12 Coolest Things To Do In Huntington, New York

1. Treat yourself at Long Island Chocolate & Chip'n Dipped Chocolatier

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you’re crazy about desserts, this is a place that you’ll love the most about Huntington. Long Island Chocolate & Chip’n Dipped Chocolatier is a charming chocolate shop on New York Avenue. Whether you want a precious gift basket to give to your loved one or a chocolate box for yourself, we reckon you’d never leave empty-handed here. Bring home some chocolate bars and choose from flavors like dark chocolate sea salt bar, milk chocolate cinnamon bun bar, and even coffee toffee!

Long Island Chocolate & Chip'n Dipped Chocolatier

Address: 342 New York Ave, Huntington, NY 11743, United States

Website: Long Island Chocolate & Chip'n Dipped Chocolatier

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 6pm; Sat: 10am - 6pm (closed on Sun)

2. Spend some quality time at Fleets Cove Beach Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Looking to have a laid-back afternoon alone or with your loved ones? Just over 10 minutes from Huntington is Centerport, where you’ll find Fleets Cove Beach Park. This community beach is not overly crowded and passes are only available to residents. If you wish to visit, you may purchase a daily pass for a minimal fee. There are areas with picnic tables and grills, perfect for a BBQ lunch with your family. If your furry friend is with you, dogs are allowed at the beach but they must be leashed at all times.

Fleets Cove Beach Park

Address: Fleets Cove Rd, Centerport, NY 11721, United States

Opening hours: 8:30am - 8pm (daily)

3. Visit the Heckscher Museum of Art

Don’t know what to do in Huntington, NY? Opened in 1920, by German-American industrialist and developer August Heckscher, this museum is located in Heckscher Park. The vast collection of more than 2,500 pieces, is focused on European and American art from the 19th to the 21st century. Some of the most renowned works of the gallery include Lucas Cranach’s the Elder’s Virgin, Child, St. John the Baptist and Angels, as well as Georgia O'Keeffe’s Machu Picchu watercolor painting from the Baker/Picasso Museum. The museum also houses works from three Huntington artists - American modernists Arthur Dove (1880-1946), Helen Torr (1886-1967), and the Berlin Dadaist George Grosz (1893-1959), who lived in Huntington for about 12 years.

The museum organizes temporary exhibitions throughout the year and the program is available on the website. Docents are available to answer all the questions you might have about the museum and the collections, from Wednesday to Friday (2:00 pm - 4:00 pm) and Saturday and Sunday (2:00 pm - 5:00 pm).

Heckscher Museum of Art

Address: 2 Prime Avenue, Huntington, NY 11743-7702

Website: Heckscher Museum of Art

4. Go walking in Caumsett State Park

One of the best Huntington activities is exploring Caumsett State Park. This gigantic 1,520-acre (615.1-hectare) park was developed in the 1920s and is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Make sure you take the whole family here for the 2.4 km (1.5 mile) walk or bicycle ride, with some magnificent freshwater pond views. Horseback riding is also permitted.

The park is home to many different bird species, listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern, including the osprey (special concern), piping plover (state endangered and federal threatened), common tern (state threatened) and least tern (state threatened).

Caumsett State Park

Address: 25 Lloyd Harbor Road Huntington, NY 11743

Website: Caumsett State Park

5. Visit the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The Cold Spring Fish Hatchery & Aquarium is the largest living collection of New York state freshwater reptiles, fish and amphibians. Tour one or two of the aquariums and the eight outdoor ponds of the hatchery, where you can feed the trout or try some catch and release fishing. The Cold Spring Fish Hatchery & Aquarium is perfect for families with kids, looking to learn more about the fresh-water eco-system of New York state.

Looking for a unique gift for a friend or a family member? Why not sponsor one of the hatchery’s animals? All money raised goes towards enhancing the livelihood of the animals, by purchasing food, maintaining the exhibits habitats, assisting in veterinary care and expanding educational programming. The fish hatchery & aquarium organizes events throughout the year for the public - the program is available on the website.

Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

Address: 1660 Route 25A • Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724

Website: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium

6. Visit Oheka Castle

Historic Oheka Castle is found at the highest point on Long Island. This place in Huntington is inspired by French elegant castle architecture and features world-class service and fascinating American history. The mansion is recognized today as a prestigious wedding and events venue. Experience living like royalty in one of the 32 guestrooms and suites.

You can visit the castle or taste the finest European inspired dishes at Oheka’s Bar & Restaurant, a fine dining restaurant by Chef Daniel Andreotti.

Oheka Castle

Address: 135 West Gate Drive Huntington, New York 11743

Opening times: OHEKA BAR & RESTAURANT (Open Daily) - Bar: Sunday-Thursday 12:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Friday & Saturday 12:00 pm-10:00 pm. Restaurant: Lunch - 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm. Dinner - Sunday-Thursday 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm | Friday & Saturday: 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm. Special hours may apply during holidays.

Website: Oheka Castle

7. Watch classic movies at the Cinema Art Center

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Watch independent and international movies at the Cinema Art Center. True to the founder’s vision of creating a community of filmgoers and engaging people in cinema culture, the center shows some classic, silent movies, accompanied by live music, making it a perfect afternoon/evening out with the family.

Insider tip: Make sure to grab a bucket of organic popcorn at the Sky Room Cafe, next to the cinema, as this is the only place to offer organic popcorn on Long Island!

Cinema Art Center

Address: 423 Park Avenue Huntington NY 11743

Website: Cinema Art Center

8. Visit the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum

The Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum is the perfect place for a fun, educational afternoon, with the whole family. The museum’s mission is to educate all its visitors on the ever-changing relationship between humans and whales, as whaling used to be one of Long Island’s main commercial industries and was crucial for the development of the local economy.

The museum collection is filled with more than 6,000 artifacts, from photos, documents, clothing and even an original whaling vessel! They organize events throughout the year - the program is available on the website.

The Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum

Address: 279 Main Street, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724

Website: The Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum

9. Go to the farm

Kerber’s Farm offers a wide range of homemade products and provisions, from their homemade jams and preserves, dry cookie mixes, homemade pancake and scone mixes, to specially curated olive oil and balsamic vinegar and much more! The garden at the back of the shop is the all-time kids’ favorite and accessible during open hours.

Organic vegetables from the farm’s garden are available seasonally (during spring and summer) and if you are looking to stay in eco-friendly accommodation, in Huntington, two guest cottages are available for overnight stays.

Kerber's Farm

Address: 309 West Pulaski Road, Huntington, NY 11743

Website: Kerber’s Farm

10. Visit the iconic St. John Episcopal Church

Another beautiful attraction to come see is the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church which was built with fine architectural feats dating back all the way to 1835. Oliver Smith Sammis of Huntington was the chosen architect of the church as he made it a stunner for 3,215 USD. Timber using the post and beam construction was used to further develop hand-hewn timbers fitted with mortise joints and pegs which gave the frame’s structure, the delicate feat that still stands to date. Throughout the years, alterations took place within the church due to liturgical changes and interiors shifted where the chancel and the choir were reorganized. To date, St. John’s Episcopal Church still manages to be a peaceful house of worship and a beautiful place of refuge for the local community of Cold Spring Harbor.

St. John Episcopal Church

Address: St. John’s Episcopal Church, 1670 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724

Website: St. John Episcopal Church

Opening hours: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, Mondays to Thursdays; 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Friday; 8:00 am to 9:00 pm, 10:00 am to 11:00 am, Sundays

11. Spend a day soaking up some sun at Crab Meadow Beach

Long Island is a great place to get away if you wish to spend a couple of days out of touch from everyone else in the city. Take a dip at the beautiful beaches of Long Island, specifically Crab Meadow Beach in Huntington Township. Located in the north shore of Long Island, this beach is frequented by many locals and travelers alike. It’s a public beach with a boardwalk, playground for kids, and restaurants for people to experience ocean-front dining. Crab Meadow Beach is a public beach 1,060 ft (98.5 sqm) wide and surrounds the Long Island Sound. Aside from shops and restaurants, there are also a few sandbars where people can have a great drink by the beach at night. Whether you’re a kid off to build sandcastles, or adults wanting to soak in some Vitamin D, there’s definitely something to do at Crab Meadow Beach you cannot miss out on.

Crab Meadow Beach

Address: Waterside Ave, Northport, New York 11768

Website: Crab Meadow Beach

12. Spend an afternoon at Heckscher Park

Those who wish to take a breather from work or the busy city life, they can head over to Heckscher Park and take in the stunning lush greenery. Well preserved, clean, and spacious, this park has been around since the eighties which locals and parks and recreational committees have managed to preserve throughout the years. Heckscher Park, one of the best places to go in Huntington, is still popular amongst locals for morning jobs, afternoon strolls, and much-needed nightcaps to this day. The park is distinct for its triangular shape, with three separate exits and entrances for people to come and go from. There is a huge pond and a museum, the Heckscher Museum of Art established by August Heckscher and Chapin Rainbow Theatre for city events that usually take place monthly and seasonally depending on the occasion. Spend a few hours at this leisure park and take in some peace and quiet before returning o your busy travel plan or work trip.

Heckscher Park

Address: 164 Main St, Huntington, NY 11743

Website: Heckscher Park

Opening hours: 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, Sundays to Mondays

Price: free admission

Get the family out

Huntington is not your typical small Long Island town and has so many activities (just a few of them listed above) for the whole family to have a good time. So grab your bikes and head to the National Park or teach the little ones to respect nature and gain some understanding of the impact of their actions on marine species. And don’t miss the movie trivia nights at the Cinema Arts Center for a fun time!