Farms, petting zoos on Long Island where you can spot animals
A herd of Nigerian dwarf goats can be seen grazing at Norman J. Levy Park in Merrick. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa Loarca
Whether you want to see a goat, spy on an osprey, watch sharks or just view the unusual, Long Island has several spots where you can get a close peek at nature. Be aware that feeding and/or petting the animals is off-limits at many places.
Animal Farm Petting Zoo and Family Park
INFO 296 Wading River Rd., Manorville; 631-878-1785, afpz.org
FEE $18.95, $16.95 ages 2-16
FEATURES Camel, parrots, monkeys, llamas, tortoises, emus, wallabies, mini cows and other exotic animals. Farm animals and babies can be petted and bottle-fed. Super Cow Musical Puppet Show, Baby Barn, playgrounds and picnic areas. Pony rides and family train (fee). Group and birthday specials. Hours 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through fall.
Center for Science Teaching and Learning
INFO 1450 Tanglewood Rd., Rockville Centre; 516-764-0045, cstl.org
FEE $15 ages 13 and older, $12 ages 1-12
FEATURES “Dinosaurs!” exhibit includes robotic and life-size skeletal dinosaurs. Animal Adventure Park has goats, snakes, turtles, an emu and many more animals. Hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thur.-Tue. Programs and classes by registration.
Try your hand at fishing at the Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery. Credit: Howard Simmons
Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Aquarium
INFO 1660 Rte. 25A, Cold Spring Harbor; 516-692-6768, cshfishhatchery.org
FEE $7, $6 seniors 65 and older, $5 ages 3-12, free for ages 2 and younger
FEATURES Brook and rainbow trout, from fry through maturity, as well as freshwater fish, turtles, snakes and amphibians native to the state. Offers year-round Catch & Keep trout fishing program Fri.-Tue., online reservation required ($16 per person, $4 per trout caught). Hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat.-Sun. June-August.
Holtsville Park, Ecology Site and Wildlife Center
INFO 249 Buckley Rd., Holtsville; 631-451-5330, brookhavenny.gov
FEE Free; parking is free for town residents with parking sticker, $4 per hour Mon.-Thur., $5 per hour Fri.-Sun. and holidays nonresidents.
FEATURES Outdoor ecology center, domestic and wild animals, greenhouses; educational tours and classes. Includes picnic area, playground and jogging trail. Hours 10 a.m.-3 p.m. daily until May 27, then 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily through Sept. 24.
A child watches Java the sea lion swim at the Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead. Credit: Randee Daddona
Long Island Aquarium
INFO 431 E. Main St., Riverhead; 631-208-9200, longislandaquarium.com
FEE $47.60, $33.11 ages 3-12
FEATURES Coral reef displays, shark tank, sea lion shows, penguins, touch tanks and more than 100 exhibits and interactive experiences, including butterflies, bugs and birds. Hours 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat.-Sun. and holidays.
Long Island Game Farm Wildlife Park and Children's Zoo
INFO 489 Chapman Blvd., Manorville; 631-878-6644, longislandgamefarm.com
FEE $26.95, $18.95 ages 3-12; fee for animal encounters, animal food and pony rides
FEATURES Campzoo, Main Stage shows, squirrel monkeys, lemurs, zebra, African serval cat, animal encounters, tortoise sanctuary, petting zoo, picnic areas and snack bar. Hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily through October. Winter hours vary.
Norman J. Levy Park
INFO 1600 Merrick Rd., Merrick; 516-804-2000, hempsteadny.gov
FEE Free
FEATURES: A herd of Nigerian dwarf goats can be seen grazing. Also spot wildlife including osprey, ducks, foxes and reptiles. Features 50 acres surrounded by tidal wetland, hiking trails, accessible fishing pier on Merrick Bay and canoe and kayak launch. Hours Opens 7 a.m. daily, closing time varies seasonally.
Old Bethpage Village Restoration
INFO 1303 Round Swamp Rd., Old Bethpage 516-572-8409, oldbethpagevillagerestoration.org
FEE $15, $12 ages 12 and under
FEATURES On-site farms depict a typical 19th century farm and barn area from rural Long Island. Spanning the areas of and between the Powell House and Williams House, there are fields planted with crops and several barns and outbuildings. Visitors can see cows, sheep, goats, turkeys, chickens, pigs, ducks and geese. Hours Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Fri.-Sun. through June 30 and Sept. 20 through Dec. 1; and 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Thurs.-Sun. July 4-Sept. 5.
Quogue Wildlife Refuge
INFO 3 Old Country Rd., Quogue; 631-653-4771, quoguewildliferefuge.org
FEE Free, donations accepted
FEATURES 305 acres, 7 miles of trails through habitats including pine barrens, bogs, wetlands, a field, and a tidal estuary; outdoor wildlife complex houses permanently injured wildlife that require human care to survive including owls, tortoises and reptiles; summer camps and educational programming held throughout the year. Hours Sunrise-sunset daily for refuge trails and outdoor wildlife complex; nature center is open Tue., Thur., Sat.-Sun. from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The Nature Center may be open outside of the posted hours.
South Shore Nature Center
INFO 130 Bayview Ave., East Islip; 631-581-6908, seatuck.org
FEE Free (program fees may apply)
FEATURES 2.3-mile trail through salt marsh, upland oak and hickory forest; nature museum, picnic area, weekend programs. Hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily grounds; visitor center, 1-4 p.m. Sat.-Sun.
Lead farm educator Rachel Harrison-Smith holds a baby goat while Cindy Leipsner and Troy Leipsner, both of Wantagh, pet him at Suffolk County Farm and Education Center in Yaphank in April 2022. Credit: Morgan Campbell
Suffolk County Farm and Education Center
INFO 350 Yaphank Ave., Yaphank; 631-852-4600, ccesuffolk.org
FEE Free (fee for special events), $5 for wagon rides available on weekends, $5 for animal feed cup ($3 for refills)
FEATURES Llamas, sheep, pigs, rabbits, cows and other farm animals; picnic areas; nature-based programs including special-needs audiences. Hours 9 a.m.-3 p.m. daily, closed holidays.
Sweetbriar Nature Center
INFO 62 Eckernkamp Dr., Smithtown; 631-979-6344, sweetbriarnc.org
FEE Free; $10, $5 ages 2-14 for butterfly vivarium; $2 for rainforest exhibit
FEATURES Hiking trails through wetlands, fields, and forests, providing views of the Nissequogue River. Engage with interactive exhibits in the nature museum, including simulated rainforests, reptile room and local forest displays. Seasonal butterfly vivarium. The nature center offers educational programs, special events and rehabs a variety of wild animals local to Long Island. Hours Nature center and preserve, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily; butterfly vivarium, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily June 8-September.
Tackapausha Museum and Preserve
INFO 2225 Washington Ave., Seaford; 516-571-7443, nassaucountyny.gov
FEE $5, $3 ages 5-12
FEATURES 3,000-square-foot natural history museum with displays about the ecology of Long Island, as well as animal exhibits and shows with interactive activities for children. Exhibits include birds of prey, small reptiles, snakes, small rodents and mammals and a fox. Also features a “Bat Cave.” Along the 5 miles of nature trails, more than 170 bird species have been identified within the preserve. Hours 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Thur.-Sun.
Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center
INFO 134 Cove Rd., Oyster Bay; 516-922-3200, ny.audubon.org/TRSAC
FEE: Free, $5 suggested donation for trail use
FEATURES A 1-mile trail loop on 14 acres with songbirds and other wildlife. Nature programs, and conservation-themed events throughout the year. Hours Dawn-dusk daily, visitor center 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Mon., Wed., Fri.; noon-3 p.m. Sat.
White Post Farms
INFO 250 Old Country Rd., Melville; 631-351-9373, whitepostfarms.com
FEE $29.95; additional cost for pony and train rides, animal feed
FEATURES Petting zoo and animal farm with barn animals, bird aviary, monkey barn, giraffe station (when above 60 degrees), plus a market and garden center. Hours 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Last admission at 5.)
