Southold offers nature, history, and wine as distinct highlights. Experiences range from coastal and wetland habitats to historic buildings and vineyard tours; some visits require planning around seasonal hours or reservations.
Nature Parks and Landscapes
Downs Farm Preserve is located in the southwestern part of the Town of Southold on the North Fork. It includes the site of a fort belonging to Indigenous American communities, woodland areas, and tidal wetlands. The preserve is designated a New York State Significant Coastal Fish and Wildlife Habitat and is part of the Suffolk County Peconic Bay Estuary Critical Environmental Zone and the Peconic Pinelands Maritime Reserve. There, you can experience the natural beauty and cultural setting of a National Historic Landmark. At the same time, the site conveys the culture and life of the Corchaug, as well as the agricultural heritage of the North Fork.
Goldsmith's Inlet County Park is a 34-acre nature park on Long Island Sound and is home to diverse wildlife. Orient Point County Park is located at the eastern tip of the Town of Southold and covers 48 acres. Its beach stretches for 1 mile, and there is also a 0.5-mile hiking trail. The park offers opportunities for bird-watching and surf fishing, as well as views of Long Island Sound.
Sound View Dunes Park covers 57 acres of beach, dune, wetland, and woodland habitat. Its trails offer views of the Sound and access to the beach and the maritime freshwater interdunal swale. Southold therefore offers a range of nature experiences: diverse wildlife along Long Island Sound, a beach and hiking trail at the eastern tip of the town, and several habitat types at Sound View Dunes Park.
Historic Buildings and Culture
The Southold Historical Museum maintains more than a dozen buildings in Southold dating from 1750 to 1900. They include a lighthouse, several houses, barns, outbuildings, and commercial buildings. Many of these buildings are open to the public at different times of the year. Check which opening dates fall within your travel period when planning your visit.
The museum offers a different way to explore history than Downs Farm Preserve: the museum buildings focus on historic architecture, while the preserve highlights the culture and life of the Corchaug and the agricultural heritage of the North Fork.
Vineyard Tours and Tastings
At Mattebella Vineyards, the vineyard tour and tasting includes a brief tour of the vineyard. You’ll learn about sustainable practices, the grape varieties grown, and Mattebella’s gardens. The tour is available daily from April through November in two time slots: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. and 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Reservations are required for weekend tastings. Since schedules and reservation requirements may change, check the dates in advance.
In addition to the tour, Mattebella offers wine flight tastings, wine and food pairings, interactive vineyard experiences, and VIP barrel tastings. Croteaux is a winery on the North Fork. Its tasting room opens onto a gravel-covered courtyard garden surrounded by historic barns. The tasting garden is open daily during the season from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Seasonal opening dates and hours may change, so check current hours before your visit.
When to Visit and Finding Accommodation
Different visiting conditions may affect when you choose to travel: Mattebella’s vineyard tour is seasonal, running from April through November, while the historic museum buildings are open to the public at different times of the year.
Discover more destinations: Wading River, Ronkonkoma, North Babylon, Greenport, Copiague, East Hampton, Shelter Island, Greenlawn
For the broader travel overview: Suffolk.
