There are 98 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and we’ve created the ultimate guide to summertime on the North Fork. Berry picking and wine sipping, afternoons full of swimming and oyster shucking, park dancing and lavender field strolling – how many can you cross off your list this summer? See you out there.
- Dip your toes in the sand and watch the ferries cross the bay while waiting for a table at PORT Waterfront Bar & Grill.
- Watch Shakespeare in Mitchell Park. A highlight of each summer is the annual Northeast Stage productions held en plein air in Greenport’s Mitchell Park. This year’s production is “The Tempest.” check northeasttage.org for show dates and times.
- Dance the night away to live music at Claudio’s. View their music lineup at claudios.com.
- Surprise the kids with a visit to Goldsmith’s Toys in Greenport.
- Celebrate summer at the 68th Annual Strawberry Festival, on Wednesday, June 14, through Sunday, June 18. From hulling night to crowning a new Strawberry Queen to strawberry sweets and treats to amusement rides this yearly event is one not to miss. Tickets and info at mattituckstrawberryfestival.org.
- If it’s raining or just plain too hot, catch a throwback flick at Mattituck Cinemas. The theater stopped showing first-run films in the new year, but we’ve been loving the classic series, which has shown titles like “Caddyshack,” “Back to the Future” and “The Little Rascals.”
- Grab a few heirloom tomatoes from your favorite farm stand and nosh on a classic tomato sandwich. Mayo is a must!
- Watch the sun rise from the tip of Orient.
- Kayak down the Peconic River. Bonus points if you stop off at Roadhouse for a slice of pizza to enjoy outdoors.
- Keep your eye out for a tall ship sighting. Visit eastendseaport.org for specific plans.
- Attend one of the North Fork’s small-town Fourth of July parades. Check local town sites for dates and times.
- Enjoy a summer concert. Mattituck Park District’s Summer Concert Series begins on Saturday, June 3 at 4 p.m. On select summer Saturdays Veterans Park Beach in Mattituck will host live music for an evening of tunes and summer vibes. Check out the lineup at mattituckparkdistrict.org.
- Spend a Saturday evening gazing up at the heavens at Custer Institute in Southold while you learn all about our night sky.
- Track down Dos Ositos Paletas and indulge in a frozen treat on a hot day.
- Go for a night swim under a summer full moon. Cheat sheet: the buck moon on Monday, July 3, the sturgeon moon on Tuesday, Aug. 1, and the blue moon on Wednesday, Aug. 30.
- Savor local food and wine at Rotary Uncorked on Thursday, June 15, at RG|NY. Tickets and details at riverheadrotary.org.
- Pick your own bouquet at Horton’s Flower Farm in Riverhead.
- Experience art after dark at Reflextions Riverhead. These unique lighting events will take place on Saturday, June 17, Friday, July 14, and Saturday, Aug. 19.
- Dine al fresco on outstanding Turkish and Mediterranean food at Turkuaz Grill as you take in views of the Peconic River.
- Picnic across the North Fork. Some of our favorite spots include the grounds at Horton Point Lighthouse and the DEC boat launch in Southold.
- Wait on line for decadent handmade ice cream at Magic Fountain in Mattituck or Snowflake Ice Cream in Riverhead — worth it, we promise.
- Cheer for the North Fork Ospreys at a Hamptons Collegiate Baseball League game at Jean Cochran Park. Full schedule at hamptonsbaseball.org.
- Meander through a sunflower maze. Rottkamp’s Fox Hollow Farm in Baiting Hollow is our go-to.
- Indulge in a sweet or savory crepe from Greenport’s new eatery: Encanto.
- Attend at least one themed festival at Harbes Family Farm. Celebrate sunflowers and sweet corn in July and peaches and watermelon in August at this family-friendly hotspot. Visit harbesfamilyfarm.com for the complete lineup.
- Hike your way to the wrecks of five wooden Merchant Marine ships at Reeves Beach in Riverhead.
- Watch a seal show at the Long Island Aquarium in downtown Riverhead.
- Catch a thrill and ride a water slide at Splish Splash Water Park. Alien Invasion tops our list.
- Bring the kids to storytime on the farm. Browder’s Birds is hosting a children’s storytime on Saturday, June 17, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. After hearing a story by a local librarian head to the field for egg collection from the farm’s chickens. More at browdersbirds.com.
- Practice yoga on a farm for a workout like no other. Farm Yoga offers multiple classes each week on their Riverhead farm.
- Spend a day at Duryea’s Orient Point Beach Club.
- Challenge yourself to a farm stand-only dinner by getting all your ingredients from local farm stands. Get creative and tag us in photos of your meal using #northforker on Instagram.
- Sip wine and eat s’mores at Bedell Cellars with their Bonfire S’mores Kits.
- Rent a standup paddleboard and explore the Peconic Bay.
- Frolic through a lavender field at Lavender by the Bay. Your pick: East Marion or Calverton.
- Clean up the beach. No basket, no problem. Relic has you covered. Check out this story for beaches across the North Fork with cleanup stations.
- Order the frozen custard from 8 Hands Farm. You can thank us later.
- Have a blast for CAST. The 5th annual fundraiser is scheduled for Thursday, July 13, from 6 to 9 p.m. in Stirling Square, Greenport. Attendees will enjoy small plates and pizza, an open bar and live music. Visit castnorthfork.org for details and tickets that are sure to sell out.
- Explore a garden oasis at Landraft Garden Foundation in Mattituck.
- Break your own personal record for summer lobster rolls eaten.
- Go yard-saling like there’s no tomorrow. Check out listings on suffolktimes.com.
- Get creative at VEME Studios — the perfect rainy day activity.
- Catch an Alive on 25, downtown Riverhead’s summer street festival, for local food, live music, craft beverages, family fun and more. 2023 dates include June 30, July 14 and 28, and Aug. 11, each on a Friday evening from 5 to 9:30 p.m.
- Check out a monster truck show at Riverhead Raceway scheduled for Saturday, July 22.
- Head to a fish market for a whole fish and take it home to grill. Ask the fishmongers at Southold Fish Market or Braun Seafood Co. for some expert tips.
- Sip rosé in the sun at Croteaux Vineyards, the only winery in the U.S. that exclusively crafts rosé wines.
- Tour an oyster farm. During summer, Little Ram Oysters opens their farm one Friday per month at noon for a guided tour. Each session includes a 1-hour tour and class, a dozen Little Ram Oysters and an oyster knife and glove to keep. Book at littleramoysters.com.
- Save room for dessert and head to Stirling Sake’s Sweetie 477 Weekender’s Dessert Club.
- Sit outside and enjoy an iced Bee Sting from North Fork Roasting Co. Trust us.
- Cuddle goats at Catapano Dairy Farm. Every Saturday in May and June at 11:30 a.m., you can snuggle baby goats and learn about goat care. Classes run for 30 minutes and are family-friendly for ages 3+. Email [email protected] to sign up.
- Feast on lobster at Lobsterfest hosted by the Greenport and Southold Rotary Clubs. Mark your calendar for Sunday, July 29, at Vet’s Beach in Mattituck. This community-focused event is one of our favorites of the summer. Look out for details and tickets at rotarylobsterfest2023.com.
- Dine in a secret garden at Il Giardino in Aquebogue.
- Grilled cheese and cookies for dinner? Sign us up. Head to The Treatery on those summer night’s when you just don’t feel like cooking.
- Search for fairies at Peconic River Herb Farm in Calverton.
- Show off your best dance moves at Dances in the Park every Monday night in July and August from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Mitchell Park.
- Get sporty on the water with Peconic Water Sports. Think water skiing, wakeboarding, and kiteboarding.
- Savor the tail end of summer at the New Suffolk Waterfront Fund’s Summer Soirée. This evening of local wines, hors d’oeuvres, oysters and live music will take place on Sunday, Aug. 20. For info and tickets visit newsuffolkwaterfront.org.
- Shuck and eat an oyster — a northforker rite of passage.
- Hunt for buried treasure with Greenie Supply & Tackle Treasure Maps.
- Go for a hike at Indian Island County Park. Explore 275 acres of forest and salt marsh habitat at the mouth of the Peconic River. Feeling adventurous? Camp out! Visit suffolkcountyny.gov for details and to make a reservation.
- Visit Red Barn Alpaca Farm and take a selfie with an alpaca.
- U-pick through the seasons. Strawberries in June, blueberries in July, peaches in August and oh, so much more.
- Roll from Kenney’s Beach into Little Fish for the best leisurely summer day ever.
- Dine on the dock at Fortino’s Tavern in Greenport.
- Charter an all-women team sailboat with Layla Sailing.
- Take in some North Fork history at Hallockville Museum Farm during their guided homestead tours offered on Saturdays at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Play a round of mini-golf at Drossos Snack Bar & Mini Golf and follow it up with ice cream.
- Watch the sun fully set over the Long Island Sound. Bonus points if you clap at the end.
