The town of Port Jefferson is thought of by many as a hidden gem of Long Island. Situated about fifty miles from bustling New York City, it combines history and natural beauty with maritime heritage and picturesque views of the water.
1. Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Steamboat Company
Established back in the year 1883, the Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Steamboat Company is one of the country’s oldest operating ferry businesses. Also known on Long Island as the Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Ferry, the company runs a ferry service between Port Jefferson in New York and Bridgeport in Connecticut across the Long Island Sound. The ferry takes around one hour and fifteen minutes, leaving every hour during the summer and on weekends, and every ninety minutes on off-season weekdays. Each ferry features a spacious passenger cabin, a cocktail lounge, outdoor seating, a small deck, a snack bar, and restrooms.
102 W Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, Phone: 888-443-3779
2. Theater Three
Theater Three in the scenic waterfront town of Port Jefferson is a not-for-profit professional theatre company located within the historic Athena Hall, which dates back more than 150 years. The theater is one of Long Island’s premiere producers of entertainment and live theatre. Theatre Three aims to bring culture and arts to the local community, as well as provide professional entertainment for everyone at a reasonable price. The array of programming at the theater includes Broadway-caliber Mainstage productions, a summer concert series, the Annual Festival of One Act Plays, Children’s Theatre productions, A Christmas Carol, and more.
412 Main St, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, Phone: 631-928-9100
3. Maritime Explorium
The Maritime Explorium is an interactive, hands-on museum designed for families to discover and explore the Port Jefferson area’s rich maritime heritage through a variety of exhibits and activities focused on math, engineering, technology, and science. Situated in the Harborfront Park along the water within the town’s historic Chandlery Building, the Maritime Explorium is driven by the idea of learning being “its own fun,” and aims to enable kids to learn in a way that’s their own pace and suits their own style. Programs are centered around purposeful and playful experimentation and there are seasonal changing exhibits.
101 E Broadway, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, Phone: 631-331-3277
4. Pindar Vineyards Port Jefferson Store
The Pindar Vineyards Port Jefferson Store is the wine shop in Port Jefferson, New York of the Pindar Vineyards, producers of several award-winning wines. The dream of Dr. Herodotus “Dan” Damianos, the founder of Pindar, helped create Long Island’s winemaking industry during the early 1980’s. This dream over the past more than thirty years has turned the Pindar Vineyards into one of the best-known wine producers on Long Island. Along with providing bottles of wine for purchase, the Pindar Vineyards Port Jefferson Store offers daily wine tastings consisting of up to five of the currently available wines.
117 Main St, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, Phone: 631-331-7070
5. Ruvo Restaurant East
The Ruvo Restaurant East in the village of Port Jefferson on Long Island offers a relaxing and unique dining experience. Wandering just off of Main Street and down Wynn Lane, visitors and locals alike can find a restaurant serving classic southern Italian dishes, excellent wines, and local seafood. The creative chefs and seasoned staff at Ruvo strive to always provide guests with an exceptional experience and the restaurant has been called “a standout” by The New York Times. Ruvo is open for lunch and dinner Sunday to Saturday, serving fresh country Italian fare and dishes made with traditional family recipes.
105 Wynn Ln, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, Phone: 631-476-3800
6. Nantuckets Port Jefferson
Nantuckets Port Jefferson is a local restaurant specializing in fresh seafood and American fare. The tasty food combined with a warm and professional staff, a dedicated owner, and an imaginative chef provide a memorable dining experience for guests at the Port Jefferson eatery. The Nantuckets restaurant features fresh-muddled cocktails, creative menus, and a cozy and relaxed atmosphere, along with both outdoor dining on one of the decks or indoors in the dining room. Lunch and dinner is served seven days a week, along with brunch on the weekends, which includes a great brunch menu and bottomless mimosas.
9 Traders Cove, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, Phone: 631-509-4848
7. Pasta Pasta
Pasta Pasta is a local restaurant in the historic waterfront Port Jefferson, New York. Since 1991, the restaurant has been one of the North Shore’s premier restaurants. While the name obviously suggests a menu full of pasta, there is much more to the food options at Pasta Pasta, including innovative pizzas, fresh fish, steak, and chicken. Featuring a comfortable and casual style reminiscent of a villa in Tuscany, the restaurant’s dining rooms have light wood accents, candle-lit tables, framed art prints, and other tasteful details.
234 E Main St, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, Phone: 631-331-5335
8.Mather House Museum
Established by the Historical Society of Greater Port Jefferson, the Mather House Museum was once the residence of a prominent 19th century Port Jefferson shipbuilder. The beautifully restored home is filled with antiques, paintings and historic artifacts. The broader museum complex also includes outbuildings which now house a vintage country store, a barber shop, butcher, carriage house, post office and many other interesting exhibits. The museum is open from May through October, and tours are offered Wednesdays to Saturdays from 12 to 4pm. Although entrance is free, donations are requested to enable the Historic Society to continue their restoration projects.
Mather House Museum, 115 Prospect St, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, 631 473 2665
9. Port Jeff Brewing Company
Since 2011 Port Jeff Brewing Company has been producing exceptional small-batch craft beers in Port Jefferson. The brewery and Tap Room is located in the Chandler Square walking mall, where it invites you to come and sample a selection of brews any day of the week or join a brewery tour on Saturdays at 4pm. The Tap Room always has around 11 beers on tap and tasting flights are available. Once you have found your favorite brew you can take some home in Crowlers, growlers, cans or bottles. Visitors are welcome to order in food from any of the nearby restaurants.
Port Jeff Brewing Company, 22 Mill Creek Rd, Port Jefferson, NY 11777, 631 331 29596
10. More Places to Eat
Salsa Salsa offers great sandwiches, tacos and desserts.
The Pie serves amazing coal fired pizza.
Enjoy lovely tea and scones at The Secret Garden Tea Cafe.
- More Vacation Ideas:
- 25 Best Day Trips from Long Island, NY