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September is the perfect time to go apple picking on the North Fork. (Credit: Kahtarine Schroeder, file photo)

It’s no secret that locals breath a sigh a relief on Tumbleweed Tuesday. Sure the streets and stores are less crowded, but also we’ve enjoyed gorgeous Indian summers in recent years, extending the swimming and backyard lounging season well until October. In fact, many claim autumn is their favorite time on the North Fork.

Here’s what we like to do when the summer season is over. 


I love taking the kids to town beaches. The crowds are gone and many of the beaches don’t require permits anymore. My favorites are Veterans Beach in Mattituck, South Jamesport Beach and Iron Pier in Riverhead.

–Laura Huber, editorial assistant


I enjoy kayaking spring, summer and fall. But the best is fall, when the water is still warm, but there are fewer speedboats competing for space. It’s idyllic.

— Julie Lane, reporter


I love celebrating Halloween on the North Fork. Last year my husband dressed up as Gru from the “Despicable Me” movies and my children and I were minions. We participated in the Greenport Village “March of the Goblins and Hounds” Halloween Parade and it was a blast!

— Vera Chinese, northforker editor


I love Sound sunsets after Labor Day. In the peak of summer it is too late to enjoy it with my son, but in September it is a perfect time of year to bring a picnic and watch the glow.

–Sonja Derr, sales and marketing director


We love going out on the boat in September and into the fall on flat, calm days. We have the entire bay to ourselves which is really nice.

— Andrew Olsen, publisher


Hiking Soundview Dunes Park in Peconic. It’s a 57-acre park with access to a Sound beach, dunes, wetlands and forest habitat. A walk to the beach takes only about 10 minutes, but you can expand it an extra half hour by hiking the hidden lake trail. The fall foliage makes this the best time of year to hike this somewhat hidden North Fork gem.

— Grant Parpan, content director


As the days get cooler in September, I treasure each swim and wonder if it will be my last of the season. Love it when I’m still in the water in mid to late October.

— Joan Walker Gustavson, publisher emeritus


I love going apple picking with my sorority sisters at Woodside Orchards as well as enjoying a pint of their hard cider and ending the day with some roasted corn at Harbes. It has been one of our favorite traditions and we look forward to it every year!

–Lindsay Denston, assistant sales coordinator


When the air gets crisp and fall winds pick up through the vines and farms of the North Fork, my favorite things are the seasonal flavors that accompany the change in weather. I love Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.’s Leaf Pile Ale along with the autumn squash dishes that appear on special menus at local restaurants.

–Melissa Martin, editorial assistant

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