9 A.M. Get into a day-off state of mind at Port Jefferson Salt Cave (320 Main St.), where the walls and floor were built from three tons of pink Himalayan salt crystals. Sit in a zero-gravity lounger and inhale the salt air, which is said to have healing properties. Whether or not that’s true, the 45-minute session is deeply meditative.
11 A.M. Now that you’re relaxed, head to Toast Coffeehouse (242 East Main St.). In pre-pandemic times, fans waited hours for a table to eat favorites like Krispy Nutella French toast, made with real-deal Rice Krispies and topped with sweet strawberries. Now you can pick up curbside and saunter down to the harbor for a brunch with a view.
2 P.M. Walk off brunch by navigating Port Jeff’s vibrant shopping scene. Dig for treasures, like collectible seashells and Alex and Ani bangles, at Sea Creations (134 Main St.). Find your next beach cover-up or sundress at Kate & Hale (227 Main St.) or Fame and Rebel (415 East Main St.).
4 P.M. After some retail therapy, hop on over to Port Jefferson Brewing Company (22 Mill Creek Road) for pre-dinner drinks. Keep with the nautical theme of the day trip by sipping a Party Boat IPA. The brew, which won a silver medal at TAP-NY in 2016, is big and malty up front with citrus on the finish.
7 P.M. For dinner, head to Nantucket without leaving Long Island. At Nantucket’s (9 Trader’s Cove), the service is top-notch and the food is even better: Start with the seafood dumplings, made with lobster, scallops and shrimp, then dine on pan-seared sesame tuna steak or crab-crusted salmon.
Staying over?
If you arrived by boat, settle in at Danfords Hotel, Marina and Spa (25 East Broadway). Or, about a 10-minute drive away, the Three Village Inn (150 Main St., Stony Brook) offers luxurious suites with fireplaces and views of Stony Brook Harbor.
