List of museums on Long Island facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Long Island is a large island located in New York State. It's home to many interesting places, including a wide variety of museums! Museums are special buildings where you can learn about history, science, art, and different cultures. They often have cool objects, exhibits, and activities that help you explore new ideas and discover amazing facts.

This guide will help you find some of the most exciting museums on Long Island, located in Nassau County and Suffolk County. Get ready to explore!

Fun Museums for Kids
Step Back in Time: Historic Houses and Villages
Amazing Aviation and Transportation Museums
Nature and Science Adventures
Art and Culture Spots
Unique Collections and Local History
See also

Fun Museums for Kids

These museums are designed especially for young people, offering hands-on activities and interactive exhibits that make learning a blast.

Children's Museum of the East End (Bridgehampton, Suffolk County): This museum is packed with fun, interactive exhibits just for kids. You can play, explore, and learn about the world around you.
Long Island Children's Museum (Uniondale, Nassau County): Get ready for hands-on fun! This museum has many exhibits where you can touch, create, and discover science, art, and culture.
Long Island Explorium (Port Jefferson, Suffolk County): Dive into science, technology, engineering, and math (S.T.E.M.) with exciting, hands-on activities. It's a great place to explore how things work.
Science Museum of Long Island (Plandome Manor, Nassau County): This museum offers hands-on science programs for children. It's a fantastic spot to learn about different scientific concepts through play.

Step Back in Time: Historic Houses and Villages

Travel back in time and see how people lived long ago. These museums preserve old homes and entire villages, showing you what life was like in the past.

Amelia Cottage Museum (Amagansett, Suffolk County): Learn about local history in this charming old cottage.
Babylon Library Museum (Babylon, Suffolk County): Discover the history of Babylon village. It's run by the Babylon Village Historical and Preservation Society.
Bellport-Brookhaven Historical Society Museum Complex (Farmingville, Suffolk County): This open-air museum includes an old house from 1833, a blacksmith shop, and collections of antique tools, toys, and more.
Cutchogue Village Green (Cutchogue, Suffolk County): Explore a historic village green with old buildings, including the Old House (Cutchogue).
David Conklin Farmhouse Museum (Huntington, Suffolk County): See how families lived during Colonial, Federal, and Victorian times in this historic farmhouse.
Davis Town Meeting House (Coram, Suffolk County): This historic building was once the main meeting place for the Town of Brookhaven for most of the 1800s.
Edwards Homestead (Sayville, Suffolk County): Operated by the Sayville Historical Society, this museum shares local history.
Falaise Mansion (Sands Point, Nassau County): Visit this beautiful mid-20th-century mansion that belonged to Harry Frank Guggenheim. It's located within the Sands Point Preserve.
Hallockville Museum Farm (Riverhead, Suffolk County): This open-air museum has 18 historic buildings on 28 acres of farmland. You can see what a Victorian-era farm was like.
Halsey House (Southampton, Suffolk County): Explore this historic house and learn about early life in Southampton.
Havens House (Shelter Island, Suffolk County): Discover history at this house, run by the Shelter Island Historical Society.
Home Sweet Home (New York) (East Hampton, Suffolk County): Visit this historic house in East Hampton.
Islip Grange (Sayville, Suffolk County): An open-air museum that shows historic buildings and life from the past.
Jesse and Ira Tuthill Houses (Mattituck, Suffolk County): These 18th and 19th-century houses offer a glimpse into the past.
Joseph Lloyd Manor (Lloyd Harbor, Suffolk County): This late 18th-century manor house is maintained by the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities.
Manor St. George (Ridge, Suffolk County): Also known as Longwood Estate, this is a historic house to explore.
Maple Lane Museum Complex (Southold, Suffolk County): This open-air museum includes several historic houses, a print shop, blacksmith shop, and other farm buildings.
Mather House Museum (Port Jefferson, Suffolk County): The headquarters of the Port Jefferson Historical Society, this complex includes five historic buildings.
Meadow Croft (Bayport, Suffolk County): This late 19th-century summer estate belonged to John Ellis Roosevelt.
Mill Neck Manor (Mill Neck, Nassau County): A beautiful 20th-century Tudor Revival mansion. You can take guided tours by appointment.
Montauk County Park (Montauk, Suffolk County): This park includes the 18th-century Third House, which is open seasonally.
Mulford Farmhouse (East Hampton, Suffolk County): See what a farm was like in the 1790s at this living history museum.
Oheka Castle (Huntington, Suffolk County): This early 20th-century mansion is now a hotel, but you can take guided tours by reservation. It's a truly grand place!
Old Bethpage Village Restoration (Old Bethpage, Nassau County): Step into a mid-19th-century farming village! This living museum shows you what life was like with historic buildings and costumed interpreters.
Old Village Hall Museum (Lindenhurst, Suffolk County): Learn about Lindenhurst's history in its former village hall.
Old Westbury Gardens (Old Westbury, Nassau County): Explore the beautiful former estate of John Shaffer Phipps, including its grand house and gardens.
Oysterponds Historical Society Museum (Orient, Suffolk County): This open-air museum includes an 18th-century Village House, Webb House, and a late 19th-century schoolhouse.
Pagan-Fletcher House (Valley Stream, Nassau County): This historic house is operated by the Valley Stream Historical Society.
Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park (Oyster Bay, Nassau County): This park includes the Coe Hall Historic House Museum, surrounded by beautiful gardens and an arboretum.
Pollock-Krasner House and Studio (East Hampton, Suffolk County): Visit the home and studio of famous artist Jackson Pollock.
Raynham Hall Museum (Oyster Bay, Nassau County): This restored 22-room house shows what life was like from the 1770s through the 1870s.
Rock Hall Museum (Lawrence, Nassau County): Explore this mid-18th-century plantation-style house.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site (Cove Neck, Nassau County): This was the home of President Theodore Roosevelt. It includes a museum about his life.
Sagtikos Manor (West Bay Shore, Suffolk County): This historic house shows how it changed from the 17th to the 20th centuries.
Sands-Willets House (Flower Hill, Nassau County): This historic house also serves as a local history museum.
Sea Cliff Village Museum (Sea Cliff, Nassau County): See a Victorian kitchen and a collection of toys and dolls.
Sherwood-Jayne House (Setauket, Suffolk County): An 18th-century house maintained by the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities.
Smithtown Historical Society (Branch, Suffolk County): This society preserves several historic houses, including the Caleb Smith House and the Obadiah Smith House.
Southampton Historical Museum (Southampton, Suffolk County): This open-air museum includes the William Rogers Mansion, a one-room schoolhouse, a barn, and other historic shops.
Suydam House (Centerport, Suffolk County): An 18th-century house with local history exhibits.
Swan River Schoolhouse (East Patchogue, Suffolk County): Visit this historic schoolhouse, operated by the Greater Patchogue Historical Society.
Thomas Dodge House (Port Washington, Nassau County): A historic house operated by the Cow Neck Peninsula Historical Society.
Tuthill House Museum (Westhampton Beach, Suffolk County): Learn about local history in this historic house.
Vanderbilt Museum (Centerport, Suffolk County): Explore a historic mansion with amazing collections of natural history, marine life, weapons, and objects from different cultures.
Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site (West Hills, Suffolk County): Visit the birthplace of the famous American poet, Walt Whitman.
William Floyd House (Mastic, Suffolk County): This was the home of William Floyd, who signed the Declaration of Independence. It's part of the Fire Island National Seashore.
William Miller House (Miller Place, Suffolk County): An early 18th-century house that shares local history.

Amazing Aviation and Transportation Museums

If you love planes, trains, and boats, these museums are for you!

1901 Depot and Freight house (Lindenhurst, Suffolk County): See a restored train depot, freight house, and railroad equipment. It also has historical pictures of the area.
American Airpower Museum (East Farmingdale, Suffolk County): This museum features amazing flying World War II aircraft. You can see planes that were made by Republic Aviation.
American Merchant Marine Museum (Kings Point, Nassau County): Explore marine art and artifacts, and learn about the history of merchant marines.
Bayport Aerodrome (Bayport, Suffolk County): See historic flying aircraft at this aerodrome.
Cradle of Aviation Museum (Uniondale, Nassau County): This museum celebrates Long Island's important role in aviation history. See many different aircraft and learn about flight.
East End Seaport Museum (Greenport, Suffolk County): Located in a former train station, this museum focuses on maritime history.
Fire Boat Fire Fighter Museum (Greenport, Suffolk County): Tour a retired fireboat that is docked and open for visitors.
Oyster Bay Railroad Museum (Oyster Bay, Nassau County): This museum is still being developed, but it includes the historic Oyster Bay Long Island Rail Road Turntable.
Railroad Museum of Long Island (Riverhead, Suffolk County): Discover the history of railroads on Long Island. They also have a location in Greenport.
Wantagh Museum (Wantagh, Nassau County): Visit a historic railroad station, an old train car, and a post office.
Wrong Island Railroad (Lake Ronkonkoma, Suffolk County): This museum has an operating model train display featuring O-gauge trains.

Nature and Science Adventures

Learn about the natural world, from local wildlife to the wonders of geology.

Brookhaven National Laboratory Science Learning Center (Brookhaven, Suffolk County): Explore science and research at this learning center.
Caleb Smith State Park Preserve (Smithtown, Suffolk County): This large park has a museum with exhibits about its history, nature, and ecosystems.
Center for Science Teaching and Learning (Rockville Centre, Nassau County): This nature preserve is a great place to learn about the environment.
Garvies Point Museum and Preserve (Glen Cove, Nassau County): Learn about Long Island's geology, Native American culture, and natural history.
Hicksville Gregory Museum (Hicksville, Nassau County): This natural history museum has collections of fossils, butterflies, minerals, and old telephones.
Long Island Science Center (Riverhead, Suffolk County): Enjoy hands-on science activities that make learning fun.
South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center (Bridgehampton, Suffolk County): Learn about the natural history of the South Fork of Long Island.
Tackapausha Museum and Preserve (Seaford, Nassau County): See live animals and learn about the ecology of Long Island.

Art and Culture Spots

Explore different forms of art, from paintings to sculptures, and learn about various cultures.

Alan and Helene Rosenberg Jewish Discovery Museum (Commack, Suffolk County): Learn about Jewish life, history, values, and traditions.
Dia Bridgehampton (Bridgehampton, Suffolk County): This is one of the locations managed by the Dia Art Foundation, featuring art installations.
Firehouse Plaza Art Gallery (Uniondale, Nassau County): This art gallery is part of Nassau Community College.
Gallery North (Setauket, Suffolk County): See contemporary art in many forms, including paintings, drawings, ceramics, and sculptures.
Guild Hall (Easthampton, New York) (East Hampton, Suffolk County): This community arts center includes a museum with art exhibitions by local and emerging artists.
Heckscher Museum of Art (Huntington, Suffolk County): This museum focuses on American landscape paintings, works by Long Island artists, and modern art.
Hofstra University Museum (Hempstead, Nassau County): Its collection includes art, photography, and objects from many different cultures and time periods.
Islip Art Museum (East Islip, Suffolk County): This museum focuses on contemporary art and is housed in a historic mansion.
LongHouse Reserve (East Hampton, Suffolk County): Explore a beautiful 16-acre sculpture garden.
Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages (Stony Brook, Suffolk County): This museum has American art, Long Island history exhibits, and a collection of over 200 horse-drawn carriages.
Nassau County Museum of Art (Roslyn Harbor, Nassau County): This museum features 19th and 20th-century European and American art, and also has a children's art museum.
Port Washington North Nautical Art Museum (Port Washington North, Nassau County): This art museum is located at Bay Walk Park.
Parrish Art Museum (Southampton, Suffolk County): This museum focuses on American art, especially by artists from Eastern Long Island.
Polish American Museum (Port Washington, Nassau County): Learn about the achievements of people of Polish heritage in America, through folk art, costumes, and historical items.
Staller Center (Stony Brook, Suffolk County): The arts center of Stony Brook University, it includes the Paul W. Zuccaire Gallery.
Steinberg Museum of Art at Hillwood (Brookville, Nassau County): Part of Long Island University, this museum hosts temporary exhibitions from ancient to modern art.

Unique Collections and Local History

These museums cover a wide range of interesting topics, from firefighting to sports history.

African American Museum of Nassau County (Hempstead, Nassau County): Learn about the history of African-Americans on Long Island and their contributions to American society.
Baldwin Historical Museum (Baldwin, Nassau County): Operated by the Baldwin Historical Society, this museum shares local history.
Bayville Historical Museum (Bayville, Nassau County): Learn about the history of Bayville. It's open by appointment.
Bohemia Historical Society Museum (Bohemia, Suffolk County): Discover the local history of Bohemia.
Bridgehampton Museum (Bridgehampton, Suffolk County): Operated by the Bridgehampton Historical Society, this museum focuses on local history.
Brookhaven Volunteer Firefighters Museum (Ridge, Suffolk County): See firefighting equipment and learn about the history of local firefighters.
Cold Spring Harbor Fire House Museum (Cold Spring Harbor, Suffolk County): This museum displays firefighting equipment, vehicles, and uniforms.
Custom House (Sag Harbor, New York) (Sag Harbor, Suffolk County): A restored late 18th-century house that was once a custom house.
East Hampton Marine Museum (East Hampton, Suffolk County): Learn about the maritime history of East Hampton.
East Rockaway Grist Mill Museum (East Rockaway, Nassau County): Located in a historic grist mill building, this museum shares local history.
Elderfields Preserve (Flower Hill, Nassau County): This preserve includes historic buildings, an art gallery, and a nature preserve.
Fire Island Lighthouse (East Rockaway, Suffolk County): Visit this historic lighthouse.
Freeport Historical Museum (Freeport, Nassau County): Operated by the Freeport Historical Society, this museum shares local history.
Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (Glen Cove, Nassau County): This center teaches about the history of the Holocaust and the dangers of intolerance.
Hook Windmill (East Hampton, Suffolk County): See a restored windmill from 1736.
Horton Point Lighthouse (Southold, Suffolk County): This lighthouse is operated by the Southold Historical Society.
Islip Town Firefighter Museum (Central Islip, Suffolk County): This museum highlights the history of fire and EMS agencies in the Town of Islip.
Kings Park Heritage Museum (Kings Park, Suffolk County): Learn about the local history of Kings Park.
Knothole (North Hills, Nassau County): This museum is dedicated to author Christopher Morley and is located inside his writing cabin.
Lake Ronkonkoma Historical Society Museum (Lake Ronkonkoma, Suffolk County): Discover the local history of Lake Ronkonkoma.
Lauder Museum (Amityville, Suffolk County): Operated by the Amityville Historical Society, this museum shares local history.
Levittown Historical Museum (Levittown, Nassau County): Learn about the history of Levittown.
Long Beach Historical Museum (Long Beach, Nassau County): This museum shares the local history of Long Beach.
Long Island Maritime Museum (West Sayville, Suffolk County): Explore exhibits on ship models, the oyster industry, shipwrecks, and Dutch heritage.
Long Island Psychiatric Museum (West Brentwood, Suffolk County): Learn about the history of psychiatric hospitals on Long Island.
Montauk Point Lighthouse (Montauk, Suffolk County): Visit this lighthouse and learn about local maritime history.
Museum of American Armor (Old Bethpage, Suffolk County): See a collection of more than 35 operational armored vehicles from World War II. It honors our armed forces.
Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center (Uniondale, Nassau County): Located inside the Cradle of Aviation Museum, this museum teaches about firefighting.
National Jewish Museum Sports Hall of Fame (Commack, Suffolk County): Celebrates American Jewish figures who have excelled in sports.
Northport Historical Society and Museum (Northport, Suffolk County): Located in a former library, this museum shares Northport's local history.
Phillips House Museum (Rockville Centre, Nassau County): A restored Victorian house with exhibits on local history.
Roslyn Landmark Society (Roslyn, New York): Operated by the Roslyn Landmark Society, this museum focuses on local history.
Sag Harbor Fire Department Museum (Sag Harbor, Suffolk County): See artifacts, murals, and equipment from the fire department dating back to 1803.
Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum (Sag Harbor, Suffolk County): Learn about the town's whaling industry, whaling equipment, and local history.
Saddle Rock Grist Mill (Saddle Rock, Nassau County): Visit this restored tidal grist mill.
Shinnecock Nation Cultural Center & Museum (Southampton, Suffolk County): Learn about the history and culture of the Shinnecock Indian Nation.
Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities Museum Gallery (Cold Spring Harbor, Suffolk County): Housed in a former church, this museum shares local history.
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Building (Huntington, Suffolk County): Operated by the Huntington Historical Society, this building is a memorial and shares local history.
Southold Indian Museum (Southold, Suffolk County): See archaeological artifacts and learn about the culture of the Native Americans of Long Island.
Suffolk County Historical Society Museum (Riverhead, Suffolk County): Exhibits include paintings, furniture, and artifacts related to whaling, farming, and early transportation.
Suffolk County Farm and Education Center (Yaphank, Suffolk County): This is a working farm with educational programs.
Suffolk County Police Museum (Yaphank, Suffolk County): Learn about the history of the Suffolk County Police Department.
Theodore Roosevelt County Park (Montauk, Suffolk County): This park includes exhibits about the Spanish-American War and the Rough Riders.
Three Village Historical Society (Setauket, Suffolk County): Learn about the history of the Three Village area.
Town House (East Hampton, Suffolk County): Operated by the East Hampton Historical Society, this historic building focuses on education.
Verizon Telecom Pioneer Museum (Commack, Suffolk County): Also known as the Long Island Telephone Pioneers Museum, it showcases the history of telecommunications.
Water Mill Museum (Water Mill, Suffolk County): Visit a colonial water-powered grist mill.
The Whaling Museum & Education Center (Cold Spring Harbor, Suffolk County): Learn about the whaling and maritime history of Long Island and the ocean.