Land Shark Unlimited

This summer a new store opened in Greenport that offers a wide selection of merchandise relating to the village and the North Fork.

Greenport always had a little shop that offered shirts and other things that could let people know where you vacationed. The new Land Shark Unlimited however is double the size of the old store and offers more for both locals and tourists alike. I recently checked out the new store for the first time and was quite pleased with what I found. 

For starters, there are all sorts of tank tops, t-shirts and sweatshirts offered so no matter what your style is you will probably be able to find something that says either "Greenport" or "North Fork." All summer I had my eye on a long sleeve t-shirt in the window (the shop displays a lot of shirts in the window which helped to attract me in) and I finally went to buy it and I am glad I did! Although I will warn you now the store is a bit pricey.

Land Shark Unlimited also offers jewelry, signs to decorate your house with, bags and shot glasses, among a few other items. It is your typical souvenir store you would find in most beach towns which is why I think it is a must stop for those visiting. 

Unknown to me before I checked the store out, Land Shark Unlimited is actually a bit of a chain on Eastern Long Island. It also has locations in Montauk and Sag Harbor to provide goods for vacationers who visit the South Fork. 

You are not going to find the fanciest clothes or jewelry in Land Shark Unlimited, but you will find unique tokens of your Eastern Long Island vacation so I highly suggest checking it out! 

The Ongoing Battle Between Tourists and Locals

Sometimes it's tough to be a tourist on Eastern Long Island. Yes you get to enjoy the beautiful beaches, restaurants, shopping and plethora of other things the area has to offer, but you also get to be a target of the locals.

I will be honest and just say that most locals do not like tourists, especially where I am on the North Fork. I think those in the Hamptons have grown a little more used to the extra people around in the summer by now since they have been getting the influx of visitors for longer than the North Fork. The newer  of visitors on the North Fork however leaves those who are here year round left adjusting to more traffic, longer lines in the supermarket and other things.

I actually have tried to avoid using the word tourist in this blog because it has such negative connotations in the area. I feel that it is almost an insult when used by some so I prefer the term vacationers.

Another insult on the North Fork that goes right along with "tourists" is "Citiots." Locals on the North Fork seem to think that those who come to the area from the city are not too bright and thus they enjoy using the mixture of the words "city" and "idiots" to describe the guests.

I personally do not believe those who come out to visit the East End are any less bright than the locals, I think they are just used to a different lifestyle and it shows in their actions. I actually prefer the city lifestyle where you move faster and may not necessarily say hello to everyone you run into on the streets or in stores because you do not know them. Just because somebody from Manhattan where there are millions of people comes to little Greenport and does not feel like having small talk with a store clerk does not make them a bad person or any less intelligent, it's just the type of stuff that does not occur where they are from.

I think a lot of the issues that arise between those who visit the East End and those who make their homes there year-round do so because nobody understands the differing of their lifestyles. Like many problems in the world, this one could be solved by being a little more tolerant towards others. It might not kill the person from Manhattan to talk for a minute or two with the store clerk in Greenport, but it also might be good for that store clerk to try not to talk too much to the visitor not used to making conversation with a perfect stranger.

The reason I would like to see less controversy between vacationers and locals on the North Fork is because I like those who come to visit the area in the summer and appreciate the business they bring. Many shops in towns like Greenport have to close their doors in the winter because they do not get enough business to warrant staying open. Restaurants have to close their doors too in the winter because they also do not get enough action.

If the influx of people did not arrive in the summer there would be no businesses on the North Fork and things would not be pretty. The fact of the matter is the East End is a vacation destination and many people make a living based on the vacationers who visit during the summer (and fall for pumpkin picking). Those who would like to see people from Manhattan stay there do not realize that lives would be hurt if they did not get the extra business in the summer.

To be honest, it only gets busy on the weekends on the North Fork in the summer. The weekdays may be busier than they are during the winter, but it is still far from crazy. Most of the time it is just Friday to Sunday when the roads have more traffic on them and so on. Three days is not so bad to just tough it up and accept there will be more people around. If you have to go to the store I advise just doing so during the week, which many locals have started to do since they know the problem is not going away.

It's tough to have to adjust your lives for a few months every year because of an influx of people, but the value that comes out of having those additional people around is important to the area. I really do hope more and more people see the importance of tourists to Eastern Long Island and can accept their presence as a vital part of the economy.

Mini Golf!

Eastern Long Island offers a lot of great golf courses for those who like to hit the greens on vacation. The area also offers a lot of mini golf courses for families and those not quite as experienced in the game.

On the North Fork in Greenport you will find Tic Toc Mini Golf at Drosssos' Motel. Located a little bit away from the main town, there is also an ice cream parlor and place to get fast food at Drossos'. The course is a little old and simple, but it still provides a lot of fun. I would recommend Drossos' more for those with younger children, but again anyone who enjoys playing mini golf can enjoy the course. There is also an arcade on the property to have a little fun at after you finish golfing.

Riverhead is home to a course for those looking to be challenged a bit more. Out East Family Fun's mini golf course has less obstacles than Drossos' and is much newer. I would recommend this course more for teens and adults and those who are more into the competition of mini golf than the entertainment of it.

Out East Family Fun is also home to batting cages, jumpshot basketball and inflatable waterslides so it is someplace you can spend a few hours at doing a variety of activities.

Those are unfortunately the only two mini golf courses on the East End I have experience playing at, but there are plenty of other places to enjoy a game too.

On Shelter Island there is Whale's Tale Ice Cream and Mini Golf. In Montauk there is Puff  'N' Putt Family Fun Center, which also offers boat rentals. Animal Kingdom Mini Golf is in Southampton.

Something that I think is cool about many of these mini golf courses is that they have other family entertainment on property also. So if you are looking for some fun, outdoor activities for a few hours I advise you head to the nearest mini golf course and play a round and check out some other fun things to do!

Finding a Restroom

In my travels around Eastern Long Island I naturally find myself looking for public restrooms at times, it's just a part of life!

Some towns on the East End have much easier access to restrooms than others and I would like to share my experiences with which towns have more convenient restrooms than others.

Starting on the North Fork and Greenport, Greenport has probably the easiest restrooms to find on all of the East End. The Greenport public restrooms are located right in the middle of town in Mitchell Park. Since Greenport is small to begin with, the restrooms are no more than a 5 minute walk from anywhere in town.

On Shelter Island the best place to find a public restroom is at the North and South Ferries. These restrooms are for ferry costumers only but since anyone traveling to the island has to arrive by ferry I assume that is most of you. Once you get off the ferry you can just pull over and park and head into the main building by the docks to find the restrooms. Unfortunately they are not convenient if you are walking around Shelter Island, but to be fair there is really no main spot on the island with a lot of shops to wander around anyway.

Moving to the South Fork, Southampton recently posed a problem for me trying to find a restroom. Since it is a walking village that has a lot of stores I figured there would be an obvious public restroom around, but alas there was not. I ended up asking someone in a store where one was and they actually pointed me to a restaurant that has a restroom open to all.

The Driver's Seat restaurant is located next door to Dash (the Kardashian's store) and although it is tough to tell from the outside it does offer restrooms for all. It is a little awkward that you have to wander in around those dining and ask where the restrooms are. The restrooms are downstairs and the waitresses are very nice about pointing them out however.

Westhampton Village has public restrooms, although they are a bit hard to find. If you are walking around the main village you have to go away from the center of town a bit but you should find them. And even if they are not the most convenient I applaud Westhampton for at least having public restrooms.

Montauk is another village with fairly easy to find restrooms. Since Montauk is right on the beach I found it is best to stop by one of the beach parking lots on the outskirt off town. In the parking lot there is a nice public restroom. Like Shelter Island it is not the most convenient place for those walking around town but it is still there.

I struggled at first to find public restrooms in Sag Harbor but that's because I was looking down Main Street. Sag Harbor does have public restrooms that are a little away from the main drag and are right on the water. They actually have a convenient parking lot right behind them.

Of course anywhere you go restaurants will have restrooms for those who ate there. So if you go somewhere to eat I suggest just using the restroom while you are there. The second best option is to always just ask!

Enjoying All Orient Has to Offer

At the end of the North Fork you will find the quiet village of Orient. On first glance it may appear that Orient does not have much to offer, but if you are a nature lover and enjoy being outdoors it is the perfect place to check out!

Just last week a friend and I headed down to Orient to do a little exploring and just take in the sites. Our main goal for the evening was to go for a bike ride somewhere that had less traffic and we thought the winding back roads of Orient would be the perfect place!

We set out right after dinner, so around six o'clock, and threw our bikes in the back of our car for the journey to Orient. Once we got to Orient, we parked at Oysterponds school and got our bikes out to begin our evening ride. Right across from the school is Tabor Road which leads to a ton of winding back roads and plenty of space to ride bikes with limited traffic.

We took Tabor Road down to its end, passing a cemetery from the late 1800's that houses many of Orient's original residents, on the way. Once we reached the end of the road, we made a left and headed down Orchard Street passing a few large, beautiful farmhouses and corn fields. 

Orchard street took us all the way to King Street, where we made a left. King Street is absolutely beautiful since it borders the water and marshlands of Orient. The flat street was also pretty ideal for biking! 

At the end of King Street we stopped at a little beach that has been nicknamed "Horsefly Beach" by locals. As most beaches on the bay do, "Horsefly Beach" offers a really sandy beach with few rocks. I personally love sandy beaches more than rocky ones which is why when I do go to the beach I prefer going to the bay.

After a few minutes of writing in the sand and enjoy the beautiful beach, my friend and I set back out on our bikes to ride for a little longer before the sun went down. We left the beach and headed to Halyoake Avenue, which is another road that goes through the marshlands. It's also a really narrow, old country road which is cute and makes you feel like you are in a whole different world than busy Greenport which is just five minutes away.

We took Halyoake Avenue back to where it meets Orchard Street and then headed back to the school to end our night because it was slowly starting to get dark. Our night then ended after we threw our bikes back in our car and headed to Truman's Beach right up the road to watch the sunset. 

Unfortunately, we never got to even ride down into Orient Village itself. Village Lane in Orient is packed with quaint country homes and at the end of it you will find Orient Yacht Club which provides beautiful views of the water. There is also another park down Village Lane which sits on the water. 

My friend and I really enjoyed our bike ride and beach stop in Orient. I think Orient is really someplace worth checking out if you enjoy taking in some beautiful sights and being outdoors! 

I highly recommend getting on your bike and heading down the back roads of Orient to see a different side of Eastern Long Island. 

Alex and Ani Southampton

While the towns of Eastern Long Island are filled with numerous stores, many of which are great, there is one that really stands out to me.

Alex and Ani bracelets have become quite popular in recent years and Southampton is home to an Alex and Ani store. While there are a lot of places you can buy the bracelets, it is tough to find stores devoted to just Alex and Ani.

As a fan of Alex and Ani bracelets, I love the store in Southampton! I enjoy getting to check out all of the different bracelets in person rather than online.

There is a store in Greenport that sells the bracelets also, but the store is not exclusively devoted to Alex and Ani and does not have the selection the Southampton store does.

If you are a fan of Alex and Ani bracelets I would highly recommended checking out the store in Southampton. Since there are a lot of other cute stores in town also, it's easy to head there to check out Alex and Ani and then make an entire day of it walking around!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Admittedly I am a little late with this post. Strawberry season is over on Eastern Long Island but as I have mentioned before, chocolate covered strawberries are still one of my favorite things.

In preparation for next strawberry season (it is certainly not too early to look forward to it), here is how I make delicious chocolate covered strawberries for myself!

1. Head to a local farm stand and pick up some strawberries when they are in season (usually in June).
2. Next, head to a candy store to get some chocolate to melt down.
3. Once you are home clean up your strawberries. Rinse them under water and then cut off their green tops. Some people will leave the tops on to look pretty but I think it makes things easier to cut them off.
4. Now it is time to take the chocolate and melt it down. I usually just put in in the microwave in a bowl and check on it after a minute or two to stir it and put it back in until it is fully melted. Some people will melt it over the stove, but again I think microwaving it makes things easier.
5. It is finally time to actually put the berries in chocolate! This is a simple enough job. You just take a berry and put it in the chocolate and make sure it is completely covered before taking it out. (If you left the green stems on this is where things would get more difficult as you would have to make sure the stem did not get covered. )
6. After all of your berries are covered just put them on a tray and throw them in fridge until they are hardened and ready to eat!

I love chocolate covered strawberries, especially when Eastern Long Island Strawberries are in season. Hopefully next year you will get a chance to make your own of these delicious treats using my directions!

Time to Hit the Beach

Now that we are well into the month of July and schools have been out for a couple of weeks, people are taking vacations in full swing. This means more and more people are coming out to Eastern Long Island.

So far I have covered a lot of different things to do on the East End of the island while barely mentioning one of the things many of the visitors to the area this summer will spend a lot of their time doing—heading to the beach!

Honestly, I am not a big beach goer. I prefer pools because they are less messy and you bring less sand home with you! There are also less things like jellyfish and crabs (I have never been stung by a jellyfish but when I was younger I did cut my foot on a crab, not fun!). The problem is though it is tough to find public pools in the area.

Taking into account how hard it is to find pools and that a lot of people do like heading to the beach, I want to share some tips I have for finding the best beaches to check out.

For starters, I would avoid beaches on the North Fork that are along the Long Island Sound. The beaches on the sound are just too rocky and the sound itself is filled with too many jellyfish. If you want to head to the beach on the North Fork I would check out some on south side that border the bay. Beaches on the bay generally have soft sand (which I love) and the water is usually very calm (if you like calm water).

Even though I do not enjoy going to the beach, I do enjoy a few smaller beaches on the bay on the North Fork just because they are so peaceful.

If you are on the South Fork you will probably be heading to one of the area's busier beaches on the Atlantic Ocean. These beaches can be rocky, like the ones on the Long Island Sound, and also can have very rough seas. I find the rough seas in the ocean to be fun sometimes though because you can jump waves and you get to do more than wade in the water or just lay on the beach all day.

I think what beach you want to head to on Eastern Long Island depends on your personality, but if you only have a day to check out the beach I would send you to one on the Atlantic Ocean. I think the signature beaches in the area are the ones on the ocean and if you are not around for long it's best to check out signature attractions in the area.

A final option if you want to skip the beach but still have some fun in the water is Splish Splash water park in Riverhead. The park's website is the best place to check out for more information on this option.

Friday Night Fun in Greenport

The most well-known and active town on the North Fork of Eastern Long Island is Greenport. The harbor town out towards the tip of the island has more to do than other towns on the North Fork and is home to the most night life in the area.

This past Friday night I was out in Greenport for some fun and I wanted to share with you what I did/you can do because Greenport is really a fun place to spend an evening.

Every Friday night Greenport has a band that plays in Mitchell Park (a park in the middle of town overlooking the water) at 7:30. After you get dinner I recommend grabbing some ice cream and heading down to the park to just relax on the lawn and check that out!

As I have mentioned before, Greenport is a great place to find a variety of dining options so what you choose to eat for dinner is up to you. Naturally there are also a few different ice cream shops in town, although I would recommend Ralph's. Ralph's is part of a chain on the island and is known for their "ices" but their soft serve ice cream is also to die for.

Greenport is a great "walking village." This means that at anytime of day it's a fun place to just walk around and wander in and out of stores. There are quite a few unique boutiques and other stores in Greenport. As someone who loves fashion, I think boutiques like the ones in Greenport sell some of the best clothes!

If you want a late night out you can head down to Claudio's Clam Bar to dance the night away. Most weekend nights in the summer they feature a band and a packed dance floor. It is a local hotspot for those who want to party all-night.

If you head out to Greenport you will find something to do. The streets are packed with restaurants and shops that can keep you entertained for awhile whether it be on a Friday night or not!

Chopper Chatter

One of the big topics of discussions the past few summers on Eastern Long Island has been the issue of an increase of helicopters flying over the area. As traffic gets worse and worse on the Long Island Expressway, those who can afford it seem to be opting to take helicopters out to Eastern Long Island for vacation.

A lot of locals dislike the choppers flying over their homes because they are loud. I recently found a post on the Hamptons Chatter blog that sums up why many dislike the helicopters. The post also mentions that now you can take a ride over Eastern Long Island for a fair rate of $2,500.

The writer of the post mentioned above seems quite angry that now more people may be taking helicopter rides over the East End. He cites the "air traffic noise" as the main reason why he dislikes helicopters in the area, just like most locals I know.

Personally, I would love to take a helicopter ride over Eastern Long Island myself and I never once have been bothered by "air traffic noise." Helicopters can be loud, but never once has one gone over my head and completely disrupted me. They make a little noise for the minute they are above your head and that is it.

I don't believe this helicopter situation as to be as controversial as people make it. Unfortunately it appears to just be another case of locals wanting to keep Eastern Long Island to themselves and not realizing all that tourism does for the area.

To all visitors to the area this summer I say ignore the haters and keep coming and enjoying the area! There are people who appreciate you and your business (money). Eastern Long Island is beautiful and if people want to experience the beauty from the air I say do it!

So if you have the $2,500 to spend on a helicopter ride over the area do not be afraid to go!

Calling All Foodies Round 2

A friend pointed out to me today that Newsday ran a feature on their 15 Favorite Greenport Restaurants. Naturally that made me think back to my discussion of the best places to eat in Greenport ( Calling All Foodies on Vacation ) and the changes to the Greenport Wikipedia page I made to more specifically show which restaurants are worth checking out for foodies.

My changes are still on the Wikipedia page if you want to see what Greenport restaurants I zeroed out. I also recommend checking out Newsday's 15 Favorites because it gives even more restaurants that are worth a try.

The Hamptons vs. The North Fork

Last summer an article published by the New York Times caused quite a stir on Eastern Long Island. The article featured in the paper's real estate section discussed the rising popularity of the North Fork because it is the "anti-Hamptons."

On the North Fork, the Un-Hamptons got a lot of people on the North Fork talking because as the area has become more popular in recent years, many locals have felt it has become just like the Hamptons. But, as the article argues and as I feel the North Fork is still quite different from the Hamptons and the two areas provide two different vacation experiences.

The article describes the South Fork as becoming "overbuilt, overhyped and overcrowded" which is exactly why many North Forkers I know feel their home is becoming like the Hamptons. Many locals on the North Fork think because it is becoming so crowded it is turning into a second Hamptons. I feel that is not the case at all though.

One of the more obvious differences in my mind, and one the article points out quickly, is the beaches. The South Fork offers the ocean while the North Fork has the sound, and although the North Fork does have its share of beaches the ones in the Hamptons do usually provide a better experience. If I wanted a beach vacation I would head to the Hamptons and the ocean.

The article also points out the farms and vineyards of the North Fork, which are two of the area's defining features. The North Fork has long been an agricultural area and today it still offers tons of farms with local produce. Of course there are also tons of vineyards too as the area has become known as Wine Country.

A good quote in the article that tries to sum up the differences between the two areas is, “The Hamptons are a place where people go to see and be seen, and the North Fork is a place where people go to see the scenery.” I want to take the quote a step further and say that on the North Fork there is more to see while in the Hamptons there is more to do. As beautiful as the North Fork is, there is little to actually do compared to the Hamptons where there are more beaches and villages to walk around.

Since the article focuses on the real estate aspect of the two areas the rest of it is full of house and rental prices, but the main point still rings true.

Even as the North Fork continues to get busier, it is still not the Hamptons. The two areas offer different vacations and what kind of summertime vacation you want should effect where you decide to head on Eastern Long Island.

New Bike Path? Sign Me Up!

About a week ago I discussed Biking Safely on the North Fork. As I mentioned then, my biggest concern with a rise in bikers on Eastern Long Island is that they do not understand how busy the roads in the area actually are.

While looking on the website of one of the local newspapers (which I suggest you check out, best way to keep up to date with everything local is The Times Review family of papers) this week, I noticed there were new plans to build a bike trail around the perimeter of an industrial park in Calverton. For those who are unfamiliar, Calverton is located near Riverhead, right by where the North Fork begins.

Unfortunately, the idea for the EPCAL Bike Path was met with resistance by the Riverhead Town Board. I am quite disappointed more people are not fans of the proposed path because I think it sounds like a perfect place for people to bike! I like to think that those who head out to the North Fork to bike would love to have their own place to ride around and not have to worry about traffic. And for those wondering, the industrial park does have quite a large perimeter!

Right now the roads on Eastern Long Island are getting a lot busier with people unfamiliar with the area. Sadly when you pair more traffic with bikers who do not realize how busy the roads can get it is a recipe for disaster. If bikers have somewhere else to go to ride it might help things out a little.

Since it does not look like the bike path is going to be created anytime soon however I want to offer another reminder to stay safe when biking out on the East End this summer! Remember, the roads are busier than you think and you can never go wrong wearing a helmet!

Strolling Southampton

Over the past few summers, Southampton has become one of my favorite places to visit on Eastern Long Island. Southampton Village is a perfect walking town and offers a ton of clothing stores and place to sit down and enjoy a meal. The village is a beautiful little place to spend a day walking around (although be warned, it is a bit pricey).

To give a really good idea of Southampton and what it is like to spend a day strolling around the village I found this video on YouTube.

 

 

The video is a bit long (24 minutes) but the man walks around pretty much all of the village to give an idea of what it has to offer.

One of my favorite stores in Southampton is the Alex and Ani store. It is tough to find a store devoted solely to the popular bracelets in New York and Southampton offers one. Another store in the village I would make sure to check out is Dash. This summer the famous Kardashian sisters opened up one of their boutiques in Southampton and will be spending the summer in the Hamptons filming for their reality show.

No matter what you think of the family, I think it is cool they are spending their summer around Southampton and I think you should too! Check out the video to give you an idea of what you are missing out on in Southampton and head there yourself to enjoy a nice summer day just wandering around.

Stop and Smell the Lavendar

Perhaps one of the smallest and quietest places on all of Eastern Long Island is the hamlet of East Marion. East Marion is located on the North Fork between Greenport and Orient, meaning that a lot of visitors that arrive to the area via the Cross Sound Ferry pass through it. The very small hamlet does not have a lot to offer to guests which is why many probably drive through it without even knowing.

Located in East Marion are a firehouse, a post office, a country store named Fork and Anchor, Sep's Farm and Lavender by the Bay and that is it. So not a lot, but one of those places may be the most unique destination on all of Eastern Long Island.

Lavender by the Bay is a lavender farm. Typically something associated more with France, the farm prides themselves with being something that looks like it has been plucked right out of France and placed on Eastern Long Island. It is the only u-pick lavender farm on Long Island.

Think about that, it is the only place on Long Island where you can pick your own lavender! Even if lavender is not something you love I suggest checking out the place because of the uniqueness it offers the quiet little hamlet.

Even if you have no interest in picking the lavender, there is a lot the farm has to offer. During peak season (June or July depending on the top of lavender) the sites and smells of the fields, located right behind the main shop, are incredible.

In case you are completely unaware of what a lavender field looks like here is something to give you an idea.

Can't you just picture yourself there either picking your own lavender to take home and enjoy  or just relaxing?

And the fields are not the only thing Lavender by the Bay has to offer, it also has a shop that sells all top of lavender products. To give you an idea of what is sold in the shop, one of my personal favorite things is the lavender honey. Trust me, it is delicious even if you are not a big honey fan. I love it and cannot get enough of it!

If you are on the North Fork, Lavender by the Bay is a must stop for the views, smells and products it offers. Please feel free to check out lavenderbythebay.com for more information on lavender and when the farm itself is open.

Biking Safely on the North Fork

In recent years more and more bikers have begun to travel to the North Fork to take advantage of the quiet country roads and scenery. One problem I have experienced with these visiting bikers however is that few realize how busy the roads on Eastern Long Island actually are.

I do not want this to come across as complaining about bikers on the North Fork, I have no issues with them myself. I think it is great that they come out here to enjoy the nice weather and scenery and I am not going to complain about visitors who do contribute to local businesses.

I instead want this to be more of a public service announcement/warning to those who are unfamiliar with the North Fork roads and come here to bike.

A lot of people bike out to Orient Point, the very end of the North Fork, on Route 25. I want all bikers to know that Route 25 is anything but a quiet country road. In fact, Route 25 is a sort of highway to New England since it leads to the Cross Sound Ferry that travels to Connecticut from Orient Point. At half past every hour there is an influx of traffic heading west from the ferry that has just gotten in. Heading east there are always cars rushing to catch the ferry.

In my experience driving on Route 25, it seems to me a fair deal of bikers do not realize how busy of a road they are on. I think if bikers know how busy Route 25 is things will be better for those on bikes and those in cars.

I hope all bikers continue to venture to the North Fork for years to come and enjoy the scenery and support local businesses. I just also hope that they do the best they can to stay safe and realize this country area is not always as quiet as one would think.

What's In Season?

I have mentioned this before but I think something fun

to do while you are vacationing on Eastern Long Island is stopping by a

local farm stand to try some fresh fruits and vegetables. One problem I have noticed

about some local stands in the area however is that they

are not always truthful about where their products come from. Some farm stands will

try and pass fruits and vegetables from other places off as their own.

And while it is hard to always tell what was grown on the Island and what was not,

a good way to start figuring it out is by knowing what is in season

in the area when.

 

I worked at a farm stand in high school and have a pretty good idea of what is in season

when on Eastern Long Island and so I am going to share that with you

in hoping that it will help you be sure to only buy the freshest veggies on your trip!

 

May

Asparagus is really the only item that is in season for all of May.

Spinach comes late in May and depending on the weather radishes may be ready by

the end of May also. Strawberry season usually begins around Memorial Day Weekend

as long as the weather cooperates. To go along with the strawberries, rhubarb is
among the May vegetables too.

 

June

With June comes a lot of local vegetables and fruits on Eastern Long Island. If
strawberries are not ready for the end of May they certainly
will be ready come June. Beets, carrots,

lettuce, arugula and other leafy greens in the same category

are ready in June. Onions, potatoes, zucchini and cucumbers also come later
in the month along with peas and beans.
 If the weather is right, raspberries also may ready in June.

 

July

Local corn is a big one in July. Local corn is usually ready for July 4th or the following
week depending on the weather. Following corn in July are peppers, eggplant

and usually field tomatoes late in the month. Farms may have tomatoes grown in
greenhouses earlier in the summer but the best tomatoes from the
field come in July before peaking in August.

 

August

Watermelon is the big thing in August since by then most things have already
been around for awhile.

 

September

Even though September brings the end of summer it does not mean the end

of fresh vegetables on Eastern Long Island. Broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts and other

vegetables that thrive in cold weather come in the fall. The fall also marks pumpkin
season for farms which means that the farms that have pick your own

are full of visitors picking pumpkins. Local apples also are available in the fall.

 

 

As was already noted a few times, it is important to remember that everything depends
on  the weather. This year the weather has been funky
so everything is already a little behind. Another year the weather
 may be perfect so everything comes early. Keep

in mind this post is just a general guideline for when local produce is in.

 

So now that you know when is the best time to buy what at farm stands on
Eastern Long  Island be sure to include stopping at one for some
of the best produce out there!

 



Baseball in the Hamptons

If you are a sports worshipper like me your summer would be nowhere near complete without taking in some baseball in the sunshine. If you are sports worshipper who is traveling to Eastern Long Island this summer you are in luck because the area is home to the Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League which offers some of the best summer collegiate ball in the country.

Just a quick background for those who do not know, most college baseball players spend their summers playing summer ball somewhere around the country. The most famous league that college ballplayers go to is the Cape Cod League in Massachusetts although it is far from the only league out there. The HCBL popped up just a few years ago and has quickly evolved to welcome top college players from schools all around the country.

The quality of ball in the HCBL is really high and this is coming from someone who has spent her life watching mostly just major league ball. I think the ballplayers end up impressing all the fans that come to watch with their flawless play.

Something that adds to the HCBL is the personal aspect of it all. The ballparks are mostly local high school fields so they are tiny and all the fans get an upfront view of the action. It's also easy for fans to interact with players after the games asking for autographs and such. I have seen first hand especially how much these ballplayers love kids and giving autographs and balls to their youngest fans.

Even if you are not a big sports worshipper I highly recommend checking out a HCBL game during your visit to the area because of how unique summer league baseball is. Keep in mind some of these players are well on their way to the majors as plenty of alumni of the league have been drafted in the past few seasons.

There are seven teams in the league so really anywhere you travel to on Eastern Long Island you are close to a team to check out. The teams are located in Peconic, Riverhead, Westhampton, Southampton, Sag Harbor, Montauk and on Shelter Island. If you want more information and to check out game schedules you can visit hamptonsbaseball.org.

High quality baseball featuring future major leaguers in beautiful summer weather, what more could you want on your vacation?

Enjoying Wine Country Without Drinking

As a 19 year old living in Wine Country on the North Fork of Long Island you might not think I get many chances to enjoy the vineyards surrounding me. It turns out however that there is a lot to enjoy at the vineyards in the area without tasting wine all afternoon.

For those of you that are like me and are not able to sample the wine at vineyards I want to provide you with a few reasons why the vineyards on Eastern Long Island are still worth your time.

• Some provide you with breathtaking views
• Some offer really good food
• Some offer other entertainment like musical or comedy acts
• Some of the vineyards themselves are in beautiful buildings worth checking out
• Some offer tours of the vineyards so you can see how the wine is made

When thinking about the reasons above I actually had a few specific vineyards in mind that I feel are the best for those who are looking to take in Wine Country minus the wine.

Kontokostas Winery in Greenport is one of the newer ones in the area and has the slogan "Sound Life. Sound Wine." The slogan is a perfect description of it's beautiful location on the Long Island Sound. Kontokostas is definitely one to check out if you love beautiful views.

Martha Clara Vineyards in Riverhead (as a local I can tell you it is more in Jamesport/Mattituck than Riverhead) is one that usually has a lot of public entertainment. If you check out their calendar on their website (marthaclaravineyards.com) you will find a band playing almost every weekend. Martha Clara is one to check out if you want to enjoy some music while maybe others you are with enjoy some wine.

Raphael Vineyard in Peconic is my personal favorite to look at. The main building looks like it belongs in Tuscany and is absolutely beautiful. I think it is worth going to even if you do not drink just to see how beautiful it is.

Of course those are just a few of the roughly 50 vineyards on the North Fork to check out (head to liwine.com to get a taste of what the others are like) and while those are my favorites they really all can offer something to someone who does not drink. So do not let Wine Country scare you aware even if wine is not your thing, there are other aspects of it to enjoy during your vacation too!

7 Things to Know About Montauk Point Lighthouse

When a lot of people think of the Hamptons these days the first images that come to mind have to do with living life luxuriously. The area after all has become world famous for being a summer playground for the rich and famous just a short hop away from Manhattan.

What many probably do not realize however is just how historic the area is. One of the most iconic sites of the Hamptons is the Montauk Point Lighthouse which has quite the history. To give all potential visitors a quick history lesson I present to you "7 Things to Know About Montauk Point Lighthouse."

1. It was the first lighthouse in New York State.
2. Its Construction was authorized by George Washington and the Second United States Congress in 1792.
3. It is the fourth-oldest active lighthouse in the United States.
4. It is a National Historic Landmark in honor of the role it played in American Maritime History.
5. Construction on it was completed in November 1796 after it was started earlier that year.
6. There are 137 steps to the top of the tower.
7. Its light flashes every five seconds and can be seen for 19 nautical miles.

A lighthouse in the Hamptons that was commissioned by George Washington himself, who would have thought! Just for those that do not know, Montauk Point Lighthouse also marks the easternmost point of Long Island so once you have reached it you cannot journey any further.

Montauk itself is a pretty stereotypical beach town but is still a cool place to check out with a lot of resorts if you want to stay the weekend. The lighthouse is easy to find because it is the end of the island and it is in a state park where you can wander around during the day.

More information on the lighthouse can be found at MontaukLighthouse.com, which is also where I got my seven facts. For lovebirds that really are interested in history and the lighthouse you can even have your wedding there!

There's your little piece of history in a Hamptons' beach town. Montauk as a whole is certainly worth checking out on Eastern Long Island and so is the lighthouse, which is historic and also a beautiful site to see!

Calling All Foodies on Vacation

Are you a foodie looking to visit Eastern Long Island? If so you may be looking into the best dining spots to eat in the Hamptons and not even consider visiting the North Fork. However, the North Fork is home to the quaint seaside village of Greenport that has become quite the destination for those who enjoy sampling all types of food.

Restaurants like The Frisky Oyster, the Blue Canoe and Noah's may fit the image of the Hamptons but are found right in Greenport. Even beyond the food Greenport is a great walking village for all to enjoy right on the water.

Usually when I want to learn more about a place I head to Google and do a quick search and many times end up on Wikipedia. Of course Greenport has its own Wikipedia page, but that page fails to go into detail about tourism locations. The page does mention quickly that it is the best location for foodies on the North Fork but does not explain why and specify restaurants like those mentioned above.

Greenport proves to be the hub of the North Fork Foodie culture with many acclaimed restaurants and home of the Greenport Farmers' Market, the only multi-vendor cooperative local market on the North Fork.

It's good to know about the Farmers' Market and that it is a good place for foodies to check out but the lack of detail about why exactly the restaurants are special needed to be addressed. In my continued hope to help out visitors to the area with my native knowledge I added details to the Wikipedia page to try and make it more helpful.

Greenport proves to be the hub of the North Fork Foodie culture with many acclaimed restaurants. Noah's, The Frisky Oyster, The Blue Canoe and First and South all rank among new and acclaimed restaurants on the North Fork in the village. It is also the home of the Greenport Farmers' Market, the only multi-vendor cooperative local market on the North Fork. Greenport is also home to Claudio's Restaurant, Clam Bar and Crabby Jerry's, all three are located on the water and serve less upscale food. Claudio's Restaurant believes themselves to be the oldest single family owned restaurant in the United States.

I added the specific restaurants because I believe someone looking to check out Greenport would want more details when planning their trip. I also added the part about Claudio's and its compound because while it is not new or does not feature the same upscale food as the other restaurants it is a Greenport staple worth mentioning.

If you are a foodie heading to Eastern Long Island do not dismiss Greenport. Check out the restaurants mentioned above and feel very free to consult Wikipedia concerning the village now that the page has a few more details.

Taking Time to Enjoy the Ride

A lot of the time we are so focused on where we are going that we do not take time to enjoy the journey to the destination.

I know, I sound like a corny quote book, but it is true and it relates to how one may spend their time on Eastern Long Island. This past week I had to drive all the way out to Montauk (the end of the South Fork) for business. I did not get to do anything in Montauk aside from the business I had to attend to so I did not get to enjoy the happening beach town. Knowing this though I was able to enjoy the trip by just taking in the sites on the way!

I traveled from Sag Harbor, which is roughly halfway through the Hamptons, out to Montauk surrounded by some of the most beautiful sites. Between the lush green landscape, beautiful houses and of course the beaches I really enjoyed the ride!

Usually when planning a trip we get so caught up in mapping out every minute of our day with something exciting to do that we miss out on fun things that are not as flashy, like just taking a car ride. There are so many beautiful sites on Eastern Long Island sometimes the best way to see a few is by just hopping in the car and driving!

Just like I sat back and enjoyed my ride out to Montauk I think you can sit back and just enjoy a simple ride around the East End. Forget about the destination for a bit and just enjoy the journey!

Strawberry Season

June means a lot of different things but one of the more tastier things it means is strawberry season on Eastern Long Island. For the month all of the farm stands in the area offer tasty berries to locals and visitors alike.

I think we all get so used to California strawberries found in the supermarket that we forget just how good the fresh berries can be. If you head to any farm stand on Eastern Long Island you will most likely find strawberries picked that day that are to die for! And it is pretty easy to find farms in the area, especially on the North Fork, so just look for one while you are driving.

Fresh berries are delicious on their own but they also are quite yummy covered in chocolate. Just like plain strawberries are easy to find in the area so are chocolate covered strawberries. Most candy shops you find will sell chocolate covered local berries. There is also always the option of buying berries and covering them in chocolate yourself if you have the space to on vacation. I prefer doing my own just because it's a fun experience and you get to eat some extra chocolate in the process.

If you happen to take your vacation to Eastern Long Island in June just make sure you find a farm stand to stop out and buy some of their local strawberries. I promise you will not regret the decision to buy some of the best strawberries out there while they are in season!

Another Island Worth Checking Out

So far I have focused this blog entirely on the North and South Forks of Eastern Long Island and have neglected another location worth checking out on your vacation to the area. Between the two forks there is Shelter Island which offers a unique place to spend a day or a weekend.

The only way to reach the island is by ferry. You can drive your car onto the boat or just walk on, although I would suggest doing the first since there is not a lot to do within either of the ferries. One ferry runs from Greenport on the North Fork while another runs from near Sag Harbor on the South Fork.

Even though I grew up fairly close to one of the ferries I rarely went to Shelter Island when I was young. The few times I traveled to the island were for sporting events in high school or weddings. In the past couple of years though I have gotten to spend a bit more time on the island due to an internship.

Most of things to do for vacationers on Shelter Island involve good dining or being outdoors. The island boasts a couple of golf courses (including a miniature one) and various different water sports. Of course it also has a variety of beaches, my favorite being Cresent Beach.

Cresent Beach is located on the north shore of the island, less than a five minute drive from the ferry that goes to Greenport. Located right by the beach is Sunset Beach hotel and restaurant, which as the name would suggest offers spectacular views. As mentioned before I love taking in a sunset and I think Cresent Beach offers some of the best sunset views on Eastern Long Island.

The island offers numerous other dining options that are on the water too. SALT restaurant on the water offers dining, a bar with live music and a tasting room on the south side of the island near the ferry to Sag Harbor. SALT has become a spot that a lot of locals I know head to and enjoy and usually if the locals like a spot it is a good one!

If you choose to spend time on Shelter Island you will not find a lively village with a lot of shopping and happenings like Greenport or Southampton, instead you will find a more quiet place to enjoy the outdoors. If you are looking for a weekend full of just beach or golf time and good eating, I would suggest trying out Shelter Island. The island offers a good spot for those really looking for a nature vacation on Eastern Long Island even if it does not get the same hype the Hamptons or Wine Country does.

A Visit to Hampton Coffee Company

If you are anything like me you like to start your day with a cup of coffee. I love waking up and inhaling a cup of iced coffee in the summer months even when I am on vacation. I share this love of coffee with one of my closest friends and usually when we hang out it includes stopping to get a cup somewhere. A couple of weeks ago at her suggestion we ventured to Water Mill, New York to try out a spot we had never been to before, Hampton Coffee Company.

Water Mill is located on the South Fork of Long Island in the Hamptons. It's only a five minute ride from Southampton if you head east on Montauk Highway. If you are heading to Sag Harbor, East Hampton or Montauk via Montauk Highway this location of the Hampton Coffee Company is situated in a spot that makes it a perfect pit stop for a quick pick-me-up.

Hampton Coffee Company has three locations that can be found in Westhampton, Southampton and Water Mill. According to its website (hamptoncoffeecompany.com) the Water Mill location was its first store and it opened over 20 years ago. The company brags that today it is Long Island's largest independent coffee roaster and like many places in the Hamptons lays claim to celebrity clientele.

The reason my friend and I chose to visit the Water Mill location was because of the outdoor dining options it offered and the convenient location right on Montauk Highway. This location does have a café too where you can dine on various dishes, but my friend and I opted for just simple drinks. We both got iced coffees that we added our own milk and sugar to after checking out.

To be quite honest the coffee was nothing special. As a Dunkin Donut enthusiast I did not find their coffee to be quite as good as the Dunkin I enjoy almost everyday, but I still would highly suggest stopping by the Hampton Coffee Company. The menu at the café offers some really tempting looking options and the atmosphere was so relaxing that I think its a cool place to check out if you are going to be traveling on Montauk Highway. While other places may offer better coffee they most likely do not offer outdoor seating that overlooks a winery.

Even if the coffee was not to die for the Hampton Coffee Company provided a nice location to get together with a friend and enjoy an afternoon of just having some coffee outdoors in beautiful weather. Whether you need a quick place to stop on your way farther out east or you just want to enjoy a small-town coffee shop, I would recommend checking out Hampton Coffee Company on your trip to the Hamptons.

Time to Take in a Sunset

It would make sense for me to start out with the best ways to spend your morning on the Eastern End of Long Island and then your afternoon and then your evening. But, my personal favorite thing to do occurs in the evening and I cannot wait to share it!

After a full day of summer fun in the sun doing things I will tell you about later nothing beats heading to the beach to check out the sunset! The North Shore of Long Island borders the Long Island Sound and the sunsets over it have to be some of the most beautiful in the world. I end most of my summer days checking out the sunsets by my house, so it is certainly something both visitors and locals alike can enjoy!

Having viewed so many sunsets over the Long Island Sound I have to say that they are like snowflakes. That means that no two are alike and each one provides a new visual spectacle for all to take in. So if you are in town for even a week I would suggest you check out the sunset every night because you are always going to see something new.

Maybe the best thing about taking in a sunset on Eastern Long Island is that it's free! All you have to do is head to a beach that looks north. Of course for the best views I suggest you head north and find a beach on the Long Island Sound, but if you are vacationing on the South Fork you can still get a spectacular view if you venture to a beach that overlooks the bay separating the two forks.

In my opinion there is nothing better to do on Eastern Long Island than just taking in one of the many beautiful sunsets and I would put it as number one on your must-do list for your vacation to the area!





 

Above are just a few of many photos of sunsets I have taken over the years to give you an idea of what you are missing out on if you choose to not check out a sunset during your East End vacation.

Buses, Trains and Automobiles!

Before you can begin your summer vacation on Eastern Long Island you have to first get here. The best way to reach your destination varies depending on where you are coming from. For the purpose of this blog however I am going to talk about traveling from New York City since a good amount of visitors to the area come from the Big Apple for a weekend trip.

There are a few different options for those looking to get to Eastern Long Island from the city and the option that best suits you depends on a few different things. Before I dive into the main three ways to head out of the city I want you to ask yourself a few different questions.

For starters, how much money are you willing to spend on travel expenses? Do you mind having to leave at a set time? Would you rather come and go at your own leisure? Do you mind traffic? Do you plan on staying close to a town? Do you plan on heading to beaches or vineyards which you will need your own car for? How many people will be traveling with you? How long will your trip be?

Keeping those things in mind, here are the three main options of transportation that will get you to your vacation destination.

Car
If you have your own car it may be easy to just jump in it and hit the Long Island Expressway until you hit the town on the East End of Long Island you desire. The LIE will take you from Manhattan to Riverhead where you can either get on Route 25 to travel the North Fork of the island or the Montauk Highway if you would rather check out the South Fork.

The big benefits of driving your own car is that you can come and go at your own leisure and not have to rely on the scheduling of other transportation. You also will have your own car for your entire trip which is necessary if you plan on visiting towns outside of the one you are staying in or other destinations like beaches or vineyards. If you visit a town like Greenport on the North Fork you can probably entertain yourself for a few days without a car, but for other towns one is probably necessary.

The big downside of driving your own car however is the traffic on the LIE. It may seem like everyone in Manhattan is heading out to the East End with you on Friday afternoons or heading back to the city with you on Sunday nights when the two hour trip turns into a three or four hour one. Traffic can be avoided though if you pick the right times to travel, like maybe try and sneak out Friday morning or head back to the city early Monday morning before rush hour. In today's modern age GPS can also be helpful in finding you alternative routes to get around the traffic if it is just in certain areas.

Something else to keep in mind is even if you do not have your own car but you like the idea of having one for your vacation you can rent one for just the weekend in the city then head out!

Bus
If you are not interested in driving yourself but still want to drive out to Eastern Long Island, the Hampton Jitney bus service is quite a popular option. The service travels to almost every town on both the South and North Forks and leaves from certain points in Manhattan and Queens. Trips range from roughly 20 to 30 dollars depending on where you are traveling to.

The coaches are comfortable and allow you to relax while someone else does the driving. The trips usually take about three hours, so a bit longer than if you drove yourself, because of the stops. I have found in my experiences using the service however that trips during less busy times will take less than three hours.

The Hampton Jitney is a good option if you do not have your own car or do not mind being limited to one town for the weekend. Of course you are on their schedule though if you choose to use them, buses usually leave the East End towns every other hour and leave Manhattan almost every hour. Traffic could also be a problem although drivers usually are good at getting around trouble areas.

Train
If you are interested in avoiding traffic on the LIE you can always jump on a Long Island Railroad train. To take the LIRR all the way out to the East End you have to catch a train from Penn Station to Ronkonkoma first and then transfer. Taking a train may be an appealing option because of the lack of traffic and because it is slightly less money than taking a bus, but a big problem is how little the trains run out to towns on the North and South Forks. Trains usually run from Ronkonkoma further east only two or three times a day and not at the most convenient times (early AM or late PM).

The lack of flexibility combined with the disadvantage of not having your own car honestly make the train the less desirable option of three mentioned.



If you want to take advantage of the most that the East End of Long Island has to offer it is always best to have your own car so you can explore. But, if just a short weekend trip to one village sounds appealing to you do not discount taking the Hampton Jitney. Like I said above, there are a lot of variables that will lead you to choose which transportation option is best for you when you head out. The most important part is just that you choose one and head on out to Eastern Long Island for summer fun!

Welcome! An Intro to Our Summer Adventure

This past Memorial Day Weekend marked the unofficial start to summer 2014. That means it is the time of year when many from New York City head out to Eastern Long Island to escape from city life for a bit. Riverhead, the town located where Long Island splits into two forks, is just roughly 80 miles from Manhattan. From there, vacationers can choose to head to the North Fork and Wine Country or the South Folk and the world famous Hamptons for whatever style vacation they prefer.

Whether one heads to the North Fork or South Fork, there is a lot to see on Eastern Long Island. With so many different beaches, vineyards, restaurants, farms and other hidden gems, it may be hard to decide exactly how to spend one's time in the area. The purpose of this blog is to help visitors decide how to best spend their vacation time when they visit Eastern Long Island.

I have spent my whole life (aside from the past two years I have been attending college in New York City) living on Eastern Long Island. I feel that as a native of the area I have some unique tips to offer to those who wish to vacation here. Sometimes locals are able to provide some insight on the best way to spend time they you will not always find in guidebooks or on tourist websites.

My hope is that this blog is able to add some fun to some people's vacations. Hopefully my insight as a local gives people a few new ideas of what to do on Eastern Long Island that they would have never thought of before and that they enjoy.



Happy travels to Eastern Long Island all! See you out here!