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Rambling through Northport on Long Island’s Gold Coast

© Brian Salisbury

While my motorcycle trips invariably take me west away from my home on Long Island, many riders throughout the New York metropolitan travel east. Within a short time and a reasonable distance, they can escape the city's densely populated boroughs to enjoy the island's open roads, sandy beaches, interesting towns and many other attractions.

Many have discovered the Village of Northport in Suffolk County on the shores of Northport Harbor. The village is part of the Long Island's Gold Coast made famous in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby. It resembles many New England coastal towns.

Commercial fishermen, clammers and lobstermen moor their boats in the harbor along with residents' and visitors' pleasure boats. And you can still see remnants of the sand dredging and shipbuilding industries once located on Northport's waterfront.

When traveling east from New York City, the most scenic way to reach Northport is to pick up Route 25A near the town of Roslyn. From here, the road loosens up as it winds through pleasantly green environs. In Centerport, after passing through Cold Spring Harbor and busy downtown Huntington, 25A is also called Fort Salonga Road.

Just east of Centerport, look for The Shack on your right. It resembles a typical Cape Cod clam shack and is a very popular destination for day-trippers. You might be tempted to pull over and sample their fried clams while kicking tires and swapping stories with other two-wheeled travelers who frequently congregate here.

About one-half mile past The Shack, turn left onto Woodbine Avenue, which will take you into Northport. Your best bet is to park in one of the lots adjacent to the harbor at the west end of Main Street. Here you can get your bearings and take in the view of the harbor, Main Street and Woodbine Avenue. Stroll out onto the pier and relax on one of the shaded benches while absorbing the waterfront's sights and sounds. Or take a walk in the harbor park. On weekend evenings, the music of local groups performing in the town's gazebo wafts throughout the park.

On Main Street, you can't miss the old railroad tracks still embedded in the middle of the road. They once carried commuters up the hill to Greenlawn station. Now they provide a nostalgic link to the past.

While downtown Northport attracts many tourists who enjoy browsing, local residents come here for everyday goods and services. On both sides of Main Street and along Woodbine Avenue, you'll find all sorts of businesses among the boutiques and other small establishments.

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