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Greenport Harbor Brewing Co.’s first Chili Cook-off (Photo credit: Katharine Schroeder)

Forget March coming in like a lion — January came in like Elsa from Frozen. But unlike the Disney queen/heroine/spirit voiced by Long Island-raised and Broadway icon Idina Menzel, there’s no reason to erect an isolated ice palace. Let go of those hibernation goals.

Throughout the North Fork, wineries and coffee shops are turning up the heat with mulled spiced wine and hot cocoa that hits. Inns offer ways to escape the cold and your house for a winter staycation. There’s also live music and other entertainment that beats another Netflix binge. Bust the winter blues with your favorite ideas from our cold-weather North Fork bucket list for 2025.

Have a Hot One

North Fork Roasting Company (55795 Main Road, Southold) roasts its coffee beans in-house, making the Southold spot a favorite of java aficionados for almost a decade. Hot coffee can provide warmth and a jolt — perhaps even more needed on darker, colder mornings. But don’t take a long winter’s nap on the hot cocoa. The rich, melted chocolate seamlessly blends with steamed milk for a quintessential winter beverage. 

North Fork Roasting Co. (Photo from Times Review Media Archive)

For something a bit less wholesome, head to Osprey’s Dominion (44075 Main Road, Peconic) in Peconic. While any red wine choice can figuratively warm the body, the mulled spice wine literally does. It’s made using mostly Merlot (29%), and sipping and savoring it is a multi-sensory experience. You’ll sniff and sample notes of cold-weather-favorite spices, nutmeg and cinnamon.

Have a Cold (or Room Temperature) One

Hot beverages become the default on blustery days — and we’ve had our share of those through the first couple of weeks of 2025. However, defaulting to a hot beverage is unnecessary, especially if the indoor temperature is cozy because the warm staff turned up the heat.

Such is the case at Greenport Harbor Brewing Company (42155 Main Road, Peconic), where the Black Duck Porter has notes of (adult) cocoa. The annual Chili Cook-Off on Feb. 2 offers a hall pass for even the most committed hibernators. Further west in Riverhead, North Fork Brewing Company’s (24 East 2nd Street Suite A) long evenings is another dark beer with notes of chocolate — it’s available on tap and to-go.

North Fork Brewing Co. (Photo credit: Nicholas Grasso)

Wine-sippers can also find cool things to do and drinks to sip. For instance, Corey Creek Tap Room (45470 Main Road, Southold) offers what can best be described as a much-needed extended happy hour. Talk about the notes you taste in your vino while listening to life acts during Friday Night Flights every week from 4 to 8 p.m.

Walk in a Winter Wonderland

Intentionally going outside on cold days may be low on your to-do list. But fresh air might do you some good — especially if the route is scenic. Sail to Shelter Island, where Mashomack Preserve’s 2,039 acres of icy creeks, coastline and frost-covered forests and fields offer seasonal serenity. More accessible to most East End residents and up-islanders, Hallock State Park Preserve in Riverhead boasts waterside and ethereal woodland views. Dog-friendly Laurel Lake Preserve boasts 14 miles of hiking trails sure to cure Fido’s zoomies. For more winter walk ideas, check out this piece from Tara Smith.

Get Away — Without Leaving the North Fork

Leave home but not town with a North Fork staycation. While the Hamptons (rightfully) is celebrated for its idyllic inns, especially in the summer, discerning Long Islanders know better than to sleep on the North Fork’s B&B and inn scene. Sannino Vineyard (15975 County Road 48, Cutchogue) has an on-site B&B that lets guests sleep where they sip. Feel as if you’ve escaped to Tuscany in a villa or suite with textured walls and large windows allowing natural light to pour through generously. A hot breakfast, vineyard vistas and complimentary tasting and cheese platter for two is included.  Speaking of vistas, Bay Breeze Inn (46 Front St., South Jamesport) in South Jamesport has waterfront ones in spades.

Ram’s Head Inn on Shelter Island. (Photo credit: Doug Young)

On Shelter Island, Ram’s Head Inn (108 S Ram Island Dr., Shelter Island Heights) has numerous winter deals (including a Dog-entine’s Day deal that includes a bottle of bubbly — for humans), and seaside The Chequit (23 Grand Ave., Shelter Island Heights) is a cozy respite.

Eat Up

Finding a table at a North Fork-favorite restaurant is easier when seemingly the rest of the world is too cold to leave home. But the heartier fare and — when applicable — fireplaces make a night out a worthwhile adventure. Cooperage Inn’s (2218 Sound Ave., Baiting Hollow) pot pie and fireplace will warm every bone in your body and soul, too. Bistro 72 (1830 W Main St., Riverhead) in Hotel Indigo has wings and mac and cheese that scream “game day” and a three-cheese grilled cheese that screams “every day.” 

Find Entertainment

Not entertained by the latest Netflix “must-binge” watch? Laugh out Loud at The Suffolk (118 E Main St., Riverhead) during Long Island Comedy Fest. Slated for Feb. 24 at 8 p.m., the night includes funny folks like Paul Anthony, Rich Walker and Kendra Cunningham. The retro-style theater and Riverhead Main Street jewel has a jammed winter calendar with cover bands and a family film series with showings of The Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind on Jan 26. Winterfest returns to Southold on Feb. 17 with live music, DJs, jugglers and ice sculpting among the draws. For a quieter jam session, head to Suhru and Lieb (13050 Oregon Road, Cutchogue) for Friday Night Music weekly from 5-7 p.m. through March.

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