Kayaks and Canoes are also for rent at the Peconic Paddler at the traffic circle next to Milton L. Burns Park.
Did you enjoy part one of 30 reasons to vacation in Riverhead? As mentioned before, the great thing about Riverhead is that there is something for everyone. Mom’s and daughters will enjoy having tea at Tea Time Cottage, decorating Gingerbread cookies at The Gingerbread University and shopping at the outlets. Fathers and son’s will enjoy Riverhead Raceway and the Railroad Museum of Long Island. Families that enjoy the outdoors can rent kayaks and paddle down the Peconic River or rent bikes and cycle by the riverfront. Science comes alive at the Long Island Science Center or Atlantis Aquarium and history buffs will enjoy Hallockville Farm or the Historical Society Museum. Below is the continued list with details and links to make planning your getaway to Riverhead simple and stress free.
11. Ride the mechanical bull and do a little line dancing – Cody’s BBQ offers more than just the typical barbecue fare, it host line dancing on Saturday nights and an opportunity to ride a mechanical bull. The inflatable mechanic bull is set up outside on the back deck. If you are thinking about going, check out their facebook page because events seem to be updated more than on their website. This sure is a fun night out and there is not to many places for you to get “your Cowboy on”!
The Mechanical Bull, photo credit: Cody’s BBQ
12. Shopping – If shopping is your thing, there will be no shortage of stores at the Tanger Outlets. Stores include accessory shops, children’s apparel, apparel for men and women, footwear, specialty shops and housewares and home furnishings. Make sure you check out their website for coupons and special offers. Another great place to check out is 73 Main in the historic downtown area. I am sure this new boutique will be one of many with Main Street be revitalized and the addition of the Hyatt and approaching opening of the Suffolk Theatre.
Shop at the Outlets
13. Long Island Science Center – This hands-on interactive educational museum emphasizes science, technology, engineering and math. Families will have great time exploring the exhibits like CSI and solving the crime or creating a small toy with tinker toys or building their own creation with legos. Also offered are family workshops. Admission is $5 per person.
Long Island Science Center
Time to Investigate
14. Hallockville Museum Farm – Hallockville, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, sits on 28 acres where visitors can tour their historic houses and barns from the mid-18th century. In addition to touring the museum’s buildings, gardens and collections, families will get to experience real farming in the fields and get to meet animals like cows, sheep and chickens. One of the best times to visit is the third weekend of September when they have their annual Fall Festival & Craft Fair. Make sure you check out their website for other fun events, like Geology hikes.
Hallockville Museum Farm
15. Spend the day at Reeves Beach – On the shore of the Long Island Sound, this beach is about a ten minute drive from the center of town. A gazebo sits atop a cliff overlooking the Sound and beach and there is restrooms and parking. Parking however requires a beach permit from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Day permits can be purchased for $10 at the Recreation Office at Stotzky Park.
The Long Island Sound
16. Railroad Museum of Long Island – With two locations in Riverhead and Greenport, train enthusiast will love this museum. Admission includes a ride on the World’s Fair miniature train and a guided tour of the Riverhead and Greenport site. Families will also like the model train display in the visitors center. The best way to enjoy the day though is to arrive at the Railroad Museum of Long Island (RMLI), Riverhead site, at approximately 10 AM when it opens, on any Saturday and Sunday between Memorial weekend and Columbus weekend. Visit the Riverhead site and then walk over to the LIRR Riverhead station (across the tracks) and take the Eastbound 11:25 AM train to Greenport arriving at 12:05 PM. Visit the Railroad Museum of Long Island (RMLI), Greenport site, located across the parking lot from the West end of the Greenport train platform. After visiting you now have two choices. Return to Riverhead on the 1:11 PM train leaving Greenport and arriving Riverhead at 1:50 PM. Or if you want to do additional sightseeing in Greenport Village, return to Riverhead on the 6:11 PM train leaving Greenport and arriving Riverhead at 6:50 PM. When you return on either train, pack a lunch or snack, ride on the upper level of the train, and enjoy the view as you pass through Long Island Wine Country. (The LIRR fare is extra, but family fares are low-cost.) Two annual events that you will want to keep in mind is the Riverhead Railroad Festival, always the weekend before Labor Day and the Holiday Open House with Santa, the first full weekend in December at the Greenport location. The Riverhead location is also hosting Toy Train Play Days Columbus Day weekend.
Model Train Display in Riverhead
Railroad Museum of Long Island
17. Dine at Riverfront Restaurant – The Peconic River flows just south of Main Street and there are some really great places to enjoy a meal with the family. The cuisine at Turkuaz Grill is Turkish and Mediterranean. I love the atmosphere under the trees with paper lanterns and the sigara boregi, (Turkish Cigars, which is fried thin dough rolled with feta cheese and parsley – yum). If you are in the mood for Italian, The Roadhouse has great brick oven pizza and pastas. Both Turkuaz Grill and The Roadhouse are reasonable priced and family friendly. I also love Farm Country Kitchen, which is tucked away from the road on the banks of the river. They have quite a selection of wraps and salads made with the freshest ingredients. There soups are wonderful too.
Turkuaz Grill
Enjoy pizza, pasta or wings along the river at The Roadside.
18. Give into your sweet tooth – After dining along the riverfront, make sure to save room for dessert. Across the street from The Roadhouse, you will find the best homemade ice cream at Snowflake Ice Cream Shoppe. The historic downtown area offers up great shakes at the Star Confectionery, which is 1920s “classic” “mom‑and‑pop” luncheonette. Just a couple of doors down, you will find the Baker’s Workshop. This cafe is part of the Suffolk County Community College Culinary Arts and Hospitality Center and the pastries here are spectacular.
Snowflake Ice Cream Shoppe
The Star Confectionery
19. Explore Polish Town, USA – Polish Town is a small neighborhood in Riverhead settled by Polish immigrants at the turn of the century. This is a great neighborhood to explore with kids and expose them to a different culture. The streets are lined with red street signs and polish flags, so it gives you a feel that you are no longer in Riverhead. It is here that you will start craving kielbasa and pierogisis even if you were not hungry. No worries, if that happens, because the popular Polish Town Deli or Birchwood is on the main drag, Pulaski Street. The best time to visit Polish Town USA is in August when they typically have the Polish Town Fair and Polka Festival.
Welcome to Polish Town, USA
Polish Town Fair and Polka Festival
20. Grumman Memorial Park – Families can pay tribute to the aviation and aerospace history that took place on Long Island at Grumman Memorial Park. This free attraction is now home to some of Grumman’s Long Island-built fighter planes, including one of the best known, the F-14A Tomcat, a supersonic fighter that could shoot down enemy aircraft in the middle of the day or night.
Grumman Memorial Park
Believe it or not, there is still 10 more places to highlight in this busy little town! Stay tune for the continued list in Part Three of the 30 Reasons to Vacation in Riverhead.
Main Street, Riverhead by the Community Garden
Sherri's Traveling Classroom 