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Long Island is known for having beautiful outdoor scenery everywhere you go. There is absolutely no better way to enjoy the outdoors on Long Island than to go hiking, biking or exploring through our numerous state & county parks. Whether you are in Nassau or in Suffolk, you will find no shortage of nature paths & outdoor trails.
Kick off your day with a sunrise bike ride or run on the recently renovated Long Beach Boardwalk. Overlook the ocean and Long Beach’s favorite beaching spot bright and early while enjoying a smooth ride in the bike lane.
Grab some breakfast after your boardwalk run at Diner By The Sea. Famously known for their rainbow milkshakes, they also serve up amazing breakfast & brunch options just a few steps away from the boardwalk.
As you ride in and out of the wooded trails at Hempstead Lake State Park, you will get glorious views of the park’s lake and surroundings. Not only are the trails for your biking fun, but there are also horseback riding trails throughout! People come for the running & biking paths, but stay for the many activities including picnicking, basketball, pickleball, and the park’s hand-carved wooden carousel.
When you leave Hempstead Lake Park, don’t forget to pop into the neighboring town of Rockville Centre to get deals on dining, shopping & activities with the Downtown Deals Travel Pass!
Grab your bike and hit the park at the Eisenhower Park Loop, which is a 3.4 mile moderately paced trail inside one of Long Island’s largest public parks. Along the way you will be able to stop and enjoy numerous exercise activities and lake views all year round.
When you have finally worked up an appetite after biking at Eisenhower Park, head over to Roosevelt Field Dining for numerous options to please your palette!
Conclude your day of outdoor activity by staying at one of Nassau County’s best hotel properties nearby. Stay at the Long Island Marriott just down the road from Eisenhower Park to rest, or treat yourself to a luxury stay after a long day at the Garden City Hotel.
One of the most picturesque views on the island can be seen in Cold Spring Harbor along the bay. Rise early and hike up the wooded, scenic trails at Cold Spring Harbor State Park to get elevated morning views of the bay.
Need a coffee or sweet treat after all that hiking? As you drive down the main road in Cold Spring Harbor, grab some breakfast at the quaint coffee shop, Sweetie Pies on Main.
Get your fix of historic estates, glorious biking trails AND beach views at Caumsett State Historic Park & Preserve. Situated on one of the most scenic peninsulas on the Long Island Sound, Caumsett is the best place to go hiking, biking, fishing, bird watching and picnicking on what used to be the Henry Lloyd estate. You can even visit the stables for horse back riding lessons or relax in the walled garden.
If you are feeling hungry after all that activity, download the Downtown Deals Travel Pass and hit Huntington nearby for some deals on dining!
If you are looking for some hiking & walking trails but also have a love for wildlife, visit Sweetbriar Nature Preserve along the Nissequogue River. As you pass through the trails, you have the opportunity to see where hundreds of species of plants and animals live and to learn a little more about the preserves wildlife conservation efforts.
For some challenging hiking trails to really get your blood pumping, go for a hike at Sunken Meadow State Park’s trails, where you can find the park’s famously steep cross country challenge, Cardiac Hill. While these paths can have some challenging points, they also have beautiful landscapes all year round. If steep hikes are not your thing, take a stroll or bike ride on the boardwalk to catch a beautiful sunset over the Sound.
When it is time to turn in for the night, head over to the Melville/Huntington area to enjoy an overnight stay at the Hilton Long Island or the Melville Marriott.
Another Lodging option is the Hilton Long Island.
If you love the High Line in NYC but are also an avid biker & hiker on Long Island, the exciting new development of the North Shore Rail Trail is great news for you! Opening Summer into the Fall of 2021, this is going to be a 10-mile trail that stretches from Wading River to Mount Sinai. The trail is going to be an outdoor recreational hot spot, so be ready with your bike or running shoes to enjoy it right away!
For a freshly brewed premium coffee and some perfect fluffy Belgian waffles, or even an early lunch, while overlooking the water after scoping out the trails, go to Wave Seafood & Steak located on the harbor in Port Jefferson at Danford’s Hotel Marina & Spa.
Get a glimpse of some of Long Island’s most important aviation history as you ride your bike through Grumman Memorial Park. There are bike trails that loop around the historic 2,900 acre park which used to be the old airport in which Grumman used to develop advanced aerospace technology.
Stop in Downtown Riverhead for the best dining options or even some shopping!
Cedar Point County Park is a hidden gem of parks to hike & bike through out in the Hamptons. You can hike the trails to the perfect spot for magnificent views of Gardiner’s Bay. As you keep exploring the shoreline, you can even walk a narrow strip of land to the historic Cedar Point Lighthouse that is over 200 years old and used to guide whaling ships inland to Sag Harbor.
Conclude your hiking excursions in the best way on the farthest part of the island at Montauk Point State Park. Hike up to stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean where the water meets the Block Island sound, and even see the tides converging on a clear day! Then hike down to the rocky shoreline to get a close look of the surfers & fishers, or over to the neighboring Montauk Lighthouse to really embrace the Montauk experience.
While you are out on the eastern end of Long Island, treat yourself to a stay at one of the two Gurney’s properties – Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa or Gurney’s Star Island Resort & Marina – for water views, fine dining, and a relaxing luxury hotel experience.
Explore world-renowned beaches, historical lighthouses, culinary delights, premiere golf courses, Gatsby-era Gold Coast mansions, and award-winning vineyards on Long Island – New York City’s Beachfront Backyard. Download a copy of the Travel Guide for inspiration and more information to plan your perfect getaway.
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