The North Fork doesn't get enough credit from the Hamptons side. It's right there -- cross Gardiners Bay and in under an hour you're pulling into Greenport, which has a completely different energy. Slower, a little scrappier, genuinely charming. It makes for a perfect day trip, and doing it by boat makes the whole thing feel like an event.
Here's exactly how to do it:
Getting There
The boat ride itself is part of the experience. You can make it a quick 20 minutes straight across Gardiners Bay, or slow down and take the scenic route -- past Shelter Island, along the coast of the North Fork, watching the landscape shift as you go. Either way, you arrive feeling like you've actually gone somewhere.
Don't have a boat? That's not a problem. Yacht Hampton does private charters and the Greenport run is one of their best. They depart from Sag Harbor or East Hampton, so depending on where you're based out here, they've got you covered. Book ahead -- summer weekends fill up fast.
First Stop: Saylor Beach House
This is the new one to know. Saylor Beach House just opened this season from the team behind Claudio's, and the space is stunning -- teak furniture, linen cushions, palm fronds, string lights over the water. It has a Mediterranean feel that somehow works perfectly on the North Fork.
The best part? You dock practically at the front door.
Order a spritz, grab an outdoor table, and let the afternoon slow down. This place isn't trying to rush you out, so don't rush yourself.
Next Door: Claudio's
Claudio's has been a Greenport institution for good reason. After Saylor, wander over -- on Sundays it's packed for live music and the energy is exactly what a summer afternoon should feel like.
A Few Things to Know
Book your charter early -- summer weekends fill up fast
Saylor Beach House is brand new this season, so go while it still feels like a discovery
Greenport has great shops and a good main street if you want to extend the afternoon before heading back