Long Island native Traci Hoch is the voice behind Long Island Whimsy (@longislandwhimsy), where she shares her favorite restaurants, attractions, seasonal events, and hidden gems from across Long Island. With more than 30,000 Instagram followers, Traci has built a loyal audience by highlighting the very best of Long Island life, making her the perfect guide to a memorable Nassau County summer.
Check out some of Traci’s recommendations for summer fun in Nassau County.
Fun for the Whole Family
This place has been a Long Island summer staple since 1962 and it still delivers every single time. Over 30 rides including a roller coaster, kiddie rides, water attractions and a huge arcade. Three brand new rides debut this season. If you have kids, this is a must. If you don’t, it’s still a great time.
Nearly a thousand acres of things to do, and most of it is free. Playgrounds, mini golf, a splash pad, batting cages, bocce courts and fitness trails. In the summer the free Movies Under the Stars series and the Summer Concert Series are absolutely worth planning around. Pack a blanket and dinner and just enjoy the night.
Just minutes from UBS Arena, Belmont Park Village is Nassau County’s luxury outlet destination. Exclusive, rare and archival pieces from top boutiques at up to 65% off. Five-star concierge services, hands-free shopping, and summer activations make this far more than a shopping trip. This is the find you didn’t know you were looking for.
United Skates of America — Seaford
Nassau County’s beloved roller rink…and a perfect option for an evening out or a rainy afternoon. Skating sessions, an arcade and themed skate nights make this one of the most fun venues in the county for families.
Beaches & Waterfront
Jones Beach State Park — Wantagh
You have to go. Six and a half miles of white sand, an iconic boardwalk, mini golf and some of the best outdoor concerts of the summer at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater. The Jones Beach Energy and Nature Center is free to walk through and great for kids. Go early on weekends because parking fills up fast.
Nickerson Beach Park — Lido Beach
This is the beach the locals love. A little quieter than Jones Beach, just as beautiful, with surf camps running all summer and spray pools for the little ones. It also sits in the middle of one of the most important shorebird nesting areas on Long Island. You might spot baby piping plovers taking their first steps right next to you on the sand.
Museums and Educational Experiences
Old Bethpage Village Restoration — Old Bethpage
This one surprises everyone who goes. A 209-acre living history museum that recreates a full mid-19th century American village, with working farms, costumed interpreters and 18 historic buildings you can actually walk through. It is immersive in a way that is hard to explain until you are standing in the middle of it. An absolute hidden gem.
Long Island Children’s Museum — Garden City
One of the best children’s museums in the country. Fourteen interactive exhibits, live theater, an art space and daily programming that keeps kids genuinely engaged for hours. In summer they open Our Backyard, an outdoor water play experience that is only available during the summer months and is always a huge hit with little ones. Walk next door when you are done and ride Nunley’s Carousel, a beautifully restored antique carousel that is one of the last of its kind on Long Island.
Cradle of Aviation Museum — Garden City
Long Island has a remarkable aviation history and this museum tells the whole story. Over 75 aircraft, cockpits kids can actually climb into, flight simulators and an IMAX dome theater that makes space feel real. A genuinely great few hours for anyone who has ever looked up at a plane and wondered.
Old Westbury Gardens — Nature Connects Made with LEGO Bricks
Old Westbury Gardens is already one of the most stunning properties on Long Island. This summer they are hosting something extra special. Artist Sean Kenney has installed 17 large-scale animal sculptures built from over 300,000 LEGO bricks across two miles of garden trails. It runs through September 7, 2026.
Must-Visit Restaurants
Uncle Bacala’s — Garden City Park
A Nassau County favorite for Italian-American food that hits every time. White subway tiles, red and white checkered tablecloths, a room that feels like a fisherman’s wharf courtyard. The menu covers all the classics alongside some genuinely inventive dishes, and the portions are generous. The whole place just has a feel-good energy that keeps people coming back. And every single table gets hand-spun cotton candy at the end of the meal, which is a little touch that both kids and adults absolutely love.
The Long Island diner is a cultural institution and Embassy is one of the best. Enormous menu, all-day breakfast, portions that could feed a small village. What sets it apart is the seasonal decor that completely transforms the space throughout the year. Festive fun, and exactly what a great diner should be.
Bubbakoo’s Burritos — Hicksville
Halal and totally craveable. Bubbakoo’s is the fast casual spot that Long Island has fully embraced, and once you try it you will understand why. Build your own burrito, bowl, or tacos with fresh ingredients and endless customization. Quick, affordable and genuinely good every single time.
All American Hamburger Drive-In — Massapequa
Open since 1963 and still drawing lines all summer long. Classic burgers, fries and that old-school drive-in energy that never gets old. Bring cash, bring an appetite and do not skip this one.
Sweet Treats
Hildebrandt’s — Williston Park
Hildebrandt’s is a 1920s-themed soda fountain and ice cream parlor with hand-crafted flavors made right in the shop. Order an egg cream, grab a scoop and just soak it all in. A perfect stop after exploring Garden City or Eisenhower Park.
Marvel Frozen Dairy — Lido Beach and Long Beach Boardwalk
The original Lido Beach location is impossible to miss — red and white with a giant ice cream cone on the roof. On a Friday night the line wraps around the block, and it is worth every minute of the wait. The soft-serve is denser and creamier than anything you’ve had at a chain, and grabbing a cone steps from the beach is exactly the kind of summer moment you’ll actually remember.
Playa Bowls — Multiple locations across Nassau County
Fresh acai bowls, pitaya bowls, smoothies and juices with a bright beachy vibe that fits Nassau County perfectly. A great post-beach stop or a healthy midday treat that still feels like a splurge.
Mango Mango Dessert — Plainview & Westbury
If you have never had a mango sago dessert, this is where to start. The menu is unlike anything else in Nassau County — light, fresh and so refreshing on a hot day. A little different, a lot delicious. Trust me on this one.
Dolce Bella has gone viral for a reason. Over-the-top cannoli creations and house-made gelato that people genuinely can’t stop talking about. If you are in Long Beach for the day, this is your dessert stop.
Find Your Own Summer Whimsy
From beach days and boardwalk strolls to ice cream stops, family adventures, and unforgettable sunsets, summer in Nassau County is filled with moments that become lasting memories.
Whether you’re a longtime Long Islander or visiting for the first time, there’s always something new to discover around the next corner. So grab your sunglasses, hit the road, and start exploring.
For more seasonal inspiration, upcoming events, and can’t-miss attractions, visit Nassau County Tourism and plan your perfect summer getaway.
