May 13, 2026
May is Long Island at its best. The summer crowds haven''t arrived yet, the water is starting to warm, and every weekend brings a fresh reason to get outside. Whether you live here year-round or are making a visit, here are the best outdoor activities the island has to offer right now — from oceanfront boardwalks in Nassau to quiet nature preserves in eastern Suffolk.
Long Beach''s 2.2-mile oceanfront boardwalk is one of the finest in the Northeast, and May is the ideal time to experience it before the summer shoulder-to-shoulder crowds arrive. The wide promenade runs parallel to the Atlantic, with easy beach access below. Grab a coffee from one of the shops on Park Avenue and walk east as the morning light comes off the water.
Jones Beach in Wantagh is the iconic Long Island beach experience, and the park is open year-round. The two-mile boardwalk, Field 6 picnic area, and West End beach tend to be quieter before Memorial Day weekend — which is when peak season officially kicks off. The big draw this month: the U.S. Navy Blue Angels perform their free airshow at Northwell Health Theatre on May 24–26. Plan to arrive early and pack a blanket.
Tucked onto the Lloyd Neck peninsula in Huntington, Caumsett is one of New York''s most pristine natural areas — 1,520 acres of salt marshes, freshwater ponds, meadows, and beach accessible only by foot or bicycle. Spring brings wildflowers and migratory birds to the park''s extensive trail network. A morning walk here in May is as close to wilderness as Long Island gets.
Sunken Meadow sits on the Long Island Sound in Smithtown, offering one of the island''s finest bluff-top trails with sweeping views of Connecticut on clear days. The boardwalk leads down to a freshwater creek and a Sound beach. May is ideal — the parking lots are manageable, the air is cool, and the bluff trail''s overlooks are at their most dramatic.
Planting Fields, the historic Gold Coast estate turned state arboretum in Oyster Bay, hits its peak in May when the rhododendron collection — one of the finest in the country — is in full bloom. The formal gardens, greenhouse complex, and 409 acres of grounds are open daily. Parking is charged; walking the grounds is free once inside.
One of Long Island''s largest and most underrated state parks, Heckscher sits along the Great South Bay in the Town of Islip. Hiking trails, picnic areas, a marina, and direct bay access make it a full-day outing. Spring is prime time here — the trails are uncrowded, the bay is calm, and the park''s expansive lawns invite a long, unhurried afternoon.
Operating since 1883, the Cold Spring Harbor State Fish Hatchery raises trout in outdoor ponds that visitors can view and feed up close. Kids love it; adults are usually surprised by how genuinely interesting it is. The adjacent Cold Spring Harbor hamlet has excellent waterfront dining and a small public park worth exploring afterward.
Old Westbury Gardens in Nassau County is one of the few Gold Coast estates that opens its manicured grounds to the public. May brings blooming wisteria, tulips, and azaleas across the English-style gardens surrounding the historic Westbury House. The gardens also host concerts throughout the season — including a chamber music event from the Enchantment of Strings ensemble.
One of the most peaceful natural settings on Long Island, Connetquot preserves a stretch of the Connetquot River along with old-growth woodland and one of the oldest fly-fishing clubs in the country. Access requires a free entry permit with advance reservations, and the preserve caps daily visitors — which gives it a genuinely uncrowded feel even on weekends.
The Village of Stony Brook in Brookhaven is one of Long Island''s most charming waterfront communities. A walkable Main Street with galleries and restaurants leads down to a harbor that fills with sailboats through summer. May is ideal for an afternoon here before the yacht club crowds arrive. The Stony Brook Grist Mill, operating in some form since 1751, is one of the most photographed spots on the island.
Long Island''s farm stand network kicks into gear in late May and June. The Huntington and Babylon markets open June 7, and the CCE Nassau Farmers Market at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow opens June 21 (Saturdays, 9 AM–1 PM). Until then, year-round farmstands in Water Mill and other East End communities are stocked with late spring vegetables, local seafood, and fresh baked goods.
At the far eastern tip of the North Fork, Orient Beach is one of Long Island''s most beautiful and least crowded state parks. The park''s spit of land extends into Gardiner''s Bay, with calm bay waters ideal for kayaking, a bayside swimming beach, and salt marshes that shelter migratory birds in May. It''s a full-day excursion from the western parts of Long Island, but the drive through the North Fork farm country is half the appeal. Check the Discover Long Island spring guide for full hours and seasonal event listings.
Spring on Long Island is fleeting — by late June the beaches are packed and the parkways are gridlocked. Get out now, while the parking is sane and the island is yours.
