Things to do in Farmingdale: Nightlife, activities and more

At the heart of Long Island, centrally located along the border dividing Nassau and Suffolk, is Farmingdale.

Visitors will know they’re close when driving along Route 110 and spotting the highflying swings that seem to almost jut out over the roadway. Those swings, one of the attractions at Adventureland, are indicative of the endless activity that Farmingdale and its surrounding area provides.

From a vibrant village featuring events like Music on Main, to an abundance of eateries and nightlife options, to world-class golf and even that iconic local amusement park, here are some things to do while in town. Given Farmingdale's central location, somce activities cross over into neighboring towns including Bethpage.

THINGS TO DO

Charlotte's Speakeasy

Charlotte’s is the rare establishment that operated as a speakeasy in the 1920s and the 2020s. This time around, however, it’s legal. "If people are looking for the real experience and looking to stand where people were hiding out from the cops 100 years ago, they can do that here," says Nick DeVito, who owns the bar with his brother, John. "We have a few things other places don’t have." Such as a main-level frozen yogurt shop that also offers ice cream, desserts and coffee; a password-protected, hidden-door with a guard who doesn’t break character. An original escape route for potential raids. And history. "Our place has the distinction of being an actual speakeasy that we found and restored back to an operating bar again," DeVito said.

INFO: 294 Main St., 516-586-8530, charlottesspeakeasy.com

NY Axe Throwing Range

You won’t have an axe to grind after spending a night out at NY Axe Throwing Range. The venue offers a traditional axe-throwing experience, with real axes thrown at digital targets like a standard or moving bull's-eye projected onto wooden platforms. A digital scoreboard above the targets track results for friendly competition. "It’s kind of like bowling but cooler," says owner Mario Simone. If you hit a bull's-eye, don’t forget to ring the bell. Get a private lane, or even a private room for parties of 10 or more, and play axe-throwing games such as Tic Tac Toe or Connect Four. Every booking includes safety training, and a coach monitors each lane, making for family-friendly fun for those aged 11 and up. Coming soon will be safe archery with soft foam tips.

INFO: 11 Michael Ave., 631-237-0050, nyaxe.com

Bethpage State Park Golf

Golf where the pros golf. Bethpage State Park, which runs along Farmingdale’s northern border, offers five 18-hole regulation golf courses. With each course increasing in difficulty, the park offers Bethpage Yellow, Bethpage Green, Bethpage Blue, Bethpage Red, and the most arduous and renowned of the five, Bethpage Black, which has hosted major professional tournaments such as the U.S. Open (won by Tiger Woods in 2002 and Lucas Glover in 2009) and PGA Championship (won by Brooks Koepka in 2019). In the most recent rankings, "Golf Digest" placed Bethpage Black at No. 40 on its list of America’s 100 Greatest Courses and at No. 8 on America’s Greatest Public Courses. But beware, before approaching the first tee on the sprawling 7,468-yard course, golfers are greeted with a warning sign: "Warning: The Black course is an extremely difficult course which we recommend only for highly skilled golfers."

INFO: 99 Quaker Meeting House Rd., 516-249-0700, bethpagegolfcourse.com

RPM Raceway

Start your engines! The race is on at this high-speed electric go-karting venue, which includes a pair of quarter-mile tracks complete with sharp, hairpin turns. On Super G Mondays, the two tracks combine to form a half-mile course. Prefer to race digitally? Head to the arcade and try out the RPM virtual reality and racing simulators that take you to some of the world’s most iconic racetracks. The venue also offers bowling and billiards.

INFO: 40 Daniel St., 631-752-7223, rpmraceway.com

Bethpage Bikeway

If biking is more your speed, the Farmingdale area provides miles of open pathway. This roughly 13-mile long trail that extends from Woodbury to Massapequa, taking riders through various parks and preserves. Along the way, riders will weave through Farmingdale and pass by the famed golf courses at Bethpage State Park, which also offers its own bike trails. If heading south, the paved trail with mostly-flat terrain carries along lakes and a creek, reaching its endpoint within the shade and tranquility of the Massapequa Preserve. Looking to head further? Just two miles away is the Ellen Farrant Memorial Bikeway, which runs from nearby Seaford to Jones Beach.

INFO: Starting and end point at Manetto Hill Road and Woodbury Road in Woodbury and at Merrick Road and Ocean Avenue in Massapequa.

American Airpower Museum

Take to the skies in a World War II-era aircraft at this historic aviation museum located in Republic Airport, site of one of the three remaining hangers of the original Republic aircraft factory. The museum features an extensive collection of flying and nonflying military airplanes, some of which were manufactured on site. Flight experiences are offered, one of which recreates the D-Day mission as visitors are dressed in assorted military gear, undergo a mission briefing and take off for a 20-minute flight aboard a C47 with up to eight people. "The museum maintains a fleet of operational World War II aircraft that honor the men and women who wear the uniform of our armed forces and also honor the countless defense workers across the nation who build and maintain the aircraft," said museum manager Larry Starr. The museum also includes a flight simulator, artifacts from World War I to modern day, and exhibits dedicated to the Tuskegee Airmen, the Women Airforce Service Pilots and POWs and more.

INFO: 1230 New Highway, 631-293-6398, americanairpowermuseum.com

Adventureland

Perhaps you’ve heard the jingle: "Adventureland, family fun. Adventureland, something for everyone. Rides and games and action, Long Island’s favorite attraction. Come and spend the day, we’ll rock the night away." A landmark on Long Island since 1962, this amusement park offers rides and attractions for all ages. That includes thrill rides like the Pirate Ship (swings back and forth through the air), Frisbee (twists and turns through the sky) and Turbulence Coaster (a spinning roller coaster); water rides such as Adventure Falls (a flume ride with a near 40-foot drop) and Rescue Boats; family rides like the merry-go-round, Ferris wheel, the new Sports Tower and that famous Wave Swing that can be seen from Route 110. There’s also an indoor arcade and other attractions.

INFO: 2245 Broadhollow Rd., 631-694-6868, Adventureland.us

NIGHTLIFE

Croxley’s Ale House

A perfect spot to grab a craft beer and some wings. Croxley’s World Famous Buffalo wings come in a variety of flavors: Red Hot Chili Power, Parmesan Garlic, Korean BBQ, Sweet Sriracha, Habanero Mango, Fighting Irish, Cry Like a Baby and Spicy Thai Coconut. Watch the game on one of many TVs, including a new 20-foot video wall. Events include weekend brunch with unlimited mimosas, Bloody Mary’s and Screw Drivers; Octoberfest and Drag Queen Bingo.

INFO: 190 Main St., 516-293-7700, croxley.com

The Dark Horse Tavern

With nearly 30 craft beers, plenty of handmade cocktails and an extensive pub-fare menu, there are plenty of options at this tavern. Open until 4 a.m. seven days a week during normal business hours, there’s also a late-night menu featuring endless comfort foods like wings, quesadillas, nachos, the All Day BEC and just about any other late-night app one might crave. Events include Trivia Night, Taco Tuesday, Wine Down Wednesday and Thursday Ladies Night. There’s live music on Friday and Saturday, and brunch on Sunday.

INFO: 273 Main St., 516-586-6560, darkhorsefdale.com

That Meetball Place

You’ll have a ball at this eatery. It might be the classic ball, the veggie risotto ball, the lobster ball, the buffalo chicken ball, or one of the many other meatball varieties available. There are other meatball inspired platters like That Damn Meetball Burger and That Meetball Sub, as well as non-meatball options like Mike’s Hot Honey Fried Chicken, Short Rib, Surf & Turf and more. There’s brunch on Saturday and Sunday, football specials with the Super Sampler, and a Thursday night Malibu party.

INFO: 206 Main St., 516-586-8880, thatmeetballplaceli.com

Vintage Wine Bar and Bistro

The go-to spot on Main Street for a glass of wine, an intimate setting and rustic vibes. The menu offers over 40 wines, roughly 20 craft and domestic beers, Mediterranean and Italian inspired tapas, plus soups, salads, bruschetta and pizzas. Bottomless Brunch is held on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m.

INFO: 185 Main St., 516-586-8833

The Nutty Irishman

Come for the cold beer, stay for the music. Plenty of both are provided, with 26 taps and weekly outdoor concerts. Daily events include Country Night on Tuesdays, Burger Night and Karaoke on Wednesdays, 50 Cent Wings on Thursday, and plenty of live music and DJs through the weekend. For more music, and more of an upscale atmosphere, head right next door to Nutty’s sister gastropub by the name of 317 Main St., which includes a concert stage for live performances.

INFO: 323 Main St., 516-293-9700, thenuttyirishman.com

Alibi Speakeasy & Lounge

Find the correct doorknob — there are dozens to choose from on a wood-planked wall inside the vestibule — and enter the intimate lounge to enjoy Prohibition-era inspired cocktails made from in-house purées and freshly-squeezed fruits and juices. Try a replica of Al Capone’s drink of choice (rye whiskey and vermouth Campari with a shaved orange peel) that is aptly named The Al Capone. The menu includes options like a charcuterie board, hummus platter, 10-inch pizzas and specialty wontons, plus desserts and a full espresso bar. Events include karaoke night and comedy shows.

INFO: 230 Main St., 516-586-8622, alibifarmingdale.com