Riverhead
Riverhead is the East End gateway — the last big town before the North Fork wineries and Hamptons begin. The Long Island Aquarium anchors the downtown revival; the Suffolk Theater is the cultural draw. The Tanger Outlets are 15 min west.
Known for
- Long Island Aquarium
- Suffolk Theater
- Tanger Outlets Riverhead
- East End gateway
- North Fork wineries 10 min away
Riverhead is the East End gateway — past Riverhead, you’re in wine country and Hamptons-bound. Downtown has been steadily revived over the past decade, anchored by the Long Island Aquarium and the restored Suffolk Theater.
Worth a stop:
- Long Island Aquarium — best rainy-day East End move
- Suffolk Theater — restored 1933 theater, eclectic touring shows
- Tweed’s Restaurant — local-favorite American
- Briermere Farms pie (5 min east on Route 25) — legitimately one of the best pies in NY State
The smart East End day: Aquarium morning, Tweed’s lunch, drive 10 min east to start the North Fork winery loop. End at Briermere for pie.
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Read about Riverhead
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