The weather is warming, and the days are growing longer, so now is the perfect time to plan quick and easy outdoor trips. A day spent at a historic castle can be a refreshing escape from the winter, and these three 20th century versions on and near Long Island provide intriguing experiences for visitors of all ages.

New York, for the third consecutive year, maintained its high state ranking in Advanced Placement testing, while dozens of high schools on Long Island won individual honors.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul declared a state of emergency after massive columns of billowing smoke engulfed swaths of eastern Long Island and firefighters worked to contain at least three major brush fires.

At least two commercial structures have burned down, Suffolk County officials said. One firefighter suffered second-degree burns in the blazes.

Brush fires on New York's Long Island fanned by high winds have picked up quickly. The fires were spewing thick gray smoke into the sky and closed a major highway on Saturday.

As brush fires continue to burn in Long Island’s Pine Barrens, Governor Kathy Hochul provided an update on state efforts to contain the flames and protect residents. Speaking on CNN, Hochul detailed the deployment of state resources, warned of ongoing air quality concerns, and criticized federal budget cuts affecting firefighter training.

The last of four blazes that began in Suffolk County on Saturday has been put out, but Long Island and the Hudson Valley still faced a high fire risk on Sunday, officials said.