LongIsland.com’s 2015 Labor Day Weekend Guide to Complete Summer Activities

Enjoy the last few days of summer! Soon before you know it Labor Day will arrive and that’s the unofficial mark to the end of summer. This year, Labor Day lands on September 7th (a little bit later on the calendar year), but even with summer coming to an end, there’s still plenty of summer activities to do over the three-day holiday weekend! 

On Long Island, there’s everything from festivals, fairs, live music performances, car shows, runs, walks, nature exploration outings to other fun activities to complete your summer.

For the scoop on all of LI's Best Labor Day Weekend Fun, click here!

Photo by Thiago Spada, via Free Images.

Tips for Observing the Perseid Meteor Shower & Summer’s Other Starry Nights

 This week, stargazers will be coming out in droves at night to open areas where they can see the night sky and observe the Perseid meteor shower. Each year, Earth passes through the orbital path of Comet Swift-Tuttle, which leaves behind debris and comet dust, including the meteors that we call the Perseid.

The bright, quick-moving meteors leave behind bright streaks in the sky that last for a few moments after the meteor is gone. This year, the best viewing period for the Perseid is expected to be in the predawn hours of August 11, 12, 13, and 14, so unless you are a night owl, it may be best to set an alarm on those days to wake up after midnight and check the sky.  

To find out more about the best times & places to view the Perseid Meteor Shower, click here!

Photo by Brocken Inaglory, via Wikimedia Commons.

Ocean Beach, Fire Island: A Day Trip Guide

Ocean Beach is beautiful not just because of the beach, but also because of the community.Ocean Beach is a part of Fire Island, but makes up one of the larger communities on the Island. There’s no driving or biking allowed on Ocean Beach, so you’ll find yourself in a place that will have you active whether it’s walking around enjoying the sight of beautiful homes, visiting local shops and stands, enjoying festivals, or heading to a local restaurant or pub for great food and nightlife fun! It’s a destination suitable for time to yourself, as a couple, or with the family!

If you're looking for the perfect place to get away for a day of relaxation, sunshine, and fun, then head over to Ocean Beach this Summer, and enjoy one of Long Island's favorite local destinations!

To Check Out LongIsland.com's Ocean Beach Fun Guide, click here!

Photo by LongIsland.com reader Joy Raines.

Reel in a Big One by Chartering or Renting a Fishing Boat

Who doesn't love fishing? Here on Long Island, enjoying a relaxing afternoon of cruising along on the Long Island Sound or the Great South Bay as you get your fish on on one of LI's numerous party boats is a Summer Activity no Long Islander would want to miss out on! Party Boats take all the hassle out of fishing on the water - they take care of the boat, fishing licensing, and many even offer lunch options, and will even clean & fillet your catch for you! If enjoying a relaxing afternoon of fishing, fresh air, and fun on a charter boat sounds like the perfect Summer afternoon to you, then be sure to click the link below, and set sail for fun this Summer!

Get the Scoop on Planning Your Summer Fishing Trip here!

LongIsland.com's 2015 July Family Fun Guide: Fireworks, Festivals, Fairs & Tons of Summer Fun!

July's Fun doesn't stop on the 4th - there's plenty of great local fun to enjoy all month long! As Long Island kicks off Summer, there are TONS of great concerts, festivals, fairs, kids events, and things to do around Long Island that no local would want to miss out on! If you’re worried about the doldrums of Summer setting in after the holiday weekend, don’t - there’s plenty of great things to do all month long, including concerts, car shows, and more Summer Celebrations than you can shake a stick at. Of course if those aren’t your thing, you can always make your way to your favorite local beach for an afternoon of fun in the sun.

For All of Long Island's Best July Fun, Click Here!

LongIsland.com Summer Bucket List 2015: Make the Most Out of Summer Here on Long Island with Tons of Local Fun!

 When it comes to summer, Long Island has it all: beaches, trails, concerts, amusement parks, shopping, and so much more!  Instead of doing the same old things this summer, expand your horizons to all of what the area has to offer.  Make this Summer the best one yet by building your own summer bucket list, and don’t forget to include friends and family in your plans!  There is tons to do for families that will appeal to children and adults alike, such as chartering a fishing boat for the afternoon, traversing the Greenbelt Trail, or even heading indoors to enjoy the air conditioning while bowling on the hottest days.

Whatever your interest, this summer bucket list will certainly stave off the summertime blues!

For the scoop on Long Island's Best Summer Fun, Click Here!

Red, White, & Boom - 2015 Firework Displays on Long Island!

Independence Day is less than two weeks away - do you have any big plans for celebrating this year? If your favorite part of the 4th of July is the Firework Displays, then you're in luck - there will be TONS of festive firework displays happening all throughout the holiday weekend this year right here on Long Island! As an extra special treat for Long Islanders, the Jones Beach Firework Display is back for the first time since 2009, in addition to all the other exciting displays lighting up the skies across LI.

Grab your picnic basket, some nice cold drinks, and your best buds, and head outside this 4th of July and as night falls, look up at the sky - this year's firework displays are bigger and better than ever - don't miss out!

For the scoop on the best upcoming 4th of July Fireworks on LI, click here!

Photo by Teresa Howes, via Free Images.

Long Island’s 2015 4th of July Weekend Guide: Fireworks, Fairs, Fun in the Sun & More!

 It's that time of year again, Long Island - America's Birthday is quickly approaching, and it's time to round up your best red, white & blue patriotic garb, some sunblock, and get ready for fun! Across Long Island, Independence Day celebrations will be happening on July 4th AND 5th this year, as the holiday falls on a Saturday. This means that Long Island will be treated to twice the fun, including parades, concerts, festivals, fairs, and of course FIREWORKS! This year is especially exciting for Long Island, as the beloved Jones Beach 4th of July Firework Spectacular will be returning for the first time since 2009!

To get the scoop on all the best 4th of July Fun Happening on Long Island, click here!

Photo by Joseph Hart, via Free Images.

LongIsland.com's 2015 June Family Fun Guide: Kick of Summer with Festivals, Father's Day, Outdoor Fun & More!

It seems like the first half of the year has gone by in a flash! Although the official start of Summer isn’t until Sunday, June 21st, things are sure heating up here on Long Island in terms of fun! The month of June is packed with festivals, fairs, Father’s Day Celebrations, concerts, and all sorts of outdoor fun that takes full advantage of the nice warm weather. Before you know it, school will be out - college students are already home, and by now, grade schoolers are itching to be done with the semester, and dive head first into Summer fun. 

 

Don't wait until the end of the month to celebrate the new season - get a jump start on Summer fun right here on Long Island throughout the month of June!

 

For LI's Best June Fun, Click Here!

Memorial Day Weekend 2015: Celebrate with Fireworks, Parades, BBQs & Lots of Family Fun!

 Memorial Day Weekend is right around the corner, and this year, there's tons of great local fun happening that you won't want to miss out on all weekend long! Known as the "Unofficial Start to Summer", Memorial Day Weekend is packed with events honoring Long Island's local heroes, including firework displays, parades, festivals, and of course the Jones Beach Air Show. If you're still in the midst of planning your Memorial Day Weekend Fun, not to worry - we've rounded up all of the best local events & things to do this Memorial Day Weekend into an easy to read Guide!

Celebrated the last Monday of May each year, Memorial Day is a US Federal Holiday that honors the men & women of the US Armed Forces who gave their lives to protect our country. No matter how you plan to spend Memorial Day weekend, while you're enjoying the celebrations and having fun, be sure to stop for a moment, and remember what the holiday is all about, and make time to honor those who have given their lives to protect us.

To get the scoop on all the Memorial Day Weekend Fun happening on LI, click here!

Photo of the Blue Angels at the 2014 Jones Beach Air Show by Tom Lomino, via LongIsland.com.

LongIsland.com's 2015 May Family Fun Guide: Festivals, Fairs Fireworks & Tons of Warm Weather Fun!

 Things are really starting to warm up here on Long Island as we enter the month of May. Now that April’s Showers have come and gone, there are even more car shows, festivals, fairs, and other great outdoor events happening across the Island! May is sure to be a ton of fun from beginning to end, with the last weekend of the month, Memorial Day Weekend, topping off the fun with fireworks, fairs, picnics, and more fun things to do  than you’ll know what to do with! 

Known as the Unofficial Start of Summer, Memorial Day is celebrated for an entire long weekend here on Long Island, and whether you’re planning to enjoy a day at the beach, head over to one of the many fairs & festivals happening that weekend, or relax and BBQ at home, there’s tons of great fun happening over the holiday weekend!

For all the best May Fun happening on Long Island, click here!

Nikon at Jones Beach Theater's 2015 Concert Calendar

Whether you love to rock out, you're LI's biggest country music fan, or you're a pop music fanatic, this year's Concert Calendar at Jones Beach Theater has something for everyone! The fun kicks off Memorial Day Weekend with the annual Jones Beach Air Show, and doesn't stop all Summer long - big acts including the Dave Matthews Band, Tim McGraw, Train, Fall Out Boy, Def Leppard, and many more will be making stops at the Jones Beach Theater as part of their 2015 Concert Tours! Make the most out of the Summer at Jones Beach Theater, and indulge in a Long Island tradition that's been enjoyed by Long Islanders for generations!  

For the scoop on all of the big concerts & events coming to Jones Beach in 2015, click here!

Photo by R. Sullivan via WikiCommons. (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Support Our Planet Earth by Attending Some Fun & Educational Earth Day Events!

Earth Day is right around the corner - how will you be celebrating? This year, there are tons of great ways to celebrate Earth Day across Long Island on April 22nd, as well as the weekends before & after the holiday! No matter how you choose to celebrate Earth Day, remember - even making the smallest of changes can have a big impact. From pledging to recycle all your plastic bottles, to taking shorter showers to help conserve water, there are countless small steps you can take every day to help keep Long Island green! 

For the scoop on all of LI's Upcoming Earth Day Events, click here!

Photo by Cobrasoft, via Free Images.

Lyrid Meteor Shower Expected to Offer Stunning Celestial Display April 22nd & 23rd!

What better way to signal an end to the long, cold, blustery winter we’ve had this year than by celebrating with some early-spring cloud watching and stargazing? This April, the Lyrid Meteor Shower offers the perfect excuse to spend a little extra time outside this month taking in the beauty of the day and night skies on Long Island! 

The shower is active each year from April 16th to 25th, but you can expect to see the greatest number of meteors falling the during the peak of the show between April 22nd and 23rd. This will be most visible in the hours preceding dawn on both days, though experts say the early morning hours of April 23rd will offer the brightest views. Forecasters expect to see 10 to 20 meteors throughout the shower, but during the peak it may be possible to see more than 100 meteors an hour.

Click here to find out more about the 2015 Lyrid Meteor Shower!

Photo by C M Handler, via WikiCommons (CC BY-SA 3.0).

LongIsland.com's 2015 April Family Fun Guide: Celebrate Spring, Enjoy the Outdoors, Fun Festive Fairs & More!

Spring is in full swing, and this April, there’s tons of fun happening right here on Long Island in celebration of the season! April kicks off with Easter Celebrations - from Family Friendly Brunches & Egg Hunts, and even some Car Shows - the fun keeps on coming all month long! With the snow all gone, and warmer weather on the horizon, it’s no wonder Long Island is getting Spring Fever.

whether you're amped up for enjoying the Great Outdoors, you're itching to enjoy Springtime on the East End, or you're just looking to plan a day of Family Fun, we've got you covered! 

Click here for LongIsland.com's 2015 April Fun Guide!

Photo by Amy Burton, via Free Images. 

Just Kidding Around: Safe & Fun April Fools’ Day Pranks for Kids

Who doesn't love a good joke? April Fools' Day is here, and if this funny holiday is one you look forward to all year, then you won't want to miss out on these great gags that will have your whole family in stitches! 

We've put together some of our favorite funny & harmless pranks that will be a load of laughs for your whole family!

From subtle jokes that will give you a chuckle, to hilarious hoaxes that will give you full-blown belly laughs, we've got some great gags that are sure to make this April Fools' Day one to remember!

For LongIsland.com's 2015 April Fools Day Pranks, click here!

Celebrate Easter with an Amazing Sunday Brunch!

Easter is full of fun traditions that families enjoy carrying on each year. What traditions do you partake in during this holiday? Many enjoy traditions such as church, baskets full of candy, egg hunts and photos with the Easter Bunny. Why not add Easter Brunches to the list? 

Long Island has numerous restaurants that are offering Easter Brunch for the entire family. Take a peek here and find a location nearest you!

For the scoop on all the best Easter Brunches on Long Island, click here!

Photo by Maja, via Free Images.

St. Patrick’s Day Parades 2015: Celebrate Saint Pat's Right Here on LI!

 Saint Patrick's Day is almost here, and this year, LI will be celebrating with tons of amazing holiday parades! This March, in honor of Saint Patrick's Day you’ll be encountering masses of people decked out from head to toe in green traveling down town streets across Long Island surrounded by even more people celebrating on the sidewalks cheering them on. Attending a Saint Patty's Day Parade is a ton of fun, and is sure to become an annual tradition for you, your friends, and family.

Whether you’re Irish, or simply Irish-at-heart, everyone can enjoy a St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Grab your best green garb, and find out where you can attend a St. Pat’s Day Parade this year right here on Long Island!

For the scoop on all of LI's Saint Pat's Parades, click here!

Movies & TV Shows Shot Here on Long Island

Not only is Long Island an ideal place to live and visit, it is also an ideal place to shoot movies and television shows!  

Over the years many different films, and TV shows, have been filmed on Long Island from all the way back when film was shot in black and white, to nowadays with CGI and block buster budgets. From silver screen classics such as Citizen Kane, to modern day TV Show hits such as Boardwalk Empire & Gossip Girl, countless television shows and movies have used Long Island as their backdrop. Check out which of your favorite films and TV shows were filmed right in your own hometown!

For the scoop on what shows & movies were filmed on Long Island, click here!

Photo by Zsuzasanna Kilian, via Free Images.

Free-For-All Fun: Free Kids Events Happening This February & March

Looking for fun things to do on Long Island with the kids without breaking the bank? How about bringing the little ones to a free kid’s event on Long Island! It doesn’t get much more frugal than that!
 

This Winter there are plenty of free events going on at local libraries, town halls, and other venues, just for kids! Get the scoop on some serious fun activities that the little ones are sure to love, but won’t burn a hole in your pocket on LongIsland.com!

For all the best Free Winter Fun, click here!

Photo by Dragon_Art, via Free Images.