Of course, bike riding is a year around activity on Long Island and if you are an avid biker then consider joining one of the many bicycling groups in the area.  If you are just visiting the area, stick to the defined bike trails, as traffic can get busy on the main road.  Some of the biking groups include:

• Bicycle Long Island
• Suffolok Bicycle Riders Associations
• Huntington Bicycle Club
• Massapequa Park Bicycle Club
• GBSC Bicycle Racing Team
• Concerned Long Island Mountain Bikers
• Low-Impact Bike Paths in the New York/Long island region

Happy biking!

So what are the patrons saying?

“Phenomenal!! Food was outstanding- creative, complex, fresh flavors cooked to perfection (all except the Truffle Fries). Atmosphere was romantic, and the service was excellent. We will definitely go back!!!”

“Well prepared, imaginative food, in a sophisticated room. Don’t miss the Oysters Friskafella or the Chocolate Pot de Creme. Very attentive, friendly service. Usually vibrant with an interesting mix of customers. Just sold by Dennis to Robbie, who has been the chef. Much of the staff still in place; still the North Fork’s best restaurant.”

Reservations are highly suggested and the Arbor View House Bed and Breakfast will be happy to assist their guests in making sure that they do not miss out on this hip restaurant for dinner!

It always seems that guests’ favorites are the lighthouse tours and The Peconic Star makes trips to all eleven lighthouses in the Southold area.  This includes Horton Point Lighthouse, Bug Light, Plum Island Lighthouse, Latimer Lighthouse, Race Rock Lighthouse, Little Gull Lighthouse, Cedar Island Lighthouse, Orient Point Lighthouse, North Dumpling Lighthouse, South East Lighthouse, and Block Island North Lighthouse. 

Orient Long Beach Bar Light “Bug Light” is a lighthouse off Orient, New York.  It is interesting because it was originally a screwpile lighthouse that was later converted to a concrete caisson foundation.  This is how it received its nickname “Bug Light” as there were no other such lighthouses in the vicinity. 

Race Rock Light is a lighthouse on Race Rock Reef, southwest of Fishers Island.   The reef is a dangerous set of rocks off the coast of Fishers Island on Long Island Sound and was the site of many shipwrecks.  It was built between 1871 and 1878 and is an excellent example of 19^th century engineering and design.   The Coast Guard automated the light in 1978 and it is still operational.   

Enjoy visiting all of the lighthouses during your stay at the Arbor View House Bed and Breakfast!

Mashomack Preserve is considered one of the richest habitats in the Northeast.  The preserve contains 2,039 acres, which is about 1/3 of the island.  Among the riches to be found are tidal creeks, oak woodlands, fields, and freshwater marshes.  The preserve is often referred to as the “Jewel of the Peconic” and is edged in white by 10 miles of coastline.  Mashomack Preserve is open 9 A.M. to 5 P.M., March through September, and 9 A.M. to 4 P.M. October through February.

For those seeking birds, you will not be disappointed.  Many birds are year around residents of Shelter Island and the list is long.  It includes Cedar Waxwing, Blue Jay, Black-capped Chickadee, American Goldfinch, Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove, American Robin, House Finch, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, and Carolina Wren.  Migrating birds throughout the Spring and Fall include Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Purple Finch, Indigo Bunting, Canada Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Palm Warble, Black-throated Green Warbler, and others.  Lastly, there are the Summer visitors.  They can be a mixed variety but Scarlet Tanager, Baltimore Oriole, Common Yellowthroat, Eastern Phoebe, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Red-winged Blackbird, Common Grackle, Great-crested Flycatcher, Black-and-white Warbler, Piping Plover, Least Tern, and Osprey.  I think that covers the birds, but let us know if we missed any!

Vacationing on Long Island and going to the beach just seem to be like peas in a pod.  One of the favorite beaches is Orient Beach State Park.  Orient Beach has 45,000feet of frontage on Gardiners Bay and the water is calm and delightful.  It has been said that Orient Beach “has the most shells available at any state park beach” and is a shell-collecting paradise.  Now this is an activity all in itself and a delightful way to enjoy the day.  Of course, to make it a little more enjoyable there is also a bathhouse, showers, restrooms, and a food concession stand.   

Visitors at the beach can swim in the bay, fish, picnic, play ball, go hiking or biking, and enjoy a calming walk on one of the many nature trails.  Since this is a calm beach, it is also perfect for kayaking.  So bring your own or plan to rent one at the beach.  Bike rentals are also available, so not to worry if you do not have yours with you!  However, the all time favorite thing to do is just sit in a beach chair and feel the warmth of the sunshine.  Now this is summer on Long Island!

On Saturday, June 26th, the day will be jam packed with events at local vineyards starting at noon. Renowned chefs will include Chef Lia Fallon, a New York-based chef and food stylist extraordinaire; Chef Arie Pavlou, Executive Chef at the soon-to-open Comtesse Therese Bistro in Aquebogue; and Chef Noah of Noah’s Place in Greenport. Paula Croteaux, owner of the Farmhouse Kitchen Cooking School, will be doing  demonstrations;  organic wines will be paired with chocolate, art shows will be happening, and wine, wine, and more wine will be flowing!

Sunday the weekend wraps up with a Grand Tasting at Mitchell Park in Greenport. Over 50 local wineries and restaurants will participate while overlooking the lovely view of the harbor. Weekend guests of the Arbor  View House Bed and Breakfast will receive two complimentary tickets for the Grand Tasting on June 27th, so make your reservations soon!

Museums to put on your list to visit should include East End Seaport Museum, Bootleg Alley, and the shipyards of Greenport.  If you are looking for artists, Greenport is still the home of famous artists including award-winning actress Peg Murray, sculptor Arden Scott, crafts-person Gail Horton, and award winning songwriter Hugh Prestwood.  With outdoor theater, live music events, and galleries galore, the arts of very much alive in the Village of Greenport.

Of course, make sure to have some fun and enjoy a visit to Mitchell Park, which overlooks Greenport Harbor.  Mitchell Park has an outdoor amphitheater, harbor side boardwalk, winter ice skating, and public docks which are quite busy during the summer  months.  Combine that with Greenport’s famous 40-foot carousel which was built in the 1920’s and donated to the village of Greenport in 1995 and you are sure to enjoy the wonders of visiting Greenport at any time of the year!

Cedar Beach Country Park in Southold is a 68 acre park with over 2,800 feet on Shelter Island Sound.  From the park, visitors can enjoy great vistas of Shelter Island Sound and the saltwater marshes of Cedar Beach Harbor.

Arshamomaque Point in Southold encompasses a 54-acres wooded preserve with several trails that wind through mature woodlands, ponds, and saltwater wetlands.

Arshamomaque Preserve in Greenport is a 120 acre preserved owned by the Town of Southold.  They have 1.3 miles of nature trails that wander through mature woodlands, freshwater wetlands, and open fields.

Inlet Pond Park in Greenport enjoys a 55 acre preserve with 1.6 miles of trails leading to Inlet Pond and Long Island Sound.  The North Fork Audubon has a visitor’s center and also offers nature programs.

Dam Pond Maritime Reserve in East Marion is a 36 acre reserve also owned by the Town of Southold.  Here you can enjoy a small protected bay, grasslands, saltwater marshes and woodlands.  There is also a trail that wanders through the reserve which is 1.2 miles long. This trail is a favorite of bird watchers and I love jogging in this park.  The Audubon Society keeps track of the birds that are found here.   This reserve is about a quarter mile from the B&B.

It will take some time to try them all, but we will enjoy having you as our guest at the Arbor View House Bed and Breakfast as you explore the North Fork Wine Country of Long Island

This year there will be over 20 wineries participating in Run for the Roses and each have created their own special event and offering during the month of May.  Restaurants are also getting in on Run of the Roses and are including offerings such as free corkage and Claudio’s Restaurant & Clam Bar will be featuring special rose wines by the glass.  Vintage Tours will also be held every Saturday and Sunday during May and include visits to all wineries that are participating in the Run for the Roses Promotion and each passenger will receive a complimentary glass of rose paired with their lunch.

This is the perfect way to support the fight against cancer and enjoy sampling great rose wines at the same time.

During the month of may the Arbor View House will be offering a bottle of Rosé wine and cheese from Catapano’s farm when you book the Rosé Room for two nights.

Visit the Arbor House View Bed and Breakfast during the month of May we will be sending a portion of our receipts to support CancerCare.

Birds that migrated for the winter are back and their excitement can be heard in the early mornings.  It sounds as if they are as happy as the rest of us that spring on Long Island has returned and summer is just around the corner.  The once vacant beaches are now awaking with activity as couples stroll hand in hand enjoying the feel of sunshine on their faces and the mesmerizing sound of the ocean as waves break at their feet.

Elaborate plans are not needed to enjoy spring on Long Island.  It just happens!