Saturday night my friend Nancy and I headed down to Port Jefferson. The summer is not complete until you spend some time in Port Jefferson especially if you're from the north shore of Suffolk County. The waterside village is perfect for wandering around, and with Saturday being a cool summer night, that's exactly what we did.
Port Jefferson is filled with a variety of stores to pass the time. Most of them are open until 9 or 10 PM so an evening visit can still be filled with shopping. Besides popping in some of the stores we stopped by the Joseph Rowland Photo Gallery (http://www.jrowlandphoto.com) to check out Joseph's awe-inspiring photos and the Thomas Kinkade shop. We also stopped by the Christmas Shoppe that has moved to a smaller location but still has a variety of quaint Christmas decorations that you can buy all year round.
We also peeked in Danford's where the inn houses one of the more upscale bars and restaurants in the town and then watched a boat pulling in at the pier. We ended the night with appetizers and drinks at Tommy's Place. I always thought Tommy's was just a bar, but there's actually a small sitting area for dining in the back and a little patio.
Once a shipbuilding town, Port Jefferson with its variety of stores and restaurants is now one of Long Island's gems and a hot destination. It's also not just for summer, besides the establishments that are open all year round, in December there's the annual Dickens Festival which transforms the village back to the 19th century. It looks like this year it will run from Friday, December 3 through Sunday, December 5 so mark your calendars!
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Little Cousins' 2010 Long Island Visit
Once again it took a visit from my Cousin Eileen's kids to get me moving on a Long Island adventure. Brandon and Samantha spent a few days with me towards the end of July, and after their visit last year, the number one thing on their list was Adventureland. Their first full day here we planned on meeting up with two of my cousins and their kids in the evening to visit the small amusement park. The earlier part of the day there was a bit of rain, but around dinnertime it finally cleared up. We all decided to go ahead with our plans, and we got there and found out the park was closing at 6:00 PM. Due to reports earlier in the day, the park decided to tell the second shift not to come in that night. What? As you can imagine the kids were extremely disappointed. I believe the comments were, "It's not fair." At 8 and 11 that's the unfairness you experience in the world. LOL! Not that there was anything to worry about though. I promised them that we would make it back before they left the island.
I was happy when my Cousin Diane suggested Heartland miniature golf. I had always seen the place from the Deer Park train station, but never had the opportunity to go there. It actually turned out to be an inexpensive night. It costs $6 for the 18-hole miniature golf park, and we were there for over an hour. Of course, it was because we ladies weren't actually the greatest golfers, but hey it's just for fun! I love how it looks like you're playing through a mountain range. Granted I think the water would be a lot prettier if it looked more like real water instead of Tidy Bowl water, but it's still a pretty place. They also have a driving range, and I was just checking out their Web site and see they have a 9-Hole Par 3 golf course. www.heartlandgolfpark.com
After miniature golf we headed to Coyle's Homemade Ice Cream in Bay Shore. Now ending a summer night with ice cream is always a good idea, but it becomes an even better idea when you go to a place where the ice cream is homemade and the place is set up like an old fashioned ice cream shop. The place was full especially with my family taking up most of the counter stools, and people still kept coming in. They didn't care that the place was packed, they just stood outside. I can't say I blame them as the ice cream was great.
The next day was so hot and humid that we just spent the day by the pool. Nothing beats the heat more than taking a dip and relaxing poolside. In the evening I took Brandon and Samantha as well as my landlords' two children down to Sunken Meadow State Park. Here we got to enjoy a nice breeze and a walk in the sand, plus the kids waded in the water and climbed on the rocks. As you can imagine, the rocks were much more interesting to them than the boardwalk. The girls collected some seashells, and when we got in the car I remembered why you shouldn't bring seashells home. They may be pretty, but they can be stinky!
Sunday we headed out to Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead. We went with my friend Nicole and her two kids, and my Cousin Cathy and her son. With the anticipation of Adventureland, they weren't so excited at first about the aquarium but once they got there they had a great time. The first big hit was the shark tank. It's amazing when they swim by you. You are just awe struck at how large they are, and they're sharing the water with other sea creatures. There was a huge sea turtle in the tank and smaller fish just swimming around minding their own business. Of course there are smaller tanks through the halls of Atlantis, but the shark tank was definitely the favorite. Even though it was a hot and humid day, we managed to enjoy the outside area for awhile. We didn't see the sea lion show, but we saw a quick training with one of the stars. There was also a gator show and afterwards Brandon held a baby alligator. I think that's the biggest draw of places such as Atlantis that children not only have the opportunity to see the creatures up close but also touch them. At one section of the outside area, you can even go snorkeling. We passed up on that, however the kids did get a chance to try out a rock climbing wall added a different twist to the already adventurous day. Of course, before we left, we stopped by Ray Bay. A visit to Atlantis is not the same without petting the stingrays. These guys who are usually feared are actually very friendly especially if you have food, which is available at a nearby cart. They'll come right up to you, and some get so excited they'll splash you with a bit of water. I was happy we made it to Atlantis this time. It's one of those things where the kids have fun and get a bit of education. Even we adults learn a thing or two! http://www.atlantismarineworld.com
After Atlantis we headed towards Snow Flake Ice Cream Shoppe on West Main Street. Now the ice cream the other night was great, but this was even better. I don’t know how I got so lucky to eat so much delicious ice cream during one vacation, but I was enjoying it. Maybe I should write a blog about ice cream places on Long Island! After visiting Atlantis, definitely check out Snow Flake. http://www.snowflakeicecream.com/
Monday was the big day. Yes, we made it to Adventureland! This time we headed out with my landlady and kids. I have to say the thing I like best about Adventureland is that if you don't go on rides, you don't have to pay a thing. If you go on a lot of rides, you get the Pay One Price bracelet. If you only go on a few, you buy some tickets that are a dollar each. Last year I didn't go on anything, but this year I decided to go on a few. I can be a big baby when it comes to rides, but I survived the small Lady Bug coaster and Adventure Falls water ride! My landlady and I also went in the Ghost House which has been renovated, but for the older crew, I can tell you it's not that scary at all. For the kids the favorites were the Hurricane roller coaster and Adventure Falls. Actually the classic Pirate Ship and Wave Swing came in close seconds. We were in the park for almost 4 hours, and since it was a workday afternoon, it wasn't too crowded. There were basically large groups of day campers there that day, which is actually a great idea on the camps part. This amusement park has been around since 1962, and I can't believe I didn't go there until I was in my late teens. It's definitely a great way to spend a day with little ones and pre teens! http://www.adventureland.us
I had wanted to give Brandon and Samantha a better tour of Smithtown when they were here, but I actually would have done that on the Saturday which was the day that was the hottest and most humid. I had in mind Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Sweetbriar Nature Center, a swim in the Nissequogue and maybe even a canoe ride. Well, at least early Friday I gave them a quick tour of Hauppauge which basically meant passing by the high school, middle school and Forest Brook elementary school. Oh, and of course, I had to drive by the house I grew up in which also happened to be their mother's grandparents' house too. It’s always important to know the family history!
It's only been in the last few years that I realized just how much there is to do here on Long Island. There's definitely no reason why houseguests should be bored, especially little ones. There’s always plenty of do, especially in the nice weather. I think I will have to add another day or so to their vacation next year!
I was happy when my Cousin Diane suggested Heartland miniature golf. I had always seen the place from the Deer Park train station, but never had the opportunity to go there. It actually turned out to be an inexpensive night. It costs $6 for the 18-hole miniature golf park, and we were there for over an hour. Of course, it was because we ladies weren't actually the greatest golfers, but hey it's just for fun! I love how it looks like you're playing through a mountain range. Granted I think the water would be a lot prettier if it looked more like real water instead of Tidy Bowl water, but it's still a pretty place. They also have a driving range, and I was just checking out their Web site and see they have a 9-Hole Par 3 golf course. www.heartlandgolfpark.com
After miniature golf we headed to Coyle's Homemade Ice Cream in Bay Shore. Now ending a summer night with ice cream is always a good idea, but it becomes an even better idea when you go to a place where the ice cream is homemade and the place is set up like an old fashioned ice cream shop. The place was full especially with my family taking up most of the counter stools, and people still kept coming in. They didn't care that the place was packed, they just stood outside. I can't say I blame them as the ice cream was great.
The next day was so hot and humid that we just spent the day by the pool. Nothing beats the heat more than taking a dip and relaxing poolside. In the evening I took Brandon and Samantha as well as my landlords' two children down to Sunken Meadow State Park. Here we got to enjoy a nice breeze and a walk in the sand, plus the kids waded in the water and climbed on the rocks. As you can imagine, the rocks were much more interesting to them than the boardwalk. The girls collected some seashells, and when we got in the car I remembered why you shouldn't bring seashells home. They may be pretty, but they can be stinky!
Sunday we headed out to Atlantis Marine World in Riverhead. We went with my friend Nicole and her two kids, and my Cousin Cathy and her son. With the anticipation of Adventureland, they weren't so excited at first about the aquarium but once they got there they had a great time. The first big hit was the shark tank. It's amazing when they swim by you. You are just awe struck at how large they are, and they're sharing the water with other sea creatures. There was a huge sea turtle in the tank and smaller fish just swimming around minding their own business. Of course there are smaller tanks through the halls of Atlantis, but the shark tank was definitely the favorite. Even though it was a hot and humid day, we managed to enjoy the outside area for awhile. We didn't see the sea lion show, but we saw a quick training with one of the stars. There was also a gator show and afterwards Brandon held a baby alligator. I think that's the biggest draw of places such as Atlantis that children not only have the opportunity to see the creatures up close but also touch them. At one section of the outside area, you can even go snorkeling. We passed up on that, however the kids did get a chance to try out a rock climbing wall added a different twist to the already adventurous day. Of course, before we left, we stopped by Ray Bay. A visit to Atlantis is not the same without petting the stingrays. These guys who are usually feared are actually very friendly especially if you have food, which is available at a nearby cart. They'll come right up to you, and some get so excited they'll splash you with a bit of water. I was happy we made it to Atlantis this time. It's one of those things where the kids have fun and get a bit of education. Even we adults learn a thing or two! http://www.atlantismarineworld.com
After Atlantis we headed towards Snow Flake Ice Cream Shoppe on West Main Street. Now the ice cream the other night was great, but this was even better. I don’t know how I got so lucky to eat so much delicious ice cream during one vacation, but I was enjoying it. Maybe I should write a blog about ice cream places on Long Island! After visiting Atlantis, definitely check out Snow Flake. http://www.snowflakeicecream.com/
Monday was the big day. Yes, we made it to Adventureland! This time we headed out with my landlady and kids. I have to say the thing I like best about Adventureland is that if you don't go on rides, you don't have to pay a thing. If you go on a lot of rides, you get the Pay One Price bracelet. If you only go on a few, you buy some tickets that are a dollar each. Last year I didn't go on anything, but this year I decided to go on a few. I can be a big baby when it comes to rides, but I survived the small Lady Bug coaster and Adventure Falls water ride! My landlady and I also went in the Ghost House which has been renovated, but for the older crew, I can tell you it's not that scary at all. For the kids the favorites were the Hurricane roller coaster and Adventure Falls. Actually the classic Pirate Ship and Wave Swing came in close seconds. We were in the park for almost 4 hours, and since it was a workday afternoon, it wasn't too crowded. There were basically large groups of day campers there that day, which is actually a great idea on the camps part. This amusement park has been around since 1962, and I can't believe I didn't go there until I was in my late teens. It's definitely a great way to spend a day with little ones and pre teens! http://www.adventureland.us
I had wanted to give Brandon and Samantha a better tour of Smithtown when they were here, but I actually would have done that on the Saturday which was the day that was the hottest and most humid. I had in mind Caleb Smith State Park Preserve, Sweetbriar Nature Center, a swim in the Nissequogue and maybe even a canoe ride. Well, at least early Friday I gave them a quick tour of Hauppauge which basically meant passing by the high school, middle school and Forest Brook elementary school. Oh, and of course, I had to drive by the house I grew up in which also happened to be their mother's grandparents' house too. It’s always important to know the family history!
It's only been in the last few years that I realized just how much there is to do here on Long Island. There's definitely no reason why houseguests should be bored, especially little ones. There’s always plenty of do, especially in the nice weather. I think I will have to add another day or so to their vacation next year!
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