‘Laser Fright Light’ — One Night Only!
Wednesday, October 29
Includes exclusive access to the Spooktacular Star Party!
Dare to experience the most electrifying, spine-tingling night of the season at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s Reichert Planetarium!
For one spooky night only, our dome will be taken over by Laser Fright Light — a terrifyingly fun, full-dome laser spectacular that’ll have you howling for more.
Can you handle it?
Prepare yourself for a heart-pounding mix of lasers, lights, and legendary Halloween tunes that’ll rattle your bones and thrill your senses. From Thriller and Monster Mash to Frankenstein and Iron Man, this show is packed with hair-raising hits that light up the night — literally.
Beware…
You never know when a zombie might nibble, a UFO might land, or your courage might just give out. It’s frightful fun for brave souls only — if you dare.
Bonus!
Your laser show ticket also grants you entry to our Spooktacular Star Party from 6:00–8:00 PM in the museum parking lot. Gaze through telescopes at the Moon, Saturn, and other celestial wonders — all under a Halloween sky.
Don’t wait — tickets vanish faster than ghosts!
Learn more about the Spooktacular Star Party
Tickets: $10 per person
Thankful Thursday: Halloween, October 30
On several Thursday evenings throughout the year, we invite you to join us for a FREE family-friendly planetarium show. This month it’s “Haunted Skies.” (Recommended for ages 8+.)
After the show, we will open our observatory to the public, and an astronomy educator will invite you to look through a telescope at the night sky (weather permitting).
Register here for complimentary tickets
Funding for this series is generously provided by BAE Systems.
Vanderbilt Archive: Cheers from the Past
The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum archives are full of treasures and mysteries. We plan to share some of them regularly with friends and visitors.
This week, Roberta Casagrande-Kim, the Vanderbilt’s Director of Curatorial Affairs, investigated an old sherry crate (at right). “Establishing the content was an easy task: a shout out to Harveys, which has produced sherry for almost 150 years,” she said. “But figuring out when the crate could have arrived in the U.S. took a bit more work.”
Luck was on her side. The original shipping label is still stapled onto the crate. The sherry left Bristol, England, on board the Lancastria, and arrived at the docks of Southampton, N.Y.
‘While the date of the shipment is not recorded,” Casagrande-Kim said, “a bit of research told us that the Lancastria sailed regularly from England to New York between 1924 and 1939. This confirms that Mr. Vanderbilt purchased or was gifted the sherry and had it stored in the mansion’s wine cellar. The sherry crate, on display in the first-floor kitchen, can be seen during a mansion tour.”
Pink Floyd Music: Live in the Planetarium!
Us and Floyd will return to the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum’s Reichert Planetarium on Saturday, November 15, for two dazzling live performances – in sync with two stunning Pink Floyd laser light shows: The Vision Bell at 7:00 pm, and Dark Side of the Moon at 9:00 pm.
Advance tickets online: adults $35, members $30; ages 15 and under $30. At the door: adults $40, members $30; ages 15 and under $30.
Purchase Tickets for The Vision Bell
Purchase Tickets for Dark Side of the Moon
This tribute band strives to perform accurate recreations of the timeless music of Pink Floyd. These nine professional musicians grew up as avid Floyd fans and incorporate their knowledge of the band and its history into every live show. Their collective appreciation for Floyd is evident in the passion and precision of their performances.
Us and Floyd has been playing in New York area music venues and throughout the Northeast for many years. The band has performed at venues that include Mauch Chunk Opera House in Pennsylvania, The Space at Westbury, the Great South Bay Music Festival, New York State Fair, Citifield, and Foxwoods Casino.
Visit www.usandfloyd.com
See Classic Automotive Design in October
William K. Vanderbilt II (1878-1944) spent summers at his Eagle’s Nest estate and mansion on Northport Bay between 1910 and 1944. He and his wife, Rosamond, hosted intimate gatherings and entertained well-known guests, such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Pierre Cartier, Conde Nast, Charles Lindbergh, and the Tiffanys. Eagle’s Nest is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum has honored William K. Vanderbilt II’s automotive legacy by hosting classic-car shows on its grounds for more than three decades. The season began on Sunday, October 12, with the Jaguar Drivers of Long Island.
Next: Saturday, October 25 – Metro NY Porsche Club (rain date: Sunday, October 26)
On the Great Lawn next to the Vanderbilt Mansion, visitors can examine beautifully restored examples of great automotive design. All shows: 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Visitors pay only general admission – adults $14; seniors (62 plus) $10; students (with ID) $10; children 12 and under $8; military and children under 2 are free.
Coming up:
Sunday, November 2 – Mustang-Shelby Car Club of Long Island
Sunday, November 9 – Cadillac-LaSalle Car Club of Long Island
Vanderbilt, a pioneer race driver who competed in Europe, brought auto racing to the United States. He inaugurated the famous Vanderbilt Cup Races in 1904. That same year, he set a new land-speed record of 92.3 miles per hour in a Mercedes on a course in Florida. He also spurred the development of the American auto industry and built the prototype for the first toll road, the Vanderbilt Motor Parkway on Long Island.
Commemorate Your Loved One with a Brick!
This is the season for graduations, birthdays, weddings, and more.
It’s the perfect time to gift someone special with an engraving that lasts forever.
Bricks can be installed on any walkway at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum.
Your purchase will help to bring outstanding science, history, and art (STEAM) education to more than 25,000 students annually.
