It's a little hard to admit, but I know woefully little about traveling in the tri-state area, despite the fact that I've lived in New York for more than ten years. I've only been to the Catskills a couple of times, Fire Island once many years ago, and to Connecticut for a handful of road trips, weddings, and music festivals. Since I have never really had a car here, sometimes it's just as easy to hop in a cab, head to the airport, and fly off to someplace far away.
While that convenience is definitely one of the biggest benefits of living near several international airports for me personally, I think it sometimes discourages my own exploration of more local environs. Enter the North Fork.
I have had a number of friends and family tell us over the years about how beautiful and relaxing it is to spend a weekend out on the North Fork, but until recently it was a totally foreign concept. Recently we had the opportunity to spend an early summer weekend out there, and I totally get it now. Beach! Vineyards! Wine tasting! Backyard parties and salty breezes! Gourmet cheese shops and lovely restaurants! Count me in.
Certainly, many of our trip highlights included the great food and local wine, and I've included all the lovely places we visited in the itinerary below in case you're planning your own trip. But really - it was the company that we were in which was just the best. Good friends, adorable dogs, and lots of laughter was just the recipe for the kind of restorative weekend we needed. Here's to many more!
Some Recommendations: In Greenport, shuck your own oysters and eat sweet little clams at Little Creek Oyster Farm. Head for a cocktail down the street at Brix & Rye before a delicious celebration dinner at Noah's.
In East Marion, head to the beach and take a long walk before breakfast sandwiches at Fork & Anchor. Visit vineyards and do wine tastings at Mattebella in Southold and McCall in Cutchogue. Visit the polo ponies in their onsite stables, and snuggle them to make your whole weekend. Stop by The Village Cheese Shop in Mattituck to pick up a picnic spread and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air somewhere beautiful.
Barbecue at home or head to brunch in Greenport at Billy's By The Bay. Lounge on the back patio at Macari or hit up a hundred other awesome spots. Do you have favorite spots in the North Fork to hang? I'd love to hear about them! Happy travels!