2 nice stroller walks – one in Nassau, one in Suffolk

A glorious Fall day like today calls for a nice walk before dinner…

If you are headed to the Fall festival in Long Beach, take the time to head to the boardwalk, which runs for about 2 miles along white sandy beaches. There is a beach-side park on Magnolia Blvd. – just a couple of blocks west from the festival. Loop back east on the boardwalk until you are done taking in the ocean air, and come back down to Park Ave. to eat dinner at Gino’s before heading home. Gino’s is super for families – good food and loud enough that no one will mind when your toddler bursts into song.

Or head north on Magnolia down to the bay, where there is a short boardwalk on that side of the island. Incidentally, Magnolia on the bay is where you can find the Long Beach Ice Arena – where you can rent skates for the whole family and grab a hot dog.

In Suffolk County – maybe try the South Shore Nature Center. (631) 224-5436, 50 Irish Lane, East Islip. There is a 2.5-mile network of trails, half of which are wheelchair-accessible boardwalks (read stroller friendly. They wind through upland woods, then wetland woods, followed by freshwater pond and marsh, and finally saltwater marsh. Nice place to take in Fall foliage.

Dickens Festival Nov. 30 in Port Jeff

“A Christmas Carol” comes alive in Port Jeff the weekend of November 30 – December 2.

Among the activities:

“In celebration, the Port Jefferson Dickens Festival beckons to one and all with the Yuletide tradition of High Tea, complete with gorgeous live music, at the First Presbyterian Church.” See the site here Check out the costumes you can rent from Antique Costume and Prop Rental by Nan Guzzetta

Goin’ fishin’…

Children 12 and under can fish for trout at Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery and Acquarium’s Fall fair. All fishing equipment is provided.  Also games, food and refreshments and education on conservation and environment. Saturday, October 13. 10 am – 4:30 pm.

Fall fun! Apple and pumpkin picking

What sounds more wholesome than taking the kids out to pick apples and pumpkins on a crisp Fall day? Newsday had this piece on places to go apple picking on Long Island a few weeks ago, but it seemed too hot in September for apple picking to be much fun. This might be a great day trip for this weekend, with temperatures in the low-60s. Finally, denim jacket weather!

Here are more apple picking listings on About.com, as well as places for pumpkin picking.