This is a great beach, especially after Labor Day, because you don't need to show you live in…read moreBabylon Town (not village). Always surfers here and the beach is very clean. Caution: there are strong currents here, with an offshore sand bar and you could get caught in a rip current quickly without even realizing it (happened to me). Know you abilities and limitations as a swimmer but otherwise it's the best small ocean beach on LI.

One of my favorite Long Island beaches. I drive on on the 4x4 part. Beautiful sand. Great spot for…read moresurfers. You need a compressor to fill back up when leaving. A permit is required to ride on.

Great drive on spot. Weekends can get really busy but usually everyone parks close together to fit…read moremore people and others spread out a lot. But if you go durning the week or get there early it's easy to find a spot. Usually everyone picks up after themselves so the beach is pretty clean. Great view of the water. A lot of room to air down before entering. Easy location.

The best beach in NY. Where to start the water is the cleanest water in NY. If your from NY you…read morealready know how bad the beaches are here lol. Having the car next to especially when having kids is like a dream come true. People are super friendly not crowded what more can you ask for right? I love this place a must go!

Awesome local beach/ park right on the Great South Bay. There is a boat ramp as well as plenty of…read moreball fields and tennis courts. The beach hut also serves food and drinks in the summer months and often has a great live music scene every night.

A really nice family-friendly place. My son loves the splash park here. Fortunately it isn't ever…read moretoo crowded here which is great. There are plenty of lounge chairs and regular chairs to watch the kiddos splash and play - or you can join in the fun as well! An hour or so of playing here and my toddler is wiped out. Be mindful of your own children here - obviously surfaces can get slippery with the water so running is not a great idea. The lifeguards are teenagers usually looking at their phones or chatting with one another. Hours for the splash park at 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and last day of the season is Sept. 2nd. There are also fun lawn games when you first enter like giant connect four and corn hole. If the sand and beach is more your thing, Venetian has you covered. There is a small section roped off in the water designated for swimming. The food section is fast-food esque - think burgers, dogs, that sort of thing. Last time we got a soft pretzel which, at $6.50 was a bit outrageous. And it was underwhelming. We sat at one of the picnic tables - no food allowed in the splash park area. They do have concerts here at night which is fun, and a great (free) family summertime activity. In the off-season, the playground here is awesome. Great for the 3-8/9 year old range. It is also completely closed in via gate, which always makes me feel more comfortable.

What's up, Merrick Mountain?! Former dump turned into a beautiful light hike by the water. Take in…read morethe scenery, the trails and the goat poo, while enjoying a little bit of suburban park reclamation! If you go up and down the long way, you can get a nice 3.5 miles in on this baby with some hills. Throw in a weighted vest, and you're getting yourself a solid light workout. There are already so many reviews, so just some notes: 1) Make your way around the current dump (also a Nassau County gem, seriously) and drive slowly. 2) Parking is tricky at certain times of the day and on weekends. Make sure to come before 9:30 on beautiful days, or else you'll be parking far, far away. More steps, If you really want them I guess. 3) Wear your sunscreen! Skin cancer is no joke, and it's pretty bright up top with not a lot of coverage if you walk around to the lake. 4) Beware...No lights in the bathroom and really not the best place to use the loo. There however is a shopping center close by... 5) Look out of all sorts of critters from birds to bugs.. including ticks.

Get there before noon on a warm Weekend but it was a great…read morewalk filled with beautiful nature close to home right in merrick. We even saw a goat herd part of the parks natural clean up staff,

Great to bring the dog, Park area closed in for larger dogs…read moreand one for the smaller pups! Love taking the family down to walk to the water at Gardiner park!

What a nice park. It's about .6 mile from the parking lot to the beach, we'll sort of a beach lol…read moreplenty of trails to explore. Had my lunch at one of the picnic tables.