The Hamptons, Fire Island and more Fourth of July weekend getaways
Flynn's at Ocean Bay Park on Fire Island in 2018. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
It's officially summer and it's time to celebrate with fireworks, getaways and more Long Island fun. Here are some things to do and places to stay, while celebrating Independence Day on the East End and across the Great South Bay this holiday.
NORTH FORK Fireworks, family fun and sunflower fields
NORTH FORK Fireworks, family fun and sunflower fields
FIREWORKS
The Orient Harbor Fireworks show is returning for another year on July 3, 2021. Credit: Joshua Nevsky
The Orient Harbor Independence Day Fireworks show (orientfireworks.com) is slated for July 3 as the program returns for its sixth year. Fired up over Orient Harbor (south of Main Road between East Marion and Orient), the event launches at 9:15 p.m. from a pair of barges anchored in the harbor. The event is free to attend and those interested in viewing can park along the road.
The Riverhead BID Management Association will be hosting its "Alive on 25" street festival on Thursday, July 1, 2021, and will feature a fireworks show held over the Peconic Riverfront. Credit: Michael Zinn
The Alive on 25 summer street festival (downtownriverhead.org) takes place in downtown Riverhead on Main Street come July 1 and will be featuring fireworks at 9:15 p.m. over the Peconic River. The full event is 5:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., and attendees will find food and drink (including craft beer and wine) to buy, vendors, live entertainment and various activities to try.
THINGS TO DO
Harbes Family Farm
Pig races are among the special events that take place at Harbes Family Farm in Mattituck during its family-friendly Barnyard Adventures. Credit: T. Mulrain
This 8-acre fun zone has a jumbo jump cushion, a pedal-vehicle track, hayride tour, live music, animals — including its signature pig races. The holiday weekend will feature live music by Matt Taylor (July 3), Bryan Gallo (July 4) and Glenn Jochum (July 5). Guests can also find foods like roasted sweet corn and homemade ice creams to purchase, while adult visitors can enjoy Harbes Vineyard’s wines by tasting, glass or bottle in the farm’s wine barn.
INFO 715 Sound Ave., Mattituck; 631-482-7641, harbesfamilyfarm.com
Rottkamp's Fox Hollow Farm
The sunflower maze at Rottkamp's Fox Hollow Farm in Baiting Hollow. Credit: Randee Daddona
Guests can wander the sunflower paths and mazes at Rottkamp's Fox Hollow Farm, which is also a great spot for photo-ops this season. Admission is $6 per person; ages 5 and under enter free.
INFO 2287 Sound Ave., Baiting Hollow; 631-727-1786, facebook.com
Long Island Aquarium
The Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center in Riverhead. Credit: Randee Daddona
The facility is debuting its "Eye Opener" activity center on July 1, a treehouse-inspired apparatus featuring ropes, slides, and other obstacles for kids to climb. Try the "Swim with the Mermaids" adventure, an experience where kids can take a dip with live "mermaids." There is also a two-hour excursion of the Peconic River to Flanders Bay in the Atlantis Explorer tour boat for those looking to explore the local seas. Admission is $39.99 for adults 13-61; $29.99 for seniors 62 and older; $27.99 for kids ages 3-12 (the Eye Opener, Mermaid Swim and tour boat cost additional fees).
INFO 431 East Main St., Riverhead; 631-208-9200, longislandaquarium.com.
First and South
Guests dining at First and South cafe in Greenport. Credit: Corey Sipkin
This eatery hosts a tiki night every Thursday in its Summer Camp backyard event and dining space, where a DJ spins tropical music. For the Fourth of July weekend, musician Robin James is performing on July 2, brunch with a $25 bottomless mimosa or Greenport Harbor ale on tap (for up to 90 minutes) during which you can paint a patriotic glass to take home on July 4 — then for July 5, the venue kicks off its annual pig roasts.
INFO 100 South St., Greenport; 631-333-2200, firstandsouth.com
OVERNIGHT STAY
A masked bartender pours cocktails at the Low Tide Beach Bar at Sound View Greenport. Credit: Read McKendree
The Harborfront Inn at Greenport is located 10 minutes by car from Orient and about 35 minutes from Riverhead, this inn is within Greenport Village and has an outdoor pool — but being a sibling to the Sound View Greenport hotel (58775 CR-48, Greenport; 631-477-1910, soundviewgreenport.com), guests also score access to that venue’s private beach.
INFO 209 Front St.; 631-477-0707, theharborfrontinn.com.
HAMPTONS, MONTAUK Live music and outdoor theater performances
HAMPTONS, MONTAUK Live music and outdoor theater performances
FIREWORKS
The nonprofit Southampton Fresh Air Home organization will be holding its signature "American Picnic" fundraiser at 7 p.m. on July 2 featuring fireworks by Grucci. The "American Picnic" will feature food, music, dancing and games, along with magicians and stilt walkers. The money raised goes toward funding this sleepaway camp for children with physical disabilities.
INFO 1030 Meadow Lane, Southampton; 631-283-5847, sfah.org.
THINGS TO DO
Stephen Talkhouse
Liz Regan, the lead singer for the band Hello Brooklyn, sings to the crowd at Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett. Credit: Ian J. Stark
Head to StephenTalkhouse where the party rock band LHT is set to play at 10 p.m. on July 2 ($50, tickets available at the door), as is the soulful funky Melt at 7:30 p.m. on July 3 ($50, tickets available online in advance), who will be followed by the hard-rocking cover act Hello Brooklyn at 10:30 p.m. ($50, tickets available at the door). Singer Nicole Atkins will be taking the Talkhouse stage July 4 at 7 p.m., followed by Hot Lava at 10:30 p.m. ($50 in advance).
INFO 161 Main St., Amagansett; 631-267-3117, stephentalkhouse.com
Southampton Social Club
DJ Martial (pictured) is among the notable mixers set to spin at Southampton Social Club in Southampton during the 2021 Fourth of July holiday weekend. Credit: Ian J. Stark
Notable for its large lawn and courtyard, Southampton Social Club is a place to catch DJs in action. Throughout the holiday weekend, NYC-based DJ Joey Sik kicks things off on July 2, followed by DJ Drazen on July 3 and DJ Martial Simon on July 4. Bottle service is available; reservations required in advance.
INFO 256 Elm St., Southampton; 631-287-1400; southamptonsocialclub.com
Guild Hall
Guild Hall in East Hampton. Credit: Veronique Louis
Comedian and former Saturday Night Live newsman and Broadway conversationalist Colin Quinn will be taking the Hall’s John Drew Backyard Theater stage for an hour at 8 p.m. on July 1 ($65). Comedian/ actor Mike Birbiglia will also perform in the venue’s outdoor theater for an hour at 8 p.m. on July 3 ($65), while Grammy Award-nominated guitarist G.E. Smith will be joined by bluesy rocker Jim Weider twice on July 5 (7 p.m., 9 p.m.; $100).
INFO 158 Main St., East Hampton; 631-324-0806, guildhall.org
OVERNIGHT STAY
Gurney's Montauk is offering guests the ability to reserve bungalows like this one, located on the resort's outdoor deck. The bungalows are currently set to last until Labor Day. Credit: Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa
Guests can enjoy a meal at Gurney's Scarpetta Beach restaurant or sit by a fireplace inside the Regent Cocktail Club lounge. DJs will be spinning daily between 1 and 9 p.m., and guests can also reserve "Bungalows by the Sea," an array of sections spaces on its deck with firepits that allow for private dining and socializing (reservations for bungalows are $25, which is slated for donation to a roster of local charities).
INFO 290 Old Montauk Hwy., Montauk; 631-668-2345, gurneysresorts.com.
FIRE ISLAND 4th of July procession, Flynn's and more
FIRE ISLAND 4th of July procession, Flynn's and more
THINGS TO DO
Independence Day Parade in Ocean Beach
Visitors arrive at the beach in Ocean Beach, Fire Island. Credit: Linda Rosier
The Village of Ocean Beach (villageofoceanbeach.org) will host a Fourth of July procession at 11 a.m. on July 4; expect people pulling wagons while waving flags or dressed in costumes, as well as marching bands, police and fire department vehicles, making their way around the village green and arriving at the community ballfield for a picnic hosted by the Ocean Beach FD.
An added bonus for adults: CJ’s Restaurant and Bar (79 Bay Walk, 631-583-9890, cjsfireisland.com) will be marking the event with a lobster special and its signature Rocket Fuel cocktails — served red, white and blue.
Flynn's
Flynn's is often a popular spot for both young and old, offering dockspace for those who venture out on their boats, a dancefloor, and a spacious waterfront dining room, catering to all. Credit: Johnny Milano
This restaurant, party spot and marina has been a major draw for dining and fun for decades. This year, Flynn’s is hosting a three-day celebration starting July 3, with the "Indepen'dance' Day" bash featuring DJs Bosco & Brando (tickets are $25). Followed by the "Freedom Fest" starring DJs Fotsbeats and Kasey Berry ($20), and then the famed Flynn’s Funday Sunday event becomes a July 5 "Monday Funday" ($10). All events run noon to 8 p.m. and all tickets must be purchased in advance.
INFO 1 Cayuga St., Ocean Bay Park; 631-583-5000; flynnsfireislandny.com
Cherry's on the Bay
Cherry's on the Bay in Cherry Grove has reopened for outdoor dining. Credit: Linda Rosier
Head to Cherry Grove for live music with James Oblack Friday 6 to 8 p.m. and the "Gurlesque" drag show starring Tina Burner and Holly Box-Springs at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Saturday entertainment kicks off at 4 p.m. with "The Assassins" (Boudoir LeFleur and Kimmi Moore), and the pair returns on Sunday at 9:30 p.m. Tina Burner returns with her "Sinner Sundays" show at 5 p.m. and the "Sis Sundays" show with Kamilla K. and Tammy Spanx is at 7 p.m. Brunch is also available both Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; reservations are required for some shows.
INFO 158 Bayview Walk, Cherry Grove; 631-597-7859, cherrysonthebay.com
OVERNIGHT STAY
A view of the courtyard at The Palms Hotel in Ocean Beach, Fire Island. Credit: Palms Hotel Archives
The Palms Hotel has a private beach and courtyard, and both bikes and watercraft are also available to lodgers. Come the Fourth of July, the hotel will be hosting a complimentary barbecue (for hotel guests only).
INFO 168 Cottage Walk, Ocean Beach; 631-583-8870, palmshotelfireisland.com.
