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What Makes an Experience Trendy?

Kids of all ages get excited to try the newest and coolest experiences. A trendy experience is a popular destination or a new activity that creates a lot of buzz and excitement.

Tweens and teens especially search out trendy spots to visit and snap a photo or shoot a reel for Instagram. Our list of newly opened attractions, unique play spaces, and photo-worthy experiences will delight young adventure-seeking kiddos and adrenaline-charged kids who are looking for a thrill. 

Trendy Destinations Long Island Kids Will Love 

1. Adventureland – Farmingdale 

Go for a wild new ride this summer as Adventureland plans the debut of a new coaster. The new Wave Twister ride is hailed as Long Island’s largest and only spinning coaster. Amusement park-loving kids will have a blast on this new roller coaster and checking out the Legacy Corner's new games and food. Your fam will also love exploring the rest of the park's rides and attractions, like bumper cars, the Ferris wheel, the Fireball ride, and more. 

Why It's Trendy: Amusement parks are wildly popular with kids, and this roller coaster is the newest Long Island has to offer.
Age Range: The amusement park is great for all ages, but the coaster is best for middle school-aged kids and teenagers. 
Insider Tip: Check your local library for discounted ticket deals this summer. 

2. Long Island Children's Museum – Garden City

Plan a visit to LICM's new exhibit, Dinosaurs: Fossils Exposed, for some big, interactive dino fun this summer. Kids can dig for dinosaur bones like a real Paleontologist, get up close to life-size dinosaur replicas. and study real fossils. This exhibit will be in residence until August 31, 2025, for dinosaur-loving kids to enjoy. 

Why It's Trendy: This temporary exhibit is a must-see for dino-obsessed little ones. There are also numerous cute photo opportunities to take and post on Instagram. 
Age Range: Best for toddlers and grade school kids.
Insider Tip: Also check out Our Backyard, the museum’s outdoor water-based play experience, where little ones can cool off after exploring the inside museum exhibits. 

3. Splish Splash – Calverton

Head over to Splish Splash this summer to cool off and visit the brand new attractions, including the debut of a new water playground, Stingray Bay, and the Instagram-worthy Neon Nights. The water playground will feature three water slides, a dump bucket, and a bunch of interactive sprinkler fun. Neon Nights will run on select Fridays and Saturday nights in the summer from 7pm to 10pm with DJs spinning and lots of glow lights. 

Why It's Trendy: Water parks are always a blast for kids in the summer season and an awesome place to take your next viral TikTok video and memorable pictures, especially at Neon Nights. 
Age Range: The new water playground is ideal for younger kids. Neon Nights will be best for older kids and teens. 
Insider Tip: If you plan to go frequently to Splish Splash this season, check out the season pass options. 

4. RPM Racing – Farmingdale 

RPM Racing is newly reopened after a multi-million dollar renovation and now features the world's longest indoor multi-level go-kart track. Junior drivers must be at least 8 years old to race on these indoor tracks. If your kids love speed, they will be blown away by a spin on these new LED tracks. 

Why It's Trendy: The new track set a Guinness World Record, and they are using new technology and a new fleet of go-karts. 
Age Range: This spot is best for tweens and teens. 
Insider Tip: The arcade games, VR immersive technology, and bowling sections are also fun for kids and the teen crowd. 

5. United Skates of America – Seaford 

This roller skating rink is massively popular for kids and teens on Long Island. The rink offers glow skating, which is always a trendy event and features new special themed events year-round. This is the summer of Stitch, so why not combine two big trends, skating and Stitch, our favorite lovable alien? The Stitch Skate Party in July offers skate time and a meet and greet with Stich and Angel. 

Why It's Trendy: Roller skating and rollerblading are a great way to get the kids active, and the special events at United Skates always feature the most popular characters to meet and greet. 
Age Range: This destination is best for grade school kids and teens. 
Insider Tip: This spot also offers a skate camp for ages 4 to 14 for kids looking for skating, arcade action, crafts, and more. 

6.  The Great Escape Room – Syosset 

The Great Escape Room recently celebrated its grand opening at a brand-new Long Island location in Syosset. The location features three different escape games depending on the group's age and preferences. An escape room is interactive fun for the whole family and a good way to take on a challenge and work together this summer! 

Why It's Trendy: Escape rooms are a popular, immersive challenge, especially for older kids looking for a new experience with friends or family. 
Age Range: This experience is usually best suited for older kids and teens. 
Insider Tip: Plan ahead, as these experiences book up for parties and group events. 

7. Vanderbilt Planetarium – Centerport

Plan a visit to the Vanderbilt Planetarium this summer for one of the unforgettable laser light shows that feel like a music concert. One of the shows will delight Taylor Swift fans who missed out on seeing the Eras Tour. Kids can rock out at the Laser Taylor Swift show to "Anti-Hero," "Lavender Haze," "Bad Blood," "Shake It Off," and more at this trendy, dazzling, laser light show experience. Check the website for other artists to rock out to as well. 

Why It's Trendy: Taylor Swift-focused experiences are extremely popular and exciting, allowing kids to enjoy her music in different ways. 
Age Range: This experience is ideal for grade school-aged kids and teenagers. 
Insider Tip: The Planetarium runs family programs throughout the year and currently offers the "One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure" show for kids ages 2-8.