72 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • SEPTEMBER 2019
PRESS BUZZ: DESTINATIONS RIVERHEAD:
By BRENDAN MANLEY
The North Shore Long Island Town of
Riverhead gets its name from its location
at the mouth of the Peconic River,
but some might argue the region is
truly defined by its seemingly endless
expanse of farm fields.
Boasting some 20,000 acres of LI’s
35,000 total acres of farmland, Riverhead
proudly serves as the island’s
“breadbasket,” with vast stretches
of apple orchards, pumpkin farms,
vineyards, and corn and potato fields.
It’s also the gateway to the East End
and home to a bounty of attractions
and diversions.
“Riverhead is uniquely located at
the crossroads of the East End of
Long Island," says Riverhead Town
Supervisor Laura Jens-Smith. "As
the gateway to this distinct area of
Long Island, Riverhead is home to
sprawling farm fields, scenic beaches,
a vibrant arts scene, and a different
way of life. When you visit Riverhead
you get to experience our rustic culture,
and discover the pride we have
in our special town.”
Riverhead has also played a vital
role in LI’s political development.
The smaller hamlet of Riverhead
was literally put on the map in 1727
with the construction of the Suffolk
County Court House, making it the
seat of Suffolk government to this
day. After the American Revolution,
new jurisdictions divided Riverhead
from the Town of Southold, making it
its own official township in 1792.
Over the successive centuries, downtown
Riverhead has been on a roller
coaster of prosperity — blossoming
into a commercial hub in the 19th century,
then experiencing urban blight
in the mid-20th century — but began
a recovery in the new millennium
that has once again made it one of
LI’s most recreationally diverse and
culturally rich destinations.
When visiting Riverhead, the
seasons will play a large role in how
you spend your time, since so many
activities there involve the outdoors
and nature. What follows is a primer
on the perennial draws that make
Riverhead a favored community and
keep visitors coming back for more:
SLIPPERY WHEN WET
Between its riverfront and oceanfront
location, Riverhead is anything
but landlocked. Not to mention,
there’s also Splish Splash (2549
Splish Splash Dr., Calverton, 631-727-
3600, splishsplash.com), Long Island’s
reigning water park, which is still the
summer’s obligatory place to be when
the mood hits you to don a bathing
suit and shoot down 20 different
water slides. The park also features
two wave pools, a large kiddie area,
lazy river, tropical bird shows, and
the rides Bombs Away and Riptide
Racer, which opened in 2018.
Then there’s the ever-growing Long
Island Aquarium & Exhibition Center
(431 E. Main St., 631-208-9200, ext.
426, longislandaquarium.com) which
now features more than 80 exhibits,
including Touch Tanks the kids will
love. Take in regularly scheduled
shows in the outdoor amphitheater,
and/or pay the extra fee for a tour
on the Atlantis Explorer Tour Boat,
which takes guests down the Peconic
River into Flanders Bay.
You can also work on your tan in
Riverhead, and I’m not talking about
a farmer’s tan. The town is home to
four year-round beaches: Iron Pier
Beach (Pier Rd., Jamesport, 631-727-
5744), Wading River Beach (Creek
Rd., Wading River, 631-727-5744),
Reeves Beach (Park Rd., 631-727-5744)
and South Jamesport Beach (Peconic
Bay Blvd., Jamesport, 631-727-5744).
The first three also offer boating
access for both residents and visitors.
SHOPPER’S PARADISE
Riverhead’s not just about nature,
either. Crowds regularly converge
upon the town’s Tanger Outlets
(200 Tanger Mall Dr., 631-369-2732,
Downtown Riverhead during the Reflexions art installation. (Photo by Arthur Rast)
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