DAY TRIP FROM NYC: SAG HARBOR, NY

The charming village of Sag Harbor is located on the eastern part of Long Island and is partly in Southampton and partly in East Hampton. Sag Harbor is the perfect summer getaway, it’s just two hours by car from New York City. You’ll find a lot of small town charm in Sag Harbor, there are so many fun things to do and it’s full of history! Sag Harbor was first settled in the 1700s and was named after the neighboring village of Sagaponack which is located south of Sag Harbor. A fun fact about Sag Harbor is that it’s mentioned in Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick.

“Arrived at last in old Sag Harbor; and seeing what the sailors did there; and then going on to Nantucket, and seeing how they spent their wages in that place also, poor Queequeg gave it up for lost. Thought he, it’s a wicked world in all meridians; I’ll die a pagan.”

— Herman Melville

THINGS TO DO IN SAG HARBOR 

VISIT THE WINDMILL AT THE WINDMILL BEACH 

Windmill Beach is located in downtown Sag Harbor Village and is a very well known beach for locals and tourists since it’s a beautiful place to catch the sunset. This cute little beach is not so much a beach that you’d want to jump in and go for a swim rather more of a beach where you can hangout and have a picnic at. There is plenty of free parking and clean public restrooms. Restrooms and parking are located on Marine Park Drive. Another great place to park is in Parking Lot A at 31 Division St. 

CATCH A MOVIE AT THE SAG HARBOR CINEMA

They also have a virtual cinema option where you can purchase a ticket to watch a movie virtually. If you are curious of what the cinema looks like from the inside, go on a photo tour of the inside, click here for the free photo tour.

VISIT A HISTORIAL MUSEUM 

Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum, Main Street - The museum is set in a 1845 mansion with whaling exhibits and a gift shop with homemade nautical gifts. This historic building is located on South Main Street and open for daily guided tours 10 to 5 during the summer months.  As of right now it is temporarily closed but they do have a free virtual museum tour that you can explore at home!

Sag Harbor Historical Society: The Annie Cooper Boyd House, 174 Main St - This 18th century Sag Harbor home has some amazing historic exhibits, it’s the perfect place to see a glimpse of early life Sag Harbor. Annie Cooper Boyd was a local artist who did an amazing job at documenting life in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The Sag Harbor Historical Society holds archives of historical documents, books, photography, art, and clothing from that period. This small museum is 100% worth stopping to check out!

Sag Harbor Fire Department Museum, 46 Church Street - In the 1800’s four huge fires broke out in the village which led to the first volunteer fire department in New York State. The museum is actually the original 1833 building and holds old firefighting equipment including a 1890’s hand-pulled hose cart and an early 1900’s fire trucks. There is a $1 admission fee.

WHERE TO SHOP IN SAG HARBOR 

Sag Harbor Variety Store, Main Street - If you happen to visit Sag Harbor and you forgot any essential items such as sunscreen the Sag Harbor Variety Store is full stocked with anything you could possibly need. They have snacks and drinks, souvenirs such as postcards for $.39 each, and Sag Harbor merchandise.

Sylvester & Co. Modern General®, Main Street - This home goods store doesn’t just have fabulous home pieces, they are also a wonderful coffee shop with great coffee! My favorite things to browse through are the kitchen items. I’ve personally found some really great serving bowls and utensils. If you happen to visit during the holidays and you’re looking for gifts, Sylvester & Co. has some really great stuff to gift anyone who has an eye for home decor or would enjoy a thoughtful gift basket.

Sag Harbor Books, Main Street - Sag Harbor Books has a large variety of different genres of books for all ages. One really neat thing I enjoyed was browsing through the first editions and collectible books they have in the back near the register. They are very pricey ($11,500 for a Frank Baum, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz 1900 first edition) if you are in the market for a first edition add Sag Harbor Books to your must-visit-list!

The Wharf Shop, Main Street - The Wharf Shop is a family owned specialty toy, gift and card store since 1968. I’ve found some really unique items here such as Long Island based chocolates, color-in postcards from The Hamptons, and unique Sag Harbor gift ideas. Located just across the street from LT Burger this cute little store is worth stopping by to take a look around.

WHERE TO EAT IN SAG HARBOR 

Schiavoni's Market, 48 Main St - If you are looking to have a picnic Schiavoni's Market is the perfect stop! They have a variety of fresh baked sweet treats and a great selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. Consider having a picnic at the Windmill Beach or Marine Park there are plenty of picnic tables and benches to people watch or boat watch!

LT Burger, 62 Main St - This is definitely one of the most affordable restaurants in Sag Harbor, plus you can’t go wrong with burgers and shakes! Along with their delicious burgers and shakes you can get a variety of different sweets such as deep fried oreos, floats, hot fudge sundaes, and fountain sodas all below $9 a piece! If you aren’t feeling burgers and shakes they also have brunch items like pancakes, omelets, chili, New England clam chowder, bbq nachos, and salads!

Stop by Grindstone Coffee & Donuts for a sweet treat, I personally loved the cinnamon sugar donut holes plus they’re great to snack on while walking down Main Street. Grindstone Coffee & Donuts has a variety of delicious flavors such as chocolate churro, lemon poppyseed and Nutella s’more. They also have breakfast sandwiches if you are in the food for a savory breakfast on the go. During the hot summer months stop by Big Olaf's Ice Cream for homemade ice cream! They have a wide variety of different ice cream and frozen yogurt flavors, 34 to be exact, but my favorite is the soft serve swirl of chocolate and vanilla in a waffle cone, plus they make their waffle cones homemade too!

That concludes our trip to Sag Harbor, New York! We had a blast visiting Sag Harbor and walking down Main Street, we started making out way over to Montauk soon after visiting so stay tuned for more posts on East Long Island.

If I missed any of your favorite places in Sag Harbor, comment below I’d love to check out new places next time we visit!

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TAKE A DAY TRIP TO STONY BROOK, NEW YORK

Stony Brook is located in the Northern Shore of Long Island, it’s a residential neighborhood just 65 miles east of New York City. It’s a 2 hour ride if you take the LIRR, Port Jefferson Line to the Stony Brook Station then a 15 minute walk to the village center. If you visit by car it’s just under an hour and a half. 

The charming village was first settled in the late 17th century and has a lot of history to offer, this colonial-style village is one of my favorites on Long Island and highly recommend visiting!

Fun Fact: Comedian and American actor Kevin James, known for movies like Grown Ups and Hitch, or maybe you know him as Paul Blart the mall cop, was raised in Stony Brook. 

TAKE A STROLL THROUGH FRANK MELVILLE PARK

This small hidden gem is the perfect place to relax and bird watch. There are plenty of benches located around the park, all facing the pond. It’s not very big  and it’s an easy walk so it’s a great place to walk a few laps around the pond while enjoying a relaxing day.                                                                                                              

Free to visit, there is plenty of parking directly in front of the post office located at the corner of the park. There are also a few parking spaces in the back of the post office leading into the park. 

HAVE A PICNIC AT THE OLD FIELD POINT LIGHTHOUSE

I can’t name a more perfect place to have a picnic at, the fresh breeze near the water, shaded by large trees and the view of the lighthouse is just perfect! Although there is no access to the beach it’s still a wonderful place to relax at. It’s free to visit with plenty of parking. Keep in mind that there are no facilities available.  Free to visit with plenty of parking available. 

VISIT THE HISTORICAL THOMPSON HOUSE

The Thompson House is located on N. Country Road in East Setauket and has a rich and storied past. This two story building was originally home to Dr. Samuel Thompson, a farmer, doctor and patriot. This historical farmhouse was built in 1709 was run by Samuel Thompson and his family with the help of their slaves, “enslaved Africans, indentured Native Americans, and short-term laborers performed many of the myriad tasks”*. The Thompson House was home to five generations of the Thompson family, although it is unclear where on the enslaved and indentured servants lived. Although there doesn’t seem to be any tours for the public of the inside of the building there are education programs by appointment only.

* Estate Inventory, Samuel Thompson, 4 October 1811, box 2, Samuel Thompson Papers, Manuscripts and Archives Division, New York Public Library.

VISIT THE HISTORICAL GRIST MILL

The Stony Brook Grist Mill and Museum is a water-powered grist mill that happens to be the only remaining structure from the 19th century industrial area. In the 1950s the The Stony Brook Grist Mill was still in operation, farmers would bring their wheat and corn to be ground at the mill.

The Stony Brook Grist Mill is open to the public for guided tours with a miller on Saturdays and Sundays, 12pm – 4:30pm, April through mid-October. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children.

DUCKS WATCH AT A POND

Directly in front of the Stony Brook Grist Mill is the T. Bayles Minuse Mill Pond Park, an eleven-acre park. During the 1800s, there was a vineyard that was planted on the island in the Mill Pond. The grapes were then pressed and fermented in the Stony Brook Grist Mill across the street, the wine made was then bottled in Brooklyn and sold locally. Also, the water in the Pond has been driven in by the Grist Mill since 1699. But is now the perfect place to duck watch and simply enjoy a nice afternoon. I think it’s super cute to see little ducks eating underwater!

RELAX AT THE BEACH

Bring a blanket because you will definitely want to enjoy a sunrise or sunset here! Sand Street Beach is one of my favorite public beaches to have a picnic, plus if you go further down the beach you’ll see the Gamecock Cottage. The little cottage was first built in 1876 and used for storage for rowboats and oars, it’s now the last standing beach cottage.

EXPLORE THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS

After a afternoon of exploring continue your adventure, by driving through the neighborhood. We stumbled across this church with a spooky graveyard in the back, we stopped to take a closer look and honestly I can see myself walking down this street come Halloween. Wander through the residential homes of Stony Brook and Setauket, just by the look of these homes you can just tell how old some of them are.

HIKE AT THE AVALON NATURE PRESERVE

Avalon Nature Preserve is a super popular spot to hike it has a beautiful pond, a boardwalk and even a small labyrinth. It’s the perfect place to go for a walk, there are a few different trails you can go on, the longest being 2.2 miles and the shortest being 0.3 miles. It’s family friendly and easy enough to hike at any age, it’s also dog friendly! 

The entrance to the park is located at 200 Harbor Road, there is plenty of parking along Main Street. Avalon Nature Preserve is free and open to the public.

VISIT THE LONG ISLAND MUSEUM

This nine-acre museum consists of seven buildings including an art museum, a historical museum, and a carriage museum all of which are full of historical artifacts. The property also has a few outdoor sculptures spread out through the gardens. The Long Island Museum has over 50,000 artifacts, some temporary some permanent, the artifacts are split into three categories, art and archives, history, and carriage. Admission to the museum is $10 per person. 

WHERE TO GRAB LUNCH IN STONY BROOK

Sweet Mama's, 121 Main St - An amazing place to grab lunch, they have really great burgers, my personal favorite being the BBQ Bacon Burger! They also have a large variety of breakfast items, making this the perfect place for brunch! Also, did I mention it’s super affordable!

Crazy Beans, 97 Main St - Just across the way from Sweet Mama’s is Crazy Beans a super fun diner/coffee shop with delicious brunch options! They don’t have a dinner menu since they’re only open til 4pm but it’s a great place for lunch! They have lots of great choices for sandwiches too!

1089 Noodle House, 1089 NY-25A - This is a delicious Chinese food restaurant, I personally go for the Sesame Chicken with a side of fried rice. You get a great deal for a decent size portion, for $6.95 you can get a decently big lunch!

That wraps up my visit to Stony Brook! I hope you enjoyed my mini guide on what there is to do in Stony Brook, New York! I had an amazing time exploring and would definitely visit Stony Brook again just for the relaxing environment, hope this guide helps you have a relaxing visit too!

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VISITING FIRE ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE , FIRE ISLAND NY

I’ve been planning to visit Fire Island for roughly 3 years ever since I moved to New York and I finally had the chance to take a small day trip. Really the only thing I knew about Fire Island was that there was a lighthouse there but other than that I wasn’t sure what I would find there. I hope this post clears things up on what you can expect so you too can have an amazing beach day in Fire Island.

Fire Island’s year-round population of about 400 residents grows to an estimated 20,000 during summer months. The main mode of transportation is walking and biking but of course some locals have golf carts and boats to get around.

HOW TO GET TO FIRE ISLAND

There are multiple ways to get to Fire Island from Manhattan or Long Island.

I began the day by driving to Robert Moses State Park, taking exit 41 from Sunrise Highway then merging onto Robert Moses Causeway. These directions are if you are coming from eastern Long Island, if you are driving from Brooklyn you’ll want to take exit 40 from Southern State Pkwy to Robert Moses Causeway and continue south.

The Suffolk County Transit S47 Bus makes stops at the beach with connections at the Babylon Long Island Rail Road station. The S47 summer service runs from June 17 to September 2 with a fare of $2.25 each way. You can print out the bus schedule and route here.

Fire Island Map via National Park Service

PARKING

Upon arriving there is a $10 fee to park at Robert Moses State Park from sunrise to sunset. They do accept credit and debit if you are short on cash.

At the front entrance of the parking lot there is a few restrooms that are provided for the beach, but if you plan to visit the lighthouse and the small towns ahead I suggest parking on the east end of the parking lot. Before beginning your walk I would consider using the restroom since this will be your only chance for quite some time. Follow the boardwalk for roughly ¾-mile to the lighthouse.

Parking is $10 per car 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and 7 a.m. to 6 p.m

GETTING TO THE LIGHTHOUSE

It’s pretty straightforward but follow the boardwalk that goes from the parking lot to the lighthouse. It’s a really beautiful walk, especially on a windy day seeing the tall grass shifting in the wind.

The walk down the boardwalk to the lighthouse is gorgeous. You can take a nice walk along the dunes on the boardwalk to get to the lighthouse. We happen to visit mid-summer and if you do the same, consider bringing a hat and wearing plenty of sunscreen!

TAKE A TOUR OF THE LIGHTHOUSE

If you have extra time on your hands book a tour to see the top of the lighthouse, commit to climbing 182 stairs to see from the top. Once you get to the top you can actually see the New York City skyline.

Admission to view the inside of the lighthouse is $8 per person.

LEARN ABOUT THE HISTORY

Explore the different exhibits on Fire Island’s maritime history and learn interesting historic details. Just before you arrive at the lighthouse you can see the ruins of the first lighthouse that was removed. The materials from the previous lighthouse were recycled into the present-day lighthouse which was completed in 1858. Stop inside the Fire Island Lighthouse Museum where you’ll find a few interesting reads inside, such as more information about the lighthouse itself, the life of the light-keeper who maintained it, artifacts, and old photographs.

Fun Fact: The Fire Island Lighthouse is the tallest lighthouse on Long Island.

Located near the beach just behind the Fire Island Lighthouse you’ll find this 1939 boathouse. Inside they hold an exhibit on the U. S. Lifesaving Service and there is a display of original hand-paddled rescue boats and other equipment. Located just outside they have the bones of a juvenile humpback whale. They have a sign that mentions they aren’t sure how the whale died but it was found in Ocean Beach, just 4 miles from the lighthouse.

WALK DOWN TO THE BEACH

Right after walking past the lighthouse you’ll come to a fork in the road with the option to continue straight into the community of Kismet or turning left to walk down to the dock. Turn left and continue straight on the boardwalk. It’s incredibly peaceful and the perfect place to set up a picnic!

VISIT THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES

Before visiting Fire island I did my fair share of reading up on Fire Island and I tried to understand why cars were not allowed within the central area of Fire Island, but once we arrived I finally understood! The island has small roads that are made of wood therefore making it quite hard for cars to drive on but instead easier for residents to ride their bikes and walk to the beach. The island is pretty small so I can’t imagine the type of traffic there would be in the summer, so it’s a good thing for everyone.

Fire Island Communities Map via Fire Island Finder

A neat little feature I noticed was every home had a bike rack and wagons in the entrance of their homes. The atmosphere here is so relaxing and calm, it almost makes me want to buy a home here and enjoy the beach daily.

While exploring keep an eye out for while life, we came across a few deer and some adorable seagulls while walking around Kismet. Just make sure to avoid feeding them, they feed off the land and we wouldn’t want to disrupt their lifestyle.

ENJOY THE VIEW AT KISMET BEACH

Enjoy dipping your toes in the clear blue water on a nice hot summer day, have a picnic on the beach, or enjoy a nice afternoon relaxing. If you’re looking for a nice beach this summer that isn’t packed I’d suggest visiting Kismet Beach, it’s a great place to soak up some sun while watching surfers ride the waves. If you happen to make a day of it, make sure you stick around for the sunset, it’s as gorgeous as it gets.

WHERE TO EAT + DRINK IN KISMET

Surf’s Out - If you’re looking for a refreshing restaurant make sure stop here for a delicious lobster roll or some lobster mac and cheese. It’s conveniently located near the Bayshore ferry dock and just a quick 5 minute walk from Kismet Beach.

Fire Island Tap - After a long day of swimming and exploring Fire Island Tap is the perfect place to enjoy the evening with a glass of wine and a plate of cheese or get a charcuterie board to share.

Although we only explored from the Field 5 parking lot to Saltaire and only got a small glimpse of what Fire Island has to offer, I will definitely be coming back to explore of the island in the near future! If you happen to know fun things to do further within the island I would love to hear it!

Comment any suggestions below!

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10 HIDDEN GEMS AND UNIQUE THINGS TO DO IN LONG ISLAND

Looking for things to do in Long Island? I’ve rounded up a few of my favorite hidden gems that are perfect for an outing year-round. If you happen to visit Long Island without a set itinerary or without a plan in mind I hope this post gives you a glimpse of all the great things there is to do in Long Island. There is numerous hidden gems distributed all across Long Island some more common than other such as The Hamptons, Montauk and Fire Island but today I’ll give you a fresh new list of places that are lesser known. Plus, it’s nice to have a little insider information to guide you to the best kept secrets in Long Island. 

ARGYLE LAKE

Located in Babylon in southern Long Island visit this beautiful lake to take some time for yourself. I personally love visiting in the spring when there is ducks near the walkway where you can feed and admire them, but of course it’s best to feed them seeds rather than bread. There is seating along the lake and a fairly large middle sidewalk that’s great for walking or running around the lake.

MILLERIDGE VILLAGE

Milleridge Village is the perfect place to spend a mini vacation without having to leave Long Island, especially if you have children. The village has a great atmosphere along with delicious food served at the Milleridge Cafe. I personally enjoy how this mini village looks during the Winter time since they decorate so nicely for Christmas. I actually have a post all about visiting the village, you can check it out here.

AMERICAN GUITAR MUSEUM

This small museum of guitar memorabilia also happens to be a guitar repair shop. This little museum holds a great collection of guitars and other valuable instruments, overall great for guitar enthusiasts!

Admission to the museum is free.

NASSAU COUNTY MUSEUM OF ART

The museum itself is fairly small museum hosted in a gorgeous mansion in the woods, there is plenty of unique artwork and historical pieces. The sculpture garden surrounding the museum was my favorite part about my visit, there are hiking trails all around the museum leading to different sculptures and monuments.

Free admission to visit the walking paths and art sculptures, admission to enter museum $12.

CLARK BOTANIC GARDENS

This beautiful 12-acre botanical garden located in Albertson is home to a variety of different trees, plants and flowers. This is a great place to go on a relaxing walk, there is different areas were you can sit on a bench and read a book or bring a blanket and have a picnic! They have some lovely flowers and trees surrounding the park, there is no concrete path in some walking trails, there is two little ponds located in the middle of the gardens, one has a small little bridge you can cross to get a great view of the small pond, and the other has multiple benches around the pond where you can enjoy a quiet afternoon. Another favorite thing I enjoyed about this garden was seeing adorable little chipmunks run across the rocks.

Honestly, by far my favorite little garden I’ve been to, and lastly, there is a gift and garden shop towards the exit. Admission to the gardens and parking are both free.

BAILEY ARBORETUM

This 42 acre arboretum is home to an assortment of trees, plants and a pond. The park has free admission and plenty of parking.

If you are looking for a quiet place to leave the city and have a noise-free afternoon, this is it! It truly is a hidden gem, there is multiple benches and wooden chairs where you can enjoy an afternoon of reading, a picnic, or simply spend some quiet alone time.

It’s a fairly small park, but I had a very relaxing time there. There are a few walking paths with educational flyers on the animals and trees, a children’s playground, a bird sanctuary of rescued owls and two decently sized ponds.

HORTON POINT LIGHTHOUSE NAUTICAL MUSEUM

Horton Point Lighthouse Nautical Museum is part of multiple buildings maintained by the Southold Historical Society, the buildings the society maintains range in date from 1750 to 1900 and include a lighthouse, several houses, barns, buildings, and structures.

Admission is $5.00 per adults or $10.00 for a family, includes for all museums. There is parking available at the Horton Point Lighthouse in the Southold Park District’s lot for a $5 fee, along with street parking.

PATCHOGUE LIGHTHOUSE

This recently renovated lighthouse is worth visiting at least once while in Long Island. It’s conveniently located near a park making this the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon. Take a walk along the oceanfront and make your way over to Shorefront Park to enjoy a picnic by the pond.

67 STEPS BEACH

Next to Horton Point Lighthouse before you get into the parking lot there is a staircase leading down to one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. The water is so clear and the rocks are big enough you can take a seat and enjoy the scenery and breathe in the fresh saltwater. I was shocked to see the beach was completely empty, I was relieved to see the beach was so nicely kept.

SAGAMORE HILL NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

The former home which is now a museum, offers an incredible look into how Theodore Roosevelt and his family lived. During the house tour you’ll get a view of the parlor where our former president would entertain guests, a view of the Roosevelt’s bedroom, and you’ll even see quite a bit of president Roosevelt’s personal collection of taxidermied animals.

Visiting the grounds is free, but to take a tour of the house it cost $10 per adult (kids are free). Photography is not allowed during the house tour.

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This concludes my list of hidden places in Long Island that you won’t want to miss on your next visit. Did I miss any of your favorite places? Let me know in the comments below!

Also, check out my previous posts on some of the best towns in Long Island.

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A DAY TRIP TO NEW YORK'S NORTH FORK

We decided to escape the city and since it was a beautiful autumn morning getting some fruit and veggies sounded like a great idea, so we headed towards Greenport, NY from NYC. Greenport is roughly a 3 hour drive from Manhattan and a 4-5 hour train ride on the Long Island Railroad, take the train to Ronkonkoma, it’ll take you straight to the Greenport station, just check ahead of time for delays.

We decided to drive since we were planning to shop around for some fresh veggies, then later explore the surrounding area. We finally entered the North Fork, a 30-mile-long peninsula in the northeast part of Suffolk County, we hopped on Sound Ave after driving through Wading River and from then on we hit the fruit and vegetable goldmine!

After spending a few hours looking through produce stands we headed towards Horton Neck.

What to do in North Fork, New York

Horton Point Lighthouse Nautical Museum, 3575 Lighthouse Rd, Southold, NY 11971

Horton Point Lighthouse Nautical Museum is part of multiple buildings maintained by the Southold Historical Society, the buildings the society maintains range in date from 1750 to 1900 and include a lighthouse, several houses, barns, buildings, and structures.

Admission is $5.00 per adults or $10.00 for a family, includes for all museums. There is parking available at the Horton Point Lighthouse in the Southold Park District’s lot for a $5 fee, along with street parking.

67 Steps Beach

Next to Horton Point Lighthouse before you get into the parking lot there is a staircase leading down to one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. The water is so clear and the rocks are big enough you can take a seat and enjoy the scenery and breathe in the fresh saltwater. I was shocked to see the beach was completely empty, I was relieved to see the beach was so nicely kept.

Orient Beach State Park

It’s about a 2.5-mile beach with an admission to the state park of $8 per vehicle. It’s a great place to relax and enjoy a family outing by grilling or having a picnic while taking in the beautiful views. Go swimming, kayaking, or even swing on the benches located on the beach.

Visit The Big Duck

This unique building in the shape of a duck is located in Flanders, New York just south of Riverhead. It built back in 1931 by a local duck farmer Martin Maurer, where he used to sell ducks and duck eggs. It’s definitely worth the quick detour to take pictures and visit their small gift shop.

Where to shop in North Fork, New York

Antiques & Old Lace, 31935 Main Rd, Cutchogue, NY 11935

There is quite a bit of old books, antique furniture, and wicker baskets which are my favorite! I mean who doesn’t keep an eye out for a new picnic basket every now and then?

The Times Vintage, 429 Main St, Greenport, NY 11944

This little antique store located in downtown Greenport was one of my favorite stores to browse around in, it’s filled with some great gems! You’ll find some great clothes here, not so much furniture. You can read more about this cute little store in my Greenport post.

touchGOODS, 53740 Main Rd, Southold, NY 11971

Not exactly a antique store but I did want to point out that touchGOODS has some great mid century modern furniture. They have great pieces of home decor, especially for the living room or kitchen if you are in the market for redecorating I would suggest taking a look here!

Where to eat + drink in North Fork

Country Corner Cafe - This is a great breakfast place! Great place to start your day, a few things to try include their buttermilk pancakes, the beer battered fish & chips, and for sure the four cheese mac and cheese!

Main Road Biscuit - Biscuits & Gravy, must I say more? Served with sawmill gravy with pork sausage, while you’re there try their greenie smoothie!

Southold Fish Market - This is a great option if you are looking for a American and seafood cuisine. Some great suggestions for Southold Fish Market are the clam strip platter, the clam chowder, and the fried flounder basket.

Claudio’s Restaurant - They have a tiki bar where you can enjoy your meal while enjoying the scenery and view of the waterfront. Just place your order at the self-serve window and find the perfect seat over by the waterfront.

Magic Fountain Ice Cream - They have a wide variety of ice cream flavors to choose from, 32 to be exact! They do have a few vegan flavors as well. It’s the perfect place to grab a cone on a hot summer day!

Where to stay

Sound View Greenport - They have a private beach area, they’re pet friendly and have a beautiful view of the oceanfront.

The Preston House and Hotel - The perfect hotel for a vacation getaway! This hotel offers a delicious breakfast and is also pet friendly! If you are planning to visit both the North and South Fork this is the perfect location since it’s right in the middle located in Riverhead. Fairly close to the Hamptons and to Greenport.

Shorecrest Bed and Breakfast - This charming little bed and breakfast is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing trip along the Fork. Located in Southold, you’ll be right in the middle of the North Fork! You’ll have over 40 wineries within a 20 minute drive to choose from and if you are planning to stay in for a day you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful English gardens.  

This wraps up my relaxing fall afternoon, did I miss anything fun in North Fork? If so, comment below some of your favorite things to do and I’ll check them out! After the winter season if over I’ll be heading over to The Hamptons to wander through the South Fork of New York so keep an eye out for that post!

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SPENDING A AFTERNOON AT MILLERIDGE VILLAGE

Across the parking lot of The Milleridge Inn you can freely enter a tiny little village composed of different little stores. When you arrive, there is free parking between The Milleridge Inn and the Village.

From the parking lot we entered the village next to Milleridge Cafe and stumbled across their menu of shakes. It was surprisingly chilly when we went so we skipped out on ice cream but quickly saw there was a bakery!

Don’t skip out on lunch here! They have a awesome menu with a variety of foods and affordable prices! I highly recommend their bomb french toast made from the cinnamon bread at the bakery. Take a look at their menu here!

If you plan to visit around Thanksgiving or through the month of December, they do offer dinners that you can reserve ahead of time.

The Milleridge Cafe is closed on Monday, but open Tuesday 9am-5pm, Wednesday 9am-8pm, Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday & Saturday 9am-7pm, and Sunday 9pm-6pm.

*Friday, Saturday and Sunday ice cream only 5pm till closing time.

The Milleridge Bakery had to be my favorite thing about my visit! They offer delicious selection of cakes, breads, pies, and other treats that are prepared daily.

The Milleridge Bakery is closed on Monday, but open Tuesday 9am-5pm, Wednesday 9am-8pm, Thursday 9am - 5pm, Friday 9am- 7pm, Saturday 8am-7pm and Sunday 8am - 6pm.

Right next door is the General Store, filled with novelties and home decor! When coming here, this cute little store is a must! Get yourself some candy and continue exploring the little village.

The General Store is closed on Monday & Tuesdays, but open Wednesday 12pm - 8pm, Thursday 12pm- 5pm, Friday & Saturday 12pm-7pm, and Sunday 12pm-6pm.

If scary haunted houses aren’t your cup of tea but still want to do something fun during the spooky season I would suggest coming here!

All the activities will be open every weekend in October till the 27th from Friday 6pm-10pm, Saturday 1pm-11pm, and Sunday 12pm-6pm.

Prices for Halloween Attractions

There sure is plenty of entertainment for such a small village, every weekend in October Milleridge Village is offering spooky rides, a pumpkin patch, face painting, a magician, a stilt walker and even a fire eater!

Trust me when I say there is lot of photo opportunities here! Take your picture at the Biohazard Gardens as the plant from the Little Shop of Horrors, on a stack of hay, or even next to Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas!

In conclusion I recommend coming by, we sure enjoyed the quaint little village just keep an eye out for the chickens that stroll around. We came just in time for their Halloween decorations, can’t wait to come back to see their Christmas decorations!

It’s important to note that all stores including the bakery and cafe are closed on Monday.

Address: The Milleridge Village, 585 N Broadway, Jericho, NY 11753

Price: Free admission. Rides & Attractions are priced-per-person.

Cash only accepted.

ENJOYING THE PERFECT WEEKEND IN GREENPORT, NY

Greenport located in the North Fork of New York is roughly two hours from Manhattan and accessible by MTA Long Island Rail Road. Take the train from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma, then all the way to Greenport, it varies how long it will take but it’s roughly an hour and a half. A few things to expect when visiting is trendy restaurants, vintage stores, and charming neighborhoods.

We started our morning by spending some time shopping for fruits and veggies at the local farmer’s market. We headed further east and started exploring downtown Greenport.

What is there to do in Greenport?

Mitchell Park

There is plenty of seating to relax and watch the boats sail in the marina, there also happens to be a indoor carousel located in the center of Mitchell Park.

While visiting Greenport we happened to notice there wasn’t any restrooms available to the public. We went to a few stores, a coffee shop, and even a grocery store until we grabbed a map of downtown when we saw there was public restrooms located in Mitchell Park (right behind the Village Blacksmith).

Antique Carousel

Within Mitchell Park there is a old fashion carousel built in 1920. For just $2.00 a person you can enjoy a 15 minute ride, try your chance at grabbing a brass ring to get a free ride! If you don’t feel like riding, take a seat at a bench and people watch while relaxing.

Nova Constellatio Gallery

If you enjoy browsing through art I would suggest stopping by Nova Constellatio Gallery to view the beautiful nautical pieces that are for display. The gallery itself belongs to contemporary artist Isabelle Haran-Leonardi, some of my favorite pieces I came across were of lighthouses, I highly suggest taking a quick look.

67 Steps Beach

If you are looking to get away for a few hours take a quick 8 minute ride to 67 Steps Beach to get some awesome views of the water.

I’m sure a lot of people know about this beach since it is a public beach and there is parking along the entrance but it truly felt like a hidden gem since there wasn’t anyone there when we stopped by.

So if you are looking for a quiet place to enjoy a picnic or take some awesome pictures I suggest adding this to your list of must-gos in Greenport!

Walk through the history of Greenport

1840 Schoolhouse Museum

There’s a couple of museums you might want to check out such as Greenport’s first schoolhouse, the 1840 Schoolhouse Museum, or the Stirling Historical Society Museum-Ireland House, where you can tour and see what life was like in the early-1830s in a original Greenport home.

The Village Blacksmith, 101 Front St, Greenport, NY 11944

The Village Blacksmith located next to Mitchell Park is charming replica of a building that stood in the 1870s. The shop is open on the weekends for people to visit. For a small donation of $2.00 you can watch the blacksmith work and learn about the trade of blacksmithing.

Greenport Jail, 232 Carpenter St, Greenport, NY 11944

This early 1900s jail holds photos and memorabilia from the Greenport Police Department which is now closed but groups or classes can call the Village of Greenport to make reservations for a tour.

Where to shop in Greenport, New York

Burton's Book Store, 43 Front St, Greenport, NY 11944

This adorable book store has a great variety of children’s books, along with creative toys for little ones. If you are looking to grow your home library or have any children who would enjoy creative and unique books it is definitely worth taking a look!

The Times Vintage, 429 Main St, Greenport, NY 11944

If you are on the hunt for a good vinyl record, search no more this awesome vintage store has quite a bit of great records! I was a huge fan of the artwork that was hung on the walls and the clothing!

If your wardrobe is in need of a hint of vintage I would highly suggest checking this place out! They have some amazing pieces of clothing that will add a extra pop of color to your outfits!

Sweet Indulgences, 200 Main St, Greenport, NY 11944

Just across the street is Sweet Indulgences, a adorable little candy store filled with chocolates and charming little knick knacks to bring home as souvenirs or as gifts.

Where to eat + drink

After shopping and exploring you might start to get a bit hungry for a meal or even a snack. Downtown Greenport has a handful or restaurants that consists of different price ranges, a few that are more budget friendly include:

Crazy Beans - Crazy Beans is a coffee shop/ restaurant located in the center of downtown just across from the Marina. When you walk in you have the option of ordering to go at the bar or getting seated at the restaurant, the food they serve here is diner food with fairly large portions and reasonable prices.

D'Latte Cafe - D’Latte Cafe is the perfect place for a coffee break. They had an assortment of pastries that all looked delicious, and prepackaged snacks and goodies. The have some great coffee and cold drinks as well as delicious fresh baked treats.

Claudio’s Restaurant - They have a tiki bar where you can enjoy your meal while enjoying the scenery and view of the waterfront. Just place your order at the self-serve window and find the perfect seat over by the waterfront.

Lucharitos - Great appetizers and tasty entrees you just can't go wrong with tacos and burritos! Accompany your delicious meal with a refreshing frozen margarita. The restaurant is a Mexican-wrestler theme with pink and blue walls giving the restaurant a welcoming atmosphere.

Bruce & Son - This is a great restaurant if you are looking for something more on the healthier side. They have some awesome choices for brunch such as flourless matcha pancakes if you’re craving something sweet or the togarashi roasted pork sandwich for a savory option.

Where to stay in Greenport, New York

Sound View Greenport - They have a private beach area, they’re pet friendly and have a beautiful view of the oceanfront.

The Menhaden Hotel - Located right downtown, it’s the perfect location! It’s walking distance to all the fun activities in Greenport. They even have hypoallergenic room available, they’re pet friendly and have free bike rentals.

American Beech Hotel - A trendy hotel with luxurious rooms and a modern American restaurant with delicious food? Sounds perfect to me!

That wraps up my visit to Greenport, New York! Overall, it was a relaxing and enjoyable weekend and if you have plans to visit Greenport in the near future I hope my list of things to do will help your visit be as relaxing as mine!

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AN EVENING IN THE VILLAGE OF BELLPORT, NEW YORK

Bellport is such a beautiful hidden gem in southern Long Island, you’ll see what I mean in a minute, let's start off by walking down Main Street. Right away you’re greeted by a handful of stores and restaurants, and parking was quite easy since there is street parking everywhere. 

Where to shop in Bellport, New York

Copper Beech - They do have a great selection of home accessories and decor. It’s a great place to find items for housewarmings, wedding gifts, or even to redecorate your own home.

Where to eat + drink

If you happen to visit in the summer and get a craving for ice cream make sure to stop by Carla Marla’s Ice Cream Parlor, this cute little ice cream shop serves old fashioned ice cream and shakes. They are reasonably priced, you can choose between a cup or cone and your size.Kiddie: 1 scoop $2.75 / Small:2 scoops $3.75 / Medium: 3 scoops $4.75 / Large:4 scoops $5.75 or get yourself a pint of ice cream to go for $6.99

If ice cream doesn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, make your way over to The Cake Jar Shoppe where you can get yourself a cupcake or two. Here you’ll find delicious cupcakes and they even have vegan options.

There are plenty of restaurants around Main Street but if you’re looking for something more on the healthy side It’s Only Natural is the place to go. They have a great selection of healthy snacks and organic products such as fresh home ground almond and peanut butter, açaí bowls, and frozen yogurt.

I’ve gone to multiple grocery stores in my lifetime but for some reason I found Cirillo’s Market Bellport IGA unique, I suppose it’s the pastel green interior that gives it a retro feel. The grocery store is incredibly clean and looking for snacks was refreshing, as the products were very well stocked and they provide great customer service.

After munching on some snacks, a walk around the town seemed like a great idea. Some of my favorite streets in Bellport were, Browns Lane, Bellport Lane and Bell Street. Of course Bellport in general is gorgeous town but these are for sure my favorite.

Leaving Bellport we stumbled across this quaint little schoolhouse located in East Patchogue. The Swan River Schoolhouse was built in 1858 occupied with the original benches and the last remaining one-room schoolhouse in its original foundation in all of Long Island. Admission to visit the inside of this historic landmark is free, open the 2nd and 4th Sunday during July and August 1:00 - 4:00 p.m or by appointment throughout the year.

That wraps up my quick visit to Bellport, New York. I do plan to make a few more posts on some nearby towns, Long Island is just too peaceful! Comment below your favorite town in Long Island!

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