendar, as well as our roundup of Memorial Day Events.

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Live Long Island Steamers
Victory Avenue, Brookhaven
631-345-0499
Kids who love trains will be thrilled to have the opportunity to ride on one of the Long Island Steamers mini-steam trains, which run the second and last Sunday of every month through October. On Memorial Day weekend, the 48-year old organization will be running its steamers all day on Sunday, from 10:30am to 3:30pm. The steamers, which families can ride for a small donation, are located at Brookhaven's Southhaven Park on Victory Avenue in Brookhaven. Since the steamers are located in the park, be sure to pack a lunch and also enjoy the hiking trails, playgrounds and duck pond.

Quogue Wildlife Refuge 
3 Old Country Road, Quogue
631-653-4771
Pack a lunch and head to the 80-year-old Quogue Wildlife Refuge, located on Old Country Road in Quogue. The 307-acre refuge offers scenic views along its 7 miles of hiking trails, as well as an opportunity for kids to meet the resident animals at the facility, including  two foxes, a hawk and a variety of ducks and birds. The refuge also features an indoor nature center with lots to see and do. Admission to the refuge, which is open on Saturday and Sundays from 11am to 4pm, is free.

Smith Point Beach
William Floyd Parkway, Mastic Beach
631-852-1313
Any beach always makes for a perfect place to spend Memorial Day weekend, but Smith Point Beach, located at the end of William Floyd Parkway, has something that not many other Long Island Beaches do—an outer beach that can be driven on. Those who have a four-wheel drive vehicle, can pack up the car with a beach barbeque and drive right onto the sand for a day in of fun in the sun and an evening with a beach bonfire. Those wishing  to drive on the beach for the day will be required to pay a $30 fee.

Historic Greenport
Main Street, Greenport
631-477-0248
The Village of Greenport, located on the North Fork of Long Island, is full of adventures for the family. The historic village features not only beachesvineyards and hiking trails, but also a Main Street full of shops and restaurants. The village also touts a historic carousel for the kids to ride, as well as museums, including the Long Island Railroad Museum and the East End Seaport Museum, which will be hosting 15-minute BUG Lighthouse boat excursions Memorial Day Weekend between 1pm and 5pm.

The Jones Beach Air Show
1000 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh
516-785-1600
For many, seeing the annual Jones Beach Air Show is a family tradition. The show, which features the Blue Angels and the Naval Aviators, who perform stunts above the heads of spectators, is scheduled to take flight on May 24th and May 25th at Jones Beach, located on Ocean Parkway in Wantagh. The show, which will impress every member of the family, runs each day from 10am to 3pm. Admission to the show is free, but there is a $10 parking fee and shuttle buses are available. It is recommended to arrive at the beach early as the lots fill up quickly for the show.

Long Island Game Farm
489 Chapman Blvd, Manorville
631-878-6644
You don't have to head to the Bronx to treat your kids to a day filled with animal watching, feeding and petting—the Long Island Game Farm, located in Manorville, offers all that and more. In its 45th season, the game farm features enough fun to keep the kids busy all day. There are pony rides, baby goats to feed, a carousel, a train ride, monkeys, ducks and a giraffe to visit. The farm also features daily shows. On Memorial Day weekend, the farm will be open from 10am to 4pm. Tickets are $14.95 for children, ages 3 to 11 and senior citizens, and $16.95 for adults. Family fun packs are also available and start at $150.

Adventureland 
2245 Broad Hollow Road, Farmingdale
631-694-6868
Who can resist a day of rides geared toward every member of your family? The popular amusement park is not only home to fast and thrilling rides, likes its Hurricane Coaster and Pirate Ship, but also rides for the little ones, including a kiddie carousel. And for those looking to cool off, the park offers several water rides. Adventure Land, located on Broad Hollow Road, has a food court, though families can pack a lunch and picnic by their car. Admission is $26.50 per person and is open on Memorial Day weekend at 11:30am.

Splish Splash 
2549 Splish Splash Drive, Calverton 
631- 727-3600
If your family is looking for a wild and wet adventure on Memorial Day weekend, Splish Slash is the place to be. The popular water park opens for the season on May 25th at 10am until 5pm. The water park features 96 acres of wet rides for the entire family, including a wave pool and lazy river. Visitors can eat in the food court or bring a packed lunch to picnic in the parking lot. Tickets are $40 at the gate for those 48" or taller and $38.99 if purchased online. For those that are less than 48" tall, tickets are $30 at the gate or $28.99 in advance.

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