Late summer on Long Island: 10 ways to keep the fun going

Although Labor Day has come and gone, you can still enjoy summertime pleasures across Long Island. Here are places to try surfing, sailing, summer ales, lobster rolls and garden strolls right up to (and beyond) the official end of the season on Sept. 22.

See a concert at Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater

895 Bay Pkwy., Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh

The beat goes on with shows filling the 15,000-seat outdoor amphitheater through October. Before the show, munch on Rebel Hen Crispy Chicken or ice cream from the concession or sip a margarita while lounging in an Adirondack chair. Upcoming shows include Uncle Charlie's R&B Cookout on Sept. 12, Twenty One Pilots on Oct. 4 and The B-52s and Devo: Cosmic De-Evolution Tour on Oct. 5.

• COST Ticket price range varies per show 
• MORE INFO 516-221-1000, northwellatjonesbeachtheater.com

Walk your dog on Lighthouse Beach

600 Robert Moses State Pkwy., Babylon

The Fire Island National Seashore reopens to pets after Labor Day, offering a sandy, breezy beach walk for you and your pup. Park at Robert Moses State Park Field 5, take the path on the east end of the parking field that leads to the Fire Island National Seashore and enjoy some pet-parent quality time on Lighthouse Beach, between the historic Fire Island Lighthouse and the crashing Atlantic surf.

• COST $8 on weekends until Oct. 13 
• MORE INFO nps.gov/fiis

Hang out at Tiki Joe’s at Captree State Park

3500 Ocean Pkwy., Bay Shore

You can still savor a salty basket of crispy fried shrimp and fries paired with a cup of draft beer at the open-air restaurant/bar on the Captree dock. It's a total Margaritaville vibe with the Captree Fleet as a backdrop and bands playing nightly Thursdays through Sundays. Choose a table in the sun or under the tent through the end of September. A late summer deal of a lobster roll with a soda costs $19.95 and is "a meal with the most beautiful views and delicious flavors," says Tiki Joe’s spokesperson Elyse Remigio.

• COST Free parking weekdays and after 4 p.m. on weekends through Oct. 13 
• MORE INFO 631-333-1063, parks.ny.gov

Squish and sip at Pindar Vineyards

37645 Main Rd., (Route 25) Peconic

Experience a timeless tradition at one of Long Island’s oldest vineyards. After a vineyard talk and walk, take off your footwear and step into a half-barrel to crush the fruit of the vine with your feet, 10 a.m. to  3 p.m. Sept. 14. Then enjoy a buffet and wine in the barrel room.

• COST $149; reservations required
• MORE INFO 631-734-6200, pindar.net

Stroll Old Westbury Gardens

71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury

The garden "continues to put on a spectacular show well past Labor Day," says Gaby Kantor, walled garden supervisor, in an emailed statement. Kantor says that in September the dahlias are "hitting their stride" and the roses are "still blooming beautifully." Chrysanthemums are being added to the array of zinnias, salvias, sunflowers and asters throughout the gardens. Stop at Cafe in the Woods for sandwiches, salads and baked goods at tables under shade trees amid all that botanical splendor.

• COST Open daily, except Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., through Oct. 31; $18, $8 ages 7 to 17includes admission to historic house and gardens.
• MORE INFO 516-333-0048, oldwestburygardens.org

Keep the s’mores toastin’ at a campsite 

On weekends, overnight camping at Suffolk County parks continue to draw crowds "as long as the weather stays nice," says parks public relations assistant Hilary Hoffman. Pitch your tent year-round at Indian Island County Park Campground in Riverhead (Off Cross-River Drive) and Cathedral Pines County Park Campground (Yaphank-Middle Island Road) in Middle Island and through early November at Southaven County Park Campground (Victory Avenue) in Brookhaven, Montauk County Park (527 E Lake Dr.) in Montauk, Cupsogue Beach County Park (975 Dune Rd.) in Westhampton, Shinnecock East County Park (Meadow Lane) in Southampton, Cedar Point County Park (5 Cedar Point Rd.) in East Hampton and Sears Bellows County Park (63 Bellows Pond Rd.) in Hampton Bays.

Play soccer, fish in a river or lake (see NYS fishing regulations at dec.ny.gov) or toast your favorite gooey marshmallow and chocolate treat in picnic areas equipped with tables and grills. Pavilions can be rented for larger groups.

• COST Campsites cost $9 to $36 per night. Reserve at web1.myvscloud.com
• MORE INFO 631-854-4949, suffolkcountyny.gov.

Ride the endless summer waves at Scott’s Pointe

5835 Middle County Rd. (Route 25), Calverton

The amusement park features an indoor, 160,000-gallon wave pool for surfers of all experience levels-from newbies to big kahunas. Using special boards provided by the park, "you can do flips and 360s, you can do tons of tricks," says owner Eric Scott. ($30 per half hour includes board rental) Other amusements include go-carts, mini-golf, rock climbing walls, ax throwing and an arcade. 

• COST $45 per person
• MORE INFO 631-953-2133, scottspointe.com

Have a last sip of summer beer

62 S. Erie Ave. Montauk

Montauk Brewing Company is open year-round, with seasonal changes on tap inside the quaint red cottage tasting room. "We have our Watermelon Session, which is such a seasonal favorite even as the temperatures cool off, and we launch our pumpkin ale right alongside it," says Vaughan Cutillo, brewery cofounder. The brewery is also offering "a limited draft of blueberry cream ale, with fruit sourced from a local farm," he says. Quaff your fresh brew on the sunny brick backyard patio with a crowd of well-dressed beer aficionados.

• COST $9 per pint 
• MORE INFO 631-668-8471, montaukbrewingco.com

Fish for snapper at a local pier 

Feisty, tasty snapper can be caught in local saltwater ways through September, when they start to grow into full-size bluefish, says Bobby Turturello, of Wantagh, an owner of the venerable Causeway Bait & Tackle (3031 Merrick Rd., Wantagh, 516-785-3223). "Snappers hit on small spearing, a lure called the Snapper Popper, and silver spoon lures," Turturello says. Cast away on the piers at Wantagh Park (1 King Rd., Wantagh), Jones Beach State Park Field 10 (585 Bay Pkwy., Wantagh) or Captree State Park (3500 E. Ocean Pkwy., Bay Shore). Limited to three fish of any size. Anglers 16 and older are required to enroll in the New York State Recreational Marine Fishing Registry (dec.ny.gov).

• COST Parking $8 on weekends through Oct. 13 at Captree and Nov. 2 at Jones Beach; Wantagh Park free after Labor Day
• MORE INFO dec.ny.gov

Go sailing on the North Shore

1 West End Ave., Oyster Bay

 

Kids can spend an idyllic late summer day learning to sail at The WaterFront Center in Oyster Bay. "We have a full gamut of sailing classes for youths," including older teens, says Jamé Krauter, director of marketing and engagement. More experienced sailors who have been certified by the Waterfront Center can rent a sailboat seating up to four people for a late summer sail ($195 for two hours).

• COST Sailing lessons: $275 ages 8 to 13
• MORE INFO 516-922-7245, thewaterfrontcenter.org