I love living on Long Island especially in the summertime. This island is paradise. There is so much to explore without having to break the bank.
I spend most of my time on Fire Island, but I day trip out east a lot. I’m in love with the North Fork; the open green fields, farm stands, getting lost in wine country. It’s heaven. I wanted to share some of my favorite things to do with you guys so that you can enjoy as well.
This trip was extremely inexpensive. The great part of the North Fork is that the scenery is the main attraction so you don’t have to spend a ton of money to have a perfect day. Just grab a couple of friends, take a drive, and have an amazing day.
Costs:
Pizza: $17
Wine: $10
Ice cream: $4
Gas: $25
Total expenses: $56
First Stop: Pizza Rita.
One bite everybody knows the rules. I heard about this place from Hometown Flower Co. Originally a pizza truck, they opened their first storefront this year in Mattituck. You can’t order by slice, so we had the Pesto pie which was delicious. It was about $17 for the two of us. You can easily split one and be fully satisfied. It reminded me of the Dough Bros pizza that I was raving about in my Ireland Itinerary. You can take the pies to go and make a little picnic somewhere on the North Fork. You can also rent the Pizza truck for private parties, weddings, events.
Check out their Instagram to drool or stop in 55 Middle Road Mattituck NY 11952
Second Stop: Sannino Vineyards.
I found this place on accident with my mom around Memorial Day and fell in love. It’s a quiet, small vineyard. I don’t like the crowds that big vineyards bring. I like feeling the peace of the North Fork without all of the traffic so this vineyard is perfect for me. It makes more sense to buy a bottle than it does to buy it by the glass. But the wine is delicious and the staff is incredible.
They also have a Bed and Breakfast and a Vine to Wine tour. You can learn about winemaking techniques, visit the cellar, have a tasting and cheese platter for $50 per person. Dogs are allowed but outside food is not.
Check out their Instagram or visit 1375 Peconic Ln, Peconic, NY 11958
**If you want to see the sunflowers right now, you should to go Pindar Vineyard, but prime time for sunflower fields is still couple weeks away. There is a huge field in Mattituck that I usually go to every August. Unfortunately, I’m not exactly sure where it is, I just drive around until I find it.**
Pitstop: Roasted Corn. The corn is in season and that’s my favorite roadside snack. It will be everywhere when you’re on Sound Avenue so you don’t have to look for anywhere specific. The photo below is from a couple of years back on Sound Avenue.
Third Stop: Lavender by the Bay. 
They are open daily 9-5pm in East Marion.There is a $7 entry fee on weekday $9 weekend. We got there a bit too late, but I called in advance and they said we can look from the fence. So I didn’t have a chance to go frolicking through the fields, but it’s so beautiful just to look at that you don’t really need to go inside, plus theres no crowds when it’s closed. It’s worth seeing right now that it’s in full bloom just make sure you get there before 5pm if you want to go into the fields and buy lavender
Check our their Instagram or visit 7540 Main Road East Marion, NY 11939
Fourth Stop: Swimming at Sunset in Southhold.
I alway have a bathing suit with me just incase. This is the best spot to watch the sunset on the Northfork. The main section is open to the public so make sure you park where you won’t be ticketed (the police will ticket you if you’re parked where you need a permit). It’s a North Shore beach, so it’s rocky and slippery walking to the water, but it’s so gorgeous to swim while the sun is setting. Something I always wanted to do in Fire Island, but never have because I don’t like swimming in the bay. Highly recommend.
Fifth Stop: Magic Fountain Ice Cream.
I have never and would never go to the North Fork without stopping for ice cream at Magic Fountain. It’s homemade and the line is always out the door with crowds of people sitting on the benches enjoying their ice cream on a summer night. They have an insane amount of flavors; some I have never even heard of before. My family is ice cream junkies and this my second favorite ice cream spot on the island. First is Old Fashion Ice Cream on Straight Path in West Babylon.
9825 Main Road Mattituck Open daily 11-10pm
If you’re from here, you’re lucky enough not to have to pay the cost of inflated hotels and Airbnbs for summer rentals. However, if you’re on a budget and wanted to have a little staycation on Long Island on the east end North Fork, you can always go camping in Greenport at the Eastern L.I Kampgrounds
If you’re camping in a tent it’s $50 a day. If you’re camping for the whole week its $300. Compare that to a hotel which is will equal that for a night. Or you can be like me and day trip.
Hope you gets enjoy your own day trip. Let me know if you head out there.
XOXO,
CK
