Things to do in Sag Harbor
Colonial and Greek Revival architecture abounds in Sag Harbor among the many historic buildings.
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Few cruising destinations in this region are as charming and manageable as Sag Harbor . As you land onshore, you're pretty much right there in town and everything is within easy walking distance. Stop at the 'windmill' to pick up a tourist map and other useful resources. It was an important whaling center from 1775 to 1871 and it hasn't changed that much with time. The town looks much as it did in the 1870s, with the stately homes of whaling merchants lining Main Street .
Walk the streets, enjoy the architecture from colonial and whaling times pristinely preserved, and visit the Custom House museum, home of the first port of entry in New York State. And by all means, do not miss stopping in to The American Hotel shop and restaurant. The shop is full of exclusive high-end giftware and merchandise for the discerning buyer. It is displayed in old world haberdashery style, and if you are lucky, Hunky Page will be playing the piano for background entertainment.
Sag Harbor
is in close proximity to several bay and ocean beaches. The waters here are cleaner than elsewhere on Long Island and the protected stretches of bays with gentle breezes coming in the afternoons make the area ideal for frolicking on the water during the hot summer months. Of course, the yachts that visit and drop anchor provide sport in themselves. Everything from classic sailing ships to the most modern luxury vessels, sporting cars and helicopters to satisfy their owner's every whim. Ah, the place to dream and scheme your next adventure, your next goal, and your next success. Inspiration lies everywhere.
Things to do
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| Historical sites |
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Located in a historic Greek Festival period house, this museum features exhibits on whaling and local history, as well as nautical memorabilia and ship captain's portraits. |
First Presbyterian-Old Whaler's Church
44 Union St,
Sag Harbor
(631) 725-0894 |
An Egyptian Revival style church designed by Minard Lefever in 1844. The spire, which could be clearly seen by ships arriving in the waters beyond the harbor, was blown away in the 1938 hurricane. Just to the right of the church's front yard is a monument marking the location of a Revolutionary War fort that had been occupied by British forces during the war. |
Old Custom House
Main
&
Garden Street
,Sag Harbor
(631) 692 4664 |
This Customs House was the very comfortable home of first United States Customs Master, Henry Packer Dering. Sag Harbor was designated the first port of entry in New York State, and rather than building a special goverment building, Mr. Dering chose to conduct business from his home. The house contains historical documents and period furnishings and is open for guided tours Memorial Day through Labor Day, Tuesday through Sunday, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. . |
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Cedar Island Lighthouse
Gardiners Bay, Sag Harbor |
The lighthouse is situated on Cedar Island , just off of Cedar Point, between the waters of Northwest Harbor and Gardiners Bay . |
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Long Wharf
Long Wharf, Sag Harbor |
Long Wharf historically has been the heart of Sag Harbor. In the hey-day of whaling, the wharf was at the center of commerce for the village and was about twice the length it is today, with outfitters and stores selling provisions from regional suppliers. Today, it is the center of tourism. This is a good place to begin a tour of the village, and the windmill serves as the visitors center. |
Old Jail House Museum
Division Street, Sag Harbor |
The old Sag Harbor Jailhouse Museum, built about 1910, stayed in service until the late 1970s. It reopened in 1996 as a museum featuring an exhibit of old photos and police memorabilia. The Old Jail House Museum is open weekends, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. |
Sag Harbor Fireman's Museum
Sag Harbor
(631) 725-0779 |
The collection on display in this authentic, historic firehouse dates back to the year 1803 when the Sag Harbor Fire Department came into being. The department is the oldest volunteer fire department in the state of New York.The museum is open from July 4th to Labor Day, from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. , every day except Wednesday. |
| Parks & Beaches |
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Cedar Point County Park |
Cedar Point activities include: fishing, hiking, picnicking, camping, playground, rowboat rentals, bicycling, saltwater fishing, scuba diving, hunting, outer beach access. There is a General Store and Snack Bar ( East Hampton Ph: 631- 852-7620 ) |
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David A. Sarnoff Pine Barrens Preserve |
Trails through classic pine barrens habitat provide opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and seasonal hunting. Directions: Rt. 495 (L.I.E.) To exit 71, Rt. 24 east to Riverhead, 1 mile south of traffic circle on Rt. 104. Access by free permit only. |
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Edgewood Oak Brush Plains Preserve |
Trails available for hiking and biking through oak brush habitat. Directions: Rt. 495 (L.I.E.) To exit 52 south on Rt. 4 (
Commack Rd.
) 1 mile south of the L.I.E. |
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Foster
Memorial
Beach
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The slightly rocky beach, also known as Long Beach, runs along Noyac Bay a couple of miles west of Sag Harbor and is a great spot from which to watch sunsets. The beach has a lifeguard, and rest rooms. You need a nonresident daily permit for parking, sold at the beach. A snack truck offers refreshments and light fare. On
Long Beach Rd.
Phone:
631-283-6011
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Havens
Beach
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A walk or bike ride from the village center, this long sandy stretch of bay beach has calm waters for swimming, a swing set and playing field, and public rest rooms. Obtain a parking permit at the
Sag Harbor
municipal hall, at
55 Main Street
. Off
Bay St.
near Hempstead St. Phone:
631-725-0222
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Linda
Gronlund
Memorial
Nature Preserve |
At
Barcelona
Neck (also known as Little Northwest Creek) offers scenic hiking trails and seasonal hunting opportunities through coastal and pine barrens habitats and tidal wetlands. |
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Morton
National
Wildlife Refuge
Noyac Road
, (631) 725-2270 |
Established
December 27, 1954
, through a donation by the
Morton
family, the 187-acre
Elizabeth
A.
Morton
National
Wildlife Refuge boasts exceptionally diverse habitats including bay beach, a brackish pond, a freshwater pond, kettle holes, tidal flats, saltmarsh, freshwater marsh, shrub, grasslands, maritime
oak forest
, and red cedar.
784 Noyack Rd.
Sag Harbor
,
NY
11963
Phone:
631-286-0485
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Peconic Headwaters Natural Resource Management Area
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wma/liland.htm#edgewood |
(formerly Navy Cooperative Area/Otis Pike Preserve) Mixed oak, pine barrens, and open habitat. Trails provided for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Excellent seasonal hunting. Many ponds provide ample opportunity for fishing and canoeing. Areas available for dog training. Directions: Rt. 495 (L.I.E.) to exit 69 north. 2 miles north on
Schultz Road
. Permit station for property is located at the Ridge Conservation Area. Access by daily permit Nov. 1-Dec. 31 & January deer season (Reservations are required for weekends, holidays, and January deer season), by seasonal permit Jan. 2-Oct. 31. Contact the DEC Region 1 Sporting License
Office
for more information. |
Quogue Wildlife Refuge
http://www.dec.state.ny.us/website/dfwmr/wma/liland.htm#edgewood |
Quogue Wildlife Refuge and the Charles Bank Belt Nature Center: 200 acres of varied natural and managed habitats at the headwaters of Quantuck Creek in Quogue. Boardwalk trails and guided walks provide a variety of enjoyable experiences for the wildlife enthusiast. Directions: Rt. 27 (Sunrise Hwy.) exit 64S, south 2 miles on CR 104 to Old Country Road, turn right and go 7/10 miles to entrance on right side, just before RR crossing. Hours: the Refuge is open daily from
9AM
to
5PM
, the
Nature
Center
is open Tuesday, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays
1PM to 4PM
. The
Nature
Center
is closed in December. Call the Refuge at (631) 653-4771 for more information. |
Beaches and parks right in town |
Sag Harbor Beach
Mashashimuet
Park
Upper
Main Street
at
Jermain Ave
Otter Pond Upper
Main Street
at
Jermain Ave.
Trout Pond on the south side of
Noyac Road
. |
Playground for all. These guys belong to the comparatively modest yacht in the background.
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