The front end of the site is dominated by these large pools where different types of fish are kept until they are mature. When you enter the hatchery from route 25A, you'll drive past this area to the parking in the rear. Parking is free and there is plenty of room, although the lot is unpaved and the 'spots' aren't very well defined.

Most kids would be pretty happy to see so many fish close up, like a giant aquarium without the ecosystem and fancy lighting. But the real highlight here is feeding the fish. For a very reasonable three dollars, you get a large bucket of food, and when you toss some in the pool the show begins. The surface of the pool roils with hungry fish as seemingly hundreds flap and splash their way around their neighbors to score a cherished food pellet. 

Turtle rescue is another mission at the hatchery, and there is a large habitat that houses many of Long Island's native turtles. Okay, so they're not exactly exciting, but the kids do like to watch them totter around.

For the older kids, there is this fully stocked pond where the hatchery runs a catch and keep program.  It's open every Friday through Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon and again from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. There's an additional 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. session in the summertime. The cost is five dollars, and you have to keep whatever you catch, so if you plan on trying this be sure to have a trout recipe handy. And don't go too crazy -- there's an additional $4 per pound cost for whatever you take with you. You can bring your own fishing equipment or rent from the hatchery.

There are two indoor habitat centers that feature a wide array of native reptiles and amphibians. The facilities are a little rustic, but sort of cool in a retro way. If you go on a hot sunny day, it's a welcome respit in the shade. In fact, the many displays here represent the largest collection of live amphibians in the northeast. That's a lot of frogs, and they're all native to New York.

Kids will enjoy getting a eye-level view of creatures like this salamander in the many habitats in the Fairchild Exhibit building. There are two other indoor exhibits as well: an aquarium building that is home to over 30 species of fish that are native to New York, as well as the actual hatch house where the eggs are kept.

Back outside, there is a wonderful picnic area just beside a waterfall. The waterfall is fed from St. John's Pond, which borders the rear parking lot. It's a nice vista to take in before piling back in the car. There is no food available for purchase, but you can bring your own and enjoy this idyllic spot with some refreshing juice boxes. Just beyond the picnic area is the home of Tiny, a giant snapping turtle. Tiny was being shy on the day we visited, so we're taking the hatchery's word that he's there and he's very large. 

The Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery is open seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The pool areas and indoor displays are stroller-friendly, although the parking is unpaved and a little steep towards the rear. There are public restrooms and a gift shop that features educational toys and games. The admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children over three years old and seniors. 

The Cold Spring Harbor Fish Hatchery

 Official Site: www.cshfha.org

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