Top 10 Long Island museums

Originally published: June 21, 2009 10:24 AM
By STEVE PARKS steve.parks@newsday.com

Photo credit: Photo by John Dunn | Artist April Gornik discusses her paintings during the opening of her show, "Luminous Landscapes."

Galleries

From fine art paintings to the fine art of child's play, there's a Long Island museum to satisfy every grown-up taste and any kid's curiosity. Here are our 10 favorites, which together cover the gamut:

GUILD HALL : 158 Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-0806, guildhall.org Cost: $5 suggested donation

In 1931, Guild Hall became one of the first centers in the country to combine a museum, theater and community meeting place under one roof. It boasts an extensive collection of Hamptons artists - from Thomas Moran to Willem de Kooning. Coming up: A retrospective on Grace Hartigan and "The Art of Fashion in the Hamptons."

PARRISH ART MUSEUM : 25 Job's Lane, Southampton, 631-283-2118, parrishart.org Cost: $7 (free younger than 18)

While the Parrish's collection has long been associated with East End American Impressionist William Merritt Chase and realist Fairfield Porter, it also includes important contemporary Hamptons artists. Coming up: Opening June 21: "Mixed Greens: Artists Choose Artists," which has Long Island artists curating a show of their favorite works.

LONG ISLAND MUSEUM OF AMERICAN ART, HISTORY & CARRIAGES : 1200 Rte. 25A, Stony Brook, 631-751-0066, longislandmuseum.org Cost: $9 (free younger than 6)

Best-known for its collection of 19th century paintings by Stony Brook artist William Sydney Mount and its horse-drawn carriages - from stagecoaches to fire wagons - the museum has broadened its appeal through nostalgic exhibits. On now: "Growing Up on Long Island," with a celebrity when-they-were-kids quiz.

NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART : 1 Museum Dr., Roslyn Harbor, 516-484-9337, nassaumuseum.com Cost: $10 ($4-$5 for Ridder MiniArt Museum for Children) $2 parking on weekends only.

Housed in a Gold Coast mansion, some of the biggest-name exhibits on Long Island are displayed here, making it one of the country's largest suburban art museums in attendance. On any pleasant day, you can enjoy the splendid sculpture garden. Coming up: An exhibit exploring France's Napoleonic grandeur opens in June.

GARVIES POINT MUSEUM & PRESERVE : 50 Barry Dr., Glen Cove, 516-571-8010, garviespointmuseum.com Cost: $3 ($2 ages 5-12)

Natural history and American Indian artifacts are mainstays here. Check out exhibits tracing the Island's glacial history and a diorama depicting how Indians adapted the seasons. Nature trails reward hikers with sweeping views of Hempstead Harbor.

AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM : 110 N. Franklin St., Hempstead, 516-572-0730, aamoflongisland.org Cost: Free

Long Island's only African-American museum offers rotating showcases of black artists and historical exhibits. On now: "Rides: The Lifestyle of Urban Bikers."

LONG ISLAND CHILDREN'S MUSEUM : 11 Davis Ave., Garden City, 516-224-5800, licm.org Cost: $10 (younger than 1 free)

The first and largest museum for kids on the Island - the other is the Children's Museum of the East End - LICM is a hands-on play and learning center designed to stimulate a child's natural curiosity. It also offers concerts, theater and themed workshops that give kids something to take home.

CRADLE OF AVIATION MUSEUM : 1 Davis Ave., Garden City, 516-572-4111, cradleofaviation.org Cost: $9 ($3.50-$4 Firefighter's Museum)

Celebrating the role played by Long Islanders, from the earliest days of flight - most famously Charles Lindbergh's historic flight - to space exploration. Grumman fighter planes are represented here, fittingly because Grumman itself is now history.

LONG ISLAND MARITIME MUSEUM : 86 West Ave., West Sayville, 631-447-8679, limaritime.org Cost: $4 ($2 ages 3-17)

At the museum, which includes a working boatyard, you can see 19th century clam boats, an oyster sloop and gear, associated with everything from whaling to sportfishing. Coming up: Vintage Boat Show May 30-31 and Seafood & Music Festival Aug. 29-30.

HECKSCHER MUSEUM OF ART : 2 Prime Ave., Huntington, 631-351-3250, heckscher.org Cost: $8 ($6 seniors, $5 students, younger than 10 are free)

The Beaux Arts building was built in 1920 by August Heckscher to house his private art collection. The museum's art collection includes more than 2,000 works from Renaissance masters to contemporary Long Island artists. Coming up: May 16 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. is The Night of Museums. Visitors can tour the museum's regular exhibits or try their hand at creating their own artwork. "Night at the Museum" will screen at 7 p.m., followed by poetry readings, live music, a Champagne toast and raffle.

Day trip to Museum Row : Your imagination takes flight on a visit to Museum Row, where the thrills include new exhibits for kids and aviation buffs, and rides on a restored 99-year-old carousel.

Find a museum on Long Island

• Nassau North Shore • Nassau South Shore • Suffolk North Shore • Suffolk South Shore • Pine Barrens • Hamptons • North Fork