This Tiny Coastal Village Is the Perfect Getaway for Design Lovers in New York City
About 90 miles due east of Manhattan is a little village on Long Island called Bellport. Pass through town on the main drag, South Country Road, and it's gone in a flash. Which is exactly what folks seem to like about it. Just 1.5 square miles and a few blocks of tidy storefronts, Bellport Village—and the neighboring enclave, Brookhaven Hamlet—are stubbornly quiet and quaint, lovingly referred to as the "Un-Hamptons" by locals.
There are no teeming crowds or Michelin-starred restaurants. Late-night attractions include a one-room ice cream shop (Carla Marla's) that stays open till 11:00pm on weekends and an organic garden (HOG) that hosts occasional outdoor dinners with live music. Perhaps for these reasons rather than in spite of them, the area has always drawn artistic residents: Isabella Rossellini owns and operates a farm-slash-bed and breakfast in Brookhaven, and countless interior designers call the village home.
Architecturally, there's plenty to ogle on a bike-about through town. The historic district, just south of the main drag, is comprised of century-old white clapboard houses with green shutters, and so many towering trees that they canopy the roads in places. And the tiny town boasts no fewer than three art galleries, an esteemed auction house, and half a dozen home decor stores. Come spring and summer, there's also the beach: Down at the Bellport Marina, the "Whalehouse Point" ferry shuttles residents and their guests across the Great South Bay to Ho Hum, private and therefore perennially un-crowded Atlantic Ocean beach. Oh, and did we mention it's an hour-and-half drive or train from Bellport Village to New York City?
We polled local designers Tricia Foley, Zach Motl, and Chris Benz for their recs if you're a design lover dropping into town for the weekend—or, let's face it, house-shopping.
Home Decor Shops
Copper Beech
"Thomas O’Brien and Dan Fink’s emporium of all good things for the home features furnishings, housewares, and gifts, as well as freshly prepared take-out food and baked goods. The pantry has the best olive oils, mustards, chocolates, pasta, sauces, and things you never knew you needed." —Tricia Foley copperbeechbythesea.com
Thos. Cornell Galleries
"Just like the opening scene from War of the Roses, Cornell Galleries brings estate treasures from locals to auction regularly on Sundays. Always worth a visit, there are plenty of finds able to be purchased on-site." —Chris Benz thoscornellauctions.com
"I love snapping up a morning bun and an iced coffee on Saturday mornings here—they have a seemingly unending flow of unusual giftables, pantry essentials, and poolside accouterments from Lateral Objects to bedeck your weekend needs." —Chris Benz
Entertainment
The Gateway Playhouse
A locally-renowned theater that puts on a spectacular assortment of plays and musicals throughout the year, and then transforms into one of the most legitimately harrowing haunted houses imaginable (read: must-visit) in September and October.
The Post-Morrow Foundation
"In Brookhaven Hamlet, on Bay Road, this conservation center has a beautiful winding trail through the woods and wetlands along Beaver Dam Creek, or as the old-timers call it, Fire Place Creek, with boardwalks and places to stop and look at the views and birdlife." —Tricia Foley
"Land preservation being one of their main mission statements, the grounds on Bay road in Brookhaven, which abut the Beaver Dam Creek (aka Valentines Brook) offer walking trails that stretch across all of the Hamlet." —Zach Motl
Country Farms (Medford)
"Should you fancy an afternoon horseback ride, book a class with the terrific trainers at Country Farms Equestrian, just a hop and a skip up Bellport Ave from the village. From school horses to polo lessons, it’s a real sweet spot. Check the schedule for polo matches—either outdoor in summer or indoor in winter." —Chris Benz
The Plaza Cinema & Media Arts Center (Patchogue)
With a mission to "celebrate the power and magic of film as an art form and as a medium for multicultural exchange and social responsibility," this boutique theater shows a thoughtfully curated roster of independent films in their single-screen headquarters.
Beaches & Boating
Silly Lily Fishing Station (East Moriches)
Located right on the bay just a few towns east of Bellport, this old-school fishing station has been operating since the 1930s. Stop by on a nice summer day to rent a dory, a 16-foot motorized boat that seats a 4–5 person crew, and take it out into the bay or to the beach for fishing, clamming, or crabbing. Sailboats, canopy boats, kayaks, and paddle boards all available.
Ho Hum Beach
Bellport residents and their guests can board Whalehouse Point ferry from the marina in town and ride it all of ten minutes across the bay to Ho Hum beach, where a simple concession stand and a boardwalk are pretty much all that disturb the wilds of Fire Island. Walk far enough east on the beach and you'll reach the Inlet, a pristine stretch of shallows where the waves are particularly great for surfing.
Watch Hill (accessible via ferry from Patchogue)
"Part of the Otis Pike Wilderness area, it’s a stretch of Fire Island open to the public. The Fire Island National Seashore is a unspoiled stretch of beautiful sandy beaches accessible by private boat or ferry. Restaurant, bar, and restrooms on site. Camping is also available on a first come, first serve basis." —Zach Motl
Farms
Mama Farm & Early Girl Farms
"A visit to Isabella Rossellini and her daughter Elettra Wiedemann’s farm includes a stop at Early Girl Farms market and the newly opened B&B. (I worked with her on it!) Wander through the grounds, which include fruit and vegetable and flower fields, sheep and chicken quarters, and beehives for honey production. CSA memberships are available. Seasonal concerts and films and cooking classes are on their website." —Tricia Foley
Hamlet Organic Garden
"A Brookhaven Hamlet standby old-school farmstand and CSA for those in the know. Open only certain hours for 'walk-ins,' H.O.G.—as it’s lovingly referred to—fills locals’ kitchens with a dazzling array of vegetables, fruits, local meats, cheeses, herbs, and very special handmade items and very in-demand pastries on the weekends." —Chris Benz
Museums & Galleries
Marquee Projects
Founded in 2017 by artists Mark Van Wagner and Tonja Pulfer, this one-room gallery regularly rotates in new work by a wonderful mix of emerging and established artists from around the world (click here to see what's currently on exhibit). When the weather's nice, expect openings to spill onto the sidewalk and include refreshments and talks in the back yard.
The Something Machine
Housed in a former auto body shop (next to a still-operational filling station), this contemporary gallery is known for provocative and mind-bending exhibits that are best experienced in the soaring all-white space. From their mission statement: "Our goal is hold a mirror to contemporary life, putting forth artworks that are decidedly present, aim to reconcile the past, and offer a cipher to the future."
The Bellport-Brookhaven Historical Society
"Right in the village on Bellport Lane, they host lectures, book signings, exhibitions, and films; the Barn Museum is filled with artifacts representing the history of Bellport and collections of photographs and furnishings. The newly restored Post-Crowell House, circa 1833, will be open as a house museum at end of year and will be open by appointment for tours." —Tricia Foley
"A shameless plug as I’m on the board, but we host many events and lectures for the community—members or not!—that focus on the rich history of the surrounding areas. The complex in Bellport Village is beautiful and open for all to enjoy." —Zach Motl
Hotels
Temperance Hall
The four tidy rooms in this longstanding family-owned inn are steps from town (and a size-able private pool that's open to hotel guests all summer—a reason in and of itself to book a stay).
The Bellport Inn
A newly renovated historic property, built circa 1889, is now a boutique hotel designed for group stays. During high season, groups of 9 can reserve the Main House, while both the Garden Suite and The Cottage sleep 6; in the fall and winter, individual rooms are rented out in all the houses for smaller-group stays.
Eateries
The Bellport
"The place to be on Friday evenings to meet friends and catch up on what’s happening in town. A glass of rose, a pizza or crab cakes and the roast chicken are all-time favorites." —Tricia Foley
Varney’s
"The roadside fish shack fantasy exists with Varney’s, an essential lobster roll stop-in while visiting Bellport. A treasure in any season, the daily specials are often fresh-caught and always served with plenty of bread for dipping." —Chris Benz
Reese's 1900 (Patchogue)
"A staple since 1971 and, as they would say, 'a pub in the old style.' Thimble-sized martinis. Seasonal decorations. White shirts and ties. Think PJ Clarke’s." —Zach Motl
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