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What comes to mind when you think of Farmingdale?
Is it Adventureland, a source of fond childhood memories and ongoing family traditions for many Long Islanders? And let’s be honest, for many, Farmingdale means visiting buried relatives.
But maybe you also think of movie theaters, the college, Republic Airport or the bustling Main Street with eclectic activities and eateries.
With so much to see, do and eat, Farmingdale is the perfect area to spend precisely 15 hours. If you plan to tackle this itinerary, wear comfortable, closed-toe shoes and be prepared to spend money – yet without the travel tolls.
None of the suggested activities are free, but they are all worth the cost. We’ll provide some savings tips, too, below.
10:30 am.
Brunch at 317 Main Street
Don’t be afraid to sleep in before your action-packed day in Farmingdale. Start the morning with a leisurely brunch at 317 Main. Named for its location on Main Street, the restaurant blends American cuisine with unique cocktails and a spacious, friendly atmosphere.
The brunch menu includes classics like chicken and waffles, frittatas, and crepes, all with chef Eric LeVine’s twist.
Photos from 317 Main Street on Facebook.
Noon
iSmash Farmingdale
Now that you’re fueled up with healthy protein, head down a few doors to iSmash Farmingdale for a one-of-a-kind experience. Suit up in coveralls and safety gear. Use a sledgehammer, baseball bat or crowbar to smash electronics, plates and dishes — and tons of glass bottles.
You can connect your phone to the room’s Bluetooth speakers to create the ideal soundtrack for destruction.
Walk-ins are accepted, but it pays to book ahead to ensure a slot.
1 p.m.
American Airpower Museum
Head north to Route 110 to continue your adventures in Farmingdale.
Yelp reviewers cite the American Air Power Museum as something to see, especially for history buffs or aviation enthusiasts.
Founded in 2000 at Republic Airport, the museum is a 501C3 non-profit with volunteer tour guides who love sharing their knowledge of Long Island aviation history. If you have extra time and roughly $300+ to spend, you can even book a flight on one of the museum’s World War II-era planes.
Top: The museum’s North American P-51D Mustang. (courtesy)
3 p.m.
Late lunch and lots of choices
After all that activity, you might be looking for a snack or late lunch.
Farmingdale offers too many options to count, from the standard chains to family-owned restaurants. You could head into Costco or Stew Leonard’s and make a meal of free samples or an affordable Costco Chicken Bake.
For fast-food chicken fingers that are a notch above any other, try PDQ. A slice of pizza from Bellagio delivers the quintessential Long Island experience. You could also head back to Main Street to eat at Whiskey Down Diner, where classic diner fare meets gastropub cuisine. Virtually everything on the menu is delicious – the specialty burgers are worth trying!
The Library Café is also a can’t-miss choice, constructed on the former site of the Farmingdale Public Library.
4 p.m.
Adventureland
A round-up of things to do in Farmingdale isn’t complete without mentioning Adventureland. Show up two hours before the park closes for substantial savings on admission tickets. Head straight to Turbulence if you’re a roller coaster fan; it’s the only ride in the park that combines height and acceleration for thrills.
Kids will love the Rattlesnake Coaster, the Fireball, and Wave Twister, new this season.
6:30 p.m.
Dinner at Casa Stellina Ristorante
From wood-fired, oven-roasted meatballs to house-made pasta, pizza, seafood dishes or steak, Casa Stellina on Main Street has Italian cuisine to please any taste buds, including options for gluten-free pizza crust. Sunday evenings feature a family-style menu, and Tuesdays and Wednesdays offer prix fixe selections, with a $10 glass of house wine.
8 p.m.
Dessert at Scoops & Cones Café
In the mood for ice cream? Scoops & Cones Café is a locally owned café with three locations across Long Island, including the original location in Wantagh, and the Farmingdale location on Route 24.
The sweet spot offers 36 flavors of ice cream and specialties like Mama’s Sundae – ice cream and toppings served over a warm cookie — and ice cream nachos served over waffle chips.
8:30 p.m.
RPM Raceway
If you have any energy (and money) left, cap off the action-packed weekend at RPM Raceway, open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The Farmingdale electric go-kart facility recently renovated its track to become the longest indoor electric go-kart track in the world, with two levels of excitement. These karts don’t handle like your normal gas-powered go-karts. Expect some spins, learn how to drift, and do your best to avoid collisions at 45 mph.
11 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
Showcase Cinemas or the Regal UA
Finally, head down the road and relax with a movie.
Farmingdale is home to the Showcase Cinema de Lux Farmingdale and the Regal UA Farmingdale theater, and between the two, you’ll find the new movie you’ve been looking to see. Both theaters have leather reclining seats for comfort and state-of-the-art technology for an immersive movie experience, although only the Regal UA has IMAX and RPX options.
Spending 15 hours enjoying activities in Farmingdale seems absolutely exhausting, no? So, just pick and choose your favorites for your next Long Island staycation. Or, spend the night at The Courtyard and break it up into two days.
