James Smith

Latest posts by James

St. Patrick's Day Free Parades for Kids on Long Island

Submitted by James Smith on Fri, 03/01/2019 - 12:30pm

Glen Cove celebrates its Irish heritage on March 17. Photo courtesy of the Glen Cove Hibernians

Few regions celebrate their Irish heritage better than Long Island. After a two-year pandemic pause, St. Patrick's Day parades are gearing up to step off this March with grand fanfare.

From Rockville Centre to Montauk, from the first weekend of March till the last, Main Streets across the Island come alive with pipers, parade marchers, traditional food, music, dance, and more. Huntington itself swells with visitors on the second Sunday of March when one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day gatherings in New York State kicks off in the village downtown. That Huntington parade is dwarfed perhaps only by New York’s City’s celebration (NEEDS UPDATE), which this year is Thursday, March 17.

Most of these events are low cost or FREE, ideal for families, and appropriate for first-generation Irish-Americans or those who are just Irish for a day.

Read on for our favorites from among the parades that will take place in Patrick’s honor this month on the Island. Click through for details, including parade routes, dates, times, and more. As always see our Long Island Events Calendar and March GoList for the best in family entertainment all month long.

Hunter Mountain Expansion Offers New Family Skiing in New York

Submitted by James Smith on Mon, 02/11/2019 - 11:30am

Hunter Mountain's Learning Center is a one-stop teaching facility for skiers of all ages, especially children.

It’s expensive to expand a ski resort. The folks at Hunter Mountain invested $9 million to construct an 80-acre addition to New York’s second most-visited ski destination.

Did they get their money’s worth without compromising all that made Hunter one of the top ski destinations for families near New York City?

After visiting the now 320-acre Catskills resort that is 2½ hours north of the city, one is tempted to say, yes.

Outdoor Classrooms Where Long Island Kids Will Love to Learn

Submitted by James Smith on Tue, 04/03/2018 - 1:15pm

Discover the natural world outdoors at Bailey Arboretum.

Here on Long Island, kids who play outside also can learn outside. A number of venues in Nassau and Suffolk counties provide children with the opportunity to experience nature in an educational environment unrestrained by classroom doors.

For the most part developed by landscape architects, these nature-friendly learning areas encourage the use of the senses to help children develop a love of the outdoors. Access is generally FREE, but check websites to ensure that regular schedules are not interrupted by special programs.

Visit Port Washington: A Family-Friendly Long Island Haven

Submitted by James Smith on Tue, 03/20/2018 - 2:15pm

Kids will delight in Blumenfeld Family Park on Main Street all year round. Photo courtesy of the Town of North Hempstead

It sits on a harbor and is named after a president. But Port Washington is not Port Jefferson.

You won’t find in Port Washington ferry access to New England or a celebration of Charles Dickens each holiday season. Those belong to Port Jefferson, of course, the more popular tourist destination of Long Island’s two North Shore “ports.” But if you want a kid-friendly maritime lifestyle a half-hour or so from Manhattan, Port Washington is a Nassau County delight.

Par-3 Golf Courses on Long Island Where Kids Can Learn the Game

Submitted by James Smith on Tue, 04/25/2017 - 3:00pm

Learn the game and enjoy some parent-child bonding at one of Long Island's par-3 courses. Photo via Bigstock.

With the U.S. Open on Long Island in June 2018, maybe you think you have a little tour pro on your hands. Or maybe you just want to introduce your son or daughter to golf minus the windmills.

There are five par-3 golf courses on Long Island that offer young players a chance to experience the game with more than just a putter. For less than $20 per round on average, beginners can manage their way around with a light bag, a few balls, tees, and plenty of enthusiasm.

More experienced players will enjoy the opportunity to enhance their short-game precision. Either way, it’s a great opportunity for parent-child bonding over one of Long Island’s signature activities.

So tee it high and let it fly. All five of these courses are in Suffolk County; a few short-length courses exist in Nassau, but some of their par-4 holes might be unreachable for young players. Note: Most par-3 courses require adult supervision of pre-teen players. All players should practice on-course etiquette, including allowing faster groups to play through.

Pop-Up Ice Skating Rinks in the Hamptons and North Fork

Submitted by James Smith on Fri, 10/14/2016 - 11:47am

What’s better than gliding across a sheet of ice on a lovely winter day? How about doing it outdoors, where all of the season’s pageantry is on display?

Pop-up-ice rinks are popping up all over the East End of Long Island these days, from low-cost, low-frills facilities to high-end clubs that cater to every perk a skater could imagine.

We’ve got your winter entertainment covered here, with five seasonal rinks from Riverhead to East Hampton and Greenport. All are open to the public without residency restrictions but costs can be higher for nonresidents. For good measure, we’ve also included a pair of up-Island pop-up rinks just in case your seasonal shopping takes you off the East End.

As always, be advised these facilities are weather-dependent and opening and closing dates vary based on temperature, rainfall and patron interest. Prices are as of October 2016.

Fishing Tournaments for LI Kids in the Hamptons & North Fork

Submitted by James Smith on Wed, 07/13/2016 - 10:00am

There are many perks to living on an island, and fishing is definitely one of them. Mid to late summer offers East End children an opportunity to enjoy this fun and family-friendly activity with a series of saltwater tournaments sure to delight young anglers.

The prize catch for kids is usually the snapper, the juvenile version of the bluefish. Plentiful on either fork and fun to catch, they offer kids an introduction to game fishing from the safety of the town dock. Other tournaments target the elusive fluke or flounder and require a trip offshore. But whatever the prey, kids can enjoy a day in the sun while perhaps picking up a trophy or two.

Here are our favorite fishing tournaments for kids. Parents should check the websites listed or call in case of weather-related changes. And make sure to check out our Hamptons and North Fork Guide for the best in family-friendly entertainment on the East End.

Best Community Barbecues for Families in the Hamptons & North Fork

Submitted by James Smith on Tue, 07/05/2016 - 9:00am

On the East End of Long Island, few summer traditions are as time-honored (and tasty) as the community barbecue. From the Fourth of July through Labor Day, villages on the North and South Forks gather for evenings of chicken, corn and low-cost, family-friendly bonding. The cooking begins early in the morning, but planning for these fundraisers begins months in advance. Tickets, often $25 or less, are prized commodities for families looking for an authentic East End night out. Community-minded residents love these neighborhood tailgate parties, and for kids, what’s better than a night of fried chicken and ice cream?

We've rounded up our favorite East End community barbecues; be sure to call for ticket information. And for more activities in the area this summer, check out our Hamptons & North Fork Guide.