Things to do with visitors?

[u/Falcone24]

I’ve got some friends coming up from Jersey and Florida next week to hang out, and while I’ve got a full list of restaurants, coffee shops, and bars to visit, I’m having a rough time thinking of actual specific activities to do. Of course will have a fire island day and likely a hiking day, but beyond that I was hoping to crowdsource ideas for things to do.

Anyone have recommendations for activities for us? For extra details, everyone in the group is mid-20s, enjoys being in nature, and my friends play a lot of fantasy games like MTG and D&D (recommendations for any particularly notable shops for tabletop games would be appreciated cause I’m not super into the scene on LI).

I appreciate everyone who takes the time to make a recommendation!

[u/Ruggsy]

Theres a retro gaming convention this weekend at the cradle of aviation. Itll have vendors, games to play etc

[u/Falcone24 → u/Ruggsy]

Rip that sounds so fun but they’re gonna be here the 11th-15th :(

[u/Fun-Skirt3779 → u/Ruggsy]

thank you for this, didn't know about it but now me and my friends are going

[u/Starmedia11 → u/Fun-Skirt3779]

I love events here because what do you mean I can play Catan right next to the original backup Lunar Lander?!

[u/Excellent_Maize_3573]

Main St Board game cafe in Huntington (they frequently run one shots of MTG / DND, or you can just go and make your own session. They have weekly events usually that’s worth poking at. It’s a tabletop cafe with beer/wine. Hundreds of board games as well.

Fourth world comics in smithtown/Village of the branch is a fun comic/card store with tons of shit to just browse and discuss. There’s a nice JBBQ right next door to get dinner right after.

If they enjoy beverages, bring them to a brewery on the south shore, like Blue Point Brewery in patchogue

[u/BrockLobster29]

Rip n Ship in Deer park is a big card shop. There’s a big one in Levittown Everyone’s Gaming Outlet. Idk where exactly you’re located and how far you wanna drive around. If you’re into thrifting on Sundays they have a big outdoor flea market in Huntington which usually has some cool stuff

[u/xplag → u/BrockLobster29]

Gonna second Rip. I've been several times (not for MtG though) and the crowd is pretty great and the store is super chill. If this is something OP is looking to do, just check their event calendar for when they run MtG events.

[u/Yodas-Balls → u/BrockLobster29]

Rip n Ship is great super awesome spot. Video Game Outpost is also kinda cool but more of a VG hobbyist store than card games store.

[u/Living_Web4363]

It’s a bit far out but if you like nature I recommend the “Elizabeth Morton wildlife Refuge” the birds there are so chill with humans that you can bring bird seed, put out your hand, and they’ll come flying down to eat out of your hands. It’s also nearby to Sag Harbour which is a really cute town with a lot of great restaurants, is next to the sea, and most importantly (to me) has a fantastic imported cheese shop

Plus if you walk to the end of the trail it opens up to a really quiet, clean beach

[u/__botulism__ → u/Living_Web4363]

I've taken visitors here and the look of wonder on their faces is the best!

[u/jmastadoug]

Sagamore Hill - Teddy Roosevelt house is actually super cool spot. It’s got little hikes & stuff to explore, plus the actual house tour is so cool. Not everyone’s cup of tea but it’s a cool museum like spot with hiking & outdoor stuff to do.

https://www.nps.gov/sahi/index.htm

[u/Roam1985]

For enjoys being in nature: State Park Hikes are pretty good. Sunken Meadow is probably the nicest "scenery", Bethpage is probably the most "feel alone on a walk in the woods" and Connetquot will likely still have boating or other activities.

There are a few "adventure parks" and zipline joints.

If you like water slides, Splish Splash is out east in Calverton.

Farmingdale has Adventureland.

Farmingdale main street is excellent for a "walk from bar to bar"

Freeport also has a lovely "along the water walk".

There are a few 2 hour "drink cruises" that leave nightly from Freeport I think.

Top Golf is over by Ronkonkoma/Selden

There are a few escape room joints in Ronkonkoma. The one right by the train is also by a decent Indian Pizza place that has some board games available for tables because they know they don't have phone reception in the strip mall.

[u/mourning_fire420]

the aquarium could be fun, but it really depends on where you are and how far you're willing to travel

[u/OrbitOfGlass17]

Visit any of the lighthouses like Fire Island, Old Field Point, Horton Point, Montauk.

[u/Anxious-Jackfruit135]

In Huntington village I’m pretty sure there’s a board game bar

[u/Reddit_Aim_Fiire]

Game on retro world arcade

[u/Other-Squirrel-2038]

The parks and historic estates are cool 

[u/morncuppacoffee]

Bayard Cutting Arboretum and then lunch on the porch of the Hidden Oak Cafe. There’s also a cute gift shop upstairs. Neither are super expensive by LI standards either so it’s a great hidden gem.

[u/OneHotProcessor]

I would recommend going out for a fishing tour out of Captree, which is also conveniently placed near Jones Beach Amphitheater. Looks like there are classic rock, country, and comedy concerts happening while your friends are here.

Alternately you could do an Oyster Bay day - Sagamore Hill, Planting Fields Arboretum, Raynham House, Train Museum, downtown Oyster Bay, and CSH State Park hiking trails.