Long Island Mother's Day free admission deals and more events
Kudirat Alli-Balogun, of Queens, with her children, Oluwaseyi, 9, Liberty, 5, and Ifeoluwa, 8, at The Whaling Museum & Education Center. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Whether it's spending time at a festival, making a craft, appreciating an art exhibit, or thrill-seeking on a ropes course, gift Mom and Grandma an experience this Mother's Day. To say "thank you," here are some ideas for fun things to do this weekend:
Feed animals and play at White Post Farms
250 Old Country Rd., Melville
Briana Carro, of Massapequa, with her daughter, Liliana, 2, at White Post Farms on April 19. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Families can spend the day at the farm, which features a monkey barn, rides, a bird aviary, a playground, and magic shows. For more animal encounters, visit Poppie's Lorikeet Landing, which features brightly colored birds, and the Primate Enrichment Barn, which houses lemurs and squirrel monkeys.
- When 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 10-11
- Cost $29.95
- More info whitepostfarms.com, 631-351-9373
Take a baking class at North Fork Table and Inn
57225 Main Rd., Southold
The North Fork Table and Inn will host a baking class with pastry chef Sofia Schlieben, who will make a 4-inch layer cake decorated with flowers. Each guest will leave with a handmade treat.
- When Noon to 2:30 p.m. May 10
- Cost $75; reservations required
- More info northforktableandinn.com, 631-765-0177
Learn about mermaids at The Whaling Museum and Education Center
301 Main St., Cold Spring Harbor
Anna Raghubir, of Queens, with her daughters, Alana, 6, and Aria, 5, at The Whaling Museum & Education Center. Credit: Debbie Egan-Chin
Learn about the maritime history of Long Island and see the new exhibit: "Monsters and Mermaids." The exhibit explores nautical myths and legends of the sea. See a Fiji mermaid model, a 26-foot giant squid made of marine debris and watch video presentations about mermaids and monsters throughout history.
- When 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 10-11
- Cost Free admission for mothers with any paid ticket; $8, $6 ages 4-17
- More info cshwhalingmuseum.org, 631-367-3418
Cheer for the home team at Fairfield Properties Ballpark
3 Court House Dr., Central Islip
Quacker Jack, the Long Island Ducks Mascot takes the field prior to the game. Credit: Daniel De Mato
Fans can enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet in the Duck Club restaurant as well as a ticket to the game against the Lancaster Stormers. Fans can join a pregame catch on the field from 12:40 to 1 p.m. and take part in a kids' run the bases following the game.
- When 12:05 p.m. May 11
- Cost $45, $40 ages 4-9; reservations required
- More info liducks.com, 631-940-3825
Soar through the air at The Adventure Park
75 Colonial Springs Rd., Wheatley Heights
A zipliner tries out the course at The Adventure Park at Long Island in Wheatley Heights. Credit: The Adventure Park at Long Island
The park consists of 49 zip lines, 14 treetop trails, a playground for toddlers, Glow in the Park events and more. Join a three-hour climb with mom as she takes on the zip lines obstacle courses.
- When The park opens at 10 a.m. with last discounted climb at 2:30 p.m. May 11
- Cost Free for mom with a purchase of a Mother's Day BOGO ticket for $69, one for customer; $69 regular entry ages 14 and older; $59 for ages 7-13. Book in advance online
- More info myadventurepark.com, 631-983-3844
Meet animals at the Long Island Game Farm Wildlife Park
489 Chapman Blvd., Manorville
Rimsha Riaz, left, and her, daughter Zainab Umer, 1, of Valley Stream, feed deer at The Long Island Game Farm in Manorville. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Mom receives half-price admission on Mother's Day at this farm and wildlife park. Kids can feed baby goats or stroll through the deer park. Meet animals like a capybara, wallaby, alpacas, a zebra and a wallaby.
- When 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 11
- Cost Half price for moms: $13.50; general admission: $26.95; $19.95 ages 3-12
- More info longislandgamefarm.com, 631-878-6644
Learn through STEAM projects at Long Island Science Center
Tanger 1; Suite 401 Tanger outlet center, Tanger Drive, Riverhead
Sharon Terry and granddaughter Giovanna play with Pixel Art exhibit at the Long Island Science Center in Riverhead. Credit: Dawn McCormick
At the science center, families can create crafts and explore exhibits such as drone flying and other STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) activities. The new exhibit, " Videotopia," focuses on the history and science of early arcade games.
- When 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 11
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Cost Free for mom with a purchase of a children's ticket; $15 ages 2 and older
- More info sciencecenterli.org, 631-208-8000
Attend a Mother's Day festival
715 Sound Ave., Mattituck
Celebrate Mom for the weekend at a two-day farm festival and season opener at Harbes Family Farm. Moms and grandmas get free admission on May 10-11. Credit: Harbes Farm
Celebrate Mom at a two-day farm festival and at the 8-acre Barnyard Adventure with pig races and hayrides, farm animals including mini Highland cows, jump pads, playgrounds, a sports zone, a hedge maze, and apple blaster cannons. There will be live music 1 to 5 p.m., concession food for sale and wine tasting in the Wine Barn.
- When 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 10-11
- Cost Free to enter the farm; $28.95 for ages 3 and older to the Barnyard Adventure; moms and grandmas receive free admission over the Mother's Day weekend
- More info harbesfamilyfarm.com, 631-482-7641
See exhibits at the Nassau County Museum of Art
One Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor
"Deco at 100" exhibit is on display at Nassau County Museum of Art through June 15. Credit: ARRS Photo
Mothers and grandmothers are invited to see NCMA's two current exhibitions for free: "Deco at 100," highlighting elements of the Roaring '20s and the Jazz Age, and "Louis Comfort Tiffany: New Acquisitions," showcasing the artist's paintings and glassworks.
- When 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. May 11
- Cost Free exhibit for moms and grandmas on May 11; $15, $5 children younger than 12
- More info nassaumuseum.org, 516-484-9338
Explore the sea at the Long Island Aquarium
432 E. Main St., Riverhead
See animals like river otters at the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead. Credit: Long Island Aquarium
The Long Island Aquarium is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and what better way to ring in the occasion than with a visit? Families can see a sea lion show and meet the new river otters. Head to the bug encounter, where visitors can spot butterflies and bees. Kids can climb the 60-foot Eye Opener ($12.50 per child) tree activity center featuring spiral slides, rope bridges and climbing nets.
- When 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 11
- Cost Free for mom with a purchase of a children's ticket; $35.99 ages 3-12; $50.99 ages 13-61
- More info longislandaquarium.com, 631-208-9800, ext. 426
Make a craft for Mom at the Long Island Children's Museum
11 Davis Ave., Uniondale
Kids can design a coffee mug at the Long Island Children's Museum in Garden City Credit: Long Island Children's Museum
Spend the day at the children's museum, where kids can design a coffee mug for Mom. While you're there, visit the various exhibits at the museum, including a bubble area where you can step inside a giant bubble. Relax at the Tot Spot for toddlers, which features a lighthouse, post office, and farmer's market to explore, as well as Sandy Island, where you can play in a beach environment. Families can check out the outdoor exhibit featuring a sensory garden or see a 2 p.m. matinee of Elephant and Piggie's "We Are in a Play!" performance based on Mo Willems' books ($15 for the theater show only; $11 with museum admission).
- When 1 to 3 p.m. May 11
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Cost Coffee mug craft included with museum admission of $17 ages 1 and older
- More info licm.org, 516-224-5800
Spot creatures at Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium
1660 Route 25A, Cold Spring Harbor
See a variety of animals at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery & Aquarium. Credit: Danielle Silverman
Explore the hatchery and aquarium, where visitors can see more than 30 species of freshwater fish native to New York State. Learn about turtles and visit the hatch house and trout ponds.
- When 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 11
- Cost Free for mom with a purchase of a children's ticket; $7, $5 ages 3-12
- More info cshfishhatchery.org, 516-692-6768
Go back in time at The Long Island Museum
1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook
Visitors can explore the "Building the Ballot Box: Long Island's Democratic History" exhibit at The Long Island Museum. Credit: Kristina Robles
Mom and grandma receive free admission at this museum on Mother's Day. Current exhibits include: "Building the Ballot Box: Long Island's Democratic History" and "Colors of Long Island" a student art exhibition.
- When Noon to 5 p.m. May 11
- Cost Free for moms and grandmothers; $15, $10 ages 6-17
- More info longislandmuseum.org, 631-751-0066
Experience rides and thrills at Adventureland
2245 Broadhollow Rd., Farmingdale
The Fireball ride at Adventureland in Farmingdale. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
Bring mom to an amusement park and try rides like the Moon Chaser and the Jr. Pirate Ship or classics like the Turbulence coaster or bumper cars. Win a prize along the midway or grab a bite including popcorn and hot dogs.
- When 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 11
- Cost On Mother's Day, when Mom buys a full-price admission ticket, they'll get a free "bounce back" admission to use on another day; $39.50 ages 25 and older, $49.50 ages 2-24
- More info adventureland.us, 631-694-6868
Shop for plants at Clark Botanic Garden
193 I.U. Willets Rd., Albertson
Shop for flowers at a plant sale at Clark Botanic Garden. Credit: Town of North Hempstead Photographer Joseph Neumayer
The spring plant sale features annuals, perennials, herbs, shrubs, native plants, vegetables, and hanging baskets for purchase. Master gardeners will provide advice, and shoppers can explore an art exhibit, along with a jewelry and accessories boutique.
- When 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 9 and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 10
- Cost Free admission
- More info clarkbotanic.org 516-869-6311
Climb the Fire Island Lighthouse
Park at Robert Moses State Park Field 5 and walk east to the lighthouse
Farmingdale resident Jaen Mercado visits the Fire Island Lighthouse. Credit: Newsday/J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Take mom on an adventure to climb to the top of the Fire Island Lighthouse. The tower consists of 182 steps and at every 26 steps there is a landing if a rest stop is needed.
- When 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 11
- Cost Free for moms; $10, $5 ages 12 and younger and must be 42 inches tall
- More info fireislandlighthouse.com, 631-583-5901
Catch a sky show at Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium
180 Little Neck Rd., Centerport
Long Island's Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium in Centerport. Credit: Marisol Díaz
Have a custom watercolor portrait painted of Mom by local artist Sara Marie Martin. Tour the grounds crowned by the 24-room Spanish Revival mansion known as Eagle's Nest, which was the former summer home of William K. Vanderbilt II, the great-grandson of Cornelius Vanderbilt, and take a guided mansion tour of the historic site. Catch a sky show at the Vanderbilt Planetarium: "Mars: The Ultimate Voyage."
- When 11 a.m. May 10 for watercolor painting; "Mars: the Ultimate Voyage": at 7 p.m. May 9; "Long Island Skies" at 8 p.m. May 9; “ "Stars: The Powerhouses of the Universe" at 7 p.m. May 10; Night Sky Live" at 8 p.m. May 10; property hours: noon to 5 p.m. May 9; 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 10-11
- Cost $20 per painting in addition to the entrance fee; $12 admission: $8 younger than 12; $8 house tour tickets are only sold on the property; $8 planetarium tickets can be purchased online in advance.
- More info vanderbiltmuseum.org, 631-854-5579
