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🗺️ Farm Day Trips guide
Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Long Island's North Fork, New York
Lavender By The Bay's East Marion field peaks in early July; pair it with Orient Beach State Park, Horton Point Lighthouse and Cutchogue wineries.
4 places · updated October 17, 2026
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Updated October 17
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The North Fork is the quieter of Long Island's two eastern prongs: one main road runs past vineyards, farm stands and old hamlets to Orient Point, with Peconic Bay on one side and Long Island Sound on the other. Lavender By The Bay has farmed lavender in East Marion since 2002, and its 17-acre field of more than 80,000 plants sits on Main Road between Greenport and Orient.
Almost everything in this guide lies within a 15-minute drive of the lavender field. Orient Beach State Park and the Oysterponds Historical Society are just east; Greenport's East End Seaport Museum, Southold's Horton Point Lighthouse and the Custer Institute observatory are just west; Cutchogue and Mattituck wineries are a little farther. Come in early July for the main bloom, or in September for the late-season farm roads and quieter wineries.
The lavender farms
- Lavender By The BayLavender farm · East Marion
English lavender from mid-June; French lavender peaks in early July; smaller second English bloom in late summer
Two farms (East Marion and Calverton) open daily 10–6, weather permitting, in season; during bloom, entry is by timed 90-minute tickets, including a Calverton sunset session. No picking in the fields.
Best time to visit
Lavender By The Bay's English lavender starts blooming in mid-June, its French lavender peaks in early July, and a smaller second English bloom follows in late summer or early fall; each bloom lasts about three to four weeks. The fields are open daily June through September, with the East Marion farm on weekends only in April and May. Orient Beach State Park's 2026 guarded swimming ran June 27–September 7, and Horton Point Lighthouse and the Southold Historical Museum open on weekends from Memorial Day weekend to September 20. Bug Light cruises from the East End Seaport Museum begin in July. In fall, the lavender farm's chestnut harvest begins and the wineries keep tasting rooms open.
Places to see nearby parks, trails, beaches and landmarks
- Orient Beach State Park🌳 State park · Orient · about 5 mi, 10 min drive
A long spit on Gardiner's Bay with 45,000 feet of bay frontage and a rare maritime forest of red cedar, blackjack oak and prickly-pear cactus, a National Natural Landmark since 1980. Swim, paddle from the kayak launch (April–October) or watch herons, egrets and osprey.
2026 guarded swimming June 27–September 7, 10:30 am–6 pm
$10 per car daily June 27–September 7, 2026; $8 in spring and on fall weekends to October 12
- Oysterponds Historical Society🏛️ Historic site · Orient · about 3 mi, 5 min drive
A campus of historic buildings on Village Lane in Orient's old hamlet, including the Village House period rooms, the Webb House and the Red Barn collection, with changing summer exhibitions.
Exhibitions open in summer; closed for the 2026 season now, with weekday tours possible by calling the office
$10 per non-member adult
- East End Seaport Museum🏛️ Museum · Greenport · about 3 mi, 6 min drive
On Third Street by Greenport's harbor, with maritime exhibits and a 2026 show by Shinnecock artist Courtney M. Leonard; in summer it runs boat cruises out to the Long Beach Bar 'Bug' Lighthouse.
Saturday and Sunday 10:30 am–5 pm; Bug Light cruises begin in July
- Horton Point Lighthouse🗼 Lighthouse · Southold · about 8 mi, 15 min drive
The Southold Historical Museum runs a nautical museum in the lighthouse, covering maritime and whaling history and Long Island's bootlegging days.
Saturday and Sunday 11:30 am–4 pm, Memorial Day weekend to September 20 (2026)
- Southold Historical Museum, Maple Lane campus🏛️ Historic site · Southold · about 8 mi, 14 min drive
A cluster of historic buildings off Main Road in Southold, open for summer weekend visits; the museum gift shop and treasure exchange in the Prince Building are open year-round.
Saturday and Sunday 1–4 pm, Memorial Day weekend to September 20 (2026)
- Custer Institute and Observatory🏛️ Museum · Southold · about 9 mi, 15 min drive
This public observatory opens its doors every Saturday night at 7 pm, with telescope viewing from dark until midnight, weather permitting.
Every Saturday night year-round
- Hallockville Museum Farm🏛️ Museum · Riverhead · about 22 mi, 35 min drive
A historic farm museum on Sound Avenue with historic houses and barns, heritage and community gardens and a beekeeping program; the late-November Country Parlor folk art show fills Naugles Barn.
Events through the year; Country Parlor show November 27–29, 2026
- Indian Island County Park🏞️ Park · Riverhead · about 25 mi, 40 min drive
At the mouth of the Peconic River with views over Flanders Bay; a popular campground with hiking, fishing, a boat launch and a playground.
Open year-round
Where to stop: farms, food and stays
- Bedell CellarsWinery or vineyard (21+) · Cutchogue
A Cutchogue winery on Main Road with a wine and food menu and no reservations needed for groups up to 15; open until 7 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Macari VineyardsWinery or vineyard (21+) · Mattituck
A family farm of nearly 500 acres in Mattituck, farmed without herbicides using organic and biodynamic principles; reservations are required for all tastings.
- Southampton InnRestaurant · Southampton
A 90-room inn in Southampton Village on the South Fork, with a heated pool, bikes for riding to the beach and a welcome for pets, for those who want to see both forks.
- The Palm East HamptonRestaurant · East Hampton
The Palm East Hampton dines inside the Huntting Inn on Main Street, an inn established in 1751, for an evening on the South Fork.
A one-day plan
- 10:00 AMLavender By The Bay
Enter the fields with a timed 90-minute ticket during bloom (early July for French lavender) and visit the farm shop.
- 11:45 AMOrient Beach State Park · about 10 min drive
About 10 minutes east. Walk the nature trail through the maritime forest and along Gardiner's Bay; about an hour.
- 1:15 PMBedell Cellars · about 30 min drive
About 30 minutes west on Main Road to Cutchogue for lunch from the winery's food menu (outside food is not allowed); about 75 minutes. Plan a designated driver.
- 2:45 PMHorton Point Lighthouse · about 15 min drive
About 15 minutes to the Sound in Southold; tour the nautical museum on a summer weekend (open until 4 pm); about 45 minutes.
- 3:50 PMMacari Vineyards · about 20 min drive
About 20 minutes west to the Mattituck tasting room; book the tasting in advance; about an hour.
- 7:00 PMCuster Institute and Observatory · about 20 min drive
After dinner in Southold or Greenport, the observatory doors open at 7 pm on Saturdays; telescope viewing starts at dark, weather permitting.
Tips
- Lavender By The Bay sells timed field tickets in 90-minute slots during bloom, and releases them closer to the season; buy ahead for July weekends.
- Parking at the East Marion lavender farm is limited, and buses must be arranged in advance.
- Macari requires reservations for every tasting; Bedell takes walk-ins for groups of up to 15.
- Horton Point Lighthouse and the Southold Historical Museum open on weekends only, Memorial Day weekend to September 20.
- Orient Beach State Park charges $10 per car in peak summer 2026; a $80 Empire Pass covers most state parks for the season.
Checked in October 2026 against official park, tourism and business websites. How we check listings
Questions
When does the North Fork lavender bloom?
Lavender By The Bay says English lavender starts in mid-June and French lavender peaks in early July, with a smaller second bloom in late summer or early fall.
Do I need tickets for the lavender fields?
Yes, during bloom: entry to the fields requires a timed ticket for a 90-minute slot.
Are dogs allowed at the lavender farm?
Yes. Lavender By The Bay is pet-friendly and asks that dogs stay leashed and owners clean up after them.
How far is Orient Beach State Park from the lavender farm?
About 5 miles, roughly a 10-minute drive east on Main Road.
Is there anything to do on a summer evening?
The Custer Institute in Southold opens for public stargazing every Saturday at 7 pm, about 15 minutes from East Marion.
🪪 Collect a stamp at every stop
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.
Open the Passport🏡 Own a farm, café or inn here?
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