The North Fork isn’t quite as susceptible to the same Tumbleweed Tuesday misnomer as its South Fork counterpart. You know, the false idea that — like white pants — hanging out in the area is designated for the period between Memorial and Labor Day Weekends.
Apple and pumpkin picking and Thanksgiving pies will keep the crowds (and their cars) coming for the next few months. Yet, even if U-pick offerings remain annual rites in your home, it can be hard to carve out intentional leisure time during the frenetic days of fall.
Enter the humble – actually, mighty — summer bucket list. On the North Fork, it’s worth having one. While life out here doesn’t sunset in September, specific experiences will be harder to come by. Soak up the season while you can with sweet treats, farm festivals and al fresco happy hours.
Pick Out the Perfect Pastry
Ice cream is the quintessential summertime treat – and the North Fork is certainly home to shops worth screaming for. But Greenport became home to a pair of new pastry shops this summer, and it’s worth the drive to indulge. Bourdon Patisserie took residence in Main Street’s Zey Hotel, with Gürsel Aydin serving as the pastry chef. Expect creative croissants like strawberry, kiwi and pistachio and glorious banana muffins. And the winter closure of D’Latte’s opened the door for guests and locals alike to give a warm welcome to Pip’s Café & Provisions, a coffee shop with mostly housemade baked goods and sweets like cookies and croissants.
Enjoy a Happier Hour Outside
Grabbing a table outside is a no-brainer when the weather is warm. But some North Fork bars and restaurants have another sweet deal on tap: Al fresco happy hours. Bistro 72’s annual Patio Series continues in August with a hip Rose Garden Party (Aug. 26) and has a pub menu every day except for Saturday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. PORT Waterfront Bar & Grill dove into the happy hour scene this year with a different kind of two-for-one special: Present a Greenport Farmers Market receipt and get BOGOs on local vinos made by Lenz Winery’s Tom Spotteck. And we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the summertime staple, Claudios has $5 beers and an all-know Captain Claudio’s Bloody Mary with a lobster claw garnish that needs to be seen to be believed.
Tune Into Live Music
Happy hours aren’t the only events buzzing this summer. Live music options run the gamut. Think indoor and outdoor performances at vineyards like Bedell Cellars or time-honored Dances in the Park on Mondays in Greenport, which make the first day back at work worth looking forward to. The Suffolk in Riverhead is also a hub for live music (and AC), including Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal of RENT fame (Aug. 18).
Hit a Farmer’s Market
The North Fork’s history is largely rooted in farmland — from the potato farms of yesteryear to today’s UPick and vineyard experiences. And roadside farmstands are a dime a dozen in these parts — and we’re not complaining. But farmer’s markets offer an opportunity to hit multiple East End farms in one spot. The aforementioned Greenport Farmers Market in Mitchell Park runs Friday afternoons from 3 to 6:30 p.m. and includes East End favorite vendors like Macari, Sparkling Pointe, Mexcox Bay Dairy Farm and Golden Acres Organics. Or, sail to Shelter Island, where the Haven Farmers Markets happens on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
…or Hang Out on a Farm
The bountiful farmer’s markets are worth your while. As are the contemporary farm experiences. Harbes and Waterdrinker are generally the life of the party, with U-Pick opportunities, festivals, food, and playgrounds that make them for all-seasons-of-life hotspots. Harbes Peach Festival takes place Aug. 10-11, and summer Fridays include pig races and musical hayrides. A farm stand with fresh produce — and a wine stand with Harbes-made vinos — is also on-site. Newer to the game (and expanding), Waterdrinker’s Manorville location has U-Pick sunflowers. It will host a honey festival on Saturday, Aug. 24. Check out the new Riverhead digs for a late-season romp when the just-opened spot hosts the Garlic Festival on Saturday, Sept. 14.
If you can’t wait for apples for a UPick fruit adventure, check out these orchards that let you choose your own peaches right off the tree.
Sweat It Out(doors)
Who says leisure time can’t be active? Kayak Shelter Island and Underground Training offer outdoor classes. You can also develop your own beach-ready workout with tips from East End trainers. Road races, like the Sound to Bay 5K, offer a chance to shut down traffic and PR while taking in stunning North Fork vistas on foot.
