The North Fork

The North Fork of Long Island refers to the hamlets, and villages located within the towns of Riverhead, and Southold, New York on the east end of Long Island.

At Riverhead proper, Long Island splits into two forks, hence the designations of The South Fork, and The North Fork. The South Fork is home to the famed Hamptons region. The North Fork is also a region popular with second home owners, and summer vacationers, but it has a much more rural feel and character than The Hamptons. Shelter Island lies between the North and South Forks, and ferries provide shuttle service between Greenport Village and Shelter Island Heights, as well as between Shelter Island and North Haven along The South Fork.

Tourism

The North Forks latest claim to fame is its large vinaculture industry.The North Fork is now home to over 30 vineyards, many of which run tasting rooms for the public to sample and buy their wines. The first of the areas Vineyards, Hargrave, was founded in 1974, and today continues as Castello De Borghese. The Vineyards and Wineries are an important part of the areas economy.The Vineyards and Wineries have stretched from Baiting Hollow in the west to Southold in the East, with new Vineyards recently planted in Greenport and Orient.

Many multi-generational family farms are still in operation throughout the region as well, and their farmstands are a popular attraction. During the Fall Harvest Season many of the farms host pumpkin picking and other attractions revolving around the harvest theme, and have given rise to the term, "agritainment". On Fall weekends traffic backs up on both primary roads with many people making the drive from suburban areas of Long Island and NYC to participate in the Harvest Season activities.

The North Fork lies east of the terminus of the Long Island Expressway (LIE), and is served by two primary east to west roads, Route 25, also called Main Road, and Route 48/Sound Avenue, also called North Road. At the eastern most point, Cross Sound Ferry runs daily car and passenger ferries to and from New London, Connecticut. The Long Island Railroad provides a limited service to the region, while a more complete and balanced service is provided to and from New York City by The Hampton Jitney Bus Company.

Hamlets and villages of the North Fork

Riverhead Town

* Wading River -- "shared with the Town of Brookhaven"
* Calverton -- "shared with the Town of Brookhaven"
* Riverhead
* Baiting Hollow
* Northville
* Aquebogue
* Jamesport
* South Jamesport

Southold Town

* Laurel
* Mattituck
* Cutchogue
* New Suffolk
* Peconic
* Southold
* Greenport (Village)
* Stirling
* East Marion
* Orient
* Orient Point

Sources

* [http://www.liwine.com Long Island Wine Council]
* [http://www.longislandferry.com Ferry Service to and From Connecticut]
* [http://www.suffolktimes.com Weekly newspaper for the Town of Southold]
* [http://www.northforkchamber.com Local Chamber of Commerce]