Sigh… the smell of ripe apples, the crackling of fire pits, the warmth of cozy sweaters – it’s time to go falling around on the North Fork! And fall on the North Fork is so much more than pumpkins, sunflowers and farm stands. Here are our picks for “other” fall fun at some of our favorite spots:
Let’s start with some apple picking, which will be at its peak these weekends, and a wonderful, relaxing way to spend a crisp, fall afternoon. For a fun family experience, head to Harbes Orchard at 5698 Sound Avenue in Riverhead where there’s apple picking as well as a corn maze, a pumpkin patch, tractor rides and live music every weekend. Open Fridays through Mondays, 9 am to 6 pm. For more admission pricing and information, visit harbesfamilyfarm.com. For an authentic apple-picking experience, head to the historic Wickham’s Fruit Farm on the Main Road in Cutchogue, or Woodside Orchards off Manor Road in Jamesport or the Main Road in Aquebogue. Breeze Hill Farm also offers u-pick apples at their orchards on Route 48 in Peconic.
Vineyards, vineyards, vineyards. So much to see, so many glasses to drink! There are more than 60 vineyards dotting the North Fork landscape, each catering to different clientele and tastes. For a quiet, bucolic afternoon, head to McCall Wines at 22600 Main Road in Cutchogue (mccallwines.com), Mattebella Vineyards on the Main Road in Southold (mattebella.com) or Lieb Cellars at 13050 Oregon Rd, Cutchogue (liebcellars.com). For pairing a local vintage with a fabulous view of the Long Island Sound, visit Kontokosta Winery at 825 North Road in Greenport (kontokostawinery.com). Please note that these wineries require advance reservations. For no reservations required, live music winery good times, make your way to Palmer Vineyards on Sound Avenue in Riverhead, Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard in Baiting Hollow, Osprey’s Dominion and Pindar Vineyards on the Main Road in Peconic.
Not interested in wine? There are myriad other options for adult beverages. If hooch is your thing, Twin Stills Moonshine Distillery has a tasting room at 5506 Sound Avenue in Riverhead featuring its bespoke o’Oldtymer Brand. Greenport’s Matchbook Distilling (230 Corwin Street) offers such bespoke libations as corn vodka, gin, bourbon and smoked pineapple spirits. LiV Vodka on Sound Avenue in Baiting Hollow is one of the first craft distilleries in the country and features its award-winning LiV Original Vodka made from Long Island potatoes. And for beer fans, the North Fork does not disappoint, from the Greenport Harbor Brewery on the Main Road in Peconic as well as on Carpenter Street in Greenport Village. Go “farm to pint” at the Jamesport Farm Brewery, 5873 Sound Avenue, Riverhead. Feel like a brewery hop? Downtown Riverhead is home to Long Ireland Beer Company (817 Pulaski Street), übergeek Brewing Company (400 Hallett Avenue), Twin Fork Beer Co. (807 Raynor Avenue), and Tradewinds Brewing (70 West Main Street). Can’t decide between a brewery and a distillery? Then you’re in luck: North Fork Brewing Company and Montauk Distilling Co. share the old fire department building on Second Street.
Let’s pack a picnic for an afternoon at the beach – or for a gathering around the backyard firepit. Check in with Paige, the proprietor of The French Picnic on Griffing Street in Cutchogue for a perfectly packed and curated picnic basket of cheese, charcuterie and wine.
It’s never ever too soon to get in the Christmas spirit here on the North Fork – why not get a jump on your holiday gifting? Santa’s Christmas Tree Farm & Gift Shop at 30105 Main Road, Cutchogue is open daily, counting down the days to Santa’s arrival! Choose from winter holiday selections, as well as local crafts and fall holiday offerings. If you’re into white (white plates, textiles, reclaimed furniture and other crafts), then you’ll be delighted by the curated collection at White Flower Farmhouse, 53995 Main Road, Southold and its flower-filled sister store across the street, White Flower (53850 Main Road).
If antiquing, thrifting and reclaimed items are more your style, let’s begin our shopping foray with a visit to Small Holdings Farm at 965 Main Road in Aquebogue for chic decor, modern country and farmhouse industrial inspo for your home. Heading east along the Main Road, a quick stop at the iconic Jamesport Country Store may be in order for a few NoFo gifty items. Visit local fave In the Attic Too at its new location with Nicolette’s for the Home in Southold (53245 Main Road). For reclaimed architectural items – as well as a great cup of coffee from North Fork Moto paired with motorcycle-themed apparel and gifts – stop at Lumber & Salt at 5570 Sound Avenue in Jamesport. And while we’re at it, let’s talk a bit more about coffee. The eponymous Aldo’s Coffee Company (103 Front Street, Greenport) recently changed hands after 36 years. Another great cup can be had at NOFOROCO – North Fork Roasting Company, nestled in an historic house right on Main Road in Southold. Looking for a great view with your coffee? Try the java at Minnow at the Galley Ho while looking out over the Peconic Bay (650 1st Street, New Suffolk).
And even though the North Fork is so much more than the sum of its pumpkin patches, it’s hard not to announce the latest arrival to NoFo pumpkining:..the famed Waterdrinker farm establishment has opened a North Fork outpost on Sound Avenue at the junction of Northville Turnpike (4650 Sound Avenue, Riverhead). Acres and acres of family fun, including sunflower fields, barnyard animals, miniature golf, tractor pedal cars and a wooden playland. Take the perfect family holiday photo in any number of designated places – take selfies, family sunflower photos and even dog photos! There’s also a jumbo jump pad and a bouncy “bull riding” pen for the littlest of cowboys! Check the website for hours, admission prices and different weekend activities at waterdrinker.com/northfork.
