Stroll through any one of our historic East End Towns.
Beat the summer crowds (and traffic!) and enjoy strolling through the historic villages across the North Fork and South Fork. During the early moments of Spring, particularly until early May, most of the restaurants and businesses are open and ready to welcome locals and visitors alike. Get a taste of the Spring and emerging summer menus at restaurants, visit the local antique and homewares shops, and visit the many historical centers and museums with the whole family. Grab your camera and get great photos while you take in our unique architecture, scenic beaches and sprawling fields. From strawberry picking to visiting local farms, exploring outdoor art, walking the lavender fields, venturing out on seal walks and cruises or cycling one of the many trails, there are plenty of activities to enjoy in both the Hamptons and on the North Fork.
Here we will give you some ideas for a day or weekend trip to the East End.
Go Strawberry Picking
Strawberry picking on the East end of Long Island is a beautiful way to spend a Spring day. Not only is it a fun and delicious outdoor activity, but it also provides an excellent opportunity for families to bond and make memories together.
Many farms offer a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, but the strawberries are particularly popular in Spring. Most are family-friendly, and visitors can wander through the fields to pick their own strawberries.
Strawberry season begins in June on the North and South Fork. To plan your trip:
Strawberry Season in the Hamptons and North Fork
Visit Our Lighthouses
The Hamptons and North Fork are home to some of the most beautiful and scenic lighthouses on Long Island.
In the Hamptons, discover Cedar Island Lighthouse and the famous Montauk Point Lighthouse, which is the oldest lighthouse in New York State. Cedar Island Lighthouse overlooks Gardiners Bay and is located in Cedar Point County Park. The park is an ideal spot for bird watching, camping, picnicking, hiking, and other outdoor recreational activities.
In the town of Southold, the Orient Point Lighthouse does not have public access. However, you are able to see it while taking the New London Ferry or you can park at the ferry parking lot in Orient Point and walk along the south shore of the point. Long Beach Bar “Bug Light” Lighthouse is also set off from Orient Point. The Horton Point Lighthouse has public access from about late May through mid September during the weekends.
A great way to see some of the lighthouses of the North Fork, including the Long Beach Bar Lighthouse, is via a tour and cruise with the East End Seaport Museum.
See Art Outdoors
LongHouse Reserve
133 Hands Creek Rd, East Hampton, NY 11937 | 631-329-3568
@longhousereserve | longhouse.org
Open April 1st – September | Off-Season visits are by appointment only
Members: Complimentary admission
Non-members: $20 for adults, $10 for seniors, $10 for guests with disabilities (free admission for caregiver)
Features:
16-acre garden and sculpture park (over 60 pieces by renowned artists worldwide)
Museum | Tours | Private Events
The reserve is a great place to relax and unwind in the Spring, surrounded by colorful blooms and the tranquil sound of water features. The garden is designed to be an immersive experience, and it’s a great opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Parrish Art Museum
279 Montauk Highway, Water Mill, NY 11976 | 631-283-2118
@parrishartmuseum | parrishart.org
Museum Grounds: Open every day | 11 AM – 5 PM
Features:
Free Parking
Museum requires entry fee
Reflextions Riverhead, Art in the Park
Milton L Burns Park (Grangebel Park), Peconic Avenue, Riverhead, NY 11901
631-494-2978
@reflextionsriverhead | Reflextionsriverhead.com
Features:
Walkable interactive art exhibit
Nighttime component during special events – Art pieces are illuminated
Live performances, Visit website for lighting event schedule.
Cruises
East End Seaport Museum Lighthouse Cruises
103 Third Street, Greenport, NY 11944 | 631-477-2100
@eastendseaportmuseum | eastendseaport.org
Bug Light Cruise & Tour
2 hours | $59 and children 4 – 12 $25
Only area lighthouse that allows visitor tours.
Cycling
Cycling on the cycling trails of The Hamptons and North Fork is an excellent way for families to spend a Spring day together. Both areas offer a variety of scenic trails that are perfect for exploring on two wheels.
3.4-mile out-and-back trail.
Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 2 min to complete.
The best times to visit are March through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.
125-mile trail that runs from Montauk Point to Rocky Point
The trail passes through several nature preserves and state parks. The entire trail isn’t accessible by mountain bike, but a significant portion of the course is.
A network of 57 miles of bicycle trails located on the East End of Long Island.
The trails are designed for cycling and include a variety of terrains, from flat and easy to more challenging hilly sections. The trails run through towns, countryside and along the coast.
Farms and Farm Grounds
Hallockville Museum Farm
6038 Sound Avenue, Riverhead, New York 11901 | 631-298-5292
@hallockvillemuseumfarm | hallockville.org
Grounds: Free Monday – Sunday, sunup to sundown
Tours: Saturdays 11a – 3p | $15 adults, $10 seniors, $10 children ages 5-12, children under 5 FREE
Features:
28 acres with 19 historic houses, barns and outbuildings ranging from the mid-18th century Hallock Homestead to the Depression-era Cichanowicz Farmhouse.
Tour the museum’s buildings, gardens and collections.
Experience real farming in the museum’s fields and meet Hallockville’s friendly cows, sheep and chickens.
Lavender By The Bay – two locations
East Marion Farm | 7540 Main Rd, East Marion, NY 11939 | 631-477-1019
Calverton Farm | 47 Manor Road, Calverton, NY 11933 | 631-381-0730
@lavenderbythebay | lavenderbythebay.com
Open April – May, Saturday/Sunday 10a – 5p | June – September, Daily 9a – 5p
*Call before visiting as hours are weather and staff dependent
Visitors can walk the fields freely when the lavender is not in bloom.
During the blooming season, tickets for 1.5 hour time slots must be purchased to enter. Stop by the gift shop to purchase freshly picked lavender flowers and gifts like lavender soaps, lotions, pillow mists, salt and honey. Lavender By The Bay also has an online shop.
Features:
English lavender blooms mid to end of June | French lavender blooms beginning of July
Gift Shop
Adirondack chairs/pavilions
Picture taking spots
Dogs allowed on leash
Restrictions:
Drone photography
Buses
Peconic River Herb Farm
2749 River Rd, Calverton, NY 11933 | 631-369-0058
@prherbfarm | peconicriverherbfarm.com
Open April 1st – October 31st, Daily 10a – 4p
Free to the public
Features:
14 acre Boutique-style plant nursery
Picnic tables/Patio areas
Eight Greenhouses
Gift Shop
Dogs allowed on leash
Special Events/Weddings/Photo Shoots
Seal Walks and Cruises
Seal walks and seal watching are fun outdoor activities during the early spring on the East End. An organization that hosts regular seal walks is CRESLI (Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island). The seal walks take place at Cupsogue Beach on Saturdays and Sundays in the morning. It is important to wear extra layers of clothing and sign up in advance as oftentimes there is a waitlist. Don’t forget to bring a camera and binoculars!
Two additional options on the East End for seal walks include with the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society on weekend cruises in Shinnecock Bay and seals are regularly sighted at Montauk Point State Park. Seals are typically seen in the early spring, with populations dwindling once the weather begins to warm up.
Wineries
The East End of Long Island is home to over 60 wineries that offer tastings, tours and outdoor seating areas. During the Spring, many wineries offer special events such as live music, food, wine pairings, and vineyard walks. This is a great way to learn about the winemaking process and the winery’s history while enjoying a fun and interactive experience.
Each winery offers a different experience, so it’s worth visiting several of them to get a sense of the diversity and quality of the wines produced on Long Island.
Many wineries are not only family friendly, but also dog friendly. Check their websites to find out. Visit liwines.com for a full guide to our wine country.
For a helpful guide to visiting: liwines.com/faq
