With the warm weather in the offing, there are plenty of interesting places to explore in Oyster Bay and its vicinity. Some of them have free admission and some charge minimal fees. Most of them are great for kids. I used to take my children when they were small to these places. Call for hours of operation and fees before venturing out.
BAILEY ARBORETUM
Bayville/Feeks Lane, Lattingtown
516-571-8020
Estate setting provides a natural backdrop for a magnificent collection of trees, shrubs and plants, many exceedingly rare. Open to Nassau Country residents and guests.
BAYVILLE HISTORICAL MUSEUM
34 School Street, Bayville
516-628-1720
Or Village Hall
516-628-1439
Museum housed, in part, in the only remaining building complex that was part of the Harrison Williams 88-acre "Oak Point" estate. It features several rooms of exhibits depicting Bayville's history, including a large room for changing exhibitions.
COLD SPRING HARBOR FISH HATCHERY & AQUARIUM
1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
631-692-6768
Non-profit educational center dedicated to educating visitors about freshwater ecosystems of New York. Educational programs available to public and school groups throughout the year.
EARLE-WIGHTMAN HOUSE
20 Summit Street, Oyster Bay
516-922-5032
A circa 1720 building restored and maintained by the Town of Oyster Bay, it is the home of the Oyster Bay Historical Society and houses a collection of Town memorabilia.
HICKSVILLE GREGORY MUSEUM
Heitz Place Courthouse, Hickscille
516-822-7505
Largest rock and mineral collection on Long Island along with more than 5,000 butterfly and moth specimens is housed in the historic Hicksville Courthouse ca. 1895. Courses offered in earth and natural sciences and Long Island history, as well as lectures, workshops and field trips.
THE JOHN P. HUMES JAPANESE STROLL GARDEN
Oyster Bay Road & Dogwood Lane, Mill Neck
516-676-4486
A four-acre gem of landscape design, the garden provides a retreat for passive recreation and contemplation. The views, textures, and balance of elements in the garden follow Japanese aesthetic principles, encouraging a contemplative experience. The garden suggests a mountain setting beside a sea, where gravel paths represent streams forming pools and cascades, eventually flowing into the ocean, represented by a pond. The garden's sale of native and Asian planats will be held May 16 & 17. Private and garden tours and tea ceremony demonstrations.
MUTTONTOWN PRESERVE
Muttontown Lane, East Norwich
516-571-8500
A 300-acre preserve includes miles of walking and self-guiding nature trails, bridle paths and practice rings. Operated by the Nassau County Museum System.
PLANTING FIELDS ARBORETUM STATE HISTORIC PARK
Planting Fields Road, Oyster Bay
516-922-9200/9201
Four hundred acres, half formally landscaped, rest in natural state with trails. A horticultural showplace, including floral gardens and greenhouses. Supervised tours of grounds and Coe Hall Museum.
RAYNHAM HALL MUSEUM
20 West Main Street, Oyster Bay
516-922-6808
Home of Samuel Townsend family used as British headquarters during the American Revolution. Main house build ca. 1740; Victorian wing added 1851. Period furnishings, special exhibits.
SAGAMORE HILL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE
Cove Neck Road, Oyster Bay
516-922-4447
Victorian Mansion completed in 1885 and recently refurbished, it served as Theodore Roosevelt's summer White House during his presidency. Old Orchard Museum, former residence of Theodore, Jr. and his family, contains Roosevelt memorabilia, including original film clips shown in special narrated program.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT SANCTUARY AND AUDUBON CENTER
Cove Road, Oyster Bay
516-922-3200
Owned by the National Audubon Society, the sanctuary contains 12 acres of unspoiled land and a self-guiding nature trails. Museum houses Long Island flora and fauna exhibits. Adjacent to Young's Cemetery, final resting place of Theodore Roosevelt.
TOWNSEND MUSEUM
107 East Main Street, Oyster Bay
516-922-5434
Museum was created in 1982 to display historical family memorabilia relating to John, Henry and Richard Townsend, 17th century settlers of Long Island, and their descendants, as well as all other early settlers of the United States by the name of Townsend and their descendants. Includes maps, portraits, books, furniture and genealogical records.
THE WATERFRONT CENTER
One West End Avenue, Oyster Bay
516-922-7245 (SAIL)
Not-for-profit organization dedicated to inspiring people about the marine environment. Oyster Bay Sailing School and oyster sloop "Christeen" offer educational programs, certification classes, boat and kayak rentals, sunset sails and more.
Copyright © 2009. By Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady". All rights reserved.. *PLACES OF INTEREST IN OYSTER BAY AND THE SURROUNDING AREAS*
If you are interested in selling or buying a home in East Norwich, Oyster Bay, Oyster Bay Cove, Brookville, Muttontown, Syosset, Laurel Hollow, Bayville, Centre Island and Mill Neck, please contact Rosalinda Morgan, "The Rose Lady".
Ph - 516-385-0584
Email - linda@rosalindamorgan.com
Website - www.rosalindamorgan.com
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