{"id":29130,"date":"2012-05-29T11:50:48","date_gmt":"2012-05-29T15:50:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=29130"},"modified":"2020-12-19T01:45:43","modified_gmt":"2020-12-19T05:45:43","slug":"north-fork-activities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/29130\/north-fork-activities\/","title":{"rendered":"Breezy Summer Escape: Best North Fork Activities"},"content":{"rendered":"

Less than three hours outside Manhattan lies one of those rare destinations with that special je ne sais quoi<\/em>. Things just \u201chappen\u201d in the North Fork. Once, a passing driver rescued my walking party and delivered us to her favorite vineyard, where the owner proceeded to lend us his own bikes for the day. And on my most recent trip, a coffee stop became a whole evening of, well, magic.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s how to create a little magic of your own on a getaway to Long Island\u2019s North Fork.<\/p>\n

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The Blue Inn\u2019s<\/strong> 29 guest rooms vary in decor, but all have a breezy feel, with charming details like exposed ceiling beams or dark wood furnishings against sunny yellow walls. Outside, rows of trees line a large sunken pool, and bright flowers, lovingly maintained by the inn\u2019s friendly manager, Barbara, peek out of the garden.<\/p>\n

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Book the special midweek package<\/strong>, which includes one free bike rental per couple from Dan’s Bike Rentals, one free tasting per couple at nearby Old Field Vineyard<\/a>, a 20% discount for a round of golf at next door Island End Golf and Country Club<\/a>, continental breakfast and a free drink plus a free entr\u00e9e at the Blue Inn restaurant. When you book two nights ($225\/night), you get the third night free. Valid Sun-Thurs. (Weekend guests can enjoy all of these package perks, minus the third night free.)<\/p>\n

Go for a ride<\/strong>
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Upon Dan\u2019s advice, I bypassed popular Orient Beach State Park and veered left to into Orient Point County Park<\/strong>. I bumped along out to the water, where I found myself alone at the edge of the earth (or New York, anyway). To one side, a wood-shingled mansion sat on a bluff and to the other was the cartoon-cute Orient Point (\u201cCoffee Pot\u201d) Lighthouse. Butterflies fluttered in the grass, and the crisp quiet was punctuated only by lapping water and the occasional songbird.<\/p>\n

Hit the town<\/strong>
\nBack in the picturesque town of Greenport<\/strong>, I went boutiquing, stopping to sample at new-kid-on-the-block Vines and Branches<\/strong> (411 Main St.), a gourmand heaven filled with everything from \u201cbutter olive oil\u201d to all sorts of infused oils and vinegars, plus a lovely selection of specialty foods and a sweet cafe with outdoor tables.<\/p>\n

Next it was time for a refresher at the Greenport Harbor Brewing Company<\/strong> (234 Carpenter St.). At the cool tasting room, set in a former firehouse (next door to a minuscule, historic brick jail), you can sample a variety of brews, all for the cost of a glass ($8). While you\u2019re there, pick up some hearty, delicious bread made by \u201cbrewery baker LeeAnn Romanelli using the brewery\u2019s spent grain ($5 a loaf).<\/p>\n

Make a little magic<\/strong>
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Frank, the joint\u2019s amiable proprietor, welcomed me to hang around as he took up his guitar near the window. And the next thing I knew, I was touring D\u2019Latte\u2019s backroom lounge-cum-historic-treasure-trove with Venecia. Her own family history dating back to the town\u2019s early days, she identified faces in the yellowing photos on the wall before shyly pointing out her ancestor\u2019s signature on a gorgeous framed copy of the Declaration of Independence.<\/p>\n

The rest of the evening passed as a series of vignettes, pastel in color and blurred around the edges: crisp whites from One Woman Wines<\/strong> (the nearby winery run by Frank\u2019s ex-wife), homemade salami, the couple looking for coffee (who stayed for dinner), lively conversation (Venecia as the \u201cPepsi Girl\u201d in the \u201850s, live music jams at the bar, North Fork history…), a beautiful dinner \u201cthrown together\u201d in the style of any good Italian graced with unexpected guests..<\/p>\n

It was a lucky evening, to be sure, but pedaling back to the Blue Inn in the glow of dusk and a \u201cdid that just happen?\u201d daze, I determined that such things are not uncommon in these parts.<\/p>\n

How to get there:<\/strong> Take the Hampton Jitney and get off at the Greenport stop, just a five-minute walk from The Blue Inn. Or take the LIRR<\/a> to Greenport Station. For those bringing their own bikes on board, make sure you follow instructions<\/a> first.<\/p>\n

For more North Fork activities by bike, read oM’s North Fork Vineyard Guide<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n