A Summer Day Trip Guide to Greenport
A North Fork Hideaway — explore the charming, underrated village of Greenport with this summer day trip guide!
When you think about driving out to the very ends of Long Island, you might immediately think about the Hamptons and the Montauk lighthouse. After all, these are some of the more popular places to visit, especially in the summer months. If you’re looking to change it up a little though, I strongly suggest skipping Montauk and drive up through Long Island’s North Fork instead. Greenport is a historic village in the North Fork which for me, is very underrated. The town itself is a hidden gem, and there are lots of things to keep you occupied for on a day (or weekend). Here’s my summer day trip guide to Greenport.
Getting There:
Depending on the time you leave from NYC, the drive to Greenport can take anywhere between 2 to 2.5 hours. I know, it is a long drive, but you’ll it is a scenic one. You’ll also drive past many farm stands along the way. So break up your drive by stopping at some of the farms to taste some fresh baked goods (farm goods are so yummy!).
Don’t worry if you don’t have a car or can’t rent one. Greenport is also accessible by the LIRR (it’s just under 100 miles from Penn Station in Manhattan). http://lirr42.mta.info/stationInfo.php?id=82
Where To Stay:
I’ve never actually stayed overnight in Greenport, though I would like to in order to enjoy the town more and spend more time along the water. Accomodation here can be very pricey, especially in the summer months, so make sure to book months in advance. When I looked up prices just to check it out, the cheapest price I found per night was more than $150. Either everything was already booked, or cost at least $200 per night. Perhaps look into staying at towns just outside of Greenport if you don’t want to spend much. Still, don’t expect anything super cheap.
If price is not a factor, these are some of Greenport’s popular stays to check out:
Stirling House B&B Greenport, Townsend Manor Inn, American Beech Hotel, Shorecrest Bed & Breakfast, Sound View Motel (I drive by this property every time on the way to the center of Greenport, and it’s right along the water .. like literally you step out of your room and the beach is behind you!)
To Do:
This section is my favorite. There are so many cute gems in Greenport!
Keep in mind that even if you can’t stay overnight in the town, you won’t miss out if you’re just there for the day. Most of these places are right next to each other, or just a short drive away. You can probably get through everything in this guide in a day if you don’t mind a busy day.
Greenport is located within Long Island wine country, so expect to drive past countless numbers of wineries and vineyards along the way. Wine tastings and winery tours are popular in the summer months here in the North Fork. Greenport is home to Kontokosta Winery, one of the more popular wineries there. Bonus: you can enjoy your wine with a beautiful view of the water. Also just under 10 minutes away is another popular winery in Southold: One Woman Wines & Vineyards.
Along Main St: This street in the “downtown” area of Greenport is lined with lots of little shops and places to eat. Even if all you do is walk around and take a look at the structures of the homes/shops, you can feel the charm of the historic village.
Specialtea House
Remember those tea parties you would have as a little kid? Well, who says that had to stop? You can now have your own adult tea parties at this cute little tea room in Greenport. There is beautiful garden seating in the back, and they have a hammock for you to relax in on a beautiful summer day. Speaking of relaxing, the tea room is part of Special Effects Salon & Spa, so you can enjoy a complete day of pampering here!
Afternoon tea ranges from $20 to $30 per person. You can also order individual finger foods from the a la carte menu. I would suggest to just do the $30 afternoon tea. Instead of doing one per person, share for just a $5 surcharge. The tea and light bites are enough for two people. The snacks are very yummy though, so I won’t blame you for wanting everything to yourself!
Brix & Rye
If you’re in Greenport later in the afternoon, check out Brix & Rye — a place with a speakeasy vibe where you can experience the nightlife in this small town. Though it is listed as a cocktail bar, you can find a few other things on the menu, like pizza, salads and pasta.
If you’re into antique and vintage finds, check out Beall and Bell and The Times Vintage just a few doors down!
Greenport is also home to many art galleries, and there just happens to be one here on Main St as well. Though it is currently closed due to the pandemic, add Gallery M to your list for the future. You’ll find lots of beautiful contemporary pieces here. For a complete lists of other galleries and museums in Greenport, visit the link at the end of this post!
Lavender By The Bay
Lavender by the Bay is actually in East Marion, which is just east of Greenport. Don’t worry though, it’s just about 6 minutes of a drive. It practically feels like you didn’t leave the village! As you probably guessed from the name, this lavender farm brings Provence to you! The farm is open for lavender viewing in July, but even after peak bloom, it remains open for shopping. You can purchase lavender infused products, like soaps and oils.
67 Steps Beach
I’ve been to many beaches, but this has to be one of my favorites because of how secluded it is. It’s just down the road from the Specialtea House, just about five minutes away. Parking is very easy, you can kind of just leave your car parked anywhere. I will note though, that even though lots of people visit, there is a sign stating that is open to residents only. However, I didn’t see anyone enforcing the entrance rules. Lots of people were there that did not live in the area. It could just be temporary because of the current pandemic. Just be mindful though that you could be asked for proof of residency.
This beach gets its name from the staircase leading down to the beach. Whether you go down the steps into the sand or just look on from above, the view here is beautiful and relaxing. This is also a good spot for fishing!
It doesn’t show up on all maps as “67 Steps Beach,” so you can enter this address in your GPS if you have trouble finding it — 66 Sound Rd. Greenport, NY.
Now, of course a summer day trip guide to Greenport wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the seafood options, after all, being so close to the water, if you’re going to have seafood, it would be here! If you keep going down Main St towards Front St, you’ll eventually get to the waterfront. Here you’ll find lots of the popular spots, like Claudio’s Waterfront, Crabby Jerry’s, and the Frisky Oyster. Even if you’re not into seafood, Front Street is lined with tons of other food places! Keep in mind again, because of the area, many of these places will be a bit pricey. You’re basically paying for the view you’re getting. If you do want a cheaper option, check out Rinconcito Hispano. This is a small Salvadorian restaurant, but the food is inexpensive yet very good — plus it adds some variety to all the seafood places in the area.
If you’re in Greenport for longer than just a day, check out this link from LongIsland.com, where you can find more things to do during a longer stay in the area! https://www.longisland.com/guide-to-greenport.html
Can’t make it to Greenport this year, make sure to save this summer day trip guide to Pinterest for next year!
