Long Island may be just a train ride away from the cultural haven that is New York City, but there's plenty of culture right here at home. The region boasts more than 100 museums and historical sites. Two museums pay tribute to Long Island's rich aviation heritage. The Cradle of Aviation Museum in Garden City has one of the country's best collections of historical aircraft that no longer fly. The American Airpower Museum in Farmingdale has the best collection of historical planes that still fly. The Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum, the Long Island Maritime Museum in West Sayville and the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum share the region's marine traditions.

Several art museums, such as the Islip Art Museum, the Nassau County Museum of Art, the Parrish Art Museum, Guild Hall and the Heckscher Museum of Art, offer some of the finest collections in the country. The Long Island Museum of American Art, History & Carriages in Stony Brook is known worldwide for its carriage collection. Scientific exhibits and programs can be found at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory and the DNA Learning Center in Cold Spring Harbor.

 
History runs deep on Long Island. Museums and historical sites that give visitors a glimpse into the past. Popular sites include Sagamore Hill, the summer home of Teddy Roosevelt; the William Floyd Estate, where the signer of the Declaration of Independence was born and lived most of his life; the Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium, the former home of William Kissam Vanderbilt II; and Old Westbury Gardens, the Georgian mansion and manicured lawns that make up the former Long Island is also home to 10 arts councils, which organize a variety of plays, art exhibits, outdoor concerts, fall festivals, and art and writing courses. A number of independent theater groups thrill area residents with their rendition of classics and new productions.