April 27, 2013 Wilfred Joseph

The beauty of Long Island has attracted generations before us. The vastness of the sea can make us reflect on the meaning of our lives and our place in the universe. At least, it had that effect on some of the greatest abstract and landscape artists of our time. If you enjoy expressionism, go see the LongHouse Reserve (133 Hands Creek Road, East Hampton).

Black Mirror, water feature by Ray Smith & Assoc. at the LongHouse
Black Mirror, water feature by Ray Smith & Assoc. at the LongHouse

The grounds include a large garden and sculpture park with works by Buckminster Fuller, Dale Chihuly, Willem de Kooning and Yoko Ono. Founded by the textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen (who still lives there, according to employees), the reserve’s nearly 16 acres are open to the public Wednesdays through Saturdays during the summer. Good news for you: the LongHouse is uncrowded, despite the magnitude of the works housed there.
Nearby is the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center (830 Springs-Fireplace Road, East Hampton). Famed abstract artist Jackson Pollock and his wife, Lee Krasner, also an abstract expressionist artist, bought it for $5,000 in 1946 and turned into their home and studio. Visitors must wear booties to enter the barn because the floor is still splattered with the  paint that Pollock dripped and flung for his masterpieces. Some of his paint cans are still there. It is must-see for the expressionist art fan.
Leave some time to stop by the Guild Hall (158 Main St. East Hampton). Many artists who settled in the Hamptons showed their work in this gallery. Performances and exhibits of all kinds are held here over the summer. See what’s happening when you’re coming to the Hamptons on the Guild Hall website.

Lodging for your Hamptons Visit

We have four bright and airy guestrooms, with AC, luxurious whirlpool tubs, flatscreen TVs and a private deck off the Champagne Suite. We also provide afternoon refreshments, on-site parking and in-house spa services. If that isn’t enough –  you can walk to the beach from our bed and breakfast.



April 19, 2013 Wilfred Joseph

Last post, we discussed how you can start your vacation in the Hamptons while visiting New York city. This post, we continue that theme with a discussion of Hamptons nightlife and other itinerary ideas for your trip.

Nightlife in the Hamptons

boat-house-east-hamptonWhile East Hampton nightlife has quieted some in recent years (whereas Montauk is becoming the place for clubbers and night owls) one of the nicest ways to spend an evening in the Hamptons is to find a venue with a waterfront view, where you can watch and hear the water while enjoying a cocktail and maybe some music. A popular spot for this is the Boathouse (39 Gann Rd. East Hampton), located in a secluded spot with a view of three mile island. You can get tasty cocktails here and groove to DJ beats.
Other more conventional clubs include Lily Pond (44 Three Mile Harbor Rd. East Hampton), RdV East (125 Tuckahoe Road, Southampton) and the redesigned Maidstone (207 Main St. East Hampton).

The Morning After – Fresh Tastes

After a night of dancing and cocktails, you’ll be ready for some fresh sustenance. After a warm, delicious breakfast at the inn, explore the farmer’s market in Greenport. Open from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Saturdays at the United Methodist Church (624 Main St.), you can pick up local honey, pastries, eggs, cheese and of course produce. Get goodies for lunch at the beach!
When you are ready for your next meal, check out the chic, newly renovated seafood restaurant Race Lane (31 Race Lane East Hampton). The space was designed by American architect Norman Jaffe and serves raw seafood (think clams and oysters), as well as seafood favorites like red snapper, salmon and lobster.

Your Home Base – Arbor View House

While you explore Long Beach and the Hamptons, we want to be your home base, where you can spend each night in a comfortable and private room, awakening to the crisp smells of the ocean.



April 13, 2013 Wilfred Joseph

If you are planning a summer vacation to New York City, make sure you save a couple days for Long Island and the Hamptons. This fabled region of luxury and elite residences is also a destination for those a little closer to the median income. Let me explain how you can have an amazing two-day vacation in the Hamptons, without spending like a pop star.
There’s lots of buzz in right now in Montauk, the most Eastern point on Long Island.

The cool and well designed restaurant Ruschmeyer, in Montauk
The cool and well designed restaurant Ruschmeyer, in Montauk

A beautiful drive around the Great Peconic Bay from our Bed and Breakfast near Greenport, shabby motels and down-home restaurants are being remodeled into “boho-chic” establishments.
In East Hampton, a gaggle of luxurious boutiques and restaurants have opened. Older hotels and beloved barrooms have been renovated. This is a great place to window shop, grab delicious bites and learn more about what’s happening in the Hamptons.

What’s Going on in the Hamptons While I’m Visiting?

Want to get a jump on what’s going on in the Hamptons during your visit? Grab the free glossy magazines — Social Life, Hampton Life, Hamptons, Hampton Sheet, Dan’s Papers — for the scoop on charity events, screenings and other happenings. You can find them at the doorways of many boutiques in East Hampton.

Speaking of a Scoop…East Hampton Bites

If you have a sweet tooth or need a cold treat during a hot afternoon, the new spot is Scoop du Jour, (35 Newtown Lane, East Hampton) an ice cream parlor where waffle cones are stacked high and flavors like Monster Mint Oreo and Toasted Coconut tempt even the supermodels. You can also get Dreesen’s doughnuts here, a Hamptons institution since the 1950s.
For dinner – two East Hampton restaurants are on the radar: Serafinas (104 North Main St.), a pizza oven and Italian seafood restaurant. Dinner for two runs around $100. If American cuisine and a more moderate price is your preference, check out Bostwick’s Chowder House (277 Pantigo Rd.).
Come back next week for more insider tips on a great trip to the East End of Long Island!



April 12, 2013 Wilfred Joseph

In our last post, we discussed some of the lovely beaches on the North Fork of Long Island. The sunny days are rapidly returning to us – which means the beach is the place to be!
When you visit New York, come up Long Island and visit us for some R&R at the Arbor View House Inn! We are conveniently located next to many nice beaches. Each has something different to offer, depending on the experience you want. Now, without further adieu, here is the rest of the list…

North Fork Beaches

New Suffolk Beach – One of the more popular beaches on the Peconic Bay, New Suffolk is also monitored by lifeguards (one of the few with this service).

New Suffolk Beach
New Suffolk Beach

Like many North Fork beaches, it’s popular with boaters and fishermen.
Breakwater Beach and Park – A large beach in Mattituck, Breakwater is perhaps known best for its beach volleyball and protected waterfowl nests (piping plovers).
Southold Town Beach – This beach is also popular in the winter because the parking lot is very close to the water and you can just sit and watch the waves. If you do choose to visit longer, this is a quiet beach with distant bluffs and it won’t disappoint.
Goldsmith Inlet Park – The main reason to visit this beach: A classic Long Island sunset. Rock jetties and the scenic wetlands around Goldsmith Pond also make a great backdrop for birdwatchers and photographers. But if you want to watch the sunset on Long Island, come here.

Lodging in Long Beach

When you visit New York’s Long Island, we invite you to come down to the North Fork and stay with us at Arbor View House Bed and Breakfast.  Not only do we provide luxury accommodations and a delicious breakfast each morning, we also have on-site spa services!