Weekend Plans? Here’s Your Long Island “Anti-Boredom” Itinerary for Jan 9–11

Because You Can’t Just Keep Rewatching Bluey and Hoping for the Best.

Let me guess.

The first week back to work (and school) hit like a freight train. The tree is now officially dead, your resolutions are hanging by a thread (no, one celery stick does not cancel out leftover cheesecake), and the kids are back to asking, “What are we doing today?” every 14 minutes. Again.

Don’t worry — I got you. Whether you're trying to get the family out of the house before someone gets grounded for life, sneak in some grown-up culture without actually having to whisper “hmm, intriguing” in an art gallery, or just need an excuse to swap pajamas for pants, here's your Long Island weekend survival guide, Dean Miller style.

🎭 Feeling Dramatic? Say Hello to the Ancient Greeks

Let’s start with a little culture — but don’t worry, no one’s grading you on this. The Bacchae, a legendary Greek tragedy, is playing at the Great Neck Library on Friday and Saturday (Jan 9–10) at 8 PM. It’s free, it’s theatrical, and it’s just weird enough to keep everyone intrigued. Spoiler: someone gets turned into a wild animal. The kids might think it’s a Marvel villain origin story.

🖼️ Get Your Art On Without Paying for Parking in the City

Need a break from screens and noise? Time to embrace your “sophisticated parent” era. Head over to East Islip Public Library for the Richard Margolies Abstract Art Show — it’s open all weekend and lets you stroll, ponder, and maybe even pretend you understand what “emotional texture” means.

While you're there, you can also catch the Artist Closet Clean‑Out event. It's exactly what it sounds like: local artists cleaning houses and selling off everything from supplies to hidden gems. It’s like a garage sale — if the garage belonged to someone who knows how to mix oils and talk about “negative space” with a straight face.

🎤 He’s Still Got the Moves (Kind Of)

Need something with more sparkle and a beat you can moonwalk to? MJ The Illusion, a high-energy Michael Jackson tribute concert, is happening in Riverhead on Friday night (Jan 9) at 8 PM. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just want to remind the kids who did the moonwalk first, this show is packed with dance moves, hits, and a whole lot of sequins.

🧶 Craft Your Way Out of a January Funk

Ever dreamed of making your own chunky knit blanket? (Be honest, you saw one on Pinterest and thought “maybe someday…”). “Someday” is this weekend at Let’s Craft in Westbury, where the Chunky Knit Blanket Workshop is happening. No knitting needles, no pressure. Just giant yarn, good vibes, and a chance to say “Oh this? I made it.”

📸 Street Scenes & Art You Don’t Have to Pretend to Get

Back in Great Neck, the Michael Liman “NYC Streets” photo-art exhibition is still on display at the library. Open daily 9 AM to 9 PM, it’s a beautifully gritty peek into the heartbeat of the city — minus the traffic, honking, or $28 parking fees.

🐳 Find the Yeti, Win the Day

Over in Cold Spring Harbor, the Whaling Museum is getting wild with their “Find the Yeti” scavenger hunt. This one’s a kid favorite — you hunt for fuzzy-yet-elusive yetis hidden in the exhibits and win prizes. It's educational, adorable, and yes, they’re giving out stickers. Open Friday through Sunday.

🎨 Walk Through Art — and Through Time

If you're into something a little more futuristic, check out the Bethesda Fountain AR installation at the Heckscher Museum of Art in Huntington. Central Park’s famous fountain reimagined in augmented reality. Translation? Wave your phone around like a wizard and pretend you’re an art tech genius.

🧒 Library Time That Won’t Bore You to Death

Need something low-key but still counts as “doing something”? Hit up your local library for Winter Kids Activities. Most libraries across Nassau and Suffolk are hosting story time, crafts, and play spaces all weekend long. Translation: free childcare for 30–60 blessed minutes while you drink coffee and maybe read an actual sentence uninterrupted.

🌳 And Don’t Forget the Classics…

Need fresh air? State parks like Bethpage, Eisenhower, and Hempstead Lake are perfect for a family stroll, especially after one too many peppermint mochas. If you're looking for something more structured, Hempstead Lake State Park is also hosting an MLK Jr. Celebration on Friday (Jan 9, 9 AM–3:30 PM) — a meaningful way to kick off the weekend and teach the kids something bigger than themselves.

🏁 Final Thought (Because Netflix Will Still Be There Later)

Long Island might not be covered in ski slopes or five-star resorts, but we’ve got plenty to do this weekend. You don’t need plane tickets or deep pockets to make memories with your family — just a solid plan, a few snacks in your bag, and maybe a good pair of shoes.

Whether you're solving art-world mysteries, chasing yetis, fangirling over MJ, or sipping hot cocoa in a museum surrounded by harpoons — this weekend has something for every vibe. And hey, if halfway through one of these events you start thinking, “Maybe it’s time for more space… or less yard,” well, I happen to know a guy.

📩 Shoot me a message or book a quick call at TheBeaconTeam.com
Let’s talk about your next home — once the kids stop climbing the walls.

— Dean Miller
Long Island’s A.I. Certified Realtor™ (and part-time weekend planner)