Winter Activities on Long Island

Get out your heavy coat and start the annual scavenger hunt through the closets for last year’s hats, scarves and mittens. Winter is here!

But you don’t have to stay indoors when the temperature drops. Long Island has a wide range of winter activities guaranteed to get you up and moving until spring comes again. 

Here’s a look at some of what the Long Island area has to offer to keep you active all winter long.

Get Festive

Holiday time doesn't mean an end to festivals and seasonal activities. You can find events scheduled across Nassau and Suffolk counties this winter that make great destinations when you want to get out and about. 

Enjoy Old-Fashioned Fun

Snowball fights and snow angels never go out of style. Other than making sure you have plenty of marshmallows on hand for hot cocoa when you come in from the cold, there’s not much left to do besides bundle up and head outside. Grab a carrot or two for a snowman’s nose and you’ve got everything you need for a perfect winter’s day.

Go Sledding

Choose a spot based on your favorite “Best Places to Sled in Long Island” Yelp review. Or go with an old favorite like Bald Hill off Ocean Avenue in Farmingville, NY or Bethpage State Park. Wear a helmet and make sure your sledding hill doesn’t end near a road, parking lot, pond, tree or other hazards, to stay safe.

Visit a Local Attraction 

Long Island has many family friendly destinations. You can stargaze at The Vanderbilt museum and planetarium in Centerport, NY. Or get an up-close look at sharks at The Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead, NY or at trains and planes at The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City, NY.

Discover more family friendly activities across Long Island.

Be a Good (Winter) Sport

Winter sports such as cross-country skiing, hockey or ice skating add physical activity to your cold-weather routine. Join a team or simply enjoy your hobby. Either way, you'll reap the rewards of staying active all season long:

• Improved heart health
• Increased endurance and strength
• Improved metabolism
• Improved mood

Contact your primary care physician before starting any new exercise program or sport. Call 866-MY-LI-DOC (866-695-4362) to find a Catholic Health physician near you.