Northport's artsy new vibe
Photo credit: Photo by Craig Ruttle | Paintings on display at the LaMantia Gallery in Northport.
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With its outdoor cafes, picturesque, historic main street and leafy harbor park - not to mention a well-regarded live theater (with a bona fide Actor's Equity company) - Northport is an ideal spot for a day trip, one that can easily spill into evening.
Long a family-oriented place with a wholesome, Sunday-go-to-meetin' feel, the village has been evolving a livelier, artsy new vibe over the past couple of years. Outdoor dining, first allowed last summer, has drawn a fresh wave of foot traffic to shops and the downtown's dozen restaurants: A weekend evening finds the street humming, with a growing number of merchants leaving their doors open after dark. Kids clamber around Cow Harbor Park's two playgrounds, teenagers check each other out and couples stroll the dock to watch the sunset or ogle the shiny monster-yachts that have pulled in for the night.
In summer, there's live music in the park several nights a week, as well as weekend offerings of art and craft fairs, poetry and dance. On Tuesday nights in August, Main Street will be closed to cars from 6 to 10, becoming a pedestrian mall with, among other things, activities for children. And on Saturday mornings, the farmers market - in its second year at the harbor parking lot - draws friendly crowds for local produce, fish and flowers.
Here are our favorite stops for a day in Northport.
WHAT TO DO
Take a walking tour
Strolling, snacking and sunning at the park are popular ways to spend the day in Northport. But visitors can get formal about it with an MP3 player and self-tour audio-guide of Main Street - including Gunther's Pub, where beat writer Jack Kerouac liked to drink - and book of historic photos, both available for $5 during museum hours (Tuesdays-Sundays, 1-4:30 p.m.) at the Northport Historical Society. You can go low-tech with a map and simple walking tour pamphlet, also available. Don't forget to check out the society's museum exhibits (215 Main St., 631-757-9859, northporthistorical.org ).
See a show
The John W. Engeman Theater at Northport kicks off its summer season June 25 with "Crazy for You." Performances Thursday-Sunday, with weekend matinees. The decorous Green Room piano bar and lounge is open to ticket-holders before the show and everyone else afterward ($60, 250 Main St., 631-261-2900, johnwengemantheater.com ).
Summertime arts
Bring a blanket and lawn chair and join the large and enthusiastic crowd for a classic summertime concert experience - largely Sousa and show tunes - every Thursday at the park gazebo, courtesy of the Northport Community Band and the Chamber of Commerce.
Friday night music from 7 to 8:30 at the entrance to the park, sponsored by Happenings on Main Street, will feature 13 groups over the course of the summer, as well as open mic opportunities.
Other art, music and dance performances are scheduled throughout the summer, from the juried plain air art weekend (starting June 26) where painters set up easels throughout downtown to create images of the village, to the popular opera nights ($5 suggested donation), held the first Friday of every month at St. Paul's Methodist Church. See northportarts.org for the full schedule.
WHERE TO SHOP
Bru Na Bo , 33 Scudder Ave., 631-239- 6763
Hidden just behind Main Street, this artsy shop - with its high ceilings and rough brick walls - is worth hunting down for its interesting mix of home furnishings (vintage and new), tapestry handbags, CDs and old books.
Oscar Zulu , 243 Main St., 631-754-4412
A small shop packed with marionettes, jewelry, original artwork and other gifts with a world beat flair.
Veronica Rayne , 66 Main St., 631-261-2080
This stylish woman's boutique, aimed largely at teens and 20s, shows a sharp eye for what's now and what's next.
Einstein's Attic , 155 Main St., 631-261-7564, einsteinsattictoys.com
Got kids? Bring 'em here. The owner's adorable dog, Lucy, greets visitors to this shop packed with toys, games and books aimed at creativity and learning.
The Inlet , 60 Main St., 631-262-9030
Tucked at the end of alley, this men's and women's shop features marked down brand-name clothes - aimed young - as well as jewelry and accessories.
TAS Design and Crafts Gallery , 106 Main St., 631-239-6041
Pottery, painted furniture and crafts as well as cool little items for kids, like personalized pottery locker magnets and colorful knitted socks.
Heather's Little Store , 72 Main St., 631-754-4457
The carefully edited collection here includes an assortment of small home furnishings, greeting cards, toiletries, handbags and children's gifts.
Costermonger t.t. TheBarn , 139 Main St., 631-754-1458
A rotating lineup of home decor, gifts, jewelry, clothes, belts and fine handbags is arranged like art in this tasteful shop. There is also an array of gourmet goodies and cheeses.
Cow Harbor Fine Gifts and Collectibles , 101 Main St., 631-261-6001
A great place for wedding and housewarming gifts, this mainstay of Main Street offers tabletop furnishings, figurines, lotions and an extensive collection of Vera Bradley merchandise. A Department 56 holiday village display in back is worth a visit.
Harbor Trading , 50 Main St., 631-754-1653
This is where the kids go for the long candy counter, T-shirts, jewelry and last-minute toys for birthday parties.
WHERE TO EAT
Maroni Cuisine , 18 Woodbine Ave., 631-757-4500, COST $$-$$$$
Perfect for dockside picnicking and famous for their deliciousness, Maroni's takeout meatballs are the draw here for casual day-trippers (they come in an enameled white pot w/ lid). A table (reservations only) at this Zagat's top-rated restaurant, however, will commit you to an $80-$125, plus gratuity, tasting-menu experience.
Campari Cucina Italiana , 225 Main St., 631-757-6700, COST $-$$
With its classic pasta dishes and Italian entrees (veal piccata anyone?) and its proximity to the Engeman Theater, this homey restaurant/pizza shop is a favorite with the pre-curtain crowd.
Northport Tasting Room and Wine Cellar , 70 Main St., 631-261-0642, northportwines.com , COST $
There's friendly service, fine wine and stylish, warm decor, but customers can also order dishes from the menus of eight area restaurants ($$-$$$) that will be delivered, plated and brought to the table.
Benkei , 16 Woodbine Ave., 631-261-7100, COST $-$$
The simple Asian decor and good sushi makes this a comfortable place to settle in at dinnertime, but why not grab takeout of this ultimate finger food and head down to the dock with a blanket instead?
Bistro 44 44 Main St., 631-262-9744, COST $$-$$$
New American cuisine (fancy salads, fish, steaks, pasta) served in a wood-paneled dining room. Cozy al fresco dining out back in an ivy-draped courtyard.
Main Street Cafe , 47 Main St., 631-754-5533, COST $-$$
Burgers and steaks are a strong suit in this popular meeting spot of a restaurant/bar, but pasta, salad, seafood and "light" plates are also on offer for a lunch or dinner crowd.
Tim's Shipwreck Diner , 46 Main St., 631-754-1797, COST $-$$
Tons of charm and atmosphere in a vintage railroad car diner, serving breakfast and lunch (scenes from the 1996 Kevin Kline film "In and Out" were filmed there.) A cheerful line forms early for weekend breakfasts.
TAKE A BREAK
Copenhagen Bakery , 75 Woodbine Ave., 631-754- 3256, copenhagenbakery.net
The line moves quickly in this bustling bakery, where customers queue up for Scandinavian specialties (try the almond kringle), cakes, breads, and lunchtime fare, like wrapped sandwiches and yogurt-fruit parfaits. Free coffee after 2 p.m. on weekdays.
Incredible Ices , 112 Main St.
Cheerful service and an array of Italian ices, including traditional cremolata and spumoni, along with ice cream varieties sold in this sliver of a sweet shop.
Quintessential Cookies , 256 Main St., 631-262-0633, qcookies.com
A couple doors down from the Engeman theater, this small cookie bakery (which also provides catering) carries the classics - chocolate chip, peanut butter, oatmeal, plus biscotti and more.
Caffe Portofino , 249 Main St., 631-262-7656, caffeportofino.wordpress.com
Espresso and other fancy coffees, baked goods and light lunch fare come in a classic coffeehouse setting that has drawn a mini arts community to it. Local artists display on the walls, regulars perform impromptu American standard concerts at the old upright; evening programs among the comfy chairs in back feature poetry readings, open mic nights and live music Friday and Saturday nights.
Wolfies Frozen Custard , 42 Woodbine Ave., 631-754-4850, wolfiescustard.com
More than 60 flavors of frozen custard. Yum.
GETTING THERE
BY CAR Take the Long Island Expressway to Exit 51, heading north on Deer Park Avenue until it merges with Jericho Turnpike (Route 25). Make the first left onto Elwood Road, continuing about 6 miles, past the Route 25A intersection. Continue briefly on Reservoir Avenue, then Church Street, making a left onto Main Street.
INFO northportny.com
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