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On a budget

Free things to do in Islip

5 kinds of free outings in and around Islip.

Good days out in Islip don’t have to cost anything. These ideas come from the city’s parks, libraries, historic landmarks and nearby public lands. For free concerts, markets and festivals this week, see the free events calendar.

Parks

92 parks, playgrounds and dog parks in the city.

  • Walker Park1.2 mi from downtown
  • Islip Beach1.3 mi from downtown
  • Benjamin's Memorial Beach1.3 mi from downtown
See all 92 →

Libraries

Borrow books, movies and museum passes, and join free programs.

  • Islip Public Library71 Monell Avenue
See all 1 →

Historic places

22 landmarks on the National Register, many easy to see on a walk.

  • Bayport Aerodrome
  • Fire Island LightBuilt 1826
  • Connetquot River State Park Preserve
See all 22 →

Hiking

Trails on public land; some areas charge a parking or day-use fee.

  • Fire Island National Seashore12 mi east
  • Sagamore Hill National Historic Site19 mi northwest
  • Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge19 mi northwest
See all 20 →

Wildlife viewing

Birding and nature watching on public land.

  • Fire Island National Seashore12 mi east
  • Sagamore Hill National Historic Site19 mi northwest
  • Target Rock National Wildlife Refuge19 mi northwest
See all 19 →

Around town

Jetty at Seatuck National Wildlife Refuge, Islip
Jetty at Seatuck National Wildlife RefugeU. S. Fish and Wildlife Service - Northeast Region · Public domain
Bay Shore Hotel Restaurant Bar, Bay Shore, NY 1979, Islip
Bay Shore Hotel Restaurant BarDowntowngal · CC BY-SA 4.0
Fire Island Kismet, Islip
Fire Island KismetPeter Dutton from Forest Hills, Queens, USA · CC BY 2.0

Get a feel for the city

Heckscher State Park, East Islip, NY, US - Part 1 video thumbnail

THINGS TO DO · YOUTUBE SHORT

Heckscher State Park, East Islip, NY, US - Part 1

A local activity video shared by OurTrip Videos.

Watch on YouTube ↗

Questions

What are free things to do in Islip?

Parks, Libraries, Historic places, Hiking, Wildlife viewing. City parks and libraries are free; some outdoor areas on federal land charge a parking or day-use fee, noted on each listing.

Are there free events in Islip this weekend?

Check the free events calendar, updated daily from local organizations, libraries and the city.

Do I need a library card to use the library?

No card is needed to visit or attend most programs; a free card from the local library lets you borrow books, movies and often museum passes.

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