Oyster Bay on Long Island, New York, is a small, historical town and is only a 45-minute drive from New York City. Oyster Bay served as the backdrop for Theodore Roosevelt as he realized many of his ambitions. Most of the places that are connected to his life remain or have been restored. These include the summer home or the place where his offices were. However, Roosevelt’s legacy is not the only thing that makes this small town worth visiting, since Oyster Bay is part of the famous Gold Coast of Long Island. So, if you would like to escape the busy city of New York and visit a town full of history, art, and nature, you can plan a fun-filled itinerary with the help of our list. Scroll down to find out more about the top things to do in Oyster Bay, New York.
1. Discover the town's rich railroad history at Oyster Bay Railroad Museum
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Oyster Bay Railroad Museum is one of the top attractions in Oyster Bay and offers a delightful array of activities for railroad enthusiasts and families alike. Step into the world of trains through interactive exhibits, vintage artifacts, and beautifully restored railcars that showcase the rich history of rail transportation. Visitors can enjoy immersive experiences like operating a model train layout or exploring the intricacies of signal systems.
The museum often hosts engaging events, such as seasonal train rides and special exhibits, making it an exciting destination for all ages. Whether you’re captivated by the nostalgia of locomotives or intrigued by the mechanics behind railroads, Oyster Bay Railroad Museum provides an educational and entertaining space that celebrates the allure of trains and their role in shaping our past.
Oyster Bay Railroad Museum
Address: 1 Railroad Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771, United States
Website: Oyster Bay Railroad Museum
Opening hours: Sat - Sun: 12pm - 4pm (closed on Mon - Fri)
2. Stroll along the waterfront at Oyster Bay Marine Center
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Wondering about what to do in Oyster Bay? You must embark on a journey to Oyster Bay Marine Center, which is a must for those seeking a captivating exploration of marine wonders. This marina offers an immersive experience that celebrates the allure of the ocean. Its engaging exhibits delve deep into the diverse marine ecosystems that grace Long Island’s waters, offering visitors a unique chance to understand and appreciate the local marine life. The chance to interact with boats, perhaps even setting sail, adds an element of adventure to the experience.
Oyster Bay Marine Center
Address: 5 Bay Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771, United States
Website: Oyster Bay Marine Center
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7:30am - 3:30pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
3. Have a fun time with the kids at The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze: Long Island
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Displaying more than 7,000 intricately carved pumpkins that glow in the dark, what’s not to love about The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze in Long Island? Kids and adults alike will surely love walking through the Old Bethpage Village Restoration as you marvel at thousands of illuminated jack o’lanterns that are hand-carved into different designs including the Statue of Liberty, dragons, ghouls, ghosts, and a lot more—truly a magical experience!
The Long Island event runs for 36 nights from late September to early November. Keep in mind, though, that tickets aren’t available on site and should be purchased online before visiting the event.
The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze: Long Island
Address: 1303 Round Swamp Rd, Old Bethpage, NY 11804
Website: The Great Jack O'Lantern Blaze: Long Island
Price: 32 USD for adults and 24 USD for children (free for children under 2)
4. Fully enjoy what the great outdoors has to offer at Muttontown Preserve
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Muttontown Preserve is a 550-acre (222.5-hectare) nature preserve that features a 4-kilometer (2.4-mile) trail that loops around the wide area. It’s perfect for people who want to hike, run, or just enjoy a relaxing stroll in the great outdoors. Visitors will be treated to beautiful natural views of trees, flowers, and plants, not to mention the chance to see wild reptiles, birds, and other animals in their natural habitat. This scenic nature preserve is open all year round.
Muttontown Preserve
Address: Muttontown, NY 11791
Opening hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm (daily; hours might differ during holidays)
5. Enjoy a relaxing time with Mother Nature at Bailey Arboretum
Bailey Arboretum is a beautiful arboretum located on the North Shore of Long Island. It is named after Frank Bailey, a renowned horticulturist and philanthropist who developed the land by planting rare trees and plants. It is now being cared for by the local government after the heirs of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Bailey donated the 42-acre (17-hectare) land to Nassau County.
Today, the arboretum is a popular destination that features scenic trails through beautiful and peaceful grounds where people can reconnect with nature.
Bailey Arboretum
Address: 194 Bayville Rd, Locust Valley, NY 11560
Website: Bailey Arboretum
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 9am - 5pm (closed on Mon)
6. Tour Roosevelt's family home - Sagamore Hill
Sagamore Hill has been the private residence for Theodore Roosevelt from 1885 until his death in 1919. It was nicknamed the Summer White House and Roosevelt held lots of speeches on the porch of this house. Sagamore Hill has over 80 acres (32.4 ha) of grounds and it even has some aspects for nature lovers. However, the site is not accessible to individuals, only guided tours. Found in Cove Bay near Oyster Neck, this location isn’t difficult to find, if you choose to visit.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
Address: 20 Sagamore Hill Rd, Oyster Bay, NY 11771, United States
Website: Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 9am - 5pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: 10 USD
7. Explore Oyster Bay's historic sites
There are lots of historic sites to visit in Oyster Bay, so what better way to visit these than by going on a walking tour? This list consists of eight historic sites, including Sagamore Hill and Raynham Hall, that will take you through history. However, the first stop on this list has recently been closed, but it is possible to start this tour at another stop. If you do not like to walk or are unable to do this walking tour, it is also possible to do this tour while driving your (rented) car. Get to visit sites like Moore’s Building, Oyster Bay Bank Building, and the scenic Waterfront Center.
Oyster Bay History Walk
Address: Oyster Bay, NY 11771, United States
8. Take a tour of Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
Planting Fields is a state park covering over 400 acres (162 ha) built in 1915, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Coe Hall was the home of William Robertson Coe and his wife Mary “Mai” Huttleston Coe. With greenhouses and lots of plant collections, the Planting Fields are a magical, amazing, fairy tale of botany delight. The best time to visit Planting Fields is in late spring, when all the flowers are in full bloom.
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park
Address: 1395 Planting Fields Rd, Oyster Bay, NY 11771, United States
Website: Planting Fields Foundation
Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)
Price: 8 USD (per car)
9. Visit Raynham Hall Museum
Raynham Hall was home to one of the founding families of Oyster Bay, the Townsend family. The building was first built in the year 1738 and was updated to its current Victorian style in 1851. This Museum is all about spies, love letters, and ghost stories that make up the history of this old house. For more information on what to do at Raynham Hall, visit the website, which is linked below.
Raynham Hall Museum
Address: 20 W Main St, Oyster Bay, NY 11771, United States
Website: Raynham Hall Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 1pm - 5pm (closed on Mon)
Price: 7 USD for adults, 5 USD for students and Senior Citizens, Free for service people and children under six.
10. Wander around Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park and Beach
After having visited all the places listed above, it is time to rest a little bit. From Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park and Beach, you have a beautiful view over Oyster Bay harbour. If you come here around sunset, the views will be priceless. If you’re visiting in October, be sure to check out the annual Oyster Festival on the Waterfront at Theodore Roosevelt Park. This park is also a popular site for boating and kayaking, boasting a marina, kayak ramps, and boat launching ramps.
Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park and Beach
Address: 25 West End Ave, Oyster Bay, NY 11771, United States
11. Bike around Caumsett State Historic Park Preserve
If you are looking forward to an active day or you just want to walk around in nature, you can visit Caumsett State Historic Park preserve. Here, there are plenty of hiking, biking and nature trails. The park is only a 20-minute car-ride away from Oyster Bay. You can also take part in water activities like fishing and even scuba diving. However, you’ll need a permit for these. And if all you need to do is unwind, take advantage of the tranquility and breathtaking scenery that will leave you fully relaxed.
Caumsett State Historic Park preserve
Address: 25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Lloyd Harbor, NY 11743, United States
Website: Caumsett State Historic Park preserve
Opening hours: 8am - 9pm (daily)
12. Check out the fish at Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium is the perfect place to relax and to visit with your children. It is a non-profit environmental education centre dedicated to educating its visitors about the freshwater ecosystems of New York State. If you are unable to visit the aquarium in real life, there is a possibility to watch live streams of some of the animals living there. You can watch them on the website.
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
Address: 1660 Route 25A Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724, United States
Website: Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium
Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (daily)
Price: Members: free, children: (Ages 3 - 12) 5 USD, (2yrs & under): Free, (65 and over): 6 USD
13. Bring your kids to Bayville Adventure Park
This family-owned theme park is only a 12-minute car ride away from Oyster Bay. It is also perfect for a getaway with the children. The other side of the theme park, Bayville Scream Park, isn’t for the lighthearted. It is a haunted house theme park and was named as one of the best in the United States. Be sure to experience some of the park’s popular activities like the bungee bounce and rock climbing. They also have mini-golfing and bumper boating for some modest fun with the family.
Bayville Adventure Park
Address: 8 Bayville Avenue, Long Island, NY 11709, United States
Website: Bayville Adventure Park
Opening hours: (Bayville Adventure Park) Fri - Sun: 1am - 9pm; Mon - Thu: 11am - 8pm (Bayville Scream Park): Fri: 6pm - 10pm; Sat: 3pm - 10pm; Sun: 3pm - 9pm
14. Visit Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium
Visit the Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium for a variety of events and programs, including mansion tours, laser light shows, summer night dances, car shows, and more. The mansion was designed by the renowned New York City architecture firm of Warren & Wetmore, who had also designed and built the Grand Central Terminal in New York City.
Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium
Address: 180 Little Neck Rd, Centerport, NY 11721, United States
Website: Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 12am - 5pm (closed on Mon, Wed & Thu)
Price: Adults: 8 USD; Students with ID and Seniors: 7 USD; children under 12: 5 USD; members, children under 2, and military: free
15. Drink some beer at Oyster Bay Brewing Company
For a unique beer experience, you should visit Oyster Bay Brewing Company. Here, they have brewed all sorts of beer since 2012. The company is situated in the city centre of Oyster Bay, which makes it accessible for everyone staying in or near the city. Try out their refreshing Milkshake India Pale Ale or the popular American Lager.
Oyster Bay Brewing Company
Address: 36 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, NY 11771, United States
Website: Oyster Bay Brewing Company
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 1pm - 10pm; Fri: 1pm - 12pm; Sat: 12am - 12pm; Sun: 12am - 8pm
There is something for everyone in Oyster Bay
To sum up, Oyster Bay has plenty of amazing sights to visit in or near the city center. If you are looking for fun activities in the town of Oyster Bay and love nature, history, and art or just want to get out of the big city, you should pay a visit.
Frequently asked questions about things to do in Oyster Bay
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