Port Jefferson: “The ferry may come and go, but you will want to stay.”

Sometimes the best vacation doesn’t require a suitcase, a hotel reservation or even leaving Long Island. Sometimes all you need is a charming village, a beautiful harbor and an entire summer day with nowhere else you need or want to be. This is truly the beauty of living on Long Island. There is no shortage of charming towns to visit right here at home. The last two weeks, I focused on the incredible towns of Greenport and Northport.

This week, “Long Island’s Best Daycations: One Town at a Time” takes us to Port Jefferson, a picturesque North Shore village where you can start your morning over coffee, browse charming shops, enjoy afternoon tea, relax beside the harbor, dine on the waterfront, listen to live music and end the night with something sweet.

So, grab your sunglasses and comfortable walking shoes. No luggage is required. No passport is needed. We’re going daycationing!

9:00 A.M. – Start at Southdown Coffee

Every great daycation should begin with a good cup of coffee, and today we’re starting at Southdown Coffee, 440 Main Street.

Southdown is a Long Island specialty coffee roaster serving espresso drinks, brewed coffee, cold brew, and other specialty beverages along with hand-prepared breakfast choices and pastries.

Grab a coffee and something light to eat and ease into the morning.

Sit for a while. Talk about the day ahead. And most importantly, don’t rush. Remember, today you’re on vacation.

My Personal Tip: Try one of their lattes. My two favorites are lavender latte and vanilla 0latte, iced, of course. Perfect for a summer day.

10:00 A.M. – Stroll Through Chandler Square

Now that you have some pep in your step and nowhere you need to be, make your way toward Chandler Square, 30 Chandler Square, a short stroll down Main Street from Southdown.

This charming little section of Port Jefferson is made for wandering. Browse the specialty shops, peek into windows and stop whenever something catches your eye. You might discover something for your home, a gift for someone you love, or something completely unnecessary for yourself. Buy it. Treat yourself. Those are usually the best vacation purchases anyway. There is no shopping list and no schedule to keep. Just stroll by the stores. Venture inside. These small business owners are happy to help you explore.

My all-time favorite shop in Chandler Square is The Spice & Tea Exchange. Here is where I get my monthly supplies of black peppercorn (yes, we love our pepper mill), oregano, basil, bay leaves, and Italian spices. The owner is fabulous and so helpful. Then, off to the next shop we go.

One of the things that makes Port Jefferson such a wonderful daycation destination is its walkability. Once you’re in the heart of the village, so much of the experience can be enjoyed on foot.

11:30 A.M. – Tea in a Secret Garden

Now we’re doing something a little unexpected.

Head to The Secret Garden Tearoom & Gift Shoppe, 225 Main Street.

Step inside and suddenly your Long Island daycation feels a little more like an afternoon in another era.

The Victorian-inspired tearoom offers traditional afternoon tea along with a lunch menu. Think pots of tea, fine china, scones, finger sandwiches, savories and sweets beautifully presented on tiered trays. The décor is stunning. This isn’t the place to rush through lunch. Sip your tea. Enjoy the food. Take in the atmosphere. Talk. Laugh. And browse the gift shop before you leave. The fun part is that they have an assortment of High Tea hats that you can borrow while there, making the experience even more memorable.

My Personal Tip: Make a reservation in advance. It is a small restaurant and not a “secret” at all. This very popular tearoom “fills up” daily. The Secret Garden is generally open Thursday through Monday and closed Tuesday and Wednesday, so check its current hours before planning your visit.

www.thesecretgardentearoom.com

1:30 P.M. –  Head to the Harbor

After tea, it’s time to experience the heart of Port Jefferson. Make your way to Jeanne Garant Harborfront Park and the Port Jefferson Village Center, 101 East Broadway.

Now everything slows down.

Walk along the waterfront. Find a bench overlooking Port Jefferson Harbor. Watch the sailboats and pleasure boats come and go. Feel the breeze coming off the water.

Keep an eye out for the Bridgeport-Port Jefferson ferry. There is something mesmerizing about watching that enormous ferry slowly make its way across the harbor, carrying passengers and cars between Long Island and Connecticut.

Take some pictures. Then put the phone away. Find a bench, sit beside someone you enjoy being with, enjoy the magnificent view, and take it all in. Because sometimes the best thing to do on vacation is absolutely nothing.

My Personal Tip: People-watch. There is an interesting variety of people who spend the day in Port Jefferson.

3:00 P.M. – Stay Awhile

I’m intentionally leaving some empty space in our itinerary here. We spend enough of our lives watching the clock.

Head inside the Village Center. Wander back toward town and browse a few more shops. Take another walk along the waterfront. Sit on the grass. People-watch. Or stay right where you are and watch another ferry arrive. You don’t need to fill every minute.

Port Jefferson is the kind of place where simply being there is part of the attraction. And eventually, as afternoon turns into evening, you’ll notice the village changing. That’s your cue.

It’s time for dinner.

5:30 P.M. — Dinner, Harbor Views and Live Music

Make your way to Black Pearl Seafood Chophouse, 25 East Broadway, located at Danfords Hotel & Marina.

This is where our relaxing daycation turns into a night out.

Choose a table indoors overlooking Port Jefferson Harbor or, weather permitting, dine outside on the waterfront deck. Order dinner. Have a cocktail. Watch the boats.

And settle in because we’re not going anywhere yet.

During the summer, Black Pearl features live music Wednesday through Sunday, with performances generally beginning around the early evening. Check the entertainment schedule for the exact performer and starting time on the day you plan to visit.

www.blackpearlportjeff.com

Then stay awhile. Listen to the music. Watch the harbor as daylight begins to fade. Laugh with the people you’re with.

And if the music moves you, get up and dance!

After all, you’re on vacation.

My Personal Tip: Get a table outside, a table with a view.

But We’re Not Going Home Yet…

You didn’t think I would end a summer daycation without dessert, did you?

After dinner and music, take one final leisurely stroll through the village to Port Jefferson Frigate, 99 Main Street.

This is the kind of place that can make you feel like a kid again.

Ice cream. Gelato. Frozen treats. Chocolates. Candy. Lots of candy you will remember from your childhood. Pick your weakness. Maybe it’s an ice cream cone. Maybe it’s chocolate. Or maybe you walk out carrying a bag filled with candy you haven’t eaten since you were ten years old.

You’re on daycation. I won’t tell!

Take your treat outside and enjoy one final walk through Port Jefferson as the village settles into evening.

Sip. Stroll. Savor. Stay Awhile.

Morning coffee at Southdown.

Shopping in Chandler Square.

Afternoon tea in a Secret Garden.

A few glorious hours beside Port Jefferson Harbor.

Waterfront dinner.

Live music.

Maybe even a little dancing.

And ice cream and candy before heading home.

Tell me again why we need to get on an airplane to feel like we’ve been away?

Long Island continues to remind me that some of the best escapes are sitting practically in our own backyard, just waiting for us to take the time to enjoy them.

No airport.

No luggage.

No hotel reservation.

Just a beautiful summer day spent discovering another little piece of this incredible island we call home.

Greenport. Northport. Port Jefferson.

Three towns. Three completely different daycations.

And summer isn’t over yet.

Where should we daycation next? Send me an email at andreapeponakis@gmail.com to share your favorite daycation town here on Long Island.