Best State Parks in the Long Island, New York Region

I knew there was a reason I always admired the name Long Island, New York. It is a beautiful place and home to some of the most beautiful state parks in the world, commanding a tourist attraction of over 20 million per annum. It is also the birth place of one of my all time favorite poets, Walt Whitman. Visiting Long Island State Parks can be daunting, as it is hard to choose from the many beautiful and fun-filled parks. My advice is that you will have a lot of fun at any of the state parks listed below, but chose well depending on the activities you enjoy most. Have a bon voyage traveling to and enjoying the beautiful atmosphere of Long Island, New York.

Bethpage State Park: Enjoy great golfing opportunities at Long Island's Bethpage State Park. It proudly boasts 5 golf courses with 18 holes, featuring the latest Black Course that held the 2002 US Open and will host it again in 2009. It has incredible facilities for picnic, tennis playing, bridle paths, hiking and biking trails, and so on. It has a restaurant with catering facilities, a Golf Pro Shop, and driving range. You can get more information by phoning (516) 249-0700 or by visiting online at http://nysparks.state.ny.us/parks/info.asp?parkID=67 .

Connetquot River State Park Preserve: Observe the world renown fly-fishing at this Long Island state park where heads of states had fished in the past. You can enjoy salt water fishing at their well known fishing port via the dock, fishing fleet, or boat launch. Wild life and rare plant watching, as well as 50 miles of hiking horseback riding, and cross-country skiing are among the other fun and engaging activities to do here. There phone number is (631) 581-1005

Heckscher State Park: Camping is the main forte at this Long Island, New York area park. It is well known and had been nationally recognized as one of the top 100 camping grounds in the united States. You can enjoy outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, and boating. In the winter months, you can enjoy cross country skiing (631) 581-2100

Hither Hills State Park: If you are a camping aficionado, visit the Heckscher State Park. It is located in Montauk area of New York, and allows seasonal camping from May through November in its over 160 different campsites. For more detailed information or to book your camping trip, call them at 631-668-2554

Jones Beach State Park: This is the nucleus of all the parks in Long Island and is world renown. Located along the Atlantic Ocean, it has six and half miles of white sand beach with attractive boardwalk, humongous concert facility that seats over 15,000 people, and surf bathing location. Swimming pools, still-water bathing, and all the water related fun is plenty here. This is home to the Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center that has environmental showcasing on the seashore and educational programs for all. Miniature golf, beach volleyball, and deck games are more of the fun activities you can enjoy here. Jones Beach is the host of the well known Bethpage Federal Credit Union Annual Memorial Weekend Air Show. Wow, what a very busy and fully scheduled park! As you can see, there are plenty for all to do and enjoy. You can phone them at (516) 785-1600 for more information.

Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park: This park's 400 acres of rolling lawns, formal gardens, woodlands, and 65 rooms Tudor style Gold Coast mansion attracts countless tourists from across the Atlantic and the Pacific for nature walks. Its grand mansion allows visitors a time travel back to the era of magnificent beauty and grandeur. This is a former estate of the W.R Coe family who avails it to guided tours where guests get a taste of the formal lifestyle of the 1920s, with its elegant collection of decorative arts, furnishings, paintings, and all the ornamental glittering of the age. Extensive collection of flowers such as orchids, hibiscus, and succulents are housed at the Main Greenhouse while the Camellia greenhouse boasts the regions largest assortment of camellia. Their phone number is (516) 922-9200.

Wildwood State Park: Camping season is open from April to October at this Wading River area of New York. Enjoy myriads of outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, and swimming. Their acres of virgin lands take you back to the prairie days. Their phone number is (631) 929-4314 for information on traveling to the park.

Sources:
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/regions/long_island.asp
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/6079/state_parks_in_the_long_island_new.html?page=2&cat=16