There is a tranquil and relaxing hideaway amid a suburban area, tucked behind a playground and…read morekids' waterpark at Geiger Park in Babylon. The Botanical Garden is well-maintained, clean and safe. The admission is free, which makes it more appealing - you can visit multiple times a day. No bicycles and dogs alloved in the garden. While it would be ideal for morning and evening runs, the garden opens at 10:00 AM and closes its gates at 4:00 PM.

A well manicured hidden gem where you can relax…read more Tucked off to the side of the Geiger Water Park is a professionally designed and maintained wandering walk complete with waterfalls, benches, and a pond. Layout: 5/5 Meandering paths that are packed to the gills with flowers. A waterfall is inset with a seating area around it. Bridges cross the Carl's River. There's a "frog" pond nestled away (it's marked.) Value: 5/5 - Free to enter. There is a person watching the entrance. It is surrounded by gates. Safety: 4/5 - Feels very safe inside. The attractive fencing and staff give it a good vibe. Parking: 4/5 - There's a lot a short walk away. Overall: 4/5 - A nice place to take the family. It would be super easy to also visit the water spray park located just next door. My only critique is the hours. They are opened 10am-4pm and until 7pm on Thursdays. That's pretty lame for summer.

Yesterday, was a glorious Sunday at the Long Island Maritime Museum, in West Sayville. There was a…read moreseafood festival, taking place outdoors, in the beautiful grounds of this park-like settings.. The weather was perfect. Warm and sunny. The breeze coming from the Marina was very pleasant. Picnic chairs and blankets were scattered around. Food, drinks, live music were the perfect combo. Me and my parents arrived at 3:30 pm. It was packed with people of all ages, and of course, a lot of children were present. Several food trucks were scattered around the park area of the museum. The best empanadas were from Island Empanadas food truck. The shrimp mango empanada were delicious! Moist inside, and the crispy crust was amazing. Let's not forget grilled corn and fresh oysters we're also on my radar. I also enjoyed a glass of summer ale while I was people-watching. It was the best way to spend a summer Sunday afternoon.

Visit Date: Unsure…read more Came here with my husband and son during a rainy day. The museum is pretty small but they have a few different houses dedicated to the maritime history of Long Island. Because of covid you're not allowed to browse the gift shop if there's something you want to buy the museum staff have to show you and if you want to buy it than you can have it and touch it all you want. Got my son a hat. We saw the main museum and the oyster house because certain buildings had doors that couldn't be open due to wood swelling or expansion or something like that. Despite a rainy day the outside views of the water were still pretty nice to look at.

Wonderful place. I…read moreinitially went solely for the Billy Joel exhibit, but ended up getting more of a bonus with the second floor which I didn't know about. Guess it pays to do research sometimes. As mentioned, the Joel exhibit is what I came for and I wasn't disappointed. There is a LOT to look at and to take pictures of, plenty to read, and a spot where you can put on a pair of headphones and listen to each one of his albums if you want. The set up, layout, and displays are quite good. A lot of Joel's real and actual personal memorabilia is here - they are not props or fake. There are two spots outside of the main Joel room to take photos of yourself mimicking the covers of his Glass Houses and 52nd Street album covers along with a prop for each of those albums nearby. Upstairs there's a small room with seating playing Joel concerts. Any fan of Billy Joel will appreciate this and should go out of their way to come to check this out. Past the main exhibit (Joel) and on the second level is a general Hall of Fame Museum for Long Island with great displays, original items, and memorabilia. From awards to apparel, there is plenty to see with a lot of history. It's one large room, but the displays are laid out well and it should take you some time to take everything in. There is a small gift shop on the first level with items from both the main exhibit and the museum itself. The staff were approachable, very friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable - which goes a very long way these days. The prices are very reasonable. With both the main exhibit and the museum, this is well worth a trip. I'm unsure how much longer the Billy Joel exhibit will remain up, but it's something any fan of Joel's should come and see.

The people at the front desk were very friendly and helpful…read more I felt the cost was excessive for basically 4 rooms of exhibit. $32.pp It took us about 20 minutes to walk through and see everything. If you are a Raymond fan you might really enjoy it. Upstairs was Billy Joel, which was what I really came to see. It was good, but again not worth the cost.

I love this farm- beautiful to see, pleasant staff and all kinds of lavender products- honey,…read morepillow mist, face hydrosol, lavender honey and salt as well as the creams/oils and lip balms. Definitely recommend a visit for a relaxing, photogenic and unique experience

Lavender by the Bay is a lovely and popular lavender field in the northeast. I've know about it for…read morea while and had a chance to visit. I and a friend went around peak bloom mid July. Staff is very kind and accommodating as we were unable to make our initial ticketed time. It costs $15 admission and will take no more than an 1/1.5hr to walk through the field. They unfortunately do not have an option to pick lavender due to prior damage, per the staff. There is a spot in the field to make a scent bag for $3, but that can be picked up at the little farm shop. There is a small stand at the entrance to buy bunches of fresh lavender, soaps, honeys, etc. While it is nice for a few pics, I do think $15 is a smidge on the pricier side. That said, it is a nice way to pass the afternoon and get some small lavender trinkets to go.

When I first heard the words "strawberry festival" I had a different image in mind than what I saw…read more To me, this was just like any fair- rides, games, food trucks. Though there were vendors, not one of them had any strawberry related goods. What I did enjoy was the strawberry shortcake eating contest and the crowning of the strawberry queen (the only two events that made it feel like I was at a strawberry festival). There were also chocolate strawberries being sold as well as strawberry shortcake slices (but I got one for free because I was front row for the eating contest and there were many extra!). ALSO MET BADLANDSCHUGS!

In the passage of returning to NYC from Mattituck for a Meetup, on a whim without planning, our…read moresmall group ventured to a local fair. The Hamlets on the North Fork contains wineries, farms, and even a carnival fair. This local flair, Mattituck Lions Strawberry Festival, is far remote to anything but strawberry festival but a local fair or carnival fair. Cash only admission adults $5.00 and $2.00 for children, no pets permitted and parking is included with admission. Every activity is pay per person including contests, games and all rides thus, fair patrons bring lots of cash especially sunscreen SPF 30+. A Pay-One-Price Ride Bracelet is available for $25.00. Carnival fairs always attract my foodie interests for funnel cake (Fried Dough) and Italian sausage, but sadly no strawberry concoctions hence the name "Strawberry Festival." I desired strawberry syrup as my topping for vanilla ice cream or even strawberry shortcake but, sadly, none were avail. There is also no fried pickle. Annually operates four days of the year on Father Day's weekend, rain or shine. Route 48, Old Sound Avenue is open on both the East and West direction controlled by Suffolk Police admitting entrance. www.mattitucklionsclub.org

Perfect little kids exploratory with a bunch of sensory activities and toys. This spot is perfect…read morefor kids of all ages. Place is small but plenty to keep your kids occupied for 1-2 hrs. They have a decent size train set up, plenty of toy cars, a rice row boat lol, tubes to create tunnel movement, sound experiments, and much more. Price is cheap which is nice and is essentially a donation. Definitely recommend if your in the area, my 3 year old loved it.

Dropped by with two kids. A lot of stations to keep kids busy and happy. This wasn't a fully…read moreplanned trip, so I had to rush the kids through. Even though some of the games we have at home, it's more fun when there are more sets to create from. It's very inexpensive at only $5.

Experience is wonderful. At times when I visit I feel a connection with a particular collection of…read morepaintings or a single piece that is absolutely astonishing. Exhibit openings are bright and welcoming! Have a chance to meet the featured artist(s) which is an awesome experience. The owner and staff are the finest people anywhere. They are just the best! I love this place nestled in the heart of Babylon Village. I casually visit when strolling by or intentionally visit when there is an exhibit opening. I highly recommend visiting and having the beauty of the art flow through me. - Scott

New gallery on Babylon Village with changing exhibitions. A beautiful bright space. Only open Thur…read morethrough Saturday in the late afternoons. Tuesday and Wednesday are by appointment only. So happy to see this new business in the village. Wishing them much success!

A few years ago, I used this company's services for museum-quality framing of a historical document…read moreregarding a mining disaster's centennial. To this day, I still get compliments on the framing and the preservation quality. I plan to work with them again very soon!

The owner is friendly and extremely helpful and it's amazing to have a local gallery like this…read morewhere you can pop in and see art for area artists. They have a good collection and are often changing what's up on the walls, so it doesn't become stale. In addition there are changing themes and photographers can submit stuff for a chance to have their work seen. It's right in the heart of town on Main Street and adds a nice place to pop in while strolling around. They've done a good job creating a welcoming space for locals to appreciate the art that is produced in and around NY and Long Island.