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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BROOKLYN FLEA + SMORGASBURG WINTER MARKET

The prices are more on the higher side when it comes to shopping here but there is quite a bit that is reasonable such as the clothing and knickknacks. Furniture, true antiques and vintage high fashion clothing will definitely cost you a pretty penny.

While you’re in Williamsburg, make it a whole day and continue the thrifting on Bedford Ave.

There is so much furniture here, and I have to say I love every bit of it! Every two feet I walked I found a new piece that I just “need to have!” so excuse me while I empty my bank account and get a new living room set.

I absolutely love the concept of mystery packages! If you decide to try your luck with the mystery bags and tag me on Instagram to see what you get!

Overall getting a few maps, and some wall decor is not bad for a morning shopping trip. As I mentioned earlier, if you enjoy antiquing/thrifting make your way down to Bedford Ave and you’ll find a whole lot more! Prices are a little high but nothing too unreasonable, it’s a great place to find some prints and artwork to build your gallery wall.

Plus, the view while shopping is awesome! Not too shabby.

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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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