Winter Break Ideas  

1. Visit a Museum: 

Check out last week's article listing the best museums both near and far. More than 20 are on the North Fork or close by. Link Below-

https://riverhead.macaronikid.com/articles/6790f4e88931803e8c2a46b7/time-to-explore-history

2) Go Skating or Play Hockey: 

• George D Costello Memorial Roller Skating Rink-Greenport
• The Southampton Ice Rink/Hockey-Southampton
• Gr8Skates-Shirley
• Rapid Fire Arena-Moriches
• Peconic Ice Rinks/Hockey-Calverton
• Hockey Rink at Stotzky Memorial Park-Riverhead

3) Winter Break Camps:

Long Island Aquarium Camps

Riverhead
Ages 5-11
Long Island Aquarium's camp program adds interactive excitement to school breaks and summer vacations. Kids ages 5-11 tour the aquarium, feed the stingrays, check out the sea lion show, play games, watch movies, make crafts, and more! 

Quogue Wildlife Refuge

Quogue
Ages 5-10
The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a 300-acre nonprofit nature preserve that offers nature programs, trail hikes, and camps for children that run over school breaks and summers. The refuge also offers birthday party options where kids can get close to the resident animals. 

Suffolk County Farm & Education Center

Yaphank
Ages 5-12

Campers go behind the scenes of the working farm at The Suffolk County Farm and Education Center learning how to raise farm animals and how to grow crops. Campers spend most of their time outdoors. Older campers get hands-on experience studying farm animal care, grooming, embryology, and animal training.

Sportime

Quogue, and Amagansett
Ages 4-15
Kids can learn age- and level-appropriate tennis skills during camp at Sportime. Multi-sport camps are also offered. Above all, fun is the focus at these camps. 

4) Go Sledding:

Mattituck High School – Mattituck

North Forkers have flocked here for generations, but be wary of the traffic as you cross the region's busiest street.

Southampton Youth Services Rec Center– Southampton

This expansive property in the Hamptons featuring sledding hills is set off from busy streets and ideal for young children.

Wildwood State Park - Wading River is particularly beautiful, featuring 600 acres that terminate on the bluffs of the Long Island Sound. The park is heavily wooded and is known as an ideal camping spot in the warmer months. Visitors also come to go cross-country skiing in the winter. There are several hills of varying heights so families can choose their own.

5. Indoor Pool Stay-Cations: Local

Hilton Garden Inn Riverhead

2038 Old Country Rd, Riverhead, New York, 11901

https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/isprhgi-hilton-garden-inn-riverhead/

Hyatt Place Long Island/East End-Riverhead

451 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901

Long Island East End Hotel with Pool | Hyatt Place Long Island

Residence Inn Long Island East End-Riverhead

2012 Old Country Road, Riverhead, New York, USA, 11901

Residence Inn Long Island-East End - All-Suite Hotel in Riverhead, NY

The Inn And Spa At East Wind-Baiting Hollow

5720 NY-25A, BAITING HOLLOW, NY 11933

Home - East Wind Long Island

Home2 Suites by Hilton Long Island Brookhaven-Yaphank

 101 Boulevard East, Yaphank, New York, 11980

Home2 Suites by Hilton Long Island Brookhaven, NY Hotel

5. Go For a Winter Hike:

Mashomack Preserve — Shelter Island

Located 3 miles from the south ferry to North Haven on Shelter Island, Mashomack Preserve boasts 12 miles of coastline and acres of creeks, woodlands, and fields. There are several trail options from 1-10 miles, so choose wisely. We managed to do 2 miles with my boys, ages 7 and 10. The terrain was steep at times and bumpy, so tread carefully. Note: Trails open daily from dawn to dusk. Visitor Center exhibits are open 10am- 3pm, Thursday through Saturday. Trails will only be open on weekends during January. Bathrooms are open during operational hours.

Sagg Swamp Preserve — Bridgehampton

Considered one of the most beautiful nature walks on the East End by Hamptons Magazine, this 105-acre preserve boasts an array of oak, red maple, and Atlantic white cedar trees. There is also a 700-foot boardwalk that curves out over the swamp, where you might spot some of the 14 species of mammals that live there, as well as 84 species of birds. It's open from dusk to dawn.

Laurel Lake Preserve — Laurel

At nearly 500 acres, Laurel Lake is the largest preserve in Southold Town, and its 2-plus mile trail features a panoply of tree and animal species. The forest is dominated by oak, hickory, beech, and maple, but don’t miss the mixed forest, where the hardwoods share space with evergreens. Of course, where there are trees, there are woodpeckers, often heard hammering away for food. Other wildlife include owls, foxes, deer, and squirrels. Laurel Lake, from which the preserve draws its name, provides a habitat for waterfowl, amphibians, and reptiles, including turtles.

Montauk Point State Park — Montauk

Nature trails and sweeping water views are abundant at Montauk Point State Park. Cross-country skiing and dog walking are also permitted. You can visit the state's oldest lighthouse, the Montauk Point Lighthouse, which is open seasonally. Keep in mind that children under 41 inches tall are not permitted to climb the lighthouse. Note: the $8 vehicle use fee is collected year-round. 

 Sagg Swamp Preserve — Bridgehampton

Considered one of the most beautiful nature walks on the East End by Hamptons Magazine, this 105-acre preserve boasts an array of oak, red maple, and Atlantic white cedar trees. There is also a 700-foot boardwalk that curves out over the swamp, where you might spot some of the 14 species of mammals that live there, as well as 84 species of birds. It's open from dusk to dawn.

6. Hit up an Indoor Playground/Arcade:

• Safari Adventure-Riverhead
• Scott's Point-Calverton
• Game On Retro Arcade-Riverhead & Smith Haven Mall
• The All Star Bowling/Arcade-Riverhead
• Burgercade-Mattituck
• Dave and Busters-Islandia
• Chucky Cheese-Patchogue
• Topgolf-Holtsville

7. Family Open Swim at-Saf-T-Swim

Riverhead, East Quogue and more 

The whole family can jump-in our warm water family swimming pool during our Open Swim hours.