10 Ways to Explore the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center in the Hamptons
One of the highlights of our recent trip to the Hamptons was the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center in Bridgehampton, New York. What started as a small space to protect the Eastern Tiger Salamanders, now an endangered and protected species that were found to have inhabited the area, the center opened in 2006 on three acres of property on the 1100 acre Long Pond Greenbelt Preserve. While most of the 1100 acres is protected, untouched land, the museum and nature center also include three ponds (one of which is a “teaching pond”), and walking trails.
Travel Tips:
10 Things to Do at the SoFO Nature Center:
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- Explore both the aquaside and the terrestrial sides of the ecosystems in the four cylinders. There are live fish, frogs, and turtles on the “aqua side” and taxidermy and models on the “terrestrial side”.
- Search for the super photogenic Diamondback Terrapin turtle (whose names changes each day), who will come right up the glass wall and follow visitors from side to side.
- See the varying stages of tree decay and learn how to prevent it.
- Check out all five sentiment layers of the beach in Montauk and use a magnet to separate the magnalite (black sand) from the garnet sand.
- Hold an Indian Walking Stick.
- Use binoculars on the Observation Deck to find the osprey nests and bat houses
- Learn how little holes are created in shells (hint: you can blame the whelks!)
- Touch various sealife like crabs and starfish in the large marine touch tank (make sure there is staff nearby to explain who is friendly and who is not!)
- Track a shark’s journey on the interactive tv screens to learn about the South Fork Shark Research and Education Program that tags sharks throughout the area.
- Borrow a field guide to take into the walking trails
Disclaimer: My family was given a media pass to explore the Nature Center; all opinions expressed are my own.
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What a cool place! My kiddos would definitely have a blast there!
South Fork looks like so much fun! I love how interactive the museums are and that you can hold all those interesting animals and bugs. Thanks so much for sharing!
This looks like such an awesome place to travel with a family! 🙂
Such a fun day out! Looks like you had to best time! Super brave of you to hold the Indian Walking Stick!!
The South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center sounds fun and educational! Especially for the kids! I love places like this.
That’s pretty cool you can see the different stages of tree decay – and also great that they give you information on how to help prevent it! The more people who know, the better we all can do.
I loved that the nature center had some live critters! That is so fun to experience in real life. Thanks for sharing this article.
This looks so interesting and fun! Had no idea about these places, so this is a great discovery 🙂 Loved that you shared useful tips as well!
Well, those Eastern Tiger Salamanders have a beautiful place to be protected! This looks like a great area to explore with kids too. 😉