TRAVEL
The North Fork, Long Island Travel Guide
June 9, 2026
We’re all about making bucket lists and finding the fun. Here’s where to stay, eat, and shop in the North Fork, Long Island, according to Tuckernuck.
Oyster Hour
Grown and harvested in the Peconic, find Founders Oysters at Silver Sands, Kontokosta, or straight from the source. Grab ice, local wine, and a view of the bay for an afternoon you can’t recreate elsewhere.
Farm Finds
Visit the area’s family-owned farms for fresh fruit, produce, and beautifully cut flowers. Don’t miss North Fork Flower Farm.
Set Sail
Captains offer half-day charters out of Greenport on classic wooden boats — most notably, a 1936 Chris-Craft. Expect oysters, rosé, and whatever the tide brings. Book early!
Treasure Hunt
Head to Orient Linen Co., tucked at the very tip of the North Fork, for European bedding, Turkish towels, and striped canvas totes with a one-of-a-kind quality and aesthetic.
Lighthouse Look
Built in 1857, Horton Point is one of the area’s oldest lighthouses, with a maritime museum and tower climbs. Recommended by George Washington because of local shipwrecks, it later served as a Coast Guard air-watch station during WWII.
The North Fork Look
The North Fork leans toward understated luxury, Nancy Meyers-inspired coastal style. It’s relaxed with a heritage feel—nothing flashy or fussy.
What Is The North Fork?
A series of small villages, this 30-mile strip has the Long Island Sound to the north and Peconic Bay to the south, making it a draw for beach lovers, fishers, and boaters. Ideal for a long weekend away, come for natural light that has long captivated artists and writers, nurseries and wineries, fresh food, and lots of sandy feet and outdoor showers. With as much authenticity as history, its unpretentious, quietly remarkable vibe is exactly the point.
Getting There
From Manhattan, take the Long Island Expressway (I-495) east to Exit 73, then continue via Route 58 to Route 25. Expect the drive to take roughly 2–2.5 hours, but longer on summer Fridays. The Hampton Jitney serves Greenport directly, while the North Ferry connects Greenport to Shelter Island in just seven minutes. From there, the South Ferry links Shelter Island to North Haven near Sag Harbor, making a full east-to-west loop possible in a long weekend. Both ferries operate on a first-come, first-served basis.
From private homes to restored landmarks, choose your stay on the North Fork.
Silver Sands
A reimagined, eccentric mid-century motel that still has its original character, Greenport’s Silver Sands offers a spa, private beach, standout dining, and guided oyster tours.
North Fork Table & Inn
Set in a restored 18th-century inn, North Fork Table & Inn combines four boutique rooms with a farm-to-table restaurant, making it a staple for both locals and New Yorkers who want NYC quality with North Fork charm.
Sound View
A longtime Greenport favorite for design-conscious travelers, Sound View is home to The Halyard restaurant, a piano bar, and poolside and beachfront dining shacks.
The Paumanok Guest House
For a stay with total privacy, this 3-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom rental is located directly on the 127-acre, family-owned Paumanok Vineyards estate in Aquebogue.
The Old Mill Inn
Set in an 1820 tidal grist mill, this project earned Preservation Long Island’s 2024 Award for Excellence in Historical Preservation. Even if you’re not staying here, stop for a drink on the deck overlooking Mattituck Inlet.
The Pridwin
A genuinely gracious old Shelter Island inn with a waterfront restaurant, circular bar, and a sprawling deck overlooking Crescent Beach. Not optional: a midmorning Bloody Mary here.
Fresh catches, farm-to-table plates,
and all the oysters.
Aldo’s Coffee Company
The morning standard for locals. Get a cold brew with oat milk and a scone, then take a walk by the bay to watch the ferries go by.
Nookies
Located at Silver Sands, the waterfront chairs here are prime real estate on a Saturday morning. Come for coffee and a classic diner breakfast, or oysters, fries, and a Greenport Harbour IPA later on.
North Fork Table & Inn
The restaurant side of the beloved inn, book this upscale Southold restaurant for a fancier night out. On summer nights, find several food trucks for the whole family in the back!
The Halyard
One of the most polished restaurants on the Fork, this Greenport special occasion spot serves classics like Peconic Bay scallops and North Fork corn. Book a table on the Sound-side terrace and order the local fish.
McCall Wines
Set in a restored antique barn in Cutchogue, McCall Wines is home to one of the East Coast’s largest Pinot Noir vineyards. Go on a Thursday for Burger Night for grass-fed beef from the farm paired with estate wines. First come, first served.
Léon 1909
The most talked-about table, housed in a 1909 building and described by its owner as a love letter to Shelter Island. The burger has a loyal following, but the slow-fried chicken and striped bass are equally worth it. Don’t miss the speakeasy-inspired bar for the Smoking Jacket, a tableside, smoke-finished riff on an Old Fashioned.
Third-generation farms, roadside stands, and some of the best produce in New York.
Wickham's Fruit Farm
Eleven generations of Wickhams have worked this Cutchogue land. Go on a summer Saturday morning for peaches, sweet corn, tomatoes, and beautifully cut flowers.
Harbes Family Farm
Aptly named, this Mattituck farm is a family favorite, with kid-friendly attractions like hayride tours, farm animals, and homemade seasonal ice cream.
Sang Lee Farms
A Peconic spot for Asian greens and herbs so fresh they'll smell like the soil they left an hour ago. You will overbuy —as you should.
Crisp whites, classic reds, and enough bottles to justify more wine storage at home.
Claudio’s Waterfront
Upstairs from the famous Greenport restaurant, Claudio’s Waterfront bar keeps a tight list of North Fork bottles. Order a cold white and a dozen oysters while watching ferries chug toward Shelter Island.
Paumanok Vineyards
The Chenin Blanc here is crisp and unambiguously excellent, and the tasting room, set in a renovated barn, operates with the ease of a place that knows it’s good.
Kontokosta Winery
An architectural statement, a terrace with unbeatable views, and the only winery with a tasting room directly overlooking the Sound. Book on a no-agenda afternoon, and don’t skip the Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc.
Greenport Harbor Brewing Company
A Peconic spot with a sprawling lawn and live music on summer weekends. Order the Black Duck Porter and the Tidal Wheat. It’s the kind of atmosphere that’s at odds with any formality (in the best way).
Boating days, gallery stops, and outdoor adventures for every kind of weekend.
Kayak and Paddleboard
Rent from Peconic Water Sports and paddle calm bays between the North and South Forks, ideal for young children. Older kids can venture to Cedar Beach and nearby small islands. For a swim without crowds, go to Southold Town Beach.
Explore Nature Preserves
Shelter Island is roughly a third nature preserve, and Mashomack is not to be missed. With over 2,000 acres of oak woodland, tidal creeks, and shoreline managed by the Nature Conservancy, explore the trails with the whole family.
See Some Art
Different from the decorator-driven art market of the Hamptons, you’ll find unexpected prints in several studios and exhibitions in Southold and East Marion, by artists who have been there quietly for decades.
We hope this inspires you to book a trip,
pack your bags, and plan your itinerary!