This is your month-to-month guide to living local...the Ultimate 2026 Long Island Bucket List!
January 6th, 2026
Written by Emma Behrens
The Ultimate 2026 Long Island Bucket List: A Month-to-Month Guide to Living Local
JANUARY
“Exercising more” is the number one most popular New Year’s resolution for 2026. Whether that means bundling up and taking a walk at a local park, joining a gym, or taking a workout class such as yoga or pilates, the opportunities are endless for Long Islanders looking to get fit. One of the best places to visit this time of year is bundling up and taking a walk on the Long Beach Boardwalk. Spanning 2.1 miles, this boardwalk is perfect for a nice winter walk.
For more details: Long Beach Boardwalk
FEBRUARY
No matter who you are celebrating Valentine’s Day with, Tony and Luigi’s in Merrick, New York, makes the perfect place to have dinner or order takeout from on this special day. Make sure to try our personal faves, the Momma’s Lasagna and the Diavola pizza!
For more details: Tony & Luigi's
MARCH
The 6th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Wantagh, NY, taking place on Sunday, March 15th at 2 PM, is one of the best, if not the best, ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on Long Island. Iaquinta Real Estate will be there, so make sure to stop by and say hello!
For more details: 5th Annual Wantagh St. Patrick's Day Parade
APRIL
At White Post Farms, located in the heart of Long Island in Melville, NY, visitors can take pictures with the Easter bunny, hold real bunnies at the bunny encounter, participate in Easter egg hunts, and much more!
For more details: White Post Farms
MAY
As the days get warmer out, May is the perfect time of year on Long Island to take a short trip out east and visit the Long Island Aquarium located in Riverhead, New York. From penguin encounters to the butterfly garden, the Long Island Aquarium is the perfect place to spend the day, for both kids and adults alike.
For more details: Long Island Aquarium
JUNE
To really kick off a Long Island summer is to take a trip out to the Hamptons. From wine tasting at Wölffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack, NY, to lounging on Cupsogue Beach in Westhampton Beach, NY, the Hamptons offers an elevated experience that is both relaxing and luxurious.
For more details: Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Cupsogue Beach
JULY
The best way to celebrate the 4th of July is to take a ferry over to Fire Island. Whether it be Kismet, Ocean Beach, Ocean Bay Park, or Fair Harbor, the no-shoes, no-cars towns create a relaxing atmosphere for a week-long stay at a beach house on Airbnb, or even a day!
For more details: Fire Island Ferries, Fire Island
AUGUST
There is nothing better than going out east to Montauk on a beautiful August day. Don’t forget to visit Montauk Bake Shoppe’s famous jelly croissants before they sell out, then take a trip over to the Montauk Lighthouse!
For more details: Montauk
SEPTEMBER
The Long Island Game Farm became Long Island’s very first zoo in 1970, located in Manorville, NY. Visiting the farm is a hands-on experience like no other. There are over 20 different types of animals for visitors to interact with, and there is even capybara yoga!
For more details: Long Island Game Farm
OCTOBER
For a nice and cozy grocery shopping trip, make sure to visit Youngs Farm in Old Brookville, NY. Old Brookville is included in the “Gold Coast”, along with other towns such as Glen Head, Greenvale, Roslyn (Heights, Harbor, Estates), East Hills, Flower Hill, Upper Brookville, Matinecock, and Locust Valley. My personal recommendation is to stock up on their delicious frozen chicken pot pies for an easy and cozy meal.
For more details: Youngs Farm
NOVEMBER
A visit to the Jones Beach Light Show is the most magical way to kick off the holiday season. As a Long Island staple for locals since 1999, this activity is a beautiful drive-through light show on Long Island’s very own Ocean Parkway.
For more details: Jones Beach Light Show
DECEMBER
Whether you decide to make a trip out east and cut down your own Christmas tree at Lewin Farms in Calverton or buy one that’s pre-cut at Hick’s Nursery in Westbury or Stables of North Babylon, Long Island is the best place to find your dream Christmas tree for the holiday season, as there is no shortage of options!
For more details: Lewin Farms, Hicks Nurseries, Stables
