Sculptures by the River

Next time you're in Riverhead visiting Atlantis Marine World or the East End Arts Council, stop at the Peconic Bay Riverwalk. To get there, you'll have to go back to Main Street and head toward the bay.  

Although the Peconic can be seen directly behind Atlantis, the Riverwalk extends beyond the aquarium fence. That is why you'll need to walk a little further to fully enjoy the area. 

The walk is both relaxing and mysterious. There are approximately eight (maybe more) carved, wooden sculptures, which can be seen along the dock. Nobody seems to know who made the carvings, but they definitely make for some interesting conversation with the locals. 

A Night at the Casino

When it comes to the survival of the area's marine life, we don't like rolling the dice unless it's happening at Casino Night! Friends of the ocean, we know you've been fishing for ways to help support The Riverhead Foundation for Marine Research and Preservation in its mission to rescue and rehabilitate stranded seals, sea turtles, dolphins, porpoises and whales ever since we told you about them in April (and for those of you who just like to gamble, here's your chance to feed the habit). 

Next Friday, August 1st, at 7pm, The Riverhead Foundation is hosting its annual Casino Night fundraiser at Atlantis Marine World Aquarium. Head out to Riverhead on Friday night and spend the weekend exploring the East End (Jedediah Hawkins Inn in Jamesport is a great place to rest after a night of gambling if you can get a room - HINT)!

The $150 Casino Night ticket includes dinner and cocktails as well as $100 in playing chips. Play your cards right and all proceeds go to support the mission of The Riverhead Foundation. There will also be a raffle and silent auction for the guests!

To purchase tickets, go to Riverheadfoundation.org or call 631-369-9840.

Good luck!

LOCATION:

431 East Main Street

Riverhead, NY 11901

Riverheadfoundation.org

631-369-9840

Fun for the Whole Family

For a full day of fun for the whole family, head to Main Street in Riverhead. Make Atlantis Marine World your first stop. There's a reason that Parents Magazine ranks this place among the top-ten best aquariums for kids! Your child (and you) will pet stingrays, observe sharks, watch seahorses, view the Western hemisphere's largest all-living closed-system coral reef display and enjoy daily special events such as sea lion shows and penguin feeds. From shark dives to aquatic adventure cruises on the Peconic, there's an activity for every child (big and small) at Atlantis.

When you're done seeing all there is to see at the aquarium, head over to East End Arts Council. For anyone interested in the arts on Long Island, this is definitely one of Riverhead's hidden treasures. Founded in 1972, the East End Arts Council is home to a wonderful art gallery and gift shop, and operates the area's only Community School of the Arts. The Council also runs a summer art camp for children ages five through twelve. With shows that rotate every four to six weeks, there is a reason to come back often to view the exhibitions displaying works by well-known and emerging artists. 

After you've completed your tour of the art gallery, head a little further down Main Street to the Eastenders Coffee House. It's worth a visit if you're in the neighborhood for the day. Check out the fun an funky atmosphere and grab a coffee and a snack for the ride home. If you live in the area, Eastenders also has live performances. Shows happen on Saturday and Sunday afternoons as well as on Friday and Saturday nights from 8-11pm.

AQUARIUM LOCATION:

431 East Main Street

Riverhead, NY 11901

631-208-9200

atlantismarineworld.com

EAST END ARTS COUNCIL LOCATION:

133 East Main Street

Riverhead, NY 11901

631-727-0900

eastendarts.org

COFFEE HOUSE LOCATION:

40 East Main Street

Riverhead, NY 11901

631-727-2656

eastenderscoffeehouse.com

 

Farm Fresh

Next time you're headed home from wine country, take a break to stop at Garden of Eve Organic Farm to grab some farm fresh veggies and delicious eggs from free range chickens. With over seventy varieties of vegetables, twenty varieties of herbs and thirty varieties of flowers, you'll find something to take home with you from this certified organic farm. 

Oh, and don't worry if the kids are acting up because you're making another stop. Once they see the chickens, turkeys and goats at Garden of Eve they'll be just fine!

FARM LOCATION:

4558 Soundview Avenue

Riverhead, NY

gardenofevefarm.com

   

Pie in the Sky

If you've been searching for that pie in the sky, look no further.  One bite of the heavenly pie from Briermere Farms and you'll be crying for more. 

If you don't believe us, just ask anyone who waits on the long line at the door why they're there - they'll tell you it's the best pie they've ever had. 

From Apple Crisp to Rhubarb to Blueberry Cream to Lemon Meringue, these farm fresh pies taste like they're from another planet - Planet Delicious! We're practically on our hands and knees here people - TRY THE PIE!

FARM LOCATION:

4414 Sound Avenue

Riverhead, NY

631-722-3931

briermere.com

Sittin Pretty

Next time you're headed to Long Island's East End, and you're driving on Route 24, drive by the big duck. Located in Flanders, this bird is famous. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places and featured in the book Roadside Giants, the duck is worth a visit, especially for the children! 

The store inside the duck sells Long Island souvenirs including postcards, books and other items. The structure has even influenced the field of architecture. Because of The Big Duck, any building shaped like the product it sells, is referred to as a "duck."

With the goal of selling more of their Peking ducks, Riverhead resident and farmer Martin Mauer and his wife, Jeule, built the giant duck in 1931. Originally known as The Big Duck Ranch because duck farms were referred to as "duck ranches" in the 1930's, the duck rested at The Big Duck Ranch on West Main Street until 1936. It was later relocated (when the owners moved) to Route 24 in Flanders.  

In 1987, when development was to take place on the land where the duck rested (or should we say nested), the community came together to save it. Kia and Puran Eshghi, the owners at that time, donated the the landmark to Suffolk County in December of 1987. It was eventually placed in Sears Bellows County Park. Approximately seven months ago, the duck was moved back to it's former home on Route 24 to roost in peace (we hope).

ATTRACTION LOCATION:

Route 24, Flanders

Suffolk County NY

631-852-3377