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COLD SPRING HARBOR, NY —
DAYTRIP OR WEEKEND GETAWAY
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Things to do | Lodging |
Dining | Nightlife | Transportation
| Travel Tips
Map
| Cold Spring Harbor Weather
| Cold Spring Harbor Events
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Please note: The
following EscapeMaker.com profile is currently being updated. Please call the attractions,
lodgings, and restaurants listed to confirm information.
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by Minodora Tibrea
Cold Spring Harbor is a charming former whaling port nestled on
the North Shore of Long Island Sound along scenic Route 25A. Once famed for its
big ships and whaling industry, this small, quaint village is home today to an abundance
of antique shops, charming bistros, a whaling museum and the venerable Cold Spring
Harbor Research Laboratory.
In the mid-1800s Cold
Spring Harbor supported a fleet of nine whaling vessels and coastal vessels carrying
cargo from Long Island to towns along the Atlantic Coast and Caribbean. It became
a United States Port of Entry in 1799 and one of Long Island's busiest whaling ports,
as well as one of the most popular vacation destination spots in New York State.
In summertime, the town's
various cultural events, picturesque harborside park and friendly atmosphere beckon
families and visitors in search of something a little more casual than the bustling
Hamptons or South Shore scenes.
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THINGS
TO DO
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See more info on activities and businesses
The town of Cold
Spring Harbor is a ten-minute drive from the train station, so you'll need to call
a local taxi if you're coming by the LIRR. Ask to be dropped off on Main St., the
central thoroughfare that spans from the harbor along Route 25A all the way to the
Whaling Museum and beyond. This is the heart of the town, and the only shopping
strip around. There is no local tourist office to be found in the village, but the
Long Island Preservation Society's Museum Gallery offers plenty of information
on local lore, including itinerary and points of interest along Long Island's Heritage
Trail.
Main Street is lined with
unique boutiques and specialty shops. Though the main strip itself is fairly small,
you'll enjoy browsing the antique emporiums and art galleries on your way to the
park. Here you'll find everything from a Madhatter's Boutique and a Heavenly
Bears shop full of rare and hard to find artist bears and collectibles, to
a dollhouse carpenter specializing in custom-made miniature creations at the famed
Kellogg's Doll's Houses.
Make sure to stop in at
the eclectic storefront that is Camden Passage for oddball birdhouses, garden
art, and fountains. Pop in next door at The General Store, where a congregation
of Easter bunnies, jewelry, and homemade crafts galore take center stage (and the
owner's adorable black-and-white tabby tags along for company).
Kiva Native American
Arts & Jewelry sells beautiful beaded necklaces and turquoise rings, along with
traditional pottery and masks. Serious collectors can peek into the austere floor
space at Huntington Antiques Center if you're in the market for turn-of-the-century
lamps, furniture or framed prints. A bit further down at the first Telephone Exchange
House is Candle Myrke, an antique collectibles, fine linens and gift shop.
The Society for the
Preservation of Long Island Antiquities presents changing exhibits on Long Island's
history, architecture and culture. Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum features
a 19th-century whaleboat, whaling history exhibits, a scrimshaw collection, as well
as films and special family programs. Also, the DNA Learning Center, the
educational arm of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and the world's first biotechnology
museum, is a wonderful place to bring the kids.
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LODGING
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The Swan View Manor
Inn is a recently refurbished bed & breakfast, located across the harbor, with
views of the water. Prices range from $112 (standard) to $192 (suites). No smoking
or pets allowed.
See more info on lodging
Huntington Country Inn
(270 Jericho Tpke, south of Huntington Village) Approx. 4-5 mi., ten-minutes by
taxi. This lovely, 62-room inn offers complimentary breakfast, whirlpool tubs, and
outdoor pool. Horseback riding facilities nearby. Prices range from $149 and up.
Call 631-421-3900 for reservations.
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DINING
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Cold Spring Harbor has
a select number of dining options, which can seem a bit limiting at times, especially
if you're in search of variety. With one exception, all the restaurants are located
along Main St., only a few doors from each other.
At Gourmet's Delight,
sample the homemade cheese spreads, and drool over the wide selection of imported
cheese, jams and coffees. Wyland's Country Cafe serves a hearty selection
of dishes for lunch and dinner, and is worth a stop in any time of the day for the
homey atmosphere and the staff's exceptionally friendly service.
For fine Italian up-scale
dining, try Trattoria Grasso and ask for their pan-seared tuna or monkfish
if you'd prefer to skip the pasta for some local delicacies. They also have live
jazz every Wednesday through Saturday night. The Inn on the Harbor, specializing
in French Continental cuisine, is located in a picturesque setting right across
from the harbor. Relax with a glass of wine after a hard day of window-shopping.
See more info on dining
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NIGHTLIFE
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There's not much to do
in Cold Spring at night other than live jazz at local restaurants. The village is
decidedly lacking in bars, and most shops close down for the night. Nearby Huntington
is your best bet for great bars, not to mention dancing and socializing with the
locals, though often the hectic pace and college crowds in summer tend to overwhelm.
See more info on nightlife
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TRANSPORTATION
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TRAIN:
LIRR Located approx.
50 miles east of Manhattan, Cold Spring Harbor is only an hour out of New York City
on the Long Island North Shore line. The LIRR runs daily direct to Cold Spring
Harbor, every hour on weekdays, and with slight schedule changes on the weekends.
Call 718-217-LIRR for fares and schedule info.
Taxi from
station to town is appx. $8.00.
TAXI:
You'll need to call a
taxi once you reach the station in order to get into the Village of Cold Spring
Harbor. There won't likely be an attendant behind the information booth, since schedules
and a ticket machine are all posted outside for travelers' convenience. The local
taxi is the Orange & White 271-3600, also posted on the pay phone outside
the station. Keep this number on hand, since you might need it again for trips into
the nearby town of Huntington or East Norwich, approx.$8-9 one way to either location.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION:
The Hart Bus is
the local line (H6) running through town eastbound to Huntington every two hours,
Mon thru Sat., and will pick up and drop off along any point on the route. Also
runs to other local points of interest. Call 631-427-8287 for more info.
CAR:
Take LIE to exit 44N,
take I35 to Route 25A.
See more info on transportation
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TRAVEL
TIPS
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Fall is supposedly one
of the best times to visit. Tall ships line the harbor, the air is mild and breezy
and the summer crowds have departed. The best way to get around is by car, since
North Shore stretches along 48 miles of lovely blue harbors, beaches and seaports.
If you do venture by train, keep in mind that the town itself is fairly small, and
everything closes down at night--so you'll need to figure in costs for a taxi to
and from surrounding towns, since most accommodations and nightlife are located
outside of town.
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WEATHER
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