Gina Massaro

Latest posts by Gina Massaro

Guide to Long Island's Waterdrinker Family Farm: Flowers, Seasonal Festivals, and More Fun

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Mon, 08/28/2023 - 12:45pm

Whether it's the Tulip Festival in the spring, or the Sunflower Fest in late summer, there's always something fun happening at Waterdrinker Family Farms.

Visiting Waterdrinker Family Farm during one of its picture-perfect flower festivals, including Long Island's only Tulip Festival is a surefire way for your family to find its new favorite farm. Kids love petting the farm animals before running off to play, while parents can look forward to relaxing with a cold beer from the on-site brewery.

So, grab your phone or your camera and head out east to Waterdrinker Family Farm to capture some memories. Find lots more ideas for spending a day at one of Long Island's family-friendly farms in our Pick Your Own Guide to Farms on Long Island.

Guide to Visiting Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos with Kids: Indoor Water Park and More Fun

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Thu, 08/24/2023 - 4:12pm

Great Wolf's indoor water park draws kids of all ages to its slides and recent renovations mean its added seven new slides to its collection..

Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos is a perfect, easy weekend getaway for families from New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. With a brand-new 40,000-square-foot water park expansion and tons of interactive all-ages fun, it's sure to draw tri-state area families for years to come.

We recently revisited this longtime family retreat, and we were reminded why Great Wolf Lodge Poconos is one of our top Poconos resorts for families. If you're headed there, find more fun nearby on our list of 70 things to do in the Poconos and our Poconos Family Travel Guide.

Magnolia Park Playground Debuts in Long Beach

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Mon, 08/14/2023 - 6:47am

Dive headfirst down the rolling slide, one of Magnolia Park Playground's unique features.

Spin, climb, and swing at Long Beach's newest accessible playground, Magnolia Park. Located right off the boardwalk, this convenient playground has lots to offer younger kids.

Read on to learn about the unique features of Magnolia Park, and be sure to check out our post on accessible playgrounds and much more in our Playground Guide to Long Island.

25 Things To Do in Montauk with Kids

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Mon, 08/07/2023 - 12:37pm

The beaches in Montauk are among the nation's best. Photo by Joe Shlabotnik via Flickr

If you're looking for a relaxing getaway, Montauk, on the extreme East End of Long Island, is the place to be. Montauk has things to do for everyone in the family, whether you crave excitement, exercise, or just want to read a book on the sand.

From the western edge of the community to the lighthouse at Montauk Point, Montauk boasts more than 5,000 acres of parkland, a host of surf schools, fishing and camping adventures, and more. It's a welcoming destination with a host of diverse activities sure to entertain kids of all ages.

Stopping off in the Hamptons along the way? Check out our list of great East End activities for families and our Ultimate Long Island Kids Summer Vacation Guide.

Family-Friendly Waterfront Restaurants on Long Island

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 07/21/2023 - 7:32am

Anchor Down Dockside's specialities are seafood and steak.

Long Island's waterfront restaurants offer the refuge of an ocean breeze, a delightful view, and fantastic meals. Lucky for us Long Islanders, many area restaurants are nestled right on the water. There's no better way to start or end the day with the family than with a delicious meal right on the water.

Below, we've rounded up Long Island's top waterfront restaurants in Nassau, Suffolk, and of course, the East End. A delectable, waterfront meal is only miles away.

Find our roundup of Long Island's best restaurants with entertainment for kids and more dining ideas in our Long Island Kid-Friendly Restaurant Guide.

White Post Farms' New Giraffe Feeding Encounter

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Mon, 07/10/2023 - 6:53am

Meet the world’s tallest mammals at White Post Farms' giraffe experience. Photo courtesy of the farm

Travel with the family to the African grasslands without leaving Long Island with a visit to the all-new giraffe encounter experience at White Post Farms in Melville. Pose for selfies, pet the giraffes, and maybe even get a kiss from a long-necked cutie. Read on for details about how to get to know one of the tallest animals in the world.

For more fun with animals, check out our Guide to Long Island Zoos and Gardens, which includes our list of Long Island's best petting zoos.

Best Campgrounds for Glamping and Cabin Camping on Long Island

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Fri, 06/23/2023 - 6:06am

Rent a renovated airstream for a glamping experience at Nickerson Beach. Photo by Adam Panetta

Glamping sites and campgrounds with cabins on Long Island offer wonderful opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. From the beaches that line our shores, to our rivers, wetlands, and forests, there is an abundance of nature to become one with on Long Island–and you don't need a sleeping bag or tent to do it.

Here is our list of the top glamping campgrounds on Long Island. Some locations have cabin rentals, while others offer RV and camper hookups.

Check out our list of the 18 Best Places to Go Camping on Long Island with Kids for more great camping ideas.

Best Destinations for Mom's Night Out on Long Island

Submitted by Gina Massaro on Sun, 05/14/2023 - 7:22am

Paint Nite provides paints, canvases, and brushes moms can use to get creative. Photo courtesy of Yaymaker

After taking care of everyone else, a mom's night out is in order for Long Island moms who deserve some time to themselves.

Whether you're artsy, craving a delicious meal, or just want to relax, our list of top spots for mom's night out will help you and your friends have a much-deserved night without the kids in tow.

Check out Mommy Poppins' other coverage of all things mom, including a post on 15 amazing mom hacks that make everything easier and our rundown of the best things to do on Long Island on Mother's Day.