With Kids: Will travel for…
A visit to the Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill is always a good idea. (Photo credit: Petite North Fork)
If you know me, you know I’m a stickler for not leaving the North Fork, especially during the in-season (oh, how we miss it!) Our family enjoys the Fork to the fullest — constantly seeking out the best kid-friendly things to see, do, eat, and explore — partially so that we can share with you, but also because we truly feel the North Fork is THE PLACE TO BE.
But with the February break nearly upon us, we too are looking forward to venturing off the North Fork just a tiny bit. If you’re also looking for ways to fill your winter break days, check out these five spots worth traveling to. Staying on the North Fork for the break? Don’t forget to look into this roundup of camps planned for the winter break.
Current Exhibitions and Creativity Lounge at Parrish Art Museum, Water Mill
If you’ve driven on Route 27 East, you’ve likely seen the Parrish Art Museum. Perhaps you’ve even sat in traffic wondering what the barn-looking building planted in the center of an expansive native meadow is. Well, that structure is home to the Parrish Art Museum; a long-enjoyed cultural presence, originally founded in 1898 as a single exhibition hall in Southampton Village. In its current home, the sprawling museum has a handful of exhibitions on view at a time throughout its many galleries and dedicated spaces. And, best of all, it’s kid-friendly with dedicated children, teen, and family days, workshops, and classes in addition to its Creativity Lounge which is open most Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, as well as occasional Saturdays. There, children can explore and create tapping into their artistic side. Access to the Creativity Lounge is included in museum ticket purchase. Learn more about the Parrish Art Museum, including its current exhibitions on-view, here.
Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus at CM Performing Arts Center, Oakdale
You’ll be surprised to find the CM Performing Arts Center nestled in an unassuming shopping center in Oakdale. But don’t let its humble exterior fool you, big things happen inside. With a robust family theater offering six family-friendly shows for 2025, the CMPAC is a travel-worthy destination. Next up, Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus — a musical production with script written by Mo Willems. The show, rated G, is appropriate for kids of all ages. Upcoming show dates include Feb. 20 and 21. Learn more and purchase tickets here.
Family Festival at the Museum of Modern Art, NYC
MoMA Family Festival presents: Another World — five days of kid-friendly engaging activities, workshops, film screenings, and interactive spaces to create, play, and explore the natural world. Plan your visit to this festival between Saturday, Feb. 15 through Wednesday, Feb. 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets cost $35/adult and $5/child ages 2 - 17. A one-day ticket grants you full access to the museum and all festival activities on the date of your choice. Purchase tickets and view the complete program here with details on workshops and offerings.
Hike and explore nature off the North Fork at Quogue Wildlife Refuge, Quogue
Leave the North Fork to hike? Yep! Take a break from the trails in our backyard and explore seven miles of trails of forests, ponds, and Dwarf Pines. Then, check out one of the Refuge’s many wildlife exhibits and programs like the upcoming snake animal ambassador story time on Wednesday, Feb. 19, Marvelous Mimicry — a program for pre-teens, teens, and adults — on Thursday, Feb. 20, or Light the Night, a winter trail walk, on Saturday, Feb. 15. For workshop and event reservations, visit: quoguewildliferefuge.org.
Imaginative Play at Play a La Mode, East Setauket
Take the land of make-believe to a whole other level at this pretend-play spot. Perfect for your young crew (ages 0-6), this sweet playspace features a school, café, gym, salon, vet, market, gym, racetrack, cars, and so much more. Pop in for open play or attend one of the events planned during the winter break including Monster Jam Sensory Slam and Music and Movement with Moana. Book your play reservation here.