Long Island amusement parks, beach bars you can still visit in the fall

The weather may be getting cooler but that doesn't mean we have to say goodbye to the outdoor destinations that remind us of summer. From amusement parks to waterside dining, here are venues staying open through the fall.

Entertainment venues, farms and amusements 

Long Island Game Farm 

489 Chapman Blvd., Manorville

• One way to spend the day is visiting the animals at the farm through November. Come weekends in September for pony rides or grab a bite at the snack bar. "Fall is a wonderful time to see how active the animals are as temperatures drop as well as how some of the animals get ready for the winter weather by growing extra fur," says president Melinda Novak. 
• Schedule  Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through September; weather permitting: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday October and November; January open for reserved animal encounters and VIP tours.
• Cost $26.95 ages 13-61, $19.95 ages 3-12
• More info 631-878-6644, longislandgamefarm.com

Bayville Adventure Park

8 Bayville Ave., Bayville

• All summer attractions remain open on weekends through Nov. 5. Bumper boats, mini golf, rock climbing, the fun house, arcade and bungee bounce will keep the summer spirit alive. The Beach Bucket Sundae is still in the cream parlor for those craving a sweet treat. Five ice cream scoops and six toppings are tossed in a plastic beach pail with a shovel. 
• Schedule Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Cost $34.75 for unlimited activities all day or $12.75 mini golf
• More info 516-624-7433, bayvilleadventurepark.com

Long Island Aquarium 

431 E. Main St., Riverhead

• The aquarium is home to many animals and guests can see seals, penguins, sharks and otters. The only activities closed in the fall are the Snorkel Tank and Mermaid Swim. "Visiting during the week when school starts ensures almost a private experience," says Darlene Puntillo, the aquarium's marketing director. "It’s a great opportunity for seniors or parents with young kids to enjoy the aquarium when it’s a bit quieter."
• Schedule Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends, holidays and school breaks
• Cost $48.99 ages 13-61, $34.99 ages 3-12
• More info 631-208-9200, longislandaquarium.com

Jones Beach State Park 

1 Ocean Pkwy., Wantagh

• The game areas will be open for mini golf, paddle ball, shuffleball, cornhole, table tennis and volleyball, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends and holidays through Nov. 3.
• Schedule  Lifeguards on duty: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday until Sept. 15 at the Central Mall (Field 4) and Field 6; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Field 2 through Sept. 15; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Sept. 15, West Bathhouse.
• Cost Parking $10 daily until Sept. 15; $8 weekends until mid-November; mini golf: $7 per person ages 13 and older, $3 per person ages 5-12,  group fee $40 (four people); shuffleboard: $8 per court, per hour; pickleball/paddle tennis: $6 fee per person, per hour; corn hole/table tennis: $5 per person, per hour; boccie ball: $10 per person, per hour; volleyball: $15 rental per court
• More info 516-785-1600, parks.ny.gov/parks/jonesbeach

The Adventure Park 

75 Colonial Springs Rd., Wheatley Heights

• Travel across treetops while climbing through high-ropes and obstacles on the Ninja Warrior style course. "Fall is one of our favorite times of year at the park. We love to celebrate the season with our Halloween-themed Glow in the Park events," says Candie Fisher, president of sales and marketing.
• Schedule Sept. 3 through Oct. 27: Fridays 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Oct. 28- Nov. 24: Friday 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; The Glow in the Park event is 6 to 10 p.m. in September and October, Saturdays 4 to 8 p.m. in November.
• Cost Aerial Adventure Park: $69 ages 14 and older, $59 ages 7-13; Glow in the Park: $61 for 7 and older; Happy Hour Climb: $57 ages 7 and older; Adventure Playground $15 ages 3-6
• More info 631-983-3844, myadventurepark.com

WildPlay Jones Beach

Boardwalk at Jones Beach, Wantagh, park in Fields 4 or 5

• Through the second week in November, continue to climb across crazy contraptions with zip lines, obstacles and platforms above the beach. "We host my favorite event on Halloween, the zip line pumpkin toss. We set up large, wooden targets and let riders toss a pumpkin during their ride to try to smash it for prizes," says WildPlay Park manager Adam Karp. "The beach sunsets are extra special in the fall, and it’s a favorite season for climbers thanks to the cool breezes."

• Cost Starting at $14.99 
• Schedule  Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. Park closes Nov. 3. 
• More info 855-330-0123; wildplay.com/jones-beach

Custer Observatory 

1115 Main Bayview Rd., Southold

• The observatory is open to the public year-round for stargazing. Staff provides guided tours of the night sky through powerful telescopes (weather permitting) in the historic observation dome and other ground-based viewing stations on the site. As summer winds down and autumn approaches, a new host of celestial wonders grace the night sky including the Andromeda Galaxy and other celestial objects. Learn about them in an outdoor talk during, "Exploring and Navigating the Autumn Night Sky" at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 21. Other upcoming events include International Observe the Moon Night on Sept. 14, a concert for violin and piano entitled "For The Beauty of The Earth" on Oct.r 5, and an outdoor concert paired with the Orionid meteor shower entitled "Burned by Stars" on Oct. 19.
• Schedule Open year-round, Saturday nights 7 p.m. to midnight.
• Cost Suggested donation is $5 , $3 kids under 12. Advanced registration strongly encouraged
• More info 631-765-2626, custerobservatory.org

Adventureland 

2245 Broadhollow Rd., Farmingdale

• You can still ride and scream on Turbulence come fall. The park is open on weekends and holidays through Nov. 11. Favorite snacks like funnel cakes and cotton candy are summer reminders, too. On Oct. 26, Adventureland hosts a Pumpkin Park where families are encouraged to dress up for the Halloween, vendors are set up throughout the park for trick-or-treating. Pumpkin Park is included with all admission tickets purchased on Oct. 26;  rain date: Oct. 27. 
• Schedule  Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays through Nov. 11
• Cost $49.50 for ages 2-24; $39.50 for ages 25 and older 
• More info 631-694-6868; adventureland.us

Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium 

180 Little Neck Road, Centerport

• On Friday nights,  gaze at the nighttime sky through a high-powered telescope. "This year, in late September, we will see the arrival of the ringed planet, Saturn. Which will be visible in the southern skies from the observatory for the remainder of the month and throughout all of October," says Dave Bush, the planetarium director. "Come November, the king of the planets, Jupiter will makes its arrival in the nighttime sky. We’ll also be able to see the autumn constellations, including Pegasus, Pisces and Andromeda." 
• Observatory schedule Fridays, 9 p.m., weather permitting "Long Island Skies." Before observing the sky, a presenter will give an overview of what will be seen from the observatory. 
• What it costs Observatory admission is free. Long Island Skies show tickets are $12,  $8 kids under 12  
• More info 631-854-5579; vanderbiltmuseum.org

Waterside restaurants with beachy flair
Dublin Deck Tiki Bar

325 River Ave., Patchogue

• Rock out to live music Wednesday through Sunday. The weekly lineup includes Country Night on Wednesday starting at 6 p.m. (1/2 price frozen margaritas $7 all day) and Ladies Night on Thursday (7 to 9 p.m. ladies drink free). The spot will close for the season on Oct. 6.
• More info 631-207-0370, dublindeck.com 

South Swell

605 Bergen Ave., West Babylon

• Open for breakfast, lunch and happy hour, the seasonal location caters to boaters fueling up at the on-site gas station and walk-in patrons who can dine on the docks. During happy hour, a pop-up bar in the parking lot serves a tequila- and margarita-heavy cocktail list that also includes red sangria, cucumber vodka lemonade and a host of canned and bottled beers. Arrive early on weekends to get a table and settle in for live music with plans to remain open through mid-October.
• More info 631-539-7373, southswellbergenpoint.com

Navy Beach Montauk

16 Navy Rd., Montauk

• Splashed across a 200-foot stretch of private beach overlooking Fort Pond Bay, the spot offers an eclectic menu that ranges from salmon tartare to seared sea scallops. Plus a selection of rosé wines — while seated at a picnic table with your toes in the sand. Only open on weekends after Sept. 7, the spot closes for the season Oct. 6.
• More info 631-668-6868, navybeach.com/montauk, reservations suggested 

Lazy Lobster

10 Front St., East Rockaway

• It’s a rollicking scene at this self-described "lobster beer garden" along the East Rockaway waterfront, wash down the lobster rolls (and tacos, nachos and sandwiches) with a frosé or Grandpa Marco’s secret family recipe for sangria. Closes for the season at the end of September.
• More info 516-837-8484, lazylobsterny.com 

Buoy Bar

72 Bayside Dr., Point Lookout

• If you’d rather stay on dry land and take in the waterfront scenery, dive into a seafood dish and a frozen cocktail year-round. The spot also hosts live music on occasion. 
• More info 516-432-3975, buoybarli.com 

DOX

10 Broadway, Island Park

• Enjoy live music Thursday-Sunday and grab frozen drinks and food items like specialty tacos, fish and chips, lobster rolls, burgers, fried calamari and salads; open daily year-round, noon to midnight with water views.
• More info 516-992-2222, doxbarandkitchen.com 

Baja Boathouse

31 Baker Place, Patchogue

• The eatery offers views of Patchogue’s waterfront. The 3-acre meeting spot is anchored by a marina, multilevel indoor-outdoor dining, a sandy lounge and multiple bars. The menu features honey-salmon, pan-seared scallops, a poke bowl with tuna, lobster roll, fish and chips, burgers and more. Open through October for outdoor seating, inside open year-round; live music Tuesday-Sunday. 
• More info 631-475-1723, bajaboathouse.com 

With Lynn Petry