THINGS TO DO

The center section of the town of Brookhaven is host to a surprising array of parks, monuments and outdoor activities. It's also home to the Brookhaven Amphitheatre at Bald Hill in Farmingville, which during the summer months, hosts outdoor concerts and movie screenings.

Driving south of Port Jefferson on Route 83, the Suffolk County Vietnam Veterans Memorial (left) juts above the treetops - midway between Selden and Farmingville. Dedicated in 1991, the 100-foot tall structure is made of Georgia White Cherokee marble - the same material used for the Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. - and topped with red, white and blue aluminum paint. The monument sits on the Bald Hill Scenic Overlook in between the north and southbound lanes of Rt. 83, and marks the highest point on Long Island.

Some 15 minutes to the south and west, in Holtsville, is Brookhaven's Ecology Park. Especially exciting for kids, the park is home to more than 100 animals, many of which are wild but physically injured or otherwise unable to return to nature. Kids can pet and feed goats, and learn about other animals native to Long Island - like bald eagles and black bears. The Ecology Park is adjacent to a paved, 1.2-mile multi-use recreation trail that attracts walkers, joggers and roller-bladers.

Mountain bikers will want to head east to Cathedral Pines County Park in Yaphank, where six miles of off-road trails wind through a forest of towering pine trees. For the technically advanced, there are a series of steeper hill climbs. The nearest bike rental is at Cycleworld Plus Bicycles in Mt. Sinai.

If you prefer water sports or horseback riding, make your way slightly south to Southhaven Park, also in Yaphank. The park offers freshwater fishing (permit required), rowboat rentals, trap and skeet shooting, woodland walks, plenty of spots for picnicking and play areas for kids. The adjacent Long Island Equestrian Center boasts guided trail and wagon rides, riding lessons and boarding facilities.

Nearby, in Upton, is the Brookhaven National Laboratory, one of nine national laboratories funded by the Department of Energy. Among the ongoing research programs at the lab are nuclear and high-energy physics, neurosciences, medical imaging, structural biology and environmental and energy studies. Public tours of the lab's various sections are offered on Sundays.

For those looking for indoor recreation, try Sports Plus in the Smith Haven Mall in Lake Grove. The 55,000-square-foot complex includes a full-size ice-skating rink, a 48-lane bowling alley, video games, an iWerks Motion Theatre and an assortment of rides. For toddlers and younger kids, there are age-appropriate games and rides.

In central Brookhaven, golfers can try the Ponds Golf Club in Lake Grove, Spring Lake Golf Club or Middle Island Country Club in Middle Island, Mill Pond Golf Club in Medford, and the Pine Hills Country Club, Swan Lake Golf Club or the Rock Hill Golf Club in Manorville.

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LODGING

Places to stay in Brookhaven run the gamut from quaint bed and breakfasts in Victorian houses to grand inns and modern hotels. If you're looking for charm, consider staying in Port Jefferson, home to nearly a dozen homey bed and breakfasts.

For convenience, a number of chain hotels stretch along the Long Island Expressway. In the heart of Brookhaven, the Hampton Inn, sits at the intersection of the Long Island Expressway and Route 83 in Farmingville - making it an ideal base for exploring the far-flung town.

DINING

Mama Lombardi's on Furrows road in Holbrook got its start as a pizzeria but now it's a full-blown Italian favorite. Locals call it "top-rate."

For a change of pace, consider stopping by the Bavarian Inn in Lake Ronkonkoma. Another area "institution," the family run restaurant sits on the lake and specializes in large portions of hearty German food.

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NIGHTLIFE

Boogie the night away to live music at one of several nightspots in Central Brookhaven, like Bruno's in Lake Ronkonkoma, or cath a performance at the Brookhaven Amphitheatre at Bald Hill in Farmingville (left).

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TRANSPORTATION

CAR: Brookhaven is accessible by the I-495 (the Long Island Expressway), Rt. 27 (the Sunrise Highway), Rt. 25 (the Jericho Turnkpike/Middle Country Road) and numerous smaller local highways, like 25A along the north shore.

FERRY: The Bridgeport and Port Jefferson Steamboat Company operates frequent ferry service between Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Port Jefferson. South Shore Ferries to Fire Island, operate out of Patchogue, Sayville and Bellport (with limited service) to Davis Park and Watch Hill in Fire Island - be sure to call ahead for schedule. The Cross Sound Ferry, out of Orient Point provides access to Long Island from the east.

TRAIN: Although getting around Brookhaven is best done by car, you can get to various villages by train. Long Island Railroad offers regular service via its three lines: North Shore stops are Stony Brook and Port Jefferson; the central line stops in Ronkonkoma, Medford and Yaphank; and the South Shore stations are Patchogue, Bellport and Mastic-Shirley. Most stations are a short taxi ride to village downtowns or accommodations.

BUS: Suffolk County Transit operates bus service throughout Brookhaven.

AIR: Two commercial airports offer flights to Brookhaven. Long Island's McArthur Airport is located at the western edge of the town; Brookhaven Airport is farther east between Yaphank and Mastic-Shirley.

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LINKS

Town of Brookhaven

MAP

For driving directions click here