Many think of North Fork, Long Island only as a summer destination. Between Jones Beach and the Hamptons, Long Island’s south shore and Fire Island touts ocean beaches you would expect on a Caribbean getaway, only miles from New York City.
However, did you know that you can still enjoy all that Long Island has to offer, even in the fall? If not, then you need to check out Long Island’s North Fork.
While the South Fork is famous for the Hamptons, the North Fork of Long Island is dominated farmland and vineyards. This brings an agrarian feel to a place that is known for summertime fun. The farmers love to take advantage of this time of year to show the world what Long Island is really about. There’s something for everyone so you can take advantage of your North Fork vacation rentals! Here are the nine best things to do on the North Fork in the fall!
Top 9 Best Things to Do in North Fork, Long Island in the Fall
Maritime Festival – Greenport, NY – Late September
The Greenport Maritime Festival is one of the biggest festivals on the North Fork – and welcomes visitors from all over the island and Connecticut to celebrate the history of boats and sailing. The festival starts with a parade down Main Street and breaks out into a weekend-long festival featuring shipbuilding demonstrations and tours of tall ships anchored in the harbor. The town welcomes local merchants to a street fair, where you can buy arts and crafts from Long Island artisans, and indulge in foods from nearby restaurants, or the food truck corral. Be sure to keep an eye out for the Greenport Harbor Brewing Company fire truck, dispensing local beers, or taste a sip from North Fork Wineries. Sunday, the last day of the festival features a breakfast for children, tended by mermaids and pirates.
Harbes Family Farm – Apple and Pumpkin Picking
Harbes’ Family Farm is one of the biggest farms on the North Fork and has been a family destination for generations. The farms, which are all along Sound Avenue, feature a pumpkin patch, apple orchard, farm stand and winery. Spend a day filling a basket of fresh apples, and finish with cider donuts and rosé! Better yet, pick up some farm fresh produce to cook, or grab a pumpkin to carve once you get home!. Harbes has all of your fall needs.
Cooperage Inn Fall Festival – Baiting Hollow, NY
Weekends throughout the Fall, the Cooperage Inn is your location for Autumn libations. Enjoy cozy outdoor seating in their Biergarten. They serve the flavors of fall like barbecue chicken or Oktoberfest favorites – like bratwurst with sauerkraut!. Eat like the locals and pick up an ear of roasted corn. It’s fresh picked and grilled in the husk to keep the natural sweetness. Eat it straight out of the husk with a fall beer, and you’ll be just like a North Forker! Need a place to stay nearby? Book a Wading River vacation rental right on the beach.
First Fridays on Love Lane – Mattituck, NY
On the First Friday of every month, Love Lane in Mattituck is the place to be. The town closes down this main road for a street fair. There are vendors, food trucks and attractions. Restaurants like the Love Lane Kitchen stay open late. They will be offering tastings and small bites until 9 PM. This is a great way to start your weekend getaway!
Mattituck vacation rentals.
Oktoberfest
The North Fork is home to over 5 breweries. They all have their take on hearty fall brews. Why not enjoy a brewery crawl! Starting in Riverhead with the Riverhead Ciderhouse, Moustache Brewing Company, Crooked Ladder and Long Ireland Beer Company. Then, you’ll need to head east. You’ll cross Jamesport Brewing Company, and end with a true Oktoberfest treat at Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. Don’t forget the German snacks, like pretzels with spicy mustard or beer-cheese sauce.
East End Bike Tours
Experience Long Island country on two wheels! East End Bike tours offer a wide variety of tours for whatever first your fancy, from the True North Fork experience to a Winery tour that includes tastings and exclusive access to trails that cut through rows of grape vines. While the tours start in the summer, there’s nothing like biking through the North Fork in the fall. Ride through the vineyards and past the sprawling farms that give the North Fork it’s amazing feel. Recharge after your ride with a few sips, and bring home some North Fork flavors after a stop at a local farm stand!
Fresh Pies at Briermere Farms – Riverhead, NY
Briermere farms is a hidden North Fork gem famous for its pies and fresh jams. If you’re visiting in November, be prepared for a line, but we promise the wait is worth it. The farms offer 32 different varieties of pies, and are a staple on every local table from Thanksgiving to Christmas! The pies freeze well, so you can share your Long Island vacation with your family when you return home!
Live music
Sound Avenue on the North Fork is alive with live music every weekend year round! Stumble into any tasting room and you will find a cozy place to rest your feet after a long weekend shopping and tasting. Check out Thursdays at the Riverhead Ciderhouse, where you can enjoy their weekly Dueling Pianos. The evening is packed with great music, lead by Henry Haid – the “piano man” in Billy Joel’s Broadway show, Movin’ Out!
Baiting Hollow Farm Vineyard – Baiting Hollow
Baiting Hollow is a remote Vineyard that has the unique characteristic that it’s not just a winery, but also a horse sanctuary! The horses that Baiting Hollow rescues are former racehorses from illustrious lineages, descending from champions like Secretariat. Cozy up by the fire with a glass of their Mirage Cabernet Sauvignon, and then go meet Mirage herself during the tour of the stables!
With so many options, it’s clear that there’s never a dull moment on the North Fork. So what are you waiting for? Make sure you book your North Fork vacation rental fast! You don’t want to miss out on the real Long Island!
Do you need more inspiration for a Long Island vacation, click here. Check out our guide and learn more about things to do on Long Island.
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