North Fork, Hamptons, Shelter Island, more: Things to do on the East End this fall
The Brew Crew Cycle brewery tour company employs a 14-seat bicycles powered by its passengers as it stops by several breweries and pubs in downtown Riverhead. Credit: Brew Crew Cycles
If you're looking for a local getaway this fall, explore the East End for the day or spend the night. Visit a farm on the North Fork to see animals and ride pedal bikes or spend the weekend in Shelter Island; there is plenty of fun to be had on Long Island this season.
‘Sunday Fundays’ with Brew Crew Cycle
For a different way to explore the growing local brewery and pub scene in downtown Riverhead, try this pedal-powered tour where groups ride a 14-person bike between locations. Come Halloween weekend, riders can wear costumes and take part in trick-or-treating on Oct. 30-31. Reservations for groups of eight to 14 people can book Saturdays starting at $450 and Sundays $405.
INFO 205 B Marcy Ave., Riverhead; 631-722-1516, brewcrewcycles.com.
Mazes, more at Harbes Orchard, Jamesport
These are some of the creepy characters one might encounter while trying to make their way through the Spooky Night Maze located at Harbes Orchard in Riverhead. Credit: T. Mulrain
Harbes Orchard's Spooky Night Maze (5698 Sound Ave., Riverhead; 631-683-8388) transforms into a creepier labyrinth each Saturday evening in October, with eerie characters featured on the trail. For another fresh fall opportunity nearby, Harbes Farms Jamesport (1223 Main Rd.; 631-494-4796) has had a bountiful Honeycrisp apple crop, and those who head there can also try the Robin Hood Trivia Challenge Corn Maze, which includes a trivia game and a Robin Hood story that can be accessed via an app. Guests can also go pumpkin picking, enjoy a hayride and turkey legs and pumpkin doughnuts will be for sale.
INFO Prices vary; harbesfamilyfarm.com
Pumpkin and Craft Brew weekends at Garden of Eve
Gear up for family fun at Garden of Eve in Riverhead. Credit: Randee Daddona
Garden of Eve will have festive weekend gatherings through Halloween that includes family-friendly fun like unlimited hay rides, a hay tower, pedal karts and farm animals to see. It also has an adults-only beer garden, where guests over 21 years of age can try craft beer and purchase local wines by the bottle. Admission is $9.95 (kids under two are in free). Tickets are available in advance via the farm’s website.
INFO 4558 Sound Ave., Riverhead; 631-722-8777; gardenofevefarm.com
‘Haunted Tree House’ at the Long Island Aquarium
The Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead. Credit: Morgan Campbell
The facilities "Eye Opener," a treehouse-inspired experience with ropes, slides, netting and obstacles for children to climb, will be decorated for Halloween. The Haunted Tree House will be $20 per child when reserved online; $25 at the door (in addition to general admission), with one parent free per child. The aquarium ice cream shop will be open and serving fall-themed sweet treats for purchase. Other events happening this season are The "Bats, Barnacles and Broomsticks" kids Halloween party will occur on Oct. 23, with children age 12 and younger in costumes getting 50-percent off admission (one child per paying adult), and then the adults-only "Masquerade Ball" on Oct. 30. General admission is $39.99 for adults 13-61; $29.99 for seniors 62 and older; $27.99 for kids ages 3-12.
INFO 431 East Main St., Riverhead; 631-208-9200, longislandaquarium.com.
‘Sunset Saturdays’ at the Wölffer Estate Wine Stand
The scene at the Wind Stand at Wölffer Estate Vineyard in Sagaponack. Credit: Wölffer Estate Vineyard
This al fresco space that offers both sunset and vineyard views will also be hosting live music on Oct. 16 and 23. Open to walk-ins only, each session will be on a first-come, first-serve basis (capacity will be limited). Both wine and ciders will be available to buy by the bottle or glass, a bar menu will have food options and guests may bring blankets to sit on the lawn should the available lounge seating be filled. Unvaccinated guests must wear masks except when seated.
INFO 139 Sagg Rd., Sagaponack; 631-537-5106, wolffer.com
Comedy and live music at Jamesport Farm Brewery
People take in an evening of comedy and craft beer at Jamesport Farm Brewery in Riverhead. Credit: Mike Tillman
Notable for growing the hops used to brew its craft suds, the brewery is also hosting several events this fall. The Brewery Comedy Tour, will showcase comedians on Nov. 3 and Dec. 1 (tickets available in advance for $11 at eventbrite.com). Musicians will also be performing in the beer garden on several occasions throughout October and November ($5 admission fee), and come Oct. 29, the brewery will be showing the classic "Rocky Horror Picture Show" film outside and attendees are encouraged to dress in costume for the occasion ($15; tickets available in advance or at the door).
INFO 5873 Sound Ave., Riverhead; 844-532-2337, jfbrewery.com
‘Welcome Days,’ LI artists at the Parrish Art Museum
The Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill. Credit: Randee Daddona
Stop by the museum on Oct. 17 and 23, when tours, classes, exhibitions are all free as part of the museum's "Welcome Days." Next month will feature a trio of exhibitions opening on Nov. 7, by artists who come from eastern Suffolk County: Sag Harbor-based John Torreano, Virginia Jaramillo of Hampton Bays and Patchogue resident Peter Campus.
INFO 279 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill; 631-283-2118, parrishart.org
Spend the afternoon at The Silo at Bakewicz Farms
The Silo, an outdoor bar built from a former corn silo, is one of the main features found at Bakewicz Farms in Wading River. Credit: Anna Montauredes
This farm features a former corn silo turned into an outdoor bar, where locally-sourced brews and ciders are poured for purchase. There’s also a good chance you’ll spot tons of rescue animals roaming the farm, like a potbelly pig, a pony, cows, horses, an alpaca (named "Chris"), goats, cats, dogs, chickens and a duck. There’s also a maze and playground, and for $12 guests get two maze runs plus unlimited hayrides and playground time. There is live music each Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and on Sundays there’s also ax throwing ($5 for five throws or $20 for unlimited throws). Guests can also shop their farm stand or buy food at the snack shack.
INFO 291 Rt. 25A, Wading River; 631-849-1120
'Preview at The Chequit'
The Chequit on Shelter Island. Credit: Newsday/Gordon M. Grant
The "Preview" at The Chequit opened mid-September and the restaurant is serving American food and every wine on the menu is native to Long Island. The space is primed for evening drinks during the week (Thursdays, Fridays and Mondays) and then an all-day menu Saturdays and Sundays.
INFO 23 Grand Ave., Shelter Island Heights; 631-749-0018, thechequithotel.com
Memory Motel now open all year
The courtyard of Memory Motel in Montauk. Credit: Ian J. Stark
The Memory Motel has been a summer standard for years, and its warm-weather success has led the spot to be open all year. Open Thursdays through Sundays, DJs will spin Friday and Saturday nights, and a pool table has been added for the offseason months. Holidays will also see special events, such as a 1950s-60s themed party "Sophisticated Gentlemen" party over Columbus Day weekend and a Halloween party.
INFO 692 Montauk Hwy., Montauk; 631-668-2702, @thememorymotel
