10 Things to do across the North Fork in August

Enjoy waterside dining at the new Duryea’s Orient Point (Photo Credit: David Benthal)

August on the North Fork means hours spent swimming in the bay (or Sound, your pick!), snacking on local heirloom tomatoes, and relaxing evenings around the fire pit. But these are hardly the only things to do on the North Fork in August. Here are ten things to do across the North Fork during summer’s last full month.

Dine at a new restaurant

Summer brought new restaurants to the North Fork that you’ll want to try before the season comes to an end. Fortino’s Tavern opened its doors in where Barba Bianca used to be on Preston’s Dock in Greenport. While the small menu is eclectic, chef Mike Fortino focuses on seasonal ingredients. Duryea’s Orient Point also recently opened and dining there feels a bit like stepping into a Mediterranean oasis. The menu is packed with family-style offerings and the raw bar selection is not to be missed. We also welcomed North Fork Table and Inn back this summer and the restaurant has a whole new look, feel, and taste. Chef John Fraser is at the helm and has introduced a new wood-burning hearth. One of our favorite new dishes is the Southold Mixed Grill which features a handful of small portions of fish from the local waters and is served with grilled lemon and a citrus vinaigrette.

Experience a drive-in film festival & multimedia exploration

On Thursday, August 6 at 8:45 p.m. Tribeca Film Institute, CAST, and Wild Jelly present the Sound Side Film Fest at Peconic Bay Winery in Cutchogue. The evening will present independent films and multimedia experiences that explore our relationship to the North Fork. The cost is $50 per car with all proceeds going to CAST to support our neighbors in need. Purchase tickets here. 

Pick some North Fork peaches

Peaches are perfectly ripe during August, making it the ideal me for a U-pick experience. Visit local North Fork growers like Lewin Farms in Wading River or Wickham’s Fruit Farm in Cutchogue to pick your own right from the trees. 

View a tie-dye themed art exhibit at Treiber Farms

Courtenay Pollock, the long time tie-dye artist for the Grateful Dead, brings her work to the North Fork courtesy VSOP Projects in Greenport and Treiber Farms in Peconic. Her new exhibition, Sunshine Daydream, will run concurrently at VSOP Projects’ Greenport gallery location by appointment and Treiber Farms‘ roadside barn in Peconic from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on August 7-9. A selection of the artist’s famous tie-dye t-shirts will also be available for purchase. 

Cut your own North Fork farm flowers

On Saturday, August 15 head to Sow & Grow farm located on Oregon Road in Cutchogue for a U-pick flower session. Enjoy walking the two-acre farm and cut your flowers right in the field. There is a 14 stem max and free fillers to choose from to create a farm-fresh bouquet. The cost is $26 per person, or an $8 entry fee if you’re not picking flowers. Reservations must be made in advance—and this one will sell out.

Settle the debate: Magic Fountain or Snowflake ice cream?

Decide for yourself which popular ice cream hotspot is your favorite: Magic Fountain in Mattituck or Snowflake Ice Cream in Riverhead. Try some of their special flavors like Peconic Swamp Thing at Snowflake or Rainbow Cookie at Magic Fountain or go classic with soft-serve. 

Have an oyster picnic

Visit Peeko Oysters in New Suffolk to pick up farm-fresh oysters harvested daily from Peconic Bay and enjoy an oyster picnic right there on the beach. Oysters are $15 per dozen and oyster knives are also available. The oyster farm stand is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For weekend hours, call 516-765-7994. 

Fly fish in saltwater

Saltwater fly fishing is a growing sport that you may not know much about. Change that this month by chartering a fly-fishing boat for a day. Our favorite North Fork fly-fishing charters include Long Island On The Fly with Captain Andrew Derr and Long Island Fly Fishing with Captain Vinny Catalano. 

Frolick through a sunflower maze

The sunflower season is a short one and if you’re looking to wander through acres of them the time is now! North Fork Potato Chips have just opened reopened their popular Mattituck sunflower maze for the season. It is open daily from 9 a.m. through sunset and the cost is $7 per person (children 10 and under are free). Masks are required. Visit the maze at 8623 Wickham Avenue, Mattituck. and call 631-644-2200 for further details.

Go on a treasure hunt  

Greenie Supply & Tackle has recently released their latest treasure map, “The Lunar Cove.” This is the sixth iteration of the treasure map. Head to the map vending machine located at Port of Egypt in Southold pick it up and start your North Fork treasure hunt! Each map costs $5.