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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Manorville & Riverhead, Long Island, New York
Plan a day around Hoshyla Farms' late-June lavender festival in Manorville, with Pine Barrens refuge trails, Fire Island surf and Riverhead pies.
5 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Updated October 17
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Manorville sits in the middle of eastern Long Island, where the pine and oak woods of the Pine Barrens meet the farm country around Riverhead. Hoshyla Farms, a fifth-generation family farm dating to 1922, grows lavender here and opens its fields for a two-day festival at the end of June. Lavender By The Bay's 30-acre Calverton farm is a short drive north, so a summer visit can take in two fields in one morning.
From Manorville you are within about half an hour of very different landscapes: the Atlantic beach at Smith Point on Fire Island, the bluffs of Wildwood State Park on Long Island Sound, the Carmans River at Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge and the Peconic Bay farm stands of Riverhead. Late June and early July bring the lavender bloom and the start of the state park swim season; fall brings pies and apples on the farm roads and waterfowl to the refuge.
The lavender farms
- Hoshyla FarmsLavender farm · Manorville
late June (festival timed to bloom)
Open to the public for ticketed events, chiefly the late-June Lavender Festival with u-pick (June 27–28, 2026), plus workshops and seasonal gatherings.
Best time to visit
Lavender is the reason to come in late June: Hoshyla Farms held its 2026 Lavender Festival on June 27–28, with u-pick lavender, artisan vendors, food trucks and music. At Lavender By The Bay's Calverton field, English lavender starts in mid-June and French lavender peaks in early July, with a smaller second English bloom in late summer or early fall. Ocean and Sound beaches are at their best from late June to early September (Wildwood State Park's 2026 guarded swimming ran June 27–September 7). September and October suit farm stands and wineries along Sound Avenue and Main Road, and Hoshyla Farms closes its year with a Halloween Hoedown. From late October through early April, Wertheim refuge is at its best for wintering waterfowl.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge🌲 Preserve · Shirley · about 8 mi, 15 min drive
Almost six miles of trails run through Pine Barrens woods and along the Carmans River, a state-designated scenic river; the White Oak trail starts by the restrooms. Waterfowl gather from late October through early April, and warblers pass through in spring.
Trails open daily, sunrise to sunset; visitor center Monday–Saturday 9 am–4 pm
- Smith Point County Park🏖️ Beach · Shirley · about 12 mi, 25 min drive
An Atlantic surf beach on the Fire Island barrier beach at the south end of the William Floyd Parkway, with a campground that needs reservations and permit-only four-wheel-drive access to the eastern outer beach.
Busiest in summer; parking fees apply Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 8:30 am–5 pm
County parking fee in season (see the county fee schedule)
- Cupsogue Beach County Park🏖️ Beach · Westhampton · about 10 mi, 25 min drive
A 296-acre barrier beach at the end of Dune Road with lifeguarded swimming and both bay and ocean shore; divers use the bay side at slack tide, and campers with a permit can park along the outer beach road.
Lifeguarded swimming in summer; parking fees Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day
County parking fee in season (see the county fee schedule)
- Southaven County Park🏞️ Park · Brookhaven · about 7 mi, 12 min drive
The Carmans River winds through this pine-oak forest park, where you can rent a rowboat, fish the river, walk the nature trails or camp in tent and trailer sites.
- Wildwood State Park🌳 State park · Wading River · about 9 mi, 20 min drive
Some 600 acres of hardwood forest end at a high bluff above Long Island Sound, with a swimming beach, shaded picnic tables, hiking trails and cabins a short walk from the water.
2026 guarded swimming June 27–September 7 daily, then weekends to September 20; camping April 16–October 11, 2026
$10 per vehicle daily May 23–September 7, 2026; $8 on spring and fall weekends
- Sears Bellows County Park🏞️ Park · Hampton Bays · about 18 mi, 25 min drive
Rent a rowboat on freshwater Bellows Pond or follow the park's long trail system, shared by hikers and horseback riders; tent and trailer camping is available.
Some activities close during waterfowl hunting season
- Connetquot River State Park Preserve🌲 Preserve · Oakdale · about 25 mi, 35 min drive
A 50-mile network of hiking, bridle and ski trails leads to a historic trout hatchery; guided tours of the old South Side Sportsmen's Club main house run the first Sunday of the month, September through June, by reservation ($4, 2026).
Tuesday–Sunday year-round; 7:30 am–6 pm May 23–October 16, 2026, 7:30 am–4 pm otherwise; no pets or bikes
$8 per car (2026), collected Tuesday–Sunday May 23–October 16 and on weekends in spring and late fall
- Long Island Aquarium🏛️ Museum · Riverhead · about 11 mi, 18 min drive
On East Main Street in downtown Riverhead, with a shark tunnel, sea lion and seal habitats, a penguin pavilion, otters, Ray Bay and a butterfly house; a good rainy-day stop.
Open year-round (mid-October 2026 hours 10 am–4 pm)
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Briermere FarmsBakery · Riverhead
A Riverhead farm bakery that makes its pies, breads, muffins and jams from scratch, mostly with fruit grown on the farm; open daily in fall 2026.
- Paumanok VineyardsWinery or vineyard (21+) · Aquebogue
A Main Road winery owned by the Massoud family since 1983, whose list includes Chenin Blanc and Cabernet Franc; the tasting room is open daily.
- Blue Point Brewing CompanyBrewery or taproom (21+) · Patchogue
The brewpub attached to the brewery in Patchogue serves beer brewed on site with a food menu, fresh oysters and live music, open until 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Stone Creek InnRestaurant · East Quogue
A dinner restaurant on Montauk Highway led by chef Christian Mir, a native of Southwest France; fall hours are Thursday–Sunday from 5 pm, and reservations open four weeks ahead.
- Benkert's BakeryBakery · Centereach
A four-generation family bakery on Middle Country Road with breads, rolls, pastries and layer cakes, open from 6 am on weekends.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMHoshyla Farms
Walk the lavender rows and pick a bundle during the late-June festival weekend (June 27–28 in 2026); allow about 90 minutes. Outside festival dates, check the farm's events page first.
- 11:50 AMBriermere Farms · about 20 min drive
About 20 minutes north to Riverhead. Pick up bread, muffins and a fruit pie for a picnic lunch; about 30 minutes.
- 12:40 PMWildwood State Park · about 20 min drive
About 20 minutes west. Picnic under the trees, then walk down to the Sound beach below the bluff; about 75 minutes. Pets are not allowed in this park.
- 2:20 PMPaumanok Vineyards · about 25 min drive
About 25 minutes east on Main Road in Aquebogue. Taste the Chenin Blanc in the family's tasting room; about an hour. Plan a designated driver.
- 3:50 PMWertheim National Wildlife Refuge · about 35 min drive
About 35 minutes south to Shirley. Walk part of the White Oak trail along the Carmans River; about an hour.
- 5:10 PMSmith Point County Park · about 15 min drive
About 15 minutes across the bridge to Fire Island for an evening walk on the ocean beach; county parking fees end at 5 pm in season.
- 6:45 PMBlue Point Brewing · about 25 min drive
About 25 minutes west to Patchogue for dinner at the brewpub; it is open until 11 pm on Saturdays.
Tips
- Hoshyla Farms' 2026 festival cost $5 per person, with children under 10, Manorville residents and active military (with ID) free; parking was free and only service animals were allowed.
- Lavender By The Bay's Calverton field uses timed tickets in 90-minute slots during bloom, and its lot is small; buses must be arranged in advance.
- A New York State Empire Pass ($80) covers vehicle entry at Wildwood, Connetquot and most other state parks for the season.
- Suffolk County beach parking fees apply from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, 8:30 am to 5 pm, so arriving after 5 pm avoids the fee.
- Wildwood State Park and Connetquot River State Park Preserve do not allow pets; plan dog walks elsewhere.
- Bring bug spray for Pine Barrens trails in summer, and binoculars for Wertheim from late October on.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When is lavender in bloom near Manorville?
Mid-June to mid-July. Hoshyla Farms held its 2026 festival on June 27–28, and Lavender By The Bay says English lavender starts in mid-June and French lavender peaks in early July.
Can I bring my dog to the lavender festival?
Hoshyla Farms' 2026 festival allowed service animals only. Lavender By The Bay welcomes leashed dogs at its fields.
Which nearby beach is best for a short swim stop?
Wildwood State Park on Long Island Sound is about 20 minutes away, with guarded swimming June 27–September 7 in 2026 ($10 per car). For ocean surf, Smith Point County Park on Fire Island is about 25 minutes south.
Is there anything to do on a rainy day?
The Long Island Aquarium in downtown Riverhead, about 18 minutes away, is indoors and open year-round.
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The free Lavender Passport keeps a stamp for each farm and stop you visit, in real life and in the Lavender Farm Simulator. At the farm, play Field Quest to collect plant varieties as you walk, climb the leaderboards and unlock sponsor rewards.
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