Most of us have been cooped up for the last few months and are more than ready to leave the familiar walls of our home, even just for a while. Although the COVID crisis is still very real, many places in Long Island have created spaces for socially-distant fun for all to enjoy.
COVID has shown us the true importance of cherishing our lives and the moments that we create. Being present with our loved ones has become a priority, even when we’re sheltered in place. Business owners around the island have created spaces to keep families entertained and safe while still generating lost revenue from prior months in this present fall season.
Traditionally, the fall months are packed with apple picking, pumpkin patches, haunted houses and hayrides. Most orchards and farms like Albert H. Schmitt family farm in Dix Hills NY, have welcomed families and kept the season alive with major tweaks to the capacity of guests and the enforcement of PPE. Though the perfect antidote for Covid-19 is staying home and away from others, places like this are allowing you to be as safe as possible in public and escape for a while.
With Halloween festivities happening all around this week, many parks and building spaces are taking advantage of the season. Establishments like Adventureland in Farmingdale NY, are using theme parks as a drive-in theater; playing a host of timeless classics while offering food and snacks that are included with your ticket purchase. For more interactive and distant fun, Jurassic Quest seems to be a hit amongst young dinosaur lovers who enjoy life like replicas of prehistoric creatures, giving seclusion and time away from your domicile. With various locations available, this attraction may fulfill a much needed thrill that you’ve been lacking for the last few months.
Family attractions seem to be the focal point of many establishments. but adult fun is still readily available. Haunted bus tours are a new and inventive way to have fun and give you the opportunity to visit various legendary spooky places, and it seems to be increasingly popular amidst the pandemic. For those who are of drinking age, cider mills and boozy bike tours are a great way to let loose and take the edge off.
If you’re missing the serenity of the water and need one last hoorah, The Ward Melville Heritage Organization is offering adventure boat tours. This tour is leaving from Stony Brook Harbor and is designed to explore the Long Island wetlands. Each boat is equipped with a naturalist entertainer who will educate and keep spirits high and joyful throughout your experience.
What makes these attractions so great is the ability to be publicly secluded. While everyone should remain extremely vigilant about COVID prevention, a few hours away may just be what you need to take the edge off. Scheduling these days in advance can help relieve some stress and beat the crowds. With early ticket purchases and reservations, you are more likely to avoid the wait and remain socially distant.
