Port Jefferson guide
July 24, 2008
With a historic harbor and a thriving downtown area featuring a variety of restaurants and shops, plus activities including dinner cruises, outdoor movies and live music, Port Jefferson is the perfect spot to explore on a day trip or weekend excursion.
The town boasts a Harborfront Park with a fishing dock, harbor walk and the new Village Center, which offers fitness and lifestyle classes, meeting rooms and a skating rink, open during the winter months. The Children's Maritime Museum, which holds learning programs for kids throughout the year, is also located in the center.
A day trip to Port Jefferson might include a breakfast stop at the Tiger Lily Cafe (156 E. Main St.), where you can sit on the outdoor deck and soak in the Zen-like vibe while enjoying a fruit smoothie or Chai tea latte. Next you can wander around, stopping in boutiques like The Pink Grasshopper, Reruns and Fetch, finding unique clothing and accessories for you and your pet. From there you might take a cruise on the Martha Jefferson or stroll along the Harborfront Park before heading to the Upper Deck, The Fifth Season or Wave for a cocktail enjoyed outdoors during happy hour. Dinner options are endless, from lobster to brick oven pizza to steakhouse classics and more. Decide to stay for the night? There are a number of bed and breakfasts and inns in the area.
But there's no reason to follow this itinerary. Whether you're headed to Port Jefferson for the first time or you're a regular, here's everything you need to know to plan your next trip.
From casual pub food to contemporary American served alfresco, dining options abound in Port Jefferson, especially along Main Street and East Main Street. Here are some options:
Billie's 1890 Saloon: 304 Main St., 631-331-1890
Costa de Espana: 9 Traders Cove, 631-331-5363, costadeespana.com
Elk Street Grille: 201 Main St., 631-331-0960, elkstreetgrille.com
The Fifth Season: 34 E. Broadway, 631-477-8500, thefifth-season.com
Fish & Co.: 113 W. Broadway, 631-473-1764, fishandcoportjefferson.com
Gourmet Burger Bistro: 5 Mill Creek Rd., 631-403-4033, gourmetburgerbistro.com
Grumpy Jack's Sports Bar and Restaurant: 28 Oakland Ave., 631-642-1942
Harbor Square Cafe: 134 Main St., 631-473-6437
Il Miradoro Restaurant: 154 W. Broadway, 631-928-6262
Kimi: 115 Main St., 631-928-8868
Lombardi's on the Sound: 44 Fairway Dr., 631-473-1440, lombardisonthesound.com
Pace's Steak House: 318 Wynn Lane, 631-331-9200, pacessteakhouse.com
Papa Joe's Shrimp & Crab Factory: 111 W. Broadway, 631-473-5656, papajoesshrimpfactory.com
Pasta Pasta: 234 E. Main St., 631-331-5335, pastapasta.net
The Pie: 216 Main St., 631-331-4646, thepie.tv
Port Jefferson Lobster House: 1 North Country Rd., 631-473-1143, pjlobsterhouse.com
Ruvo: 105 Wynn Lane, 631-476-3800, ruvorestaurant.com
Salsa Salsa: 142 Main St., 631-473-9700, salsasalsa.net
The Steam Room: 4 E. Broadway, 631-928-6690, steamroomrestaurant.com
Three Village Inn: 150 Main St., 631-751-0555, threevillageinn.com
Tiger Lily Cafe: 156 E. Main St., 631-476-7080, tigerlilycafe.com
Toast Coffeehouse & Wine Bar: 242 E. Main St., 631-331-6860, toastcoffeehouse.com
Tommy's Place: 109 Main St., 631-473-8778, tommysplace.com
Tumbleweeds: 242B E. Main St., 631-473-8862
Wave Restaurant & Lounge: 25 E. Broadway, 631-928-5200 x170
Z-Pita: 217 Main St., 631-476-7510
A day of shopping can begin on East Main St., where small boutiques are mixed in with cafes and casual restaurants. Some exploration will reveal specialty stores selling personalized bath products, Christmas decorations year-round, doggy outfits, handcrafted jewelry and more. Here are a few places worth checking out:
Beverly Frills (tween apparel): 156 E. Main St., 631-331-2855, beverlyfrillsonline.com
Boardwalk Games Inc.: 101 W. Broadway, 631-928-4263, boardwalkgamesinc.com
Casa Artistica (jewelry): 301 E. Main St., 631-928-2272, casaartisticajewelry.com
Earring Tabu (jewelry): 158 E. Main St., 631-928-7113
Elements (gift shop): 202 Main St., 631-331-5596, myelements.com
Fetch (doggy boutique): 301 E. Main St., 631-331-0965, fetchdoggies.com
Lavender Fields (home store): 230 E. Main St., 631-474-5461, lavenderfieldsonline.com
Max and Millie Inc. (women's apparel): 142 E. Main St., 631-474-1044
Once Upon a Christmas: 22 Mill Creek Rd., 631-928-6357
The Pink Grasshopper (women's apparel): 230 E. Main St., 631-331-0025, shopthepinkgrasshopper.com
Red Sled Christmas Shop: 144 E. Main St., 631-331-3444
Reruns Creativewear (women's apparel): 158 E. Main St., 631-928-8232
The Scented Cottage Garden (home store): 205 E. Main St., 631-473-4142
The Soap Box (body products): 18 Chandler Square, 631-509-1424
Tumi (Peruvian goods): 120 E. Main St., 631-828-2931
You, Me & Tea (loose teas seller): 45 Chandler Square, 631-828-5558, youmeandtea.net
From harborside movies and concerts throughout the summer to dinner cruises on the Martha Jefferson and sailing trips on the Mary E Schooner, Port Jefferson offers many options for the resident or the visitor.
Events:
Long Island Comedy Festival: At Theatre Three August 29-30, 8 p.m., $25 per show.
Harborside Concerts: Thursdays at 8 p.m. across from Village Hall (Children's shows behind Village Hall). Call for event info and weather alerts 631-802-2162.
July 31: Adventures of Chachka (kids)
August 7: Electrix (sixties classic rock)
August 7: Comedy show / juggling (kids)
August 14: Prof. Bellini and Red Spaghetti Orchestra (kids)
August 21: Felix Cavaliere's Rascals
Cinema in the Park: Behind Village Hall at dusk
July 31: Surf's Up
August 14: Shrek Three
Sept. 7: LI Mustang Club Car Show
Sept. 12-14: 5th Annual Port Jefferson American Music Festival. Featuring music by Buckwheat Zydeco, Kerry Ferry, Peter Tork and Shoe Suede Blues and 25 other performers over four stages.
Dec. 5-7: 13th Annual Dickens Festival
Marinas, boat trips and cruises:
Danfords on the Sound: 25 E. Broadway, 631-928-5200
Port Jefferson Town Marina: West Broadway, 631-331-3567
Mary E Schooner Cruises: Daily sails on the 75-foot authentic clipper, built in 1906, depart from the Historic Shipyard, East of Ferry Pier. Daily sails at 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. are 1.5 hours, $25 per person, $12 per kid. Sunset sails at 6:30 p.m. are 2.5 hours, $35 per person, $15 per kid. Call 631-662-7925 for more information. For private charters e-mail captericvandy@aol.com or call 631-332-0699.
Martha Jefferson paddle boat trips: Daily trips on the 85-foot Mississippi River Paddle Boat depart April through October. Cruises include dinner, lunch and brunch cruises with dancing, cocktails and live entertainment. Private cruises for 50 to 120 guests are also available. For more information call 631-331-3333 or visit marthajefferson.com.
Port Jefferson Ferry: In July and August, cruises with live bands, cash and snack bars are offered on Saturday evenings and sunset cruises are offered on Wednesday evenings. Tours to see NASCAR in New Hampshire, a flower show in Boston and to go antiquing on Route 7 in the Berkshires, plus casino packages and more options are offered throughout the year. Multiple trips each day travel to and from Bridgeport, Ct. For reservations or more information call 631-473-0286 or go to portjeffferry.com.
The Village Center: 101-A E. Broadway, 631-802-2160, pjvillagecenter.com
The Village Center offers yoga, swing dancing, culinary classes, writing workshops and other activities for all ages. Call or go online for a full schedule of upcoming events.
Theatre Three: 412 Main St., 631-928-9100, theatrethree.com
Upcoming and ongoing events include the LI Comedy Festival, "1968: Rock the World," "La Cage Aux Folles" and "A Christmas Carol."
Galleries:
Gallery 4222: 318 Wynn Lane, 631-473-5422, gallery4222.com
Imagine Gallery: 35 Chandler Square, 631-509-5340
Salons & Spas:
BodyWise: 415 E. Main St., 631-642-1109, bodywiseway.com
Intrigue Hair Studio: 464 Main St., Ste. C, 631-331-1185
La Petite Nail Boutique: 146 E. Main St., 631-331-0400
Sugar Sugar Day Spa: 324 Main St., 631-473-8100
A high-class happy hour on the waterfront or casual night at a pub are probably your best bets in Port Jeff. Here are a few spots to have a drink:
Billie's 1890 Saloon: 304 Main St., 631-331-1890
The Old Port Pub: 140 Main St., 631-828-4755
Port Jazz (live music): 201 Main St., 631-476-7600, portjazz.com
The Upper Deck: 111 W. Broadway, 631-473-5656, papajoesshrimpfactory.com
Wave Restaurant & Lounge: 25 E. Broadway, 631-928-5200 x170
In addition to Danfords on the Sound, a 86-room hotel on the water, Port Jefferson boasts a number of bed and breakfasts and inns near the downtown area. Here are some options if you want to turn your day trip into an overnight stay:
Danfords on the Sound: 25 E. Broadway, 631-928-5200, danfords.com
Golden Pineapple: 201 Liberty Ave., 631-331-0706, goldenpineapplebandb.com
Holly Berry Bed and Breakfast: 415 W. Broadway, 631-331-3123, hollyberrybandb.com
The New Heritage Inn: 201 W. Broadway, 631-474-0627, portjeffheritageinn.com
Ransome Inn Bed and Breakfast: 409 E. Broadway, 631-474-5019, ransomeinn.net
Terryville Motor Lodge: 1371 Rte. 12, 631-928-5900
White House on High Street Bed & Breakfast: 651 High St., 631-474-0003, whitehousebb-portjefferson.com
By Car on the LIE: Take Exit 63 for CR-83/Ocean Ave. toward Mount Sinai/Patchogue. Follow CR-83 for about 4 miles and then turn left on Rte-112, which turns into Main Street/Route 25A. Park close to the waterfront and travel up and down Main Street and E. Main Street on foot.
By Long Island Rail Road: The LIRR runs directly to Main Street and Oakland Avenue, about one mile from the intersection with E. Main Street. Port Jefferson is 59.3 miles to Penn Station and takes about 2 hours.
JTE & Lindy's Taxi Service: 631-234-1300, 631-473-0707
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