Pumpkin picking, fall festivals…it’s a great time of year for families on the East End. Here are ten great places to visit, adventures to try and things for parents to do with their kids out here in the Hamptons this fall.
Head to the Beach: So what if summer is over? The sand and surf are as beautiful as ever across the Hamptons in the fall—maybe even more so—and there’s a much better chance you’ll get at least a stretch of these coveted locales to yourself.
Play with Sand Puppets: Not to mention discover a Fantasy Tree House, enter a Musical Forest and more at the Children’s Museum of the East End in Bridgehampton.
Go for a Hike: Fresh air and wildlife in its natural habitat. Ospreys, egrets and piping plover are just some of the critters you’ll be able to spy at two favorite hiking spots—Sammy’s Beach and Cedar Point County Park in East Hampton.
Get Gluey and Gooey: At the Long Island Science Center in Riverhead, kids can explore river ecology, paleontology and, of course, Gluey and Gooey Chemistry.
Grab the Brass Ring: Built in the 1920s, the antique carousel in Greenport takes kids of all ages round and round and on a ride back in time.
Explore the End: The Montauk Lighthouse, the oldest lighthouse in New York State, is as inspiring as when it was authorized by the Second Congress under President George Washington.
Visit the Sag Harbor Fireman’s Museum—What kid doesn’t love firemen? The antique fire-fighting gear on display at the Sag Harbor Fireman’s Museum makes these everyday heroes seem even cooler.
Dive with Sharks—You can pet rays, feed penguins and kiss a sea lion at the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead, but getting face-to-fin with some jawsome predators of the deep defines adventure.
Take Shelter—Whether you go from Sag Harbor or Greenport, the fast ferry ride over to Shelter Island is a fun treat for youngsters, and once you’ve arrived, take a slow drive around and simply explore together.
Pick an Apple—Pumpkin picking is great, but there’s something about walking in an East End orchard, pulling an apple right off the tree and sinking your teeth into it on the spot that’s hard to beat.
