Image “Stony Brooke” by Mark B. Schlemmer, used under CC BY 2.0
Long Island has a long history, and you don’t need to travel far from West Islip to find art and culture attractions. Here are six nearby choices.
- Islip Art Museum
Located in East Islip, the Islip Art Museum provides exhibition space for contemporary art. It features artwork by national and international artists and showcases work by local emerging artists. In addition to a variety of rotating exhibitions throughout the year, the museum houses a permanent collection focusing on contemporary artists with connections to Long Island in particular and the tri-state area in general. The museum offers cultural arts courses for adults and children.
- Argyle Theatre
The historic Argyle Theatre has recently been restored to its former glory and brings Broadway shows to the village of Babylon. The theater features state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems to bring to life the musicals, plays, concerts, and other performing arts showing at the venue. It’s a small theater, with every seat having a good view of the stage. Upcoming productions include “Legally Blonde,” “The Full Monty,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Cabaret.”
- First Glass Wine Tours
For a tour of the finest wineries in Long Island, First Glass, based in West Islip, offers a full-service all-day limousine tour. As well as sampling the amazing award-winning wines on offer, you can have a gourmet lunch and mouthwatering desserts. The tour packages include an itinerary planned around your choice of wineries, or you can opt to visit breweries or a cider mill. Live music and dancing are also featured.
- Town of Babylon History Museum
The Town of Babylon History Museum is located in the old town hall and offers three floors of exhibits and artifacts tracing the history of Babylon and the surrounding areas. The building contains the old courtroom, former jail cells, and an interactive multimedia exhibit room. Tours are self-guided, and admission is free.
- Phoenix Art Studio & Gallery
A 25-minute drive from West Islip will bring you to the Phoenix Art Studio & Gallery in Bayport. The gallery features events showcasing work by local upcoming artists and offers painting classes for adults, kids’ programs, and private parties. All painting materials are supplied for the classes.
- Long Island Museum
Established in 1939, the Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages in Stony Brook covers 9 acres and comprises five historic buildings and three modern exhibition facilities. The museum celebrates the rich history and diverse cultures of Long Island. A series of changing exhibitions are featured throughout the year.
Permanent displays include a schoolhouse, blacksmith shop. the replica of a bayman’s shack complete with furniture, tools, a duck boat, and decoys. The Carriage Museum traces the history of American horse-drawn vehicles through its collection of carriages, interactive displays, and scenes of 19th-century New York.
These are just a few of the cultural attractions that the area around West Islip has to offer. With a little further exploration, there are more to be found.
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