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!