So bored! Need things to do on N. Shore of Long Island

[miki]

We are at my parents' house on the North Shore in Nassau County. We've been here a week and will probably be here for another 1 or 2 weeks depending on a case DH is working on. I am a wimp and this weekend's weather (when not raining) was too cold for me to do more than 15 minutes at the playground. We went to the Children's Museum near the Coliseum with my niece but it was still a little beyond DD who's only 14 months. What else is can I do with DD? We didn't bring a stroller so nothing like mall walking is practical. I am so bored and all DD wants to do is run to the tv and get me to turn it on.

[mekiemom]

Hi, I'm originally from Long Island (the south shore though) what town are you staying in and how long will you be there? How about the local library, maybe you can go to a storytime. Sometimes libraries will let you get a temporary card and check some things out. How about a Gymboree class if there is one nearby or some kind of mommy and me type event that you could sit in on. Good luck and enjoy the rest of your stay. I'm headed that way at the end of the week, we're going to take DD to the city to see santa at Macy's, go to the big toys r us, and check out the tree.
Jenn

[cara1]

We were also going stir crazy.
The mall (DURING THE WEEK) isn't a bad idea...Roosevelt Field is huge but has a merry go round. The Mall at the Source nearby is more managable (usually empty) and also has a merry-go-round (as well as a Cheesecake Factory...Mmmm...). I think there's an airplane museum next to the Children's Museum. Here's a list of some other things to do, but some may be far (are you in Nassau or Suffolk?) Also, some may not be appropriate based on age or amount of outdoor stuff.

http://rmli.org railroad museum

http://www.longislandmuseum.org/

http://www.nassaumuseum.com/ncma/index.html (I've never been, not sure if kid-friendly)
http://www.angelfire.com/ny5/brookhavenfiremuseum/index.html

http://www.atlantismarineworld.com/ (This is a cute aquarium. Small, can do it all in an hour or less, but good if you're bored. Within walking distance is a Dinosaur museum, too. They're all the way out in Riverhead, though. Which also is where Tangers Outlet mall is...)

http://www.splishsplashlongisland.com/ (For your next visit....)

Holtsville Ecology Site (a zoo)

http://www.longislandgamefarm.com/
Long Island Reptile Museum
Offering a 27,000 square foot facility on two floors of breath taking exhibits.
70 Broadway
Hicksville, NY 11801
631-REPTILE or 516-931-1500
[email protected]

Quogue Wildlife Refuge and Nature Center
Old Country Road
Quogue, NY

Nassau County Police Museum
The Museum features memorabilia dating back to 1925; police weapons, vehicles, uniforms, photographs and artifacts; life-size scene of the desk area of a stationhouse of the 1920's; continuous narrated slide program on history of Department.
Police Headquarters, 1490 Franklin Avenue
Mineola, NY 11501
516-573-7000

Suffolk County Police Museum - Police Headquarters
Opened to the public in 1985, the museum is ready for you to visit daily from 10 am - 4 pm.
Yaphank Avenue
Yaphank, NY
631-852-6011

Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Located at Bald Hill Scenic Overlook, Patchogue-Mt Sinai Road in Farmingville. You can't miss the red-white-and-blue steeple. Open year round

1901 Restored Depot
Come visit a great railroad museum. Exhibits include memorabilia, including trunks, uniforms and a working telegraph.
South Broadway and South Third St
Lindenhurst, NY
(631) 661-1254

African American Museum
110 North Franklin St.
Hempstead, NY 11550
516-572-0730

Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum
Come see a real 18ft. whaling boat from the 1800's, harpoons, scrimshaw and other artifacts.
Rt 25 A
Cold Spring Harbor, NY
(631) 367-3418

Old Bethpage Village Restoration
This is a wonderful place to relive the past. It contains 24 structures (that were moved here from their original locations). There are year round events and festivals. Call for details.
Round Swamp Road
Bethpage, NY
(516) 572-8400

Vanderbuilt Museum and Planetarium
Come visit the Planetarium and sky show. A trip to the planets and wonders of the seasonal sky. Call for information and show times.
Centerport, NY
(631) 367-3418

Sweetbriar Nature Preserve BUTTERLY AVIARY HERE in Smithtown
*********************
That being said, we took the kids to the movies yesterday...

[jk3]

The Gymboree in Woodbury is beautiful. We went to a b-day party at that location a few weeks ago + it's clean, bright and big. We also went to the Mall at the Source + there's a Gymboree Outlet, Nordstrom Rack. Cheesecake Factory + lots more. When I worked in the city, we went on school trips to Old Bethpage + Garvies Point (Native American Museum). Both are interesting + beautiful locations.

Jenn
DS 6/03

http://lilypie.com/baby2/030603/2/5/1/-5/.png

[brigmaman]

Wow, I live on LI and couldn't think of anything to suggest! What's the butterfly aviary?! Smithtown is pretty close!

[cara1]

Also, www.whitepostfarms.com in Melville.
No real farm animals this time of year, but they supposedly have an indoor Christmas thing.

I have never been to the Butterfly thing, but here's the info if you go.
Sweetbriar Nature Preserve
62 Eckernkamp Drive
Smithtown, NY
631-979-6344
http://www.sweetbriarnc.org/
Better check and see if they're actually open...the website says the Butterfly House is "Seasonal".

Let me know how it is!

[Melanie]

Many malls have rental strollers...

Also, reg. the gymbo class, they and other brands (little gym, my gym, etc.) often offer one free demo class, so you could make the rounds...

Also, find out if any of the shopping centers have those indoor playgrounds, they would be fun even at your Dd's age.