Hotel at a Glance: Heron Suites

A part of the Port of Egypt Marine property, Heron Suites is set next to the docks and bobbing sailboats of Southold Bay in Long Island’s North Fork. Here, you’ll have sweeping water and marina views, be within walking distance of restaurants, and be near the wineries of Long Island wine country.

• Water-view dining: At the onsite A Lure Chowder House & Oysteria, local wine and fresh seafood are served deck-side; there’s also an indoor dining room with a fireplace.
• Rent a bike or kayak on site to see the area at a leisurely pace.
• Upscale rooms feature Philosophy bath products and spacious layouts, and each suite has a separate kitchen.
• In Season: solar-heated outdoor pool
• Outdoor playground features a pirate-ship climbing unit

Long Island’s North Fork: Award-Winning Wineries, Farm-to-Table Cuisine, and Historic Fishing Villages

At the end of the Long Island Expressway, Long Island splits into two peninsulas—known as the North Fork and the South Fork—that together make up the majority of the famous East End. Considered the island’s agricultural center, the North Fork is dotted with orchards, organic farms, and a growing number of renowned wineries. At The Old Field Vineyard, merlots and pinot noirs are grown using sustainable practices. Bedell Cellars, was named one of the top ten small brands by Wine Business Monthly, and produces a flagship red blend, Musée.

A handful of gourmet restaurants in the area make it easy to find food pairings worthy of your favorite Long Island vintage. Just out the back door of Greenport’s The Frisky Oyster is the harbor where its namesake oysters are harvested and delivered daily. Many of the local eateries source their fruits and vegetables from the organic-farm stands along Route 25. Following suit is The North Fork Table & Inn—helmed by a two-time James Beard Foundation Award–nominated chef—which uses organic ingredients in all its menu items, including its decadent desserts.

Despite its growing reputation as a first-class foodie spot, the North Fork is still a low-key farming-and-fishing region. Historic villages line the shores of Long Island Sound, offering opportunities for fishing, crabbing, and clamming. You can rent a kayak and paddle through local bays and estuaries, or head to Orient Beach State Park and hike through maritime forests and bird watch in saltwater marsh.

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