Can’t make it to France for Lavender season? Head to Long Island, New York for lavender fields this summer on the North Fork at Lavender by the Bay!
I’ve always been a Hampton & Montauk girl at heart. Every summer and winter vacation consisted of a trip to visit family out there and enjoy the beach during all seasons. There’s nothing like building castles and making “sand pies” bundled up on the beach in January, let me tell you. During all those years, I have never traveled north of Riverhead and I’m glad I didn’t. I wouldn’t have enjoyed the less touristy simplicity as much as I do now that I’m older. Montauk is pretty low key, but NoFo is even lower with the less crowded roads, adorable farm stands and endless vineyards galore. Due to the fact that I’m on medication where non-stop vineyard day drinking isn’t possible at the moment, I will be sure to be back as soon as I am able.
Where we Stayed
So we made a little trip from Westchester to NoFo and were blessed by the traffic Gods there and back. Our first stop was such a lovely off-the-beaten path B&B in Southold, walking distance from the train. Sue and Doug were our gracious hosts here at this lovely boutique hotel. Our room was impeccably clean, had a delicate simplicity in it’s decor, and promoted ultimate relaxation. From the luxurious robes and towels to the Ghirardelli chocolates, I felt as if I was in heaven.
Sue cooks up a wonderfully satisfying breakfast that varies upon the day. We had coffee, juice, fruit salad, banana pecan muffins, toast, bacon and a frittata made with herbs from her beautiful garden! We chose to sit outside in the nice warm weather to admire the bloomed hydrangeas (our favorite), however their indoor dining room was very bright and enchanting as well and a great option if the weather is too hot or rainy.
Time to Frolic in Lavender!
After fueling up with breakfast, it’s time to take on the day! Take a short 10 minute drive to Lavender by the Bay in East Marion to frolic in an endlessly purple lavender field!
A lot of people visit the farm, so try to come at a less popular time. There is a fee to access the field- $9 for weekends and holidays ($1 goes to local charity), $6 for week days. It’s important to realize that this is a business and livelihood- the next year’s bloom is never certain if Mother Nature chooses not to bless us with it!
The English bloom happens mid-June to early July, while the French bloom typically starts early July. Unlike the English bloom, the French bloom doesn’t last more than 2 weeks before the lavender is harvested for bunches and products. There is a second bloom in August, although it is not as large.
The farm also has honey bee hives and they sell their lavender honey at the end of the summer/fall. Before you leave, make sure you stop at the farm store for some lavender essentials! Some products are made by the farm, while some are imported from France. It’s a lavender lovers paradise! I especially recommend the hydrosol and the pillow mist.
What to do after visiting the Lavender Field
After all that walking at the Long Island Lavender fields, you’ll probably be hungry. Try out North Fork Shack for some yummy lunch options like a flank steak sandwich with caramelized onions and lemon aioli or an S.L.T (sauteed mushroom, lettuce, tomato, avocado, lemon aioli). You can either eat there on their indoor or outdoor tables, or take it to one of the many beaches in NoFo. For a magical beach that rarely has people, trek to 67 Steps beach. Be prepared for some cardio- but its worth it! Don’t expect soft sand on any of the NoFo beaches, it’s quite rocky, but its a nice change of pace from the overly crowded beaches on Long Island.
There are various dinner options in the area, many of which are in Greenport or on the way. If you want a water-view, head to Greenport. We actually had dinner in Southhold at Alure, a marina-front chowder house & “oyster-ia”. You’ll find mostly seafood options here, with a few beef or chicken plates or salads. So grab a plate of Thai red curry coconut lime mussels, a mango mojito, and enjoy the company and the view~
If you finish dinner early enough, make sure you make your way over to the north side of NoFo to catch a perfect sunset on the beach. You can see it well here because it’s pointing exactly to the west. Take your dessert to go and find a comfortable spot on the beach to end the perfect day!
