Things to Do in Wantagh

Inplayables' inflatable wonderland includes slides, arenas, and bounce houses, where children can safely burn off pent-up energy while having fun. In addition to their open-play jump sessions, the staff summons princesses and cartoon characters for raucous, high-flying rock-star and princess birthday bashes that include themed activities. Other party packages reward energy-expending kids with pizza and activities, such as bubble blowing or face painting, all useful to take part in when preparing for a future in which every company is run by clowns.

Maggie Salomon’s lifelong passion for dance came crashing to a premature halt after a severe car accident. Her years as a professional dancer seemed all but lost before she discovered the restorative power of hot yoga. The gentle movements, coupled with the loosening heat, helped Salomon rebuild her strength and range of motion until she was fit enough to dance again and continue her wide range of physical hobbies. After this experience, she decided to become a yoga instructor and share this beneficial practice with others.

Today, Salomon teaches groups of yogis how to unfurl knotted tendons during 60- to 90-minute yoga classes within her heated studio. She also whips bodies into shape with nonyoga offerings, including Pilates, tai chi, Zumba dance fitness, and belly dance.

At Movie World Cinemas, a recently added café draws in early arrivers with sandwiches and fresh cappuccinos. Patrons can linger there before heading to one of seven handsome screening chambers with projection capacity for traditional film and 3-D movies. Newly installed digital projectors show crystal-clear images while digital surround-sound speakers shake seats with the screeches of onscreen car chases and the weeping of James Bond’s dry cleaner. In the large main lobby, the digital burble of a small arcade stirs air scented heavily by sunshine-hued popcorn. The staff has spent the past few years working on a series of updates and improvements, and the movie palace regularly hosts special events and children’s parties.

A sleek, modern entry area welcomes guests into Vitality Yoga's contemporary space. Atop the studio's dark, hardwood floors, seasoned yogis lead students of all skill levels through 70-minute classes in a variety of yoga styles designed to improve bodies' strength, flexibility, and posture. Most of the studio's sessions incorporate a combination of hatha and Vinyasa yoga, which focus on gentle stretching or athletic pose progressions. Each class wraps up with a seated meditation, during which participants can achieve a zen state of mind comparable to spending a day at the beach with Phil Jackson.

Katrina Wells was frustrated. The new mother loved spending time with her child but still longed for a place to relax and sip coffee. Family-friendly play centers had been widespread when she lived in South Florida, but they seemed entirely absent from her new home in Long Island. Undeterred, Wells took initiative and designed a business that would cater to children and their parents.

Across Le Play Cafe Indoor Play Area & Coffee Lounge's 2,000 square feet, imaginations spring to life at performance stages, dress-up areas, and pretend kitchens. A climbable play structure helps little ones to develop gross motor skills, and age-appropriate toys delight toddlers. On the other side of the play center, scents of fresh roasted coffee fill the café as parents relax, socialize, and share photos of their baby dolls. In addition to cheering children and adults, Wells' brainchild also puts a smile on Mother Nature's vine-covered face. Her eco-friendly facility boasts LED lighting and oversize windows that help to reduce energy costs.

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.