We have scoured the web for all the fun New Year’s Eve events on our end of Long Island – so you don’t have to! The events we’ve found are unique – some are family friendly, some are cuisine-oriented. But all of them offer something more subdued and quiet than what you will find in the city! Check out these North Fork New Year’s Eve events:

New Year’s Eve Under the Stars at Custer Observatory

Join in the celebration at the Custer Institute and Observatory in Southold.  Enjoy music by Ahmad Ali & Friends and dance under the stars. Buffet-style food and beverages will be available as well as a champagne toast at midnight. December 31, 8 p.m. – 1 a.m. The cost is $30 for adults ($25 for members and guests), $15 for students, and $5 for children.

Long Island Aquarium Fishes and Wishes New Years Event

December 31, 6:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Bring the kids for the annual Fishes & Wishes Celebration! There will be plenty of food and great fun plus entertainment. Kids are invited to their very own Winter Wonderland, which includes unlimited Submarine Simulator rides, animal encounters, Ray Bay feeding, face painting, crafts, and more.
Ring in the New Year with an evening that includes:

family friendly long island new years eve 2012
The Long Island Aquarium hosts a family friendly New Year’s Eve celebration each year.

  • Champagne & Sparkling Cider Greeting
  • Live DJ & Entertainment
  • Mock-Midnight Champagne & Cider Toast (10:30pm)
  • Cocktail Hour
  • Dinner Buffet (Beer & Wine Included)
  • Dessert & Ice Cream Bar

Pricing:
Children 3-12 & Seniors 62+: $49.00 (Members: $39.00)
Adults: $85.00 (Members: $75.00)
Children 2 & Under: FREE
10% fff groups of 10 or more
Reservations required – call 631.208.9200, ext. H2O (426). Restrictions may apply.

New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe Dinner at Jamesport Manor Inn

If you’re looking for a quieter evening consider an elegant dinner in the historic Jamesport Manor Inn. An American-Mediterranean fushion eatery, the Jamesport Manor Inn will serve a three-course dinner for $60 per person. One appetizer option is pickled Peconic Bay oysters with English cucumber, dill and caviar. Dinner choices include goat cheese pan-roasted organic chicken with maple acorn squash puree, and peppermint creme brulee is one offering for dessert. Find the chef’s full prix fixe menu here, and call 722-0500 to make reservations.

New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe Dining at Comtesse Therese Bistro

Comtesse Therese Bistro, which doubles as a French bistro and winery, is serving a prix fixe dinner on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31. Executive chef Arie Pavlou will serve dishes including wild mushroom Brie en Croute, smoked duck, and chocolate truffles. The $65 dinner includes a Champagne toast. Call 779-2800 for more information.
 



In case you were wondering, our North Fork bed and breakfast in East Marion sustained little destruction and stayed open for business throughout Hurricane Sandy and her aftermath. We suffered some small damage: trees and branches down, some fencing down and leaves and debris all over the place.
When we see how devastated people are in Staten Island and in New Jersey we are thankful that we only had some minor damage and lost power for three days. We are so grateful.
If you, like many along the east coast, are still without power, please come and stay with us. We have are regaining our calm and peace here. Our fireplaces are stoked and glowing to warm you.

“Greenport Update. Not a great shopping day.” (Photo: Facebook.com/Ralph.DiGennaro) Posted Nov. 1

Long Island Romantic Getaways

Because we are in a position to help those in need and add comfort to lives sent spinning because of the storm, we recommend a weekend of relaxation. Come for a visit to Long Island and leave your cares behind you for a few days. For $199, add this package to your stay at our inn:

  • Award Winning North Fork Champagne and Chocolate truffles
  • Scrumptious four-course candlelight breakfast each day
  • Specially arranged fresh flowers in your room
  • Discount coupon to wine tasting and tour ($40) value
  • $100 Gift Certificate coupon at the Frisky Oyster or Noah’s in Greenport
  • Two 1/2 hour massages

Other add-ons are available as well, like an additional wine tour, couples massage, aromatherapy bath, or other Spa Services.

Luxury Amenities at our North Fork Inn

  • Plush Bath Robes and Slippers
  • Living and Room Fireplaces
  • Private Jacuzzi tubs
  • Afternoon Beverage & Snack
  • Private Deck
  • High Speed Wireless Internet
  • Cable TV/DVD player
  • I Pod docks
  • Games, Books, DVD Library, etc.

We hope that you will allow us to share our thanks and gratitude with you. We were so lucky to be spared severe damage or flooding during this disaster.



As the weather gets colder, many of us are drawn to the movies. The theater provides a place to escape from the dark and murky atmosphere outside.
Along that same train of thought, a live stage play might be just the right activity for a chilly November night! There are two upcoming performances I want to share with you. One a comedy, the other a romantic tragedy. Make a night of theater a really romantic event with a stay at our Long Island bed and breakfast after the show.

The Best Play Ever Seriously!

Presented by the Guild Hall and The Naked Stage on November 27 at 7:30 p.m. at the John Drew Theater (158 Main Street, East Hampton, NY). FREE ADMISSION!
The Best Play Ever… Seriously! Is the story of Harris Fynneman, a neighborhood mailman and the “village idiot,” who awakens one morning after a drunken black out to discover he has written the best play ever… Seriously! Unfortunately, no one, including himself, believes this. With the help of his wife and a suspicious professor, Harris journeys to discover the terrifying truth behind his unintentional encounter with genius.

Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl

Presented by the Guild Hall and The Naked Stage on December 11 at 7:30 p.m.at the John Drew Theater (158 Main Street, East Hampton, NY). FREE ADMISSION!

Long-island-theater
A photo of Eurydice being performed at the Wilma Theater.

Definitely one of my top three favorite Greek myths, the story of Eurydice and Orpheus is one of ego, all-engulfing love and the underworld. This performance is a re-telling of the ancient Orpheus myth from the female perspective of Eurydice.
The play follows Eurydice as travels into the Underworld, where she meets her father. In the Underworld, Eurydice re-learns language and memory until she has to make her ultimate decision – whether to follow Orpheus back to the land of the living.
This is going to be a very interesting bit of theater which I would love to see. On a side note, if you like the Orpheus story, there are two films I would also recommend: ‘Black Orpheus’ (or ‘Orfeu Negro,’ in Portuguese), a Brazilian film from 1959 and ‘Orfeu,’ a 1999 re-make of the 1959 film. The earlier film is highly acclaimed and the later very entertaining. Both are choked full of wonderful samba music and dance.
 



While the summer has come to a close on the island, the cool weather and colorful foliage associated with harvest season makes this a great time to take a trip to Long Island wine country!
One winery in particular has several great events and tours coming up at the end of this month and in the beginning of November. Sannino Bella Vita Vineyard, located at 1375 Peconic Ln. in Peconic, NY, about a 10 minute drive from our Long Island Inn, has both entertaining and educational opportunities for you to learn and experience Long Island wine.
VIP Vine to Wine Tours. Saturday & Sunday at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.
Be a part of the most comprehensive wine tour in the region, at the first custom winemaking center on the North Fork. Mini viticulture and winemaking lesson also includes wine tasting, cheese plate and special discounts. $20 per person, Reservations Required- Call to reserve: 631-734-8282.
Psychic Event at the Jamesport Manor Inn. November 3, 12 p.m.

long island wineries
The Sannino Vineyard

Join the North Fork Bed & Breakfast Association as they host a Psychic Event at Jamesport Manor Inn. The event includes:

  • a three hour group psychic reading by TV personality Jim Fargiano
  • an introduction by Kerriann Flanagan Brosky, author of Ghosts of Long Island, photographer and patch blogger
  •  three – course lunch
  • a raffle with the following prizes: a private reading by Jim, his cd and signed book and a weekend stay at the NFBBA member BnB of your choice.

Tickets are $125 and can be purchased directly from the Sannino Bella Vita winery. Call (631) 734-8282
Winemaker for a Day: VIP Blending Session. November 18th, December 16th, 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
With this exclusive session for two, you and your guest will create a custom bottle of wine as you learn about life as a vintner.
Owner and winemaker, Anthony Sannino, will lead you on a tour of the winery and provide you with an overview of the winemaking process. Throughout the experience you will enjoy Long Island varietals including Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay and more.
To create a lasting memory of the day, you will make your very own custom blend while enjoying lunch. All is included for $150 per couple. Reservations Required- Call to reserve: 631-734-8282
 
 



Long Island’s oldest astronomical observatory is open every Saturday from dusk until midnight. Free and open to the public, enjoy a guided tour of the sky offered by observatory staff. The powerful telescopes will give you a view of the sky you rarely get to see and it’s wonderful to have an informed guide to answer your questions.
Instead of looking up at the sky and wondering, “Which star is that?”…now you’ll know!
The Customer Observatory also has a museum and library with informative exhibits and reference materials for the avid stargazer.

Stargazing Programs at the Custer Institute and Observatory

Custer Observatory hosts a variety of fun and educational events. The next one at the observatory is the weekend of October 19-21. The observatory will have it’s 34th Annual Astronomy Jamoree which coincides very nicely with the upcoming Orionid Meteor Shower. The download a PDF for the full event program and registration details.
Located at 1115 Main Bayview Road, there is bound to be a gathering of cosmophiles there for almost any celestial event. Visit the website, www.custerobservatory.org, for celestial events dates and a daily a clear sky forecast so you can look ahead to your Long Island vacation and know which nights will be your best bet for a clear view of the stars.

Planning a Long Island Romantic Getaway?

Try something a little different from the usual dinner and a movie. The Custer Institute and Observatory is a place to put a sense of wonder into your hearts as you look up at the big sky and it’s uncountable stars…
The Custer Institute is a 12 minute drive from the Arbor View House, a premier Long Island bed and breakfast and spa. We have 13 years of experience as one of the best bed and breakfasts in Long Island. Along with a stunning location, we offer three course gourmet breakfasts and great concierge services, all included with the cost of your stay.



Compass
Come to Mitchell Park in Greenport, Long Island for the 23rd Annual 2012 Greenport Maritime Festival.

September 21-23, 2012 Greenport Maritime Festival

 
Greenport has a long, proud maritime history. From the late 1700s to about 1859, the town was a major whaling port. During both World Wars, Greenport’s shipbuilders were busy supplying craft for the US Navy. And the town’s fishing industry has been going strong since the mid-1800s. Such a rich cultural heritage deserves a big celebration and Greenport does just that every year with its fall Maritime Festival.
Downtown Greenport comes alive with free, family-friendly events and activities. Enjoy the 23rd Annual Greenport Maritime Festival with fireworks, the delicious clam chowder contest, a show of beautifully crafted wooden boats, and whale boat and kayak races. There will also be a fun parade with everything from classic tractors to marching bands. At Greenport’s waterfront Mitchell Park, ride the antique carousel, listen to live music and peruse the tents with food, drink, crafts and more. Be on the lookout for roving pirates, too. (The Kings of the Coast Pirate Show will be at noon, Sunday.) Greenport’s shops will be open and the East End Seaport Museum will have special events and exhibits in honor of Greenport’s maritime history.
There will be even more wooden boats this year, all handcrafted beauties that are worth a long look. Scenic cruises on Saturday and Sunday will give visitors a chance to visit the Long Beach Bar “Bug” Lighthouse. (It’s called the “Bug” because of the original lighthouse’s long insect-like legs.)
Like last year, the Saturday evening cruise will stay out in time for the evening’s fireworks display. For more information and a detailed schedule of events.
Our North Fork Long Island B&B is only minutes from the Maritime Festival in Greenport, NY. Arbor View House will be just the right place to stay while you enjoy Greenport’s heritage fest, the wineries of the North Fork and the natural beauty of our area.



Couple with toasting wine glasses at sunset
Cheers! Our Long Island Wine Country B&B is located on the more temperate North Fork of Long Island.

The summer of 2012 has been a record-breaker for heat. However, we know a place you can go where the temperature and overall weather is that much cooler and more pleasant. Where? Right here in the North Fork of Long Island!  You know all those storms that you have gotten west in the city and on Nassau County, well we missed them or only got the trailing edge.  Most people don’t realize that we enjoy better North Fork weather than the areas to the west of us. There are three very good scientific reasons for this:
1) The Urban Heat Island Effect
The western part of Long Island, Nassau County, is much more developed than the east where we are (Suffolk County). More development means more asphalt and concrete and other materials that absorb and store heat. This is known as the “urban heat island” effect. It’s a powerful enough effect that it can even deflect cooling rains downwind of cities. In the summertime, if you’ve ever driven into the city from a more rural area (without your air conditioner on), you can really feel the difference!
2) Cooling Atlantic Breezes
In addition to the urban heat island effect, the Atlantic Ocean’s cooling sea breezes help temper the summer heat. Those same breezes also tone down the occurrence of thunderstorms, both in their frequency and their strength. We on the North Fork benefit from being the peninsula and have cooler water on three sides. Also, did you know that Cutchogue, the heart of the North Fork wine country, is the sunniest place in New York State? It’s the sunniest place with a moderate climate just like Bordeaux.
3) Radiational Cooling
Sounds fancy, but it simply means that our less developed area is able to radiate the stored heat of the day much faster. And it’s not just a little difference in temperature. On a night with no rain, mist, clouds or wind, Suffolk County can be nearly 20 degrees F cooler than areas west of us.
The net result of all this science talk? It’s time to escape the city’s heat and book your room at our North Fork Long Island lodging. All year round, you can enjoy our inn near Greenport, NY for our welcoming hospitality, fine amenities, cooler summer weather, and less stormy winters. Truly the ultimate getaway!



Breakfast in Bed at Arbor View House
Enjoy the hospitality at our North Fork Long Island B&B

At our North Fork bed and breakfast inn, we always strive to create the perfect atmosphere of hospitality for our guests. We are very thankful to all of you who have shared your reviews at TripAdvisor.com. We always appreciate any feedback that can help us provide the best Long Island accommodations possible. We’d like to share a few of the most recent reviews which have given us a average overall rating of five stars on Trip Advisor. Thanks again to all our wonderful guests!
“Gracious & Accommodating”
The Arbor View House is both charming and perfectly maintained. It is centrally located near wonderful wineries, restaurants and beaches. Our hosts, Wilfred and Veda, are warm, friendly and very accommodating. We enjoyed the food and conversation. They



Fireworks display
Enjoy the 2012 Fourth of July Celebrations in Southold and Greenport, NY!

During your stay at our Long Island Wine Country bed & breakfast, don’t miss out on the local Independence Day celebrations. Southold and Greenport will be hosting fun 4th of July events.
Southold, NY 4th of July Parade 2012
At noon on Wednesday, July 4th, the Southold Village Merchants will have their 15th Annual 4th of July Parade. Arrive before the festivities to get a good spot and enjoy a good old fashioned 4th of July parade. Wave a flag as the marching bands, classic cars, floats and red, white & blue riders on horseback pass by to cheers and applause. The route will start at Boisseau Avenue and continue to Tucker Lane Route 25. For more information, call (631) 765-4100.
2012 Greenport Carnival and Fireworks
Only five minutes from the inn, Greenport’s annual Carnival will offer a wide range of fun events, rides and games from July 3-7. The Greenport Carnical is open every evening from 6-11 p.m. at Moore’s Lane. Get on the carousel and have that once-a-year elephant ear or your favorite forbidden carnival treat! It’s a worthy cause too; the event raises funds for Greenport’s 7th Relief Hose Co. & Phenix Hook & Ladder Co #1.
There will be spectacular fireworks displays not only on the 4th of July, but also on Saturday, July 7th at 10 p.m. Arrive a bit earlier to the rear of the Green Port High School grounds at 720 Front Street if you want to watch the fireworks up close. Whatever spot you choose, bring your picnic blanket and goodies to enjoy with the show. If the merriment of a 4th of July crowd isn’t your style, you can always watch the fireworks as you stroll the nearby beaches.
Before the evening events, you can arrive during the day to experience downtown Greenport, NY. The fine seafood restaurants will be open and quaint stores beckon with antiques and unique arts and crafts.
After all the excitement of the North Fork 4th of July, you’ll love returning to your comfortable bed at our Long Island, NY accommodations.



Shelter Island day trip from NY Bed and Breakfast
Stretch your legs on one of Shelter Island’s beaches.

When it’s hot, the North Fork of Long Island is cooler than the city. There’s less concrete here to absorb the heat, and we’re surrounded by water. Deliciously cooling breezes come off Long Island Sound, Gardiner Bay, and Shelter Island Sound.
Guests always ask what is there to do out on the North Fork.  One of the things we suggest is a day trip to Shelter Island.
Nearby Shelter Island makes a wonderful day trip for guests of our New York Bed and Breakfast. The ferry between Greenport and Shelter Island runs frequently, and bikes are available for rent at Piccozzi’s Garage and Bike Shop, a short walk from the ferry terminal. The island is mostly flat, so cycling is easy.
We can help you in creating a picnic for your stop at a beach at the end of Bootleggers Alley.
Both Crescent Beach and Silver Beach are great spots for swimming. The water, protected by the North and South Forks of Long Island, is calm and fairly warm.
These same sheltered waters are fun to explore in a kayak. Park your bike at Shelter Island Kayak Tours, and let them lead you on a two hour tour.
Cycle down to the 2,000-acre Mashomack Preserve on the southeast tip of the island. The Nature Conservancy maintains four trails of varying lengths and difficulty. If you’re on a bike, you may want to avoid the 11 mile trail and stick with the 1.5 mile trail to the shore.
North Fork NY Bed and Breakfast near Greenport.
Bed will feel so good after a biking around Shelter Island.

There are a few nice spots to grab a bite to eat on Shelter Island. Vine Street Café serves wonderful, seasonally-inspired food, but reservations are recommended. Ram’s Head has amazing seafood, such as Lobster Sausage and Green “Gazpacho”.  Pat & Steve’s Family Restaurant is the perfect spot to grab a sandwich, and it serves pancakes all day.
You’ll be thankful for the generous breakfast Veda provided before your biking excursion, and you’ll be ready to relax once you get back to Arbor View House NY Bed and Breakfast.  Even though we are not a Shelter Island Bed and Breakfast but we are not far away.   Later on you may even want to take advantage of our spa services, and schedule a massage or aroma-therapy bath for that evening or the following day!