9 Things to do Good for Big Groups in Riverhead That You Shouldn't Miss

At Spirit’s Promise Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation, our mission is to rescue horses and other animals who have been abused, neglected, or unwanted. Farm Animal Tours, Horse Experience and Mini Horse Herding Experience

One of the challenges parents can face when looking for a birthday party venue is finding one that caters to a wide age range. Aside from your child’s classmates, there might also be cousins, neighbors and friends’ children on the guest list; the best party venue is a place where everyone—from toddlers to elementary school kids—can have fun. Our sponsor Safari Adventure in Riverhead has been around for years, but with a recently renovated 11,000 square-foot facility, it now has so much more to offer for parents and kids looking for the ultimate birthday party experience, including a four-level playground where children ages 1-10 can get plenty of exercise –and have tons of fun—in a safe environment. What sets Safari Adventure apart from the rest of the area’s party venues? It’s home to "Kilimanjaro,” the largest soft play unit of its kind on Long Island. The African-themed structure allows kids to use their imaginations and challenge themselves both mentally and physically as they climb across cargo nets, through tunnels and past obstacles. There are also plenty of safe slides for even the smallest daredevils in your group. And that is just the beginning: Safari Adventure also has enormous bouncers and more than 30 video games and skill games to appeal to children of all ages. When they’re done playing, kids can head over to the trading post to turn in the tickets they’ve won for a variety of prizes. Birthday party packages start at $350 for 12 kids. The 90-minute party includes pizza, juice, the birthday cake, tokens for each child, paper goods and a party guide who takes care of all aspects of the event from start to finish; all Mom and Dad need to do is show up. There are also “extras” that can be added onto the packages, such as Safari-themed goodie bags, ice cream and more. All of the private party rooms have been remodeled with full Safari-themed murals, and since it’s an open play, all day facility, guests can stay and play for as long as they like after the party ends.

When in Riverhead, take a tour with Brew Crew Cycles! It is the best way to pedal around the breweries of the East End of Long Island. The 14-person bikes make brewpub tours a group effort. During the 2-hour ride Brew Crew Cycles takes riders, as fast as they can pedal, to their next ice cold brew. This bike tour is a unique way to experience three local breweries.

This FINtastic destination features one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in this hemisphere, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, African Penguins, Marmosets, numerous touch tanks and more than 100 exhibits including the lavish indoor gardens of our Butterflies, Bugs and Birds Exhibit! This Section features more than 30 species of North American and exotic, tropical free-flying butterflies and is the only insect displays of its kind in New York (and one of the only exhibits like this in the Northeast) featuring bugs ranging from most deadly to largest and most colorful. You can even hand feed the gorgeous conures, ringnecks and lovebirds in our Bird Aviary. We're celebrating our 15th birthday this year and we want you to join the celebration. You'll get FREE Aquarium admission (with valid ID) within 7 days of your birthday!! You can also try one of our JAWsome Aquatic Adventures, like the Shark Dive where you'll get in the cage and down into our amazing Lost City of Atlantis Shark Exhibit. Or the Penguin Encounter where you'll get up close and personal with our cutest feathered friends. You can even snorkel with tropical fish from around the world with our Pirate Snorkel Adventure (seasonal)! There are plenty of special events on the calendar, for guests of all ages. Check our website for a full listing of the great activities you won't want to miss. Like our Family Sleepovers, where you'll explore the Aquarium after hours, then spend the night in front of one of the tanks. Or Fish & Sips, our adults only wine tasting event featuring more than 20 local vineyards with tasting and purchasing opportunities. You can celebrate the holidays with us at our Holiday Brunches for Easter, Mother's Day or to celebrate Christmas with our Santa Brunch. We can also help you host your child's next birthday, we specialize in parties and have a wide range of party packages to offer. Planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah or Sweet 16? We've got you covered, our Atlantis Banquets & Events team will make your child's special day the party of the year. You can even get married where the walls are alive with our most colorful and tropical exhibits! Named a Top 10 Aquarium for Children by Parents Magazine, the Long Island Aquarium is open daily from10am to 5pm year-round (Closed Christmas & Thanksgiving Days). You can add to the fun with an overnight stay at the waterfront Hyatt Place Long Island / East End and located adjacent to the property.

This FALL deserves to be remembered forever. Create or continue your apple-picking traditions on dwarf trees for easy picking. Celebrate the beauty of harvest season at Harbes Orchard with: APPLE PICKING (apple cost included in general admission), LIVE MUSIC (12-5pm), FRESH FALL TREATS, FINE WINE (sold by glass or bottle), FAMILY- FRIENDLY FUN, VENDORS with Pony Rides, Facepainting and more!