LongIsland.com's 2014 January Guide: New Year's Resolutions, New Beginnings, Fresh Starts & Winter Fun

Family & Parenting, Music, Movies & Entertainment, Nature & Weather, Travel & Local Attractions, Hot Spots & Night Life, Seasonal & Current Events

By Published: December 31 2013

LongIsland.com

From New Year’s resolutions to fresh beginnings, start off the New Year with some winter fun-filled activities with LongIsland.com’s 2013 January Guide!

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Happy New Year! The rush of the holiday season is finally over and it’s time to take a breath and relax now that the stress of the holiday season is behind us. It’s hard to believe that the old year has blown by so quickly, but there’s no going back now! It’s time to say hello and welcome 2014. With January finally here, folks across Long Island are ready dive into the New Year.

January is the perfect time of the year to focus on yourself, and start off fresh from all the chaos the previous year may have had before the year picks up speed again. It is also the perfect time to set yourself new goals, which is why the tradition of making a New Year’s Resolution is so popular. Sometimes, it can be tough to live up to the goals you set yourself. No matter how you plan on starting 2014, we can make the journey fun with events that will keep you going!

Kick the New Year into high gear with some fun-filled winter activities the whole family will enjoy. From hockey and ice skating to creating arts and crafts, the New Year is filled with a ton of things to do to keep you busy, and we’ve got the highlights for the month all here! Whether it’s some adventure or simply quality time with the family you’re looking for in 2014, you’re in luck - this guide is packed with family fun, exciting events and more!

  • New Year’s Seal Walk at Jones Beach State Park
    1 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh, NY 11793
    516-780-3295
    Wednesday, January 1st - 1:30 PM
    $4
    Learn about the seals that visit our area each winter. Wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes. Reservations are required.
  • 10th Annual Variety Show at North Fork Community Theatre
    12700 Old Sound Avenue, Mattituck, NY 11952
    631-298-6328
    Friday, January 3rd - Sunday, January 5th
    $10
    Enjoy the 10th Annual Variety Show featuring all types of talents from performers of all ages on display. Show is at 8 PM on Friday & Saturday and 2:30 PM on Sunday.
  • 7th Annual Live on the Vine Winterfest Kickoff Party at The Suffolk Theater
    118 East Main Street, Riverhead, NY 11901
    631-727-4343
    Friday, January 17th - 6 PM to 9:30 PM
    $20-$25
    Come on down to celebrate Long Island's musical talent with delicious food, wine and great friends! Transport back in time to an age of glory as you enter the restored 1993 art deco theater and listen to some of the best music on Long Island! Musicians  include Gene Casey of the Lone Sharks, Bakithi Kumalo and Mambo Loco.
  • 5th Macabre Faire Film Festival at Mill River Manor Best Western
    173 Sunrise Highway, Rockville Centre, NY 11570
    516-395-3049
    Friday, January 17th - Sunday, January 19th
    Don’t miss Long Island’s only film festival to showcase independent features & shorts catering to the horror, macabre, Sci Fi, suspense, thriller and drama genres with three screening rooms. Mingle with producers, directors, actors and the press. There will also be music, a cash bar, photo ops, an award ceremony and vendors. See event listing for additional information.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January is also the month which honors Martin Luther King Jr on the day of the 20th. Martin Luther King Jr. is famously known for his “I Have A Dream” speech and has become a historical figure particularly for contributing to the African-American Civil Rights Movement.

It’s Hockey Season!
From the beginning of October to the end of April, the NHL is a major hit to many sports fanatics. The New York Islanders is the sports team close to home representing Long Island. The Islanders have a big season ahead of them. Here are some games that will be taking place at the Nassau Coliseum located at 1255 Hempstead Turnpike in Uniondale. Ticket prices vary between $24 - $160 which can be purchased online or by calling 516-794-9303. Check out who the Islanders are playing against along with the dates and times.

Winter Run Series
For those who love the snow and love to run, you’re in luck! This winter season, take part in the Winter Run Series that are taking place in three different locations! Make sure to quickly grab your spot!

  • 5K Winter Run at Heckscher State Park
    Heckscher Parkway, East Islip, NY 11730
    Sunday, January 12th - 11 AM
    Register now for the winter run - only the first 1,100 runners will be accepted. Pre-registration is $45. Registration on the day of race is $15 but no guarantee to race.
  • 5K Winter Run at Robert Moses State Park
    Robert Moses Parkway, Babylon, NY 11702
    Sunday, January 19th - 11 AM
    Register now for the winter run - only the first 1,100 runners will be accepted. Pre-registration is $45. Registration on day of race is $15 but not a guaranteed spot.
  • 5K Winter Run at Caumsett State Historic Park
    25 Lloyd Harbor Road, Lloyd Harbor, NY 11743
    Sunday, January 26th - 11 AM
    Register now for this winter run - only the first 1,100 runners will be accepted. Pre-registration is $45. Registration on day of race is $15 but no guarantee to race.

Winter Music Series FREE
Enjoy live performances by a variety of local artists who will be playing at Hudson’s on the Mile located at 340 Woodcleft Avenue in Freeport, NY 11520 as part of their Winter Concert Series. Free admission and all ages welcome! 1/2 price drinks while the bands are playing.

Winter Concert Series
Enjoy live music performances from local bands and artists at Martha Clara Vineyards located at 6025 Sound Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901. General admission tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at door. All tickets purchased include a glass of wine. See event listings for more information.

Adventurous Events
Start of the new year with a whole new side to yourself - the adventurous side. Take a hike or just go out and enjoy the beauty of the nature Long Island has to offer.

  • Being at “The End” at Camp Hero State Park
    1898 Montauk Highway, Montauk, NY 11954
    631-668-5000
    Wednesday, January 1st - 1 PM
    $4-adults;  $3-children (3-17); Under 3 is FREE
    Join a State Park Naturalist on this scavenger hunt-like hike through Camp Hero. Participants will discover local plants and animals while hiking the trails.  View the buildings in the Downtown area while listening to the history of how Camp Hero came to be. Wear clothing appropriate for the weather and comfortable shoes for hiking.
  • Field Trip to Capri Lake and Captree State Park
    Montauk Highway and Barberry Road, West Islip, NY 11795
    631-885-1881
    Sunday, January 12th - 9 AM
    Enjoy a Field Trip to Capri Lake & Captree State Park with the Huntington-Oyster Bay Audubon Society. See the assortment of winter waterfowl and maybe even some Monk Parakeets! Register ahead of time. See event listing for more information.
  • Seal Hike at Montauk State Park
    2000 Montauk Highway, Montauk, NY 11954
    631-668-5000
    Saturday, January 11th at 11 AM
    Sunday, January 12th at 12 PM
    Saturday, January 25th at 9 AM
    Sunday, January 26th at 10 AM
    $4-adults; $3-children (3-17); Under 3 is Free
    Hikers will meet at the Montauk Concession building. Wear clothing appropriate for the weather and comfortable shoes. Go on a 3 mile hike for two to three hours. Reservations are required.
  • A Cook’s Tour of Winter Waterfowl at Upland’s Farm Preserve
    250 Lawrence Hill Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY 11724
    516-695-0763
    Saturday, January 18th - 10 AM
    See the winter waterfowl and dozens of species that come out during the colder months on the Island's sheltered lakes, ponds, harbors and bays as well as the open waters of the LI Sound! See event listing for more information.

Family-Friendly Fun
Spend some time with the family doing fun arts and crafts or exploring the many sites on Long Island.

  • 3-Man “Young Guns” Paintball Tournament at Island Paintball Arena
    400 Patton Avenue, West Babylon, NY 11704
    631-694-2707
    Sunday, January 19th - 9 AM to 1 PM
    $120 per team; $55 case of 2000 Paintballs
    Island Paintball Arena is hosting the first Young Guns Paintball Tournament of 2014 Check in is at 8 AM. Games will start by 9 AM. All teams must register in advance. Must be age 15 or younger to play event and be unranked in tournament paintball. Prizes will be awarded to the top 4 teams.
  • New Year’s Day Seal Walk at Jones Beach State Park
    1 Ocean Parkway, Wantagh, NY 11793
    516-780-3295
    Wednesday, January 1st - 1:30 PM
    $4 per person
    Learn about the seals that visit our area each winter. Reservations are required to attend.  Wear warm clothing and comfortable walking shoes.
  • Paint Party at the Maritime Explorium
    101 East Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777
    631-331-3277
    Saturday, January 11th - Sunday, January 12th - 1 PM to 5 PM
    $5 ; Free for members
    Become a material scientist at the Maritime Explorium as you learn how to create your own nontoxic glossy paint!
  • Winter in a Gold Coast Mansion at the Nassau County Museum of Art
    One Museum Drive, Roslyn Harbor, NY 11576
    516-484-9337
    Sunday, January 19th - 1 PM to 4 PM
    Museum admission plus $8 per family materials fee
    Families are invited to travel back to the early 20th century, a time when the museum and its gorgeous grounds were the home of the Frick family. The amazing mansion and property will be used just like the Fricks did—with a scavenger hunt throughout the building, by playing games of the time, and by experimenting with weaving. Weekends only there is a $2 parking fee (members- free).
  • Saltwater Stories at Long Island Children’s Museum
    11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY 11530
    516-224-5800
    Saturday, January 11th - Sunday, January 12th
    Explore the maritime culture of Long Island including history, cuisine, industry, dishing, ecology, arts and crafts. Meet with folk artists that will educate you on the traditional ways of life that help shape the economic and cultural development of Long Island and the animals we have living in our waterways. Free with museum admission.

Winter Fun For Everyone
It’s time to get your snow gear ready! As Long Island enters the heart of the winter season, it’s only a matter of time for the snow to fall to the ground. With or without snow, there are still plenty of winter fun things to do. Check them out here:

  • Ice Skating
    Show off your figure eights this season at one of the many indoor ice rinks across Long Island that are open for the season. If you’re more of an outdoor person, be sure to check out our outdoor skating rinks guide for an ice rink near you!  
  • Sledding
    Sledding may not be as official as all the other winter activities but that doesn’t stop anyone from hitting the slopes at local parks.
  • Watch a Movie
    Snuggle up in a warm blanket by the fire and turn on a movie that you haven’t seen while sipping on some hot cocoa or dress warm and go out to the movies for that movie you’ve been wanting to see!
  • Have a Game Night
    Spend some more time with your family and friends and host a game night. Dust off an old board game or go to the store to pick one up and let the family game night begin!
  • Read a Book
    Go to your local library to pick out a book to read while cozy in your PJs and sitting by the fire listening to the crackling of the firewood.

Still not sure how to make the most out of January? We’ve got you covered! Be sure to check out our Things To Do Section for fun that can be enjoyed all week long, and don’t forget to head over to our jam-packed Events Calendar for the hottest upcoming events for all of 2014!


Have any exciting plans for 2014? Tell us what you have planned this year in the comments below!

 

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