When popular Long Island summer spots reopen: Splish Splash, Salt Shack and more

Here's when to expect some of your favorite warm-weather Long Island venues to open and what's new at some of the destinations:

AMUSEMENT PARKS AND PLAY PLACES

Opens March 22: Adventureland

The park features outdoor amusements, an arcade and games with a new ride, the Wave Twister, debuting this spring. More thrills include the Ferris wheel, bumper cars, Fireball, Rattlesnake and Turbulence roller coasters. Win prizes with games like "High Striker," "Wack-A-Mole" and long-range basketball shooting. Visit the concession stand for fair food including popcorn, funnel cakes, cotton candy and more or sit down at the restaurant for pizza, hot dogs and hamburgers.

• Where 2245 Broad Hollow Rd., Farmingdale
• Hours 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays starting March 22 through Memorial Day weekend; Summer hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily starting June 25
• Cost $49.50 (including fees) plus tax ages 2-24; $39.50 ages 25 and older
• More info adventureland.us, 631-694-6868

Opens March 28: The Adventure Park at Long Island

Visitors can take on the challenge of the park's 14 trails, which vary in difficulty and include 49 zip lines.

• Where 75 Colonial Springs Rd. East Gate, Wheatley Heights
• Hours Spring hours: 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday March 28 through June 26; Summer hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday June 27 through Sept. 1
• Cost $69 ages 14 and older; $59 ages 7-13; playground is $15
• More info myadventurepark.com, 631-983-3844

Opens May 17: WildPlay at Jones Beach

Kids can soar on a zip line 700 feet high at this beachside play center.

• Where Ocean Parkway, Wantagh
• Hours Spring hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday-Sunday May 17-June 19. Summer hours: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays starting June 20.
• Cost Passes start at $14.99; season passes start at $74.99
• More info wildplay.com, 800-668-7771

Opens May 24: Splish Splash

There’s fun for kids of all ages, and accommodations for children with special needs, at the splashy playland. New this summer is a kids' water playground featuring three water slides, six interactive spray options, a dump bucket and more. The 96-acre water park features 20 water attractions, including slides like Bombs Away, Alien Invasion, and Bootlegger's Run. Try the Hyperlight, which whooshes riders for 45 seconds through a 300-foot tube slide to a disco or techno beat. 

• Where 2549 Splish Splash Dr., Calverton
• Hours Vary by date
• Cost $74.99,  $64.99 ages 2 and older and under 48 inches at the gate, plus tax.
• More info splishsplash.com, 631-727-3600

Opens May 24: Scott's Pointe outdoor area

On tap to open Memorial Day weekend, the outdoor section features a paved go-cart track with 40 carts, some for children, some for adults, and some doubles to be shared. There is two sand volleyball courts with the ability to have up to eight for special events. The lake has 15 bumper boats, a dozen paddleboards and a dozen kayaks. In addition, the lake will offer a 2-acre floating obstacle course. Users swim out to the inflatable boardwalk and then tackle slides, trampolines and rock climbing.

• Where 835 Middle Country Rd., Calverton
• Cost Admission prices will be a la carte for the outdoor activities 
• More info scottspointe.com, 631-953-2133.

Now open: Bayville Adventure Park

Visitors can play mini-golf or try amusements like bumper boats and an aerial obstacle course. Also located within the park, Beaches and Cream Soda Shoppe has indoor seating and serves homemade ice cream right across from the beach and has an arcade.

• Where 8 Bayville Ave., Bayville
• Hours 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through June 9. Summer hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily starting June 10
• Cost $34.75 for pay-one-price unlimited ticket
• More info bayvilleadventurepark.com, 516-624-7433

Now open: Long Island Game Farm

Guests can head to the petting zoo or visit the camel encounter, animal nursery or deer park. Families can see animals like capybara, wallaby, pony or baby goats. New this year is "Songbird Sessions," an outdoor summer music series featuring live concerts on select Saturday evenings 6 to 8 p.m. presented by the Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability.

• Where 489 Chapman Blvd., Manorville
• Hours 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays through May 22; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends and holidays May 22-June 30; Summer: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily July 1- Sept. 1.
• Cost $26.95; $19.95 ages 3-12
• More info longislandgamefarm.com, 631-878-6644

Resumes July 19: Long Island Aquarium Rum Punch cruises 

The Sunset Booze Cruise will feature boat excursions for ages 21 and older. There will be a Rum cruise on July 19 at 7:30 p.m., Tequila Sunrise cruise on Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m. and Harvest Wine cruise on Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. on the aquarium’s Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat. Each cruise includes live music.

• Where 431 E. Main St., Riverhead
• Hours Rum cruise: July 19 at 7:30 p.m.; Tequila Sunrise cruise: Aug. 23 at 7:30 p.m.; Harvest Wine cruise: Sept. 13 at 7 p.m.
• Cost $80 per person for each cruise 
• More info longislandaquarium.com, 631-208-9200 ext. 246.

BEACHSIDE RESTAURANTS

Now open: Dox Island Park

Guests can grab drinks and food and enjoy live music Friday, Saturday and Sunday with water views. 

• Where 10 Broadway, Island Park
• Hours Noon to midnight Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday; Summer hours: Noon to midnight Monday-Friday and 11 a.m. to midnight Saturday and Sunday starting in May
• More info doxbarandkitchen.com, 516-992-2222

Now open: The Buoy Bar

Attached to a fishing station, this waterside restaurant and bar has a sun-soaked deck and bay beach where customers can sit and enjoy the calm surrounding waters. Menu items include surf and turf, oysters and clams.

• Where 72 Bayside Dr., Point Lookout
• Hours Open 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday (closed Tuesdays); Open 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily starting in May.
• More info buoybarli.com, 516-432-3975

Opens April 26: Dublin Deck Tiki Bar

Rock out to live music at the tiki bar on the Patchogue River.

• Where 325 River Ave., Patchogue
• Hours  Vary April 26-27 and additional dates in May; open daily May 15 (Monday-Thursday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 11 a.m. to close Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
• More info dublindeck.com, 631-207-0370

Opens April 26: Salt Shack, Cedar Beach 

The shack is a two-level structure, with a bar, dining and dancing space on both. Live music is planned for seven nights a week on the beach. This summer's live entertainment includes Monday DJ starting at 7 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday live music starting at 7 p.m., Friday DJ 5 to 7 p.m. and live music starting at 7 p.m., Saturday and Sunday live music starting at 4 p.m. Parking is free for nonresidents after 4 p.m. Town of Babylon residents park free all day with proof of residency. Located between Gilgo Beach and Captree State Park on a barrier island. 

• Where 100 Ocean Pkwy., Babylon
• Hours Vary April 26 and 27; May 2, 3, 4; Open for the summer 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily May 8 
• More info saltshackny.com, 631-422-7222.

Opens May 9: Sand Castle On The Ocean

There aren’t many spots closer to the Atlantic Ocean than The Sand Castle On The Ocean, as the venue is only a few footsteps away from the shoreline. Guests can dine on the sand and enjoy live music on the weekends. 

• Where 106 Lewis Walk, Cherry Grove
• Hours Open daily starting May 9; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; the kitchen is closed Wednesdays, but the bar is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• More info fireislandsandcastle.com, 631-597-4174.

Opens May 16: Katch at Venetian Shores Beach

The airy bayside spot for dining and live music will be open 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday starting May 16 and open daily starting June 27 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.  Katch hosts salsa night on Tuesdays starting June 3.

Where 850 Venetian Blvd., Lindenhurst

Cost Free parking after 4 p.m. 

More info katchli.com 

Locations begin to open April 28: Tiki Joe's Beach Club

Guests who visit these locations can enjoy live music while sipping cocktails. Captree Boat Basin's concession opens April 28 and the restaurant area opens May 22; Cedar Beach in Mount Sinai opens May 16; Smith Point Beach, Tobay Beach, Meschutt Beach and Cupsogue Beach open May 22.

• Where Captree Boat Basin: 3500 Ocean Pkwy., Bay Shore; Cedar Beach: 223 Harbor Beach Rd., Mount Sinai; Smith Point Beach: 1 William Floyd Pkwy., Shirley; Tobay Beach; Meschutt Beach: 90 Bishop Place, Hampton Bays; and Cupsogue Beach: 975 Dune Rd., Westhampton Beach
• More info tikijoesbeachclub.com, 631-218-9067.

Opens May 16: Boat Yard at Tobay Beach

The waterside bar and grill at Tobay Beach features live music starting at 7 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Music starts at 4 p.m. Sundays.

• Where Tobay Beach, 1 Ocean Parkway, Massapequa
• Hours Starting May 19 open 4 p.m. to midnight daily  
• More info 516-324-8474, theboatyardny.com

Opens May 23:: Low Tide Bar at Sound View Greenport 

Enjoy private beach access at this waterfront hotel and bar, where the venue holds its Low Tide Bar (open to all; starting Memorial Day weekend; 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday-Sunday), where guests and non-guests can buy cocktails from an outdoor tiki bar or lounge in beach chairs; live music takes place Saturdays and Sundays 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Food is also available there, as it is by the hotel’s pool at Jack’s Shack snack spot for guests only and The  Halyard restaurant open to all. Rooms start around $575 per night.

• Where 58775 County Road 48, Greenport
• Hours Starting May 23 open 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday-Sunday 
• More info soundviewgreenport.com, 631-477-1910.

Opens May 16: Flynn's

The spot remains the center of Ocean Bay Park nightlife and offers a boisterous daytime scene. The entertainment offerings begin Memorial Day weekend with live music happy hours (5 to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday) with discounted appetizers and drinks plus games and giveaways. The hot spot offers weekly dinner boat cruises (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 7 to 11 p.m.) from Captree Boat Basin at Captree State Park in Bay Shore aboard Moon Chaser. Come Saturdays for bands and festivals including; Holiday Carnival, Board Rider's Bash, Boots and Bathing Suits, Electric Luau, PinaPalooza, Rocket Fest, Boogie at the Beach and more. New this season is a Sunday Bubbles Brunch with celebrity hosts and DJ's which starts at 11 a.m.

• Where 1 Cayuga St., Ocean Bay Park, Fire Island
• Cost Tickets range $10
• More info flynnsfireislandny.com, 631-583-5000.

LIGHTHOUSES, GARDENS AND MORE

Now open: Montauk Point Lighthouse

Climb the lighthouse's 137 iron steps, browse the on-site museum or simply admire the grounds overlooking the furthest point of Long Island. The lighthouse features an interactive, virtual aquarium of Montauk sea life.

• Where 2000 Old Montauk Hwy., Montauk 
• Hours 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily through June; 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays and 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekends July-August
• Cost $15, $5 younger than 12
• More info montaukhistoricalsociety.org, 631-668-2544.

Now open: Fire Island Lighthouse 

Follow the path to the gravel road to the National Seashore boardwalk that leads to the lighthouse.

• Where 600 Robert Moses State Pkwy., Babylon
• Hours Open dawn to dusk; Lighthouse is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, tower 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily
• Cost Free admission to the museum; tower climb, $10, $5 ages 12 and younger and must be at least 42 inches to climb, $5 ages 62 and older. Park at Robert Moses State Park Field 5 and walk east: $10 a car daily May 24-Sept. 1; $8 weekends and holidays April 1-May 18 and Sept. 6- Nov. 2
• More info fireislandlighthouse.com, 631-583-5901

Opens May 24: Horton Point Lighthouse

Explore exhibits about shipwrecks, whaling and the history of the lighthouse and its keepers.

• Where 3575 Lighthouse Rd., Southold
• Hours Starting May 24 open 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.  
• Cost $5 per person; $10 per family; $5 parking fee
• More info southoldhistorical.org, 631-765-5500.

Opens April 2: Old Westbury Gardens

The historic gardens feature over 200 acres of formal gardens, landscaped grounds, woodlands, ponds and lakes. The garden also hosts events throughout the year including children's craft workshops, live entertainment and festivals. 

• Where 71 Old Westbury Rd., Old Westbury
• Hours 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily (closed Tuesdays) April 2-Oct. 31. House closes from 1 to 1:40 p.m. daily
• Cost $18 (advance purchase currently required), $8 ages 7-17. Additional fees for special events.
• More info oldwestburygardens.org, 516-333-0048

Now open: Bayard Cutting Arboretum

See rare trees and aquatic birds at this 691-acre state park along the Connetquot River. The arboretum features the Hidden Oak Cafe with a menu featuring sandwiches, tea, desserts and more. Visitors can also take tours of the Manor House year-round. 

• Where 440 Montauk Hwy. (Route 27A), Great River
• Hours 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. November-March. Closed Mon.; Summer hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 1-October. Special events may have additional entrance fees
• Cost $8 parking
• More info bayardcuttingarboretum.com, 631-581-1002.

Now open: Sands Point Preserve 

Walk along six marked hiking trails where visitors can see  Long Island Sound, Gatsby-era mansions, a Navy Simulation Museum, wildflower gardens, a playground and a dog run.

• Where 127 Middle Neck Rd., Sands Point
• Hours Open Wednesday through Sunday year-round, plus Memorial Day and Labor Day; Spring hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 2-May 26; Summer hours: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. May 28-Sept. 1.
• Cost $15 per carload; $4 per walk-in.
• More info 516-571-7901, sandspointpreserveconservancy.org

Now open: Vanderbilt Museum 

See the outdoor exhibition featuring more than 20 sculptures of animals, including mythological creatures on the grounds or hanging in the trees along the museum’s nature path. The exhibit, "Wendy Klemperer: Wrought Taxonomies," will be in place through December (included with museum admission). Check out the annual festival Shakespeare in the Courtyard beginning in May with "Medea," "A Midsummer Night’s Dream," "Othello," and "Coriolanus."

• Where 180 Little Neck Rd., Centerport
• Hours Open noon to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday March 9-June 22. Summer: Open Tuesdays-Sundays beginning June 27. 
• Cost $20, $15 ages 12 and under
• More info vanderbiltmuseum.org, 631-8545-5579.