Brentwood is a small hamlet in the Town of Islip in Suffolk County, on Long Island in New York.
Currently, it’s the most populated area in Suffolk County and the entire Long Island outside New York City.
The hamlet features primarily residential areas, but there are some places to see and things to do, including free activities.
If you’re looking for a change of pace from the busy lifestyle of NYC, here are some of the best things to do in Brentwood, New York.
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For sports lovers, Brentwood State Park offers many outdoor sports and other activities to entertain you.
The sports facility spreads across 52 acres and has baseball, soccer, and football fields.
It occupies the land that used to be part of the Pilgrim Psychiatric Center until the developer transferred a part of it to be converted into several playing fields.
Today, Brentwood State Park offers eight artificial turf soccer fields, two artificial turf baseball fields, a concession stand, restrooms, and a playground.
You can watch friendly soccer or baseball games or use the fields after filling up a Park Use Application form.
The park also has tables perfect for a picnic lunch or snack breaks between games.
For a memorable dining experience at Brentwood, have a meal at Flores Restaurant, a Salvadoran restaurant.
The restaurant is along Clarke Street, near supermarkets, delis, and other essential establishments.
Discover your new favorite Salvadoran food at Flores Restaurant and try something new for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Start your day with breakfast platters, including plantain, eggs, beans, sour cream, and beef, paired with a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate.
Other dishes include chicken marsala, stuffed shrimp, and fried pork skins served with rice, beans, salad, and avocado.
Customers, in particular, applaud the restaurant’s pupusas (corn tortillas), attentive service, and good value for money.
Roberto Clemente Park is a popular hangout for families and residents of Brentwood, nestled within a quiet residential area.
The park features several playing courts, a swimming pool, splash pads, paved walking trails, a children’s playground, and more.
It also has a newly-opened skate park with exciting rails, ramps, steps, and quarter-pipes, perfect for beginners to practice around and experts to showcase their skills.
Head to Roberto Clemente Park on a lazy afternoon and enjoy outdoor activities.
Bring snacks and a packed lunch for a relaxing picnic or small family outing, and use the pool and splash pad to beat the summer heat.
La Espiguita Bakery has been around since 1998, serving Brentwood residents authentic Colombian baked goods, pastries, and other local delights.
Conveniently located in Brentwood, you can quickly drop by the bakery on your shopping trip.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with pastries at La Espiguita Bakery and try their classic flan, leche asada, arroz con leche, or relampago, a light pastry dough filled with Bavarian cream topped with caramel.
For your picnic, try freshly-baked bread with raisins, baked bread with diced Colombian cheese, or baked donuts.
Aside from bread and pastries, try their food items like empanadas, tamales, or their arepas rellenas, a white corn pancake stuffed with scrambled eggs, chicken, beef, or pork belly.
Heartland Golf Park may be one of the smaller golf courses in the area, but it offers a world-class golfing experience.
It has been the premier golf facility in Long Island since 1994 and features a driving range, a par-3 course, and a mini golf course.
The golf course also takes pride in being the only golf park in Long Island with an automatic tee-up system, a testament to its excellent facilities.
Bring the family to Heartland Golf Park and enjoy a game at the mini golf mountain with an 18-hole course perfect for all ages.
Meanwhile, the driving range helps you practice your swinging skills using the automatic tee system.
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Brentwood Public Library has served residents since 1937, providing various programs and services to educate the community.
It’s located along Second Avenue and is near places of interest like Brent City, Brentwood Recreation Center, and Brentwood Commons.
Those interested in learning about Brentwood’s history may do so and access various documents and archives.
Head to Brentwood Public Library, read your favorite book, or browse the shelves to discover a new title.
You may also join free programs like storytelling sessions, book clubs, movie nights, and more.
Enjoy a few hours of relaxation at Ellery Street Park, a small neighborhood park with a playground and an expansive grassy area.
This is a great place to bring children of all ages since there’s a smaller playground for younger kids and a bigger one with longer slides and taller stairs.
That way, you can be assured that your children will be safe as they play and meet new friends.
In addition, the grassy area is perfect for having a picnic or playing other games like tag or frisbee.
Ellery Street Park also has a couple of benches to sit and watch over your kids or relax and read a book.
For all your daily needs, head to Brent City, located at the heart of the area.
The shopping mall houses several establishments, including restaurants, pawn shops, supermarkets, dollar stores, and more.
Its location also makes it easy to drop by the mall before going on a picnic at a nearby park or heading out on a road trip.
Shop for your everyday essentials at Brent City, from groceries, food, bargain finds and more.
After buying what you need, grab a bite at restaurants like Domino’s, Subway, and Popeye’s.
Head to Velasquez Park, along Macarthur Avenue, for a fuss-free family bonding day.
The park has simple amenities, like benches, swings, slides, and grassy fields with ample shade.
Because of its location and amenities, Velasquez Park is an excellent destination for a simple family outing.
Bring snacks or lunch and picnic on the grass while the kids have fun at the playground.
Then, you can relax under the shade or play games like Frisbee, tag, or catch on the open field.
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Bayard Cutting Arboretum, also known as Bayard Cutting Arboretum State Park, provides a refreshing change of scenery with 690 acres of well-manicured gardens.
Located in Great River, New York, the arboretum is one of the few remaining estates on the southern end of Long Island.
It was the former estate of William Bayard Cutting and his family.
His wife donated it to the state in 1936 so Long Island residents and tourists could enjoy and relax in the open spaces, woodlands, and gardens.
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With 13 plant collections showcasing trees, shrubs, perennials, wildflowers, and other kinds of flora, explore and marvel at the beauty of Bayard Cutting Arboretum.
Tour the gardens and find solace within the flowering azaleas, conifer trees, woodland gardens, towering cypress and cedar trees, and more.
The arboretum is only an 11-minute drive south of Brentwood.
Joe Trentacosti / Shutterstock.com
Joe Trentacosti / Shutterstock.com
From Brentwood, take a day trip to East Islip, New York, and visit the expansive Heckscher State Park.
It spans 1,657 acres and has everything you need for a fun day: picnic groves, open fields, a scenic shoreline, and multipurpose trails.
Additional facilities at Heckscher State Park include boat launches, campsites, disc golf courses, grills, and children’s playgrounds.
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Go on a road trip to the park and picnic with your family, use the open fields for soccer, frisbee, cricket, and other sports, or ride a bike, walk, or jog along the four-mile trail.
With its location in front of the Great South Bay, you can swim, sailboarding, kayaking, canoe, and kayak in the open water.
Located only 16 minutes from Brentwood, the park makes for an ideal day trip.
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If you’re up for a longer road trip, visit Connetquot River State Park Preserve in Oakdale, New York, a 15-minute drive from Brentwood.
The 3,473-acre state park houses the Long Island Environmental Interpretive Center and the Southside Sportsmens Club District, a Colonial Revival recreational club for affluent business people in Long Island.
In addition, the state park has natural areas that protect game birds, fish, and other animals.
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As you explore Connetquot River State Park Preserve, walk around the nature trails and bridle paths and get a chance to spot animals like deer, waterfowl, osprey, and other rare nesting birds.
Join interpretive programs and hikes and learn more about flora and fauna abundant in the park.
In winter, go cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
Joe Trentacosti / Shutterstock.com
Joe Trentacosti / Shutterstock.com
Take a break from the fast-paced life in the metro and explore the wooded trails of Blydenburgh County Park in Smithtown, New York, ten minutes from Brentwood.
The park offers 627 acres of multi-use trails, RV and tent sites, bridle paths, picnic sites, and plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation.
There’s also a dog park where you can bring your beloved pets and let them run free and play with fellow canines.
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Enjoy pristine pondside views at Blydenburgh County Park as you walk through the boardwalk, soaking up the postcard-perfect scenery.
Watch your kids play at the playgrounds, enjoy a relaxing picnic, go horseback riding, or enjoy a different perspective of the park as you kayak.
For a dose of history, join a guided tour of the Blydenburgh Farm and New Mill Historic District and discover the origins of these historic buildings.
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Enjoy the beachfront at Sunken Meadow State Park, a 1,287-acre state park in Kings Park, New York, 15 minutes from Brentwood.
The park boasts scenic views of Long Island Sound and Connecticut, plus miles of shoreline, boardwalks, and multi-use trails.
The state park also has diverse topography, like tidal flats and rolling hills, sustaining various flora and fauna.
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Enjoy the sun at Sunken Meadow State Park and have a fun bonding day with your family, dip on the beach, play outdoor sports on the ball fields, or have a relaxing picnic.
In addition, golfers can play at the 27-hole Sunken Meadow State Park Golf Course.
If you want something relaxing, walk along the boardwalk and take photos of the scenery.
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Attracting almost 3.4 million visitors annually, Robert Moses State Park – Long Island is a must for anyone visiting Babylon, New York.
Situated 17 minutes from Brentwood, this is the oldest state park on Long Island and is a perfect summer destination because of its amenities and waterfront location.
The park’s main highlight is its five-mile stretch of beach, ideal for swimming, surfing, boogie-boarding, and surf-fishing.
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Back on land, Robert Moses State Park – Long Island has volleyball courts, picnic areas with grills and tables, and a gazebo that can host large gatherings.
A nature walk also leads to places of interest like Fire Island Lighthouse, Lighthouse Beach, and nearby towns like Kismet and Saltaire.
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Brentwood may be overlooked as a tourist destination, but this small hamlet offers places to see and things to do, perfect for a weekend trip.
Its slow-paced lifestyle and small-town charm are welcome changes of pace for those who want to take a break from city life.
Check out this list of the best things to do in Brentwood, NY, and start planning your next getaway!
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