About 10 miles south of Cold Spring Harbor is Old Bethpage Village (Round Swamp Rd., Exit 48 S off the LIE, 516/572-8400, www.oldbethpage.org, 10 a.m.–4 or 5 p.m. Wed.–Sun. Mar.–Dec., closed Jan.–Feb., adults $10, seniors and children 5–12 $7), a restored 19th-century village filled with craftspeople and interpreters in period dress.

Spread out over the restoration’s 200-odd acres are a blacksmith shop, general store, hat shop, tavern, working farm, and about 20 other pre–Civil War buildings, most moved here from other locations on the island.

Each time you visit Old Bethpage, you’ll see something different. Come in December and you’ll witness a 19th-century Christmas. Come in May and you’ll spot Union soldiers training in the fields. Come in August, and baseball games, played according to 1860 rules, will be in progress—a fixture in many Long Island childhoods.

Camping is available nearby at the 64-site Battle Row Campground (1 Claremont Rd., 516/572-8690). A recreation center is on site.