Blake Walsh

15 Free Things to Do in Babylon, NY

  • Published 2022/12/02

​​Suffolk County has 10 towns, and Babylon is one of them.

It’s a far cry from the controlled chaos of New York City, and if you’re looking for an easygoing time, then this place is perfect for you.

It’s also not that far from the famous beaches of Long Island, making it a great destination for people going on vacation or looking to have a getaway.

If you’re looking to explore the area, here are a few free things to do in Babylon, New York:

Have a Picnic at Argyle Park

A small waterfall at Argyle Park

WoodysPhotos / Shutterstock.com

Argyle Park, which includes Argyle Lake, lies south of the Long Island Railroad Tracks.

The site is known for its incredible beauty and lovely atmosphere.

There’s a lot of greenery, and the lake is one of the top attractions.

The waters of Argyle Park

WoodysPhotos / Shutterstock.com

It’s the perfect place for people looking for a lazy and relaxing day with their loved ones.

Have a picnic with your family at Argyle Park, share a meal, and let the easygoing environment lull you into the relaxation you need.

Trail lined with trees at Argyle Park

Joe Trentacosti / Shutterstock.com

Visit the Village of Babylon Historical & Preservation Society

Exterior of the Village of Babylon Historical & Preservation Society

Jaclyn Vernace / Shutterstock.com

The Village of Babylon Historical & Preservation Society ensures that the community’s long history survives for the next generation.

They host various events throughout the year to engage the community and nurture a love for history among its members.

A statue at the Village of Babylon Historical & Preservation Society

DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

They also maintain a museum and host guided tours for students.

If you want to learn more about the area, visit the Village of Babylon Historical & Preservation Society on West Main Street.

Admire Relaxing Views of Southards Pond

Fishing on Southards Pond

WoodysPhotos / Shutterstock.com

Babylon has a lot of natural wonders, and Southards Pond is one of the best.

The pond isn’t hard to find; follow the many dirt paths from Babylon village that lead towards it.

Boats are prohibited, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stand at the shore and appreciate its beauty from there.

Bench overlooking the waters of Southards Pond

WoodysPhotos / Shutterstock.com

You can also go fishing here if you have the equipment and license.

Southards Pond takes you closer to the beauty of nature.

Help Save the Great South Bay

The Great South Bay is an important environmental and cultural attraction for people in the New York-New Jersey area.

It’s part of the community’s heritage and legacy, and there’s a big effort to preserve and protect it for future generations.

If that’s something you’re interested in, then there are several things you can do—after all, the bay is always in need of more hands to help protect and defend it.

For example, you can help protect the nearby creeks that feed into the bay or restore local wild and plant life by planting bay-friendly flora in your area.

Tap into your volunteering spirit and help Save the Great South Bay for future generations!

Volunteer at Tender Loving Cats

If you’re a cat lover, then you may be interested in helping out at Tender Loving Cats.

The place is a nonprofit, no-kill feline rescue that focuses on helping out the kitten population of the area through its Trap-Neuter-Rehabilitation method and adoption programs.

If you want to help out these little furballs, go right ahead—you can even make it into a family activity!

Register on their website and join the Paws for Storytime: with Cats & Kids, where you can read to formerly stray cats with your kids.

Visit Tender Loving Cats on Deer Park Avenue, and you may even make a new animal friend along the way.

See What’s Going on at the West Babylon Community Youth Center

Developing community relationships among the youth is the main goal of the West Babylon Community Center.

They host various events to engage young people in their community throughout the year.

This may be worth checking out if you want your kids to participate in extracurricular activities.

They have facilities for sports and programs for kids.

There are also programs for adults in the community.

If you want your family to be more connected with the community, then the West Babylon Community Center may be the place you’re looking for.

Explore Amityville

A town hall at Amityville

Abductive, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Amityville is a fascinating village in Babylon.

One of its main points of interest is the area in the fork between Broadway and Park Avenue and Ireland Palace, also known as The Triangle.

The site was built in 1892, the same year the Ireland Palace opened its doors, and a gazebo was later added to the area.

Nowadays, the place is also called the memorial triangle, which stands as a monument to honor those who have served the village.

There is also a wide range of other amenities in the village, including a museum, a park, and a beach, that you’ll want to check out.

If you’re a horror movie fan, Amityville may be particularly interesting.

The village is the site of a famous movie called “The Amityville Horror,” and visiting the place may ignite your passion for the genre and the film itself.

It may be a small place, but Amityville has a lot going for it.

Learn about History at the Old Town Hall

Signage of the Old Town Hall

DanTD, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Not many people may know it, but the Old Town Hall is filled with interesting stories.

The building was built in 1857 to serve as the town’s first-ever municipal building.

Now it’s a museum that features various exhibits that tell the town’s colorful history and the many things that shaped it into what it is today.

One of the most interesting exhibits is the one about the town’s founding.

To learn about the first settlers in America, you must visit Old Town Hall.

Be a Mentor at the Women’s Center for Personal Development

If you’re a woman looking to uplift other women, you may want to check out the Women’s Center for Personal Development mentorship program on Weeks Road.

Attend their seminars to learn how to help your fellow women improve their lives and do better for themselves.

You will then be assigned a mentee, which you can use as an opportunity to pay your good fortune forward.

If you need guidance, you can also go to the Women’s Center for Personal Development to look for a mentor or attend one of their seminars.

Helping others and letting yourself be helped is a key part of living a holistic life, so seize the opportunity to do right by others.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Take Your Dog to Gardiner County Park

A happy dog at Gardiner County Park

rSnapshotPhotos / Shutterstock.com

Gardiner County Park is a nature-oriented public park on Bay Shore.

It’s pet-friendly, so if you want to hang out with your dogs or cats, there’s no better place to go.

A dog at Gardiner County Park

rSnapshotPhotos / Shutterstock.com

There are a lot of on-leash trails you can explore and an abundance of doggy water fountains and waste stations to keep your furry friends happy and comfortable.

Not many people may think about the pet-friendliness of the places they visit, but if that’s what you’re looking for, then Gardiner County Park has you covered.

Sunbathe at West Islip Marina and Beach

If you want a place that perfectly captures the breathtaking view of the Great South Bay, then the West Islip Marina and Beach is what you’re looking for.

This beach offers relaxing views and amenities.

You won’t regret packing up and spending a day just relaxing in this place—it may be one of the best decisions you’ll ever make.

Head to the West Islip Marina and Beach and take advantage of the sun while it lasts.

View the Fishing Fleet of Captree Boat Basin

Docked boats at Captree Boat Basin

WoodysPhotos / Shutterstock.com

The Captree Boat Basin is home to one of the largest public fishing fleets on Long Island.

If fishing is your thing, then this place is not something you’ll want to miss out on.

But aside from the fishing, it also boasts amazing ocean views.

Watch people mill about and walk along the boardwalk.

Captree Boat Basin is a great site for sightseeing, so visit it with your friends and family.

Experience the Simple Life at Restoration Farm

The Restoration Farm is a back-to-basics kind of place.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the busier parts of New York, this is the place to go if you want to experience a simple and rustic life.

Everyone is welcome to walk their gardens and fields.

There’s a lot to see and more than enough to learn while doing it.

Restoration Farm is located in Old Bethpage, 15 minutes from Babylon.

Lend a Helping Hand at the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition

Breast cancer is a harrowing and challenging illness, which is why the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition seeks to help people afflicted with the ailment as much as possible.

If you want to do your part, there are many opportunities to do so.

One of the best ways to help is by being a volunteer driver.

To do so, you’ll need a clean license, be at least 21, be punctual, and have a warm and compassionate heart.

You can also be a general volunteer and help with events, fundraising, and office work.

Whatever your skillsets are, there’s a place for you at the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition as long as you’re willing to help out to the best of your ability.

Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition is located in Lindenhurst, four minutes from Babylon.

Final Thoughts

The easygoing nature of Babylon cannot be understated.

Sometimes, in the middle of a busy, chaotic, and overwhelming life, that’s all you need in a place.

If that’s what you need right now, check out this list of free things to do in Babylon, New York, and see what you can do to have fun and unwind in the town.

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