NORTHPORT, NY • A WATERFRONT GEM ON LONG ISLAND’S NORTH SHORE

It may seem odd to some that this, one of the inaugural travel posts for Roadcraft, didn’t involve any travel whatsoever. The reason being that it deals with my very own home town of Northport, NY.  My incentive for this post was twofold.  First it was going to be fairly easy to compose.  I have lived in this quaint waterfront community for more than 40 years now, so I have more than a smattering of local knowledge upon which to draw. Plus I have accumulated some great Northport NY travel photos over that time period.

Secondly; and this is the more altruistic motivation; I don’t want this online portal to just be about me and my experiences.  I’m certain that this post will reach some people who will look upon Northport as a travel destination…not home…and I truly desire this online resource to be something that others will find valuable in their lives, not a testament to my own.  So with that in mind let me take you on a tour of my little town.

Northport NY Travel Photos and A Brief History

Northport, NY was originally settled by 17th century English colonists under the name of Great Cow Harbor.  It was officially renamed Northport in 1837.  The Victorian era Main Street village center still has embedded in its pavement the steel trolley car tracks of the streetcar line which ran in days gone by.  The village center features numerous restaurants, taverns, small local curiosity shops, a fine theater and quite a few houses of worship.  The village park is a prime gathering spot for the farmer’s market, art shows, outdoor concerts under the covered band shell or simply socializing with other members of this fine community.

The residential streets in the village are lined with beautiful Colonial and Victorian-styled homes; many of which date back to the early 1900’s; some even earlier. So quaint is this little village of 7,500 people that it was chosen as the location for filming the movie “In and Out”, starring Kevin Kline, Tom Selleck, Joan Cusack, Matt Dillon and Bob Newhart; a film who’s storyline was said to take place in the fictional midwest town of Greenleaf, Indiana.  Today hundreds of recreational pleasure boats rest at mooring in the protected harbor at the foot of Main Street paying homage to the town’s legacy as a major hub of the shipbuilding industry throughout the 1800’s.

Cow Harbor Days • A Northport NY Tradition

Every year, on the third full weekend of September, all hell breaks loose in Northport for the annual Cow Harbor Days.  Starting on Saturday thousands of runners from all around the globe gather to compete in The Great Cow Harbor 10K…one of the most renowned 10K races in the world.  The next day Main Street is closed to all vehicular traffic and the population swells to more than 20,000 fun-loving people enjoying a parade, hundreds of crafts vendors, homemade boat races, dozens of live musical performances and, of course, copious amounts of alcoholic beverages served up by the village’s many pubs, restaurants, wine cellars and breweries.  It’s a blast but be forewarned: parking is quite limited and away from the village center; and it’s an uphill walk back to your vehicle after your day of revelry.

Northport NY Food and Beverage Suggestions

Cow Harbor Days aside, Northport Village is still a great destination.  Wonderful eateries and watering holes line the main roads in the village and encompass all tastes from the decadent treats served up at The Northport Sweet Shop, breakfast at The Shipwreck Diner (have the Eggs Benedict Florentine. You can thank me later) to fine dining experiences at a number of eateries with waterfront views of the harbor.  Just looking for a cold beer?  Head on over to Gunther’s Tap Room, a bare bones historical tavern once frequented by the legendary Beat Generation poet/novelist, Jack Kerouac.

Just outside the Incorporated village limits you can relish in the superb dining experience offered at Robke’s Country Inn.  This is a true local hot spot that doesn’t accept reservations and doesn’t accept credit cards.  Be prepared to wait for a table and pay in cash.  Take it from this local boy…it’s worth it.  Finally, two miles away in the town of East Northport, a superb dining experience awaits at The Crossroads Cafe.  Don’t let the humble exterior of this place fool you.  A world class dining experience awaits inside at the hands of Chef Rob.  If the crab encrusted codfish is on the specials menu look no further.  It is to die for!

Enjoy the roads that wrap all around Northport Village.  The best offer scenic water views of Northport Harbor, Northport Bay, the Crab Meadow Tidal Estuary and Long Island Sound.  Pay heed to the local speed limit signs because the village’s local men-in-blue will be carefully watching your speed.  Northport is quite a biker-friendly destination and you won’t be alone if you roll in on two wheels here.  Keep the volume down on your open pipes and be sure to back into parking spots on Main Street.  The road is pitched steeply to facilitate storm runoff and you wouldn’t be the first motorcyclist to find themself stranded…unable to push uphill out of a parking spot when you leave.  Put the requisite coins in the parking meters and enjoy your time in my home town.

Beyond Northport Village • Travel to Asharoken and Eaton’s Neck

Leaving the village proper you may want to consider a short six mile blast out to Hobart Beach on Eaton’s Neck.  Take Ocean Avenue north out of town and you’ll be treated to a magnificent elevated view of Northport Bay.  Your next destination is the thin peninsula you can see on the far west side of the bay.  At the end of Ocean Avenue you’ll make a left turn onto Eaton’s Neck Road heading downhill where you will encounter the Northport Village and Huntington Town beaches on your left hand side.  These are wonderful spots for Northport NY travel photos on the water and become even more engaging at sunset.  Resident parking permits for the Huntington Town Beach are generally overlooked for motorcycles…even on those busy summer days when the beach is packed with sun-worshiping residents. 

Leaving the beach you’ll continue on the same road, which has transitioned into Asharoken Avenue, the sole thoroughfare out to Eaton’s Neck.  This is a lovely, albeit slow, ride affording sea level views of the Long Island Sound on your right and Northport Bay on your left.  I say “slow” because the first structure you pass will be the Asharoken Village Hall and police station.  The speed limit on Asharoken Avenue is 30MPH and they mean it.  You’ll probably encounter a radar-equipped patrol vehicle somewhere along this stretch of road and I’ve heard of folks being ticketed at 31MPH!  Unless you have a desire to visit Asharoken Village Hall at a later date; watch your speed and enjoy the views of the water and the wonderful homes that line the road.

At the end of Asharoken Avenue the road changes its name back to Eaton’s Neck Road again.  Look for the small green roadside signs that guide you through this charming neighborhood to the town beach which is located on the peninsula bordered by Northport Bay to the east and Huntington Bay to the west.  The Huntington Harbor Lighthouse can be seen off in the distance; a beacon which guides mariners to and from the waters of Long Island Sound.

Take your time and watch your speed on Asharoken Avenue on your way back out.  You’ve been warned twice now!  I hope you have enjoyed this virtual visit to the place I have called home for more than 40 years and I truly hope some of you are inspired to make Northport, NY one of your future travel destinations.  Got a favorite home town destination that you think other travelers might enjoy? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to subscribe to Roadcraft USA to get notifications when new posts hit the blog.