One of LI's hidden gems - also happens to be free. Well kept trails and birds of prey you can check…read moreout before talking a nice walk. Trails are very easy to walk, even if you have a stroller with you. Easy beginner hike or leisurely stroll for just about anyone.

4.5 Stars.    I love…read morethe Long Island Pine Barrens Region. So much so, that in Las Vegas, I have had dreams that I was hiking in Sears Burrows County Park. A few forested miles southwest of it, my dream kind of came true when we visited the Quogue Wildlife Refuge. My stepmother, who is familiar with the Refuge encouraged my dad and I to join her there on a nature walk.    The Quogue Wildlife Refuge has been protecting this 305 acre naturescape since 1934. It is a naturescape adorned with pine forests, fields, the rare dwarf pine forest, bogs, swamps, a pond, and pine oak forests.    Contrary to how I envisioned the Refuge, it was not this difficult to find place. Parking was right off Old Country Road. Across from the unpaved parking lot were the attractions that serve as a trailhead to the four color coded trails (please see the map proceeding the review) that range from a 0.8 mile hike on the Green Trail to a 2.5 mile hike on the Blue Trail. Welcoming us was the Outdoor Wildlife Complex where injured wildlife are well taken care of thanks to the kindness of people that care. One of the acts of kindness are the Visitors who donate money at the entrance. This leads to the point that admission is free, yet a donation is the right thing to do. I took some time photographing the animals that included owls, foxes, raccoons, and Giant African Spurred tortoises in the nearby greenhouse. Although these aren't grand habitats that would be found in the Bronx Zoo, I appreciated that the animals had a home. In the shadow of the Outdoor Wildlife Complex and pine trees was the full service restrooms. All the way to the left was the Old Ice Pond.    My Dad, stepmother, and yours truly engaged in a relatively short walk in the southeast corner of the park where a pine oak forest interspersed with fields dominate. My Dad's knees bother him, so we engaged in a shorter hike with breaks on the benches breathing, hearing, and sightseeing the pine barrens. We'd see a deer and birds up on the pine trees. Our ears would also take in the sound of the nearby train. Our experience leads to the point that the seven miles of hiking trails appear to be more relaxing than strenuous.    The Old Ice Pond framed by a mature forest is the picture postcard centerpiece of the landscape. There are hiking trails that overlook it. We took in this picture postcard from a bench and inside the Charles Banks Belt Nature Center, which looks like an inn overlooking the pond. We shared the panoramic spectacular views of the ice pond with several volunteers who were sending out materials that we assumed were promoting the Refuge. Within this building that reminds me of a lodge, is a museum of neat nature related stuff. Some were real like the lizards. The preserved butterflies were really cool. This is a neat place to check out when it os open Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M.    Our visit ended with the three of us taking in the springtime scenery of the Old Ice Pond.    I do have a concern that is causing me to leave my rating at 4.5 instead of 5 stars. That has to do with the east preiphery fence. When we walked along the southeast border there was a fence smack dab in the middle of the pine forest. My concern is that this is unprotected land that can fall victim to the bulldozer. If that were to happen, it would ruin the experience on account of a truncated forest causing the Refuge to feel more like a caged in 305 acre yard than a part of a pine forest. I really hope that the other side of the east periphery fence is a protected forest. My concern is merited from seeing a before and after picture inside the Nature Center of rapid sprawl along nearby County Route 104.    On the future, I would love to return to Quogue Wildlife Refuge. Especially in the Fall when the trees change colors over the pond. Until then, I hope to have more dreams about the Pine Barrens.

A beautiful park with an even more amazing beach…read more Today I did a beach clean up with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society leading me through it all. We discussed the importance of keeping our beaches clean and how they find, autopsy, and care for sea creatures, specifically sea turtles! We were given shirts for participating since it was national parks day, and complimentary bagels and coffee were handed out beforehand. It was a beautiful day and the walk and clean up was about 2 hours. A little under 2 miles. Not to brag but I found the most garbage with 5lbs in my pail, not pictured (but I swear it's true!) It's a beautiful place and I look forward to coming back either for more cleanups or to enjoy the view.

This preserve is not compliant with ADA laws. No handicapped parking, no access to the beach and…read morethe parking lot is all gravel and not handicap accessible. Pretty preserve but they need to trim the grass more on paths. Signs for ticks yet not trimming grass enough. Benches to sit but you cannot access the bench because of two foot grass. Huge pot holes on road to preserve, very neglected it's been like this for years. Spend the money and fix these things.

We walk here on weekdays when it's free in the trails and all around. We walk our dog. There's a…read moreWomen Owned Lemonade/Food Truck where you can purchase refreshments. They take Credit Card also. Delicious Coffee, lemonade and Sandwiches and Cookies!

I started coming here recently for the sunrise and it is my new favorite thing to do! So peaceful,…read moreserene, stunning views, just all the things. This afternoon I brought the Christian Singles Hub to have an apple picnic. Everyone in the group was just as impressed with the views. It was also great to see that the facilities are well kept. I also loved and appreciated having a garbage so close to the grill!

If you have kids I highly recommend taking them here! Such a cool experience to connect with…read morenature. Pro tip: bring your own bird seeds to feed the birds and chipmunks. The hike ends at an open beach front with an observation deck with binoculars. Overall, it's a nice trail and wildlife preserve with tons of wildlife.

Fantastic nature walk with trails leading to the Peconic Bay…read more Spend a few hours walking the wooded trails where cute chipmunks approach, as well as baby bunnies, birds and other critters. All are extremely friendly. Some even look for handouts, although feeding them is frowned upon. Follow the trail signs and you'll find yourself gazing at the sea and surrounding areas. The Elizabeth A. Morton National Nature Wildlife Preserve is a must do!

Excellent experience and all the amenities you need. Have been coming out to Southampton all my…read morelife though had not been to Coopers Beach for years. Now that we have kids, this is the perfect spot and has all you need for an A+ day. Please note you ARE allowed to bring your own chairs and umbrellas, additionally, handicap parking was great with my elderly Mom. Attentive lifeguards and ample bathroom and food availability.

4.5 Stars but rounding up to 5 Stars. Why not a perfect 5…read moreStars? Cooper's Beach is a public beach, not a private beach, but they charge $50 for parking!.....Outrageous!! Cooper's Beach is just BEAUTIFUL! We even saw 2 rainbow when we were there! White sand and hardly any garbage on the beach. They even have a dispenser with suntan lotion! Slather some on and don't get sunburned! They also have a cafeteria, outdoor shower, and restrooms near the parking lot.

Pretty nice beach that accepts nonresidents of The Hamptons! It's $30/parking per day so try to…read morecome early in the day to get your money's worth. They do have rinse of stations and the bathroom is nice compared to some of the other beach bathrooms around town.

Love this beach so much all year round, except when the biting flies are out and about lol…read more Must have a resident sticker till 9pm during beach season or pay $25 bucks for the day to park. If you don't, you'll be ticketed over and over again by the bay constable until you move your car, unlike other places in the city where you can remain parked once you get a ticket. So be warned! One really annoying thing is that people bring their dogs during off hours and some will bury their dogs waste in the sand instead of picking it up... If you're gonna own a dog... Own all of it, people!!! Still this beach has some awesome sand and great views of the ocean, amazing sunsets and equally beautiful full moon and stars view at night too! Multiple parking areas but one central area with spaces for bikes and electric cars and life guards and a hot and cold food shack with shower and bathroom facilities that was all rebuilt last year and looks beautiful.

If you're from Long Island, you've heard of the Big Duck, you've seen it on postcards of Long…read moreIsland (yeah these exist, go to like, the Jones Beach gift shop). But find me a local who has actually been there, actually seen it. I'll wait. I've had my share of decades here on Long Island, and I'd never seen the Big Duck. My wife and I were headed out to Montauk, so of course we had to visit. I didn't realize how close it was to Riverhead, or I would have visited a long time ago. It's a big duck. Seems to be owned by the County or something. The duck itself is a gift shop (I think it used to sell eggs, natch) but the grounds are tastefully maintained, and there's a museum on site (bathrooms, too). Unfortunately, in late June, it was all still covid-shut, but that also meant that we were the only ones there (it was also a weekday). I had low expectations anyway, I just wanted to see the duck. It was more exciting than I thought it would be, but really, all I wanted was to see the Big Duck as a stop on our trip. It was not out of the way, and worth the detour. 5 out of 5 if you keep your expectations low. It's a duck.

As a transplant to New York and Long Island, I had heard about the Big Duck, so when I realized it…read morewas along our route to Montauk, we had to stop. It's exactly what it sounds like--a giant white duck on the side of the road. There are restrooms, a small parking lot, and a gift shop inside the duck with plenty of duck-themed souvenirs. The employee was knowledgeable about the history and shared interesting facts while we looked around. We snapped a few pictures and continued on our way. I wouldn't plan a trip just to see it, but if you're already headed that way, it's a fun stop for some silly photos and a chance to stretch your legs.