Things to Do in Syosset

Helmed by United States Coast Guard captains, Western Sound Charter’s premium boats can just as easily jaunt through Long Island Sound to the Statue of Liberty as they can wend their way along fishing routes replete with striped bass. The fleet encompasses six boat styles, which range from a 25-foot hardtop to a child-safe sightseeing and fishing vessel, whose floodlights can illuminate night expeditions and easily stand up to the bullying of pompous lighthouses. The company can accommodate parties of up to 100, and an advanced pairing service matches each client to an activity-appropriate boat.

Every summer, Angler Fishing Fleet's Captain Ken welcomes youngsters aboard his fishing boat for a weeklong fishing camp. He schools campers in fishing techniques, conservation, and boat safety in a demonstration of the company’s initiatives to empower budding fishermen in exploring local waters. In addition to camps, staff captains host frequent lectures that cover subjects such as anchoring techniques, bait, and which fish are the likeliest to grant wishes.

On private charters, the crew seeks schools with onboard sonar equipment and supplies passengers with fishing gear and bait. The Angler II ferries up to 39 passengers on fishing trips in the western Long Island Sound. It is a 50-foot Coast Guard–inspected vessel. The sleek Angler III, another 50-foot Coast Guard–inspected vessel, also escorts passengers through the sound, but it can hold up to 49 passengers and includes a cozy cabin with a galley that serves snacks and beverages. Plus, it offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The smallest member of the fleet, the Angler Express, is designed to hold up to six passengers on private charters. All three vessels in the fleet are equipped with state-of-the-art safety and fish-finding equipment.

Turtle Cove Golf Center sprinkles summer with the pixie dust of outdoor activities ranging from miniature golf to smacking fastballs in batting cages. A course with 18 mini-golf greens peppered between bright flowers and rippling water lures putters, and the 55 hitting stations at the center's 450-yard grass driving range beckon players looking to vent aggression through full-force swings or whispered threats to their tees. After bagging their clubs, guests can swing into batting cages to whack baseballs and softballs or relax at the Turtle Cove Café and munch on a hamburger.

In addition to practice facilities, Turtle Cove offers professional guidance on the art of the swing during lessons. PGA professionals employ high-speed digital-video analysis to break down each pupil’s form and technique as they drive, chip, and drop-kick golf balls into the hole.

Massapequa Bowl & Baldwin Bowl entertain families with bowling, games, food, and libations. Massapequa Bowl’s 30 lanes offer ample space for boulder chuckers, and Baldwin Bowl’s newly renovated, upscale space invites guests to lounge on leather couches and enjoy a beverage while gluing their eyes to the large-screen TVs above the lanes. Both alleys boast automatic scoring and keep kids enthralled with a full arcade and comfort bellies with pizza and pub fare. The bowling mecca also hosts parties for kids and adults as well as bowling-league play, karaoke, and darts leagues—presenting plenty of reasons to regularly frequent.

Grand Master Yeon Hwan Park draws from experience gained while earning a ninth-degree black belt as he focuses students’ bodies and minds. At YH Park Taekwondo, he and a skilled team train pupils from beginner to black belt in the art of tae kwon do, a Korean martial art that teaches the duality of inner harmony and physical defense using fluid movements of the fists and foot fists.

Grand Master Park learned his skills in his native Korea, where he became the undefeated national tae kwon do champion from 1971 to 1975. He also served as vice president of the United States Taekwondo Union and coach of the U.S. Olympic and Pan American team. In addition to his practical mastery of the sport, Park has published 12 books on its theory, including Tae Kwon Do: My Life and Philosophy and Tae Kwon Don’t, How to Avoid Conquering the World.

A seasoned watersports enthusiast from Fort Lauderdale, J.M. Kostallas tranfers his wealth of aquatic knowledge to beachgoers along the temperate waters of Long Island. The certified lifeguard and safety instructor leads all inaugural paddleboarding lessons, which emphasize form, balance, and the art of seagull intimidation in a supportive environment with only a few students at a time. Students can put their newfound skills to use in an eco-tour of the surrounding area or give paddleboard yoga a try. Kostal Paddle leads yoga sessions in the open water and at a Jewish Community Center pool.