Port Jefferson is an exciting village to visit by boat, as it offers plenty of entertainment, eateries, and interesting establishments a short walk from its beautiful harbor.
This is a village that plays to its coastal location by holding many fun events and festivals along the waterside, including movies, concerts, and children’s shows (see village website for scheduled events). The Village Center, located along the harbor, offers a gallery with rotating exhibits and a place to regroup before continuing your adventure — in colder months, there’s an adjacent ice rink, and during boating season, kids can romp in Turtle Park. Children primarily ages two through 12 will also love visiting the interactive Long Island Explorium’s nautical science-based exhibits and activities.
If shopping floats your boat, your wallet will be delighted by the nearby shops selling fashionable attire for humans and canines, motorcycle apparel, delicious teas, earrings, handbags, lighthouse knickknacks,
wine, salsa, cheeses, tasty dog cookies, and flavorful olive oils. Time your visit to spend some time at the harbor front farmers market each Sunday through November.
While it’s easy to decide when you’re hungry, it’s tougher to decide where to eat when the choices include a boatload of casual and refined dining options offering fares such as BBQ, pizza, burgers, plant-forward, Victorian tea, ramen, wraps, and pub grub. Since you want to spend as much time in the village as possible, may we suggest one meal enjoyed at a restaurant and another as a potpourri picnic of takeout from a few eateries?
A sculpture of four seamen holding aloft the frame of a ship stands in Harborfront Park as a dramatic work of art and a tribute to Port Jefferson’s maritime history. That history is on full display at the Long Island Seaport and Eco Center’s Bayles Boatyard, with its small boat building and restoration projects. The Mather Museum, open now through October, is also a great place to learn about ship builders, shipyards, and the history of the village.
Theatre Three, a pleasant stroll from the harbor, presents plays, musicals, comedy events, and concerts.
Watch your approach to the harbor from the Long Island Sound — large ferries head between Port Jefferson and Bridgeport, Connecticut all day. Transients are welcome at Port Jefferson Yacht Club (631-473-9890), Danfords Hotel and Marina (800-332-6367), Port Jefferson Launch & Water Taxi (631-796-4462), and the Port Jefferson Marina (631-331-3567). Always call in advance for availability.
| The Steam Room | The Fifth Season | Local’s Cafe |
| 4 E Broadway | 34 E Broadway | 106 E Main St |
| 631- 928-6690 | 631- 477-8500 | 631- 509-0627 |
| steamroomrestaurant.com | thefifth-season.com | cafelocals.com |
| Slurp Ramen | Harbor Grill | Gourmet Burger Bistro |
| 109 W Broadway | 111 W Broadway | 5 Mill Creek Road |
| 631- 509-1166 | 631- 473-8300 | 631- 403-4033 |
| slurpusa.com | harborgrillrestaurant.com | gourmetburgerbistro.com |
| Tommy’s Place | Barito Tacos & Cocktails | Smoke Shack Blues |
| 109 Main Street | 201 Main Street Suite c | 138 Main Street |
| 631- 473-8778 | 631- 828-8808 | 631- 438-6797 |
| portjeffbars.com | baritomexican.com | smokeshackblues.com |
| Joey’s Z Pita | The Pie | Salsa Salsa |
| 217 Main Street | 216 Main Street | 142 E Main Street |
| 631) 476-7510 | 631- 331-4646 | 631- 473-9700 |
| zpita.com | thepieofportjeff.com | salsasalsa.net |
| Billie’s 1890 Saloon | Toast Coffeehouse | Pasta Pasta |
| 304 E Main Street | 242 E Main Street | 234 E Main Street |
| 631- 331-1890 | 631- 331-6860 | 631- 331-5335 |
| billies1890.com | toastcoffeehouse.com | pastapastaportjeff.com |
| Tiger Lily Cafe | Ruvo East | Old Fields Restaurant |
| 156 E Main Street | 105 Wynn Lane | 318 Wynn Lane |
| 631- 476-7080 | 631- 476-3800 | 631- 331-9200 |
| tigerlilycafe.com | ruvorestaurant.com | of1956.com |
| Nantucket | Portside Bar & Grill | Port Jeff Brewing Company |
| 9 Traders Cove | 242 Traders Cove | 22 Mill Creek Road |
| 631- 509-4848 | (631) 331-3390 | (877) 475-2739 |
| nantucketsportjefferson.com | portsidebarandgrill.net | portjeffbrewing.com |
More information:
https://portjeff.com/, www.portjeffchamber.com, https://www.gpjac.org/, http://www.theatrethree.com/, http://portjeffhistorical.org/the-mather-house, https://longislandexplorium.org/, https://www.brookhavenny.gov/facilities/facility/details/p
