DAY TRIPPERS: Riverhead

By Elisa DiStefano

All week long we've been taking Day Trips around Long Island (Long Beach, the East End, Fire Island, North Shore). Our last stop is Riverhead! If you love animals or underwater adventures-- this is the place for you!

I fell in love with the seals, sea lions, penguins and otters at Atlantis Marine World! You can spend the entire day there. They have a lot of shows (the sea lions crack me up!) and learning sessions. Check their daily events schedule so you don't miss anything! I was surprised at how many interactive activities they have there. You can even go into a salt marsh. For an extra fee, you can do some really cool things like get kissed by a seal and swim with sharks!        

While you are there, stop by the Riverhead Foundation located inside. It's a  not-for-profit rescue, rehabilitate and release center. They help some pretty amazing animals. You can view the animals in their "hospital" (as they call it) and even adopt one! Last year I adopted a seal!

If you want to meet more land creatures-- drive to Manorville. That's where you will find the Long Island Game Farm! I have the best childhood memories there! When I was a little girl, they used to have a large chimpanzee named Nanny Poo. Do you remember visiting him in the late 80s? People used to give him cigarettes and he would smoke them-- crazy! He would also chew gum. And oh yes, he spit at people! Once he spit at my sister and she fell back into a puddle of mud! They also used to have crazy goats. One ate my grandmothers coat! My sister and cousins and I thought it was the funniest thing. My Nani didn't think so! These days, things are calmer at the Long Island Game Farm! There's still a ton-- now even more-- to do! Check out their show schedule! Stop by the Nursery and feed the baby goats by bottle! Warning-- do not wear scented leg lotion! I wore some berry scented lotion and they were nibbling me! Also make sure you see "Tigerpalooza" and the "Big Cat Habitat"-- you can get within 4 feet of lions! Last year I got to feed them! The kangaroos, lemurs and kinkajous are also fun to see!

If you'd rather cool off a little, go back to Riverhead and spend the day at Splish Splash! There are rides, slides, action and relaxation. You can even rent a cabana! 

If you are into action, how about a demolition derby? You will also find that in Riverhead at the Riverhead Raceway!

If you need some retail therapy, discounts, or back to school shopping, check out the Tanger Outlets. I went by to get some video (I hadn't been there in years) and I was shocked at how many good stores they have! Too bad I was on a deadline and didn't get to go inside my favorite brands and see what kind of deals there are! That's my kind of investigative reporting! The center is so big-- 168 stores--I would suggest checking out a map and making a game plan! Remember, Green is the color for fall-- bring your own bag so you don't waste!

Hope you make the most out of the rest of the summer! Enjoy every moment! Don't forget the sunscreen!   

Comments

[tom thumbles]

Elisa- the link to your blog from your bio page doesnt bring us to your most recent blog entry. Get the webmaster working on that! We want you to be a star!

[TIffany]

Hey Elisa, Good job today with your report. I could tell you were scared to be in the water with the fish. Hope you had fun snorkeling, why didnt you try the shark dive? That would have been cool for you to reoprt from under water!
Keep up the good work!

[John]

I myself have been to Atlantis Marineworld and found this to be grossly over-priced, mildly entertaining, and a "so what" experience.

A less than stellar visit for my family and I, but hey, this is only one family's opinion...

[Tim]

Hey Elisa,

Very nice blog on Riverhead today. Maybe you should go back out to Riverhead to shop with someone like me. Hope you had a nice time doing your day trip. Keep up reporting & doing your traffic thing too.

Best,