We hope you will enjoy the exciting ACAT conference program. But if you have some free to explore the surroundings of Stony Brook, below are some suggestions for things to do and/or see.
Stony Brook University is located at the picturesque north shore of Long Island, and is surrounded by many nature reserves, parks and beaches. Below are some places of potential interests within a short drive from the conference venue. More details can be found following the hyperlinks attached to the attractions.
The Avalon Park, as known locally, is a natural conservation area with 5 diverse habitats, abundant native flora & fauna & walking trails. Parking is available along Main Street, on Harbor Road, and in the Stony Brook Village Center (see below) just across the street. It is about 7-minutes drive from the conference venue.
The Stony Brook Village Center has many shops and restaurants for you to visit. Parking is available free of charge.
The West Meadow Beach is about 10-minutes drive from the Charles Wang Center, and has a bike/walking trail. It is also a perfect spot to see the Long Island sunset. Parking is free in March.
The Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages, aka the Long Island Museum (LIM), has some interesting exhibits of arts, carriages and old school houses. It is about 6-minutes drive from the conference venue.
The Village of Port Jefferson, aka Port Jeff, is a quaint little village on the Port Jefferson Harbor. It has many shops, restaurants and bars. It also has a theatre for performing arts. Port Jeff is about 11-15 minutes drive from the conference venue. Parking is free during this time of the year.
If you are in the mood for a movie with some popcorn, there is a movie theatre 10-minutes drive from the Wang center. It is located within a shopping center, so you can also have some food or deserts before/after the movie.
Attractions Farther Away
If you have a car and don't mind driving a bit farther, there are several parks and beaches that are quite popular. The Disover Long Island website has some useful information for you to check out. For your reference, Stony Brook is within Suffolk County.
Below are some local favorites:
A New York state park with views of the Long Island Sound with a nice boardwalk, walking trails and BBQ areas. About 30-minutes drive from Stony Brook. Free admission/parking during winter months.
This state park is located on the western park of the Fire Island, one of the barrier islands of Long Island. It is famous for its nice beaches with fine sands and the light house. It is about 30-40 minutes drive from Stony Brook. Admission/parking is free during winter months.
Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park
Bayard Cutting includes an arboretum designed by Frederick Law Olmsted for William Bayard Cutting in 1886, as well as a mansion designed by Charles C. Haight (Source: Wikipedia). It has many interesting plantings, and is generally a very nice place to walk about on a nice day.
