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The best way to properly tour the natural beauty of Suffolk County’s North Shore is with a car ride on Route 25A, an absolute gem of a Long Island travel corridor.
This mostly four-lane road runs from Cold Spring Harbor, on the Nassau border, to Wading River in the east, taking travelers directly into some of Long Island’s most picturesque and historic downtowns.
Along 25A, you’ll see everything from harbors, to farms, to 17th and 18th century homes.
And plenty of CVS’s — as this is the 21st century.
But this place is steeped in history — most notably in and around Seatauket, the home base of operations for George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring, which helped the U.S. defeat the British in the Revolutionary War. (And this history is carefully preserved.)
If you’re looking to move or just visit here, a big issue with much of Suffolk’s upper North Shore, closest to the water, is that you could be a good 20-minute drive away from any major highway — but that’s how many of the locals like it.
Traffic also slows to a crawl during certain hours on 25A and other east-west roadways. So get comfortable. Grab a bite at some renowned restaurants. Take a hike. Take a dip.
What’s more, a Hampton Inn & Suites was built in 2022 in what was Huntington’s old Town Hall, making a visit to the downtown that much better. Now you can walk back to a room instead of calling an Uber. And if you’re looking to take a stroll, Heckscher Park is the crown jewel of the town’s park system.
There are plenty of lodging options, too, for a comfy stay-over.
Top: An aerial view of Northport harbor. (stock image)
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The downtowns
Those passing through Long Island from New York to the Hamptons miss everything, other than maybe the strip malls they’ll see along the highway. The charm lies in our downtowns, and the North Shore boasts some of the prettiest ones. So let’s tour the more notable and visitor-friendly downtowns, from west to east.
Cold Spring Harbor
If you’re also looking to move somewhere, Cold Spring Harbor, with a population of just 3,000, ranked 2nd in a 2023 survey of the best places to live in Suffolk County. Niche, the ranking outlet, gave the community an overall grade of A+, with high marks for public schools, outdoor activities, health and fitness, and nightlife. For us, the commercial strip along 25A in Cold Spring Harbor is charming in any season, but especially summer, with some great dining options and views of the harbor.
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Huntington
Downtown Huntington is a restaurant mecca that’s always felt more like the downtown of a medium-sized city. Our advice is to not make dining reservations. Just stroll the sidewalks and look at the menus posted outside, because there are dozens of restaurants to choose from — the most of any downtown on Long Island. There are plenty of eclectic shopping options, too. All that, and what’s widely considered the island’s premier downtown concert hall: The Paramount.
Northport
This waterside village boasts a New England-style charm that attracted writer Jack Kerouac, a Massachusetts native, to the area toward the end of his life in the 1960s. Historic photos of the village’s Main Street — and you can still see the trolley tracks — don’t look that much different than what you’ll find there today. That’s because the village’s history is carefully doted on and protected.
If you’re going to visit Northport, a stroll through Cow Harbor Park is a must — and that stroll must also include a walk along the dock to the village gazebo perched right in the harbor. Or maybe play some frisbee or chess in the shade. The village itself is also a great place for dinner, ice cream or custard. And there’s even a brand-new hotel. Lastly, sunset over Northport is an absolute delight.
Port Jefferson
Here’s another big downtown on the Sound, surpassed in size only by Huntington, also with a historic hotel, Danford’s. The ferries run back and forth between Port Jefferson and Bridgeport, Conn. So you get a lot of day-trippers, especially in the summer. And it’s probably the island’s capital for grabbing ice cream. Dining options are plentiful, from Italian to Japanese, Indian to American. If you’re around in December, a must-attend event is Port Jeff’s celebrated, two-day Dickens Festival. There’s also the huge Harborfront Park, with ice skating offered most of the winter.
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