Overview
Riverhead is a town on Long Island in New York. It is the western half of Long Island's North Fork. The town of Riverhead includes the following communities: Aquebogue, Baiting Hollow, Calverton, Jamesport, Northville, & Riverhead (hamlet).
1 sights · 6 things to do · 4 places to eat · 6 bars & cafés · 2 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Riverhead
Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center
Has stingray and shark petting, large tank with sharks, moray eel, turtles and manta rays, outdoor exhibits including emus and tortoises. Many conservation efforts.
Hallock State Park Preserve
225 Acre shorefront park preserve that offers nearly one mile of pristine beachfront on the North Shore along the Long Island Sound. Hiking, nature walks, and bird watching are available.
Splish Splash water park
Suffolk Theater
Meticulously restored and no longer shuttered as in the 2007 photo, Suffolk Theater is a cabaret-style venue that hosts many performances and other events.
Riverhead Raceway
Hosts races, demolition derbies, and monster truck rallies.
Polish Town Fair
Long Island has a large Polish-American population and in the summer the Polish Town Civic Association of Riverhead throws a big festival.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 83°F; winter lows dip to about 15°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Aug. (climate data from nearby Waterbury)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ISP Long Island MacArthur Airport, Islip — 25 mi away. Directions
- HVN Tweed New Haven Airport, New Haven — 26 mi away. Directions
- JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York — 62 mi away (major hub). Directions
The Ronkonkoma branch of the Long Island Railroad stops in Riverhead.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Long Island Aquarium and Exhibition Center, Suffolk Theater
- Lunch Baker's Workshop
- Afternoon Polish Town Fair, Hallock State Park Preserve
- Dinner Junda's Pastry
- Evening Clovis Point Vineyard
Day 2
- Morning Splish Splash water park, Riverhead Raceway
- Lunch Modern Snack Bar
- Afternoon Wildwood State Park
- Dinner Jedediah Hawkins House
- Evening Diliberto Vineyard & Winery
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Riverhead is located on the North Fork (northeastern peninsula) of Long Island, New York. While serving as the seat of Suffolk County, the town is more rural in nature than much of the island and attracts visitors for its wineries, shopping, and cultural activities.
Get in
By train
The Ronkonkoma branch of the Long Island Railroad stops in Riverhead.
See
Do
Do Suffolk Theater
Meticulously restored and no longer shuttered as in the 2007 photo, Suffolk Theater is a cabaret-style venue that hosts many performances and other events.
Buy
- Hallock's Cider Mill at 1960 Main Rd, Laurel on Route 25, is a farmers' market that has the best pies. Daily 9AM-5PM.
Eat
Eat Jedediah Hawkins House
in a beautiful setting.
- Briemier Pies — people travel from the city to eat one of these delicious pies- you wonder what is in them that makes them so addictive!
Drink
The town of Riverhead is located in the North Fork of Long Island American Viticultural Area and is a popular regional destination for wine tourism.
Drink Diliberto Vineyard & Winery
Sleep
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My experience
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