Most people think of summer as the perfect time to get out and go adventure! BUT some days it’s just too hot or humid, and who enjoys that? The end of summer when we’re starting to feel the chill of fall, sounds like the perfect adventure weather! In case you’ve been itching to explore a new place, I thought now would be the perfect time to share with you my top five favorite state parks across Long Island!

Throughout the past couple years, I have gone to various state parks and preserves. Compared to how many there actually are on Long Island, it’s not many BUT of the ones I have been to, I’m going to give you my top five picks! Maybe if you’re the exploring type, this can help you discover some new and fun places!

Side Note!

This may be something completely unnecessary to even mention but I feel that I should anyway. As much as I enjoy venturing out to these parks and feel carefree doing so, you also really need to be cautious. All the stories in the news about people getting harmed at parks is very worrisome and unfortunate. It sucks that a place to explore nature becomes a place I may have to worry about others around me. I’m not the kind to worry so much that I don’t go experience things but I just want everyone to be aware of being careful when going to state parks! Otherwise, have fun and enjoy my list!

1. Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve.

I like to think of Norman J. Levy Park and Preserve as a good place to get a good workout in. They have long, hilly trails perfect for a long walk or to go for a jog. Along the way, there are exercise areas that have bars or benches that indicate what they are used for. When first arriving after you park your car, there is a mini farm with chickens, ducks ,and goats! I haven’t seen for myself BUT people have said that they let the goats out to walk around with workers at the preserve for them to get out a little. I’m hoping I go one day when they’re out and about and I get to pet one of them and make it my friend, haha.

But back to the trails… they have two sets of trails, for a harder walk/run or a “beginner” one, I guess you could say. Once you get to the very top of the hill, you see so much. At the very top of this preserve is a huge layout with a view that looks FAR out! Yes, you do see your typical LI roads with traffic and buildings. You are also overlooking the ocean, with boats, and have a view of the city (that is if it isn’t a cloudy day)! There are also signs to indicate other locations with their distances and a windmill, a lake, and a sundial. And on the other side of the hill is your up close ocean view. There is a long pier that extends out to walk out on.

There is so much that contributes to this preserve and they are all great reasons to why it’s my fav!

Located in Merrick, NY.

2. Welwyn Preserve Park.

Moving onto the next is Welwyn Preserve located in Glen Cove. I like to believe that this park has it all! Abandoned buildings, graffiti covering these buildings, greenhouses, trails engulfed by trees and leaves, wildlife, ponds, and even, a beach! Little did I expect the various paths to lead me to a beach. I know it’s Glen Cove but still! There is SO much to check out in this park alone. It is huge and beautiful! I will say, as you can tell by the pictures, we went when it was a bit colder but there were still leaves in some areas!

Upon arrival, before entering the park, you are greeted by the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County. I had actually visited this museum before I had even known of the Welwyn Preserve. I had to go for a school assignment and it worked out well anyway because this was something that interested the both of us. Maybe a year or two later was when we went back for the preserve with our friend.

Located in Glen Cove, NY.

3. Vanderbilt Museum.

Aside from all the history at this place, it has so much nature and open space to explore. Before I had revisited the Vanderbilt Museum, I hadn’t been there since I was in elementary school. I had gone for probably three different trips so this probably holds a bit of nostalgia for me.

I went back for a “photo walk” hosted by Long Island Strong. They do cool events where you get to meet other Long Islanders and explore different places to just wander and take pictures! It’s really for legit photographers but I enjoy taking my own photos and walking around so it was fun! I never knew how much there was to see there since I was confined to where the teachers would allow us to go. This was a nice opportunity to take notice of the architecture, the beautiful stone walkways, and the nature that surrounded us.

I know that this is not necessarily considered a park or a preserve BUT I truly believe this is a great place to check out and get in a decent amount of walking and learn a thing or two. You can go online to get tickets for admission into the museums, the planetarium and so on. Check it out for yourself and tell me if you would consider it for this list, or not!

Located in Centerport, NY.

4. Kings Park Bluff.

When it comes to this preserve I was a little confused by it… to my assumption it is it’s own park. When going through pictures on my phone, I came across locations like Nissequogue River State Park, Sunken Meadow State Park, Kings Park Bluff, and just Kings Park. The pictures were scattered between these four locations. Turns out Kings Park Bluff is apparently part of Sunken Meadow State Park… don’t quote me on it though! I’ll be honest, I googled a little to do a bit of research so I could give a little more info on this park and for the blog. Reading through A Mike Who Likes To Hike’s blog, was also unsure of the exact details on the bluff also but it was a good read and did help!

Since this was the area that I did check out, this is what I am going to include on my list rather than Sunken Meadow. That will definitely be one that I will check out in it’s entirety one day, and you should too! Kings Park Bluff is a beautiful trail that looks out to the Nissequogue River. Before even getting to the trail, you will see docks when you park. Which typically has people relaxing, fishing or sitting at their boats. Once getting to the trail, you will notice it is made up of sand. These sandy trails are something that sticks out from the rest and one of the reasons I favor it. There is a semi-steep hill that leads down to the beach. Here, and along the rest of the shore is reed grass scattered all over. Umm, did I mention yet that there is a puppy trail? There’s a GOOD chance that you will see some playful pups on the beach and taking a stroll on the trails too!

As much as I did really enjoy this park, I did not get to explore to the full extent. There was so much more to see so that leaves a little more excitement to this park. The fact that I didn’t get to see all that much and it still makes my list, must mean something.

Plus, this is a five minute drive to the Kings Park Psychiatric Center, and who doesn’t want to take the risk of checking out that place? 😉

Located in Kings Park, NY. (if you couldn’t tell)

5. Shu Swamp Nature Preserve.

This one was a toss up with another preserve but this one made my list! This is a loop trail that is just over a mile long that is made up of woods, streams and ponds, and wooden walkways. There is various wildlife and much plant/flower life growing all around. There is even some graffiti on a concrete wall, which is pretty good! It is super muddy, which I didn’t know when planning to go so you could imagine how my white Converse felt… see the picture above, lol. Yes, my foot got stuck in mud and it was a minor struggle to pull out. Honestly though, I loved it. The muddiness just adds to the experience and the name (I feel it works for it at least).

At some point we decided to go a little off course. We saw a hill leading up to train tracks and we felt the need to go check it out, so we did! While walking along the tracks we came across a hockey arena. I cannot remember exactly what this place was but we got to see that and look around that area.

Located in Mill Neck, NY.

SO, that is my top five state parks of Long Island, NY! I hope that you enjoyed and even got an idea of a few new places to see for yourself. Also because why not mention, my “honorable mention”, would be Caumsett State Park located in Lloyd Harbor, NY. By chance, did anyone keep track of how many times I said “explore” or some variation of it? I didn’t count but it seems like it was probably A LOT, ooops. If you have any places that you have explored and love, leave a comment and pass them along. I would love some suggestions!
But for now, happy exploring 😉 !

See ya,
Samm 🙂