Overview
Stony Brook is a hamlet bordering the Long Island Sound, located in northern Suffolk County, on Long Island, in New York. This historic town is home to Stony Brook University, The Stony Brook School, Three Village School District, and the “Stony Brook Village.”
2 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 1 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Stony Brook
West Meadow Beach Historic District
This peninsula of park land is approximately 1.5 miles long and was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic District on October 28, 2004. You can come here to enjoy their long and rocky b…
The Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages
Originally named the Museums at Stony Brook when founded in 1939, this nine-acre open-air museum is a good place to spend the day with the family. It is known for its large collection of work by William Sidney Mount, as …
Staller Center for the Arts
Has a full season of professional performances of music, theater and dance. The student music performances (most of them free) are also at a very high level, as Stony Brook University is very arguably the top graduate sc…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Oct. Summer highs reach about 84°F; winter lows dip to about 22°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Oct and Jun. (climate data from nearby Pleasantville)
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 — 8 mi away. Directions
- HVN Tweed New Haven Airport, New Haven — 28 mi away. Directions
- JFK John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York — 39 mi away (major hub). Directions
The MTA Long Island Rail Road has a station in Stony Brook. Service from New York on the Port Jefferson Line takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes and requires a change of trains from an electric-powered to a diesel-powered train, usually in Huntington but sometimes in Jamaica or Hicksville. There are virtually always clear announcements telling riders where to change, and conductors are also helpful with information.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning The Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages, Staller Center for the Arts
- Lunch The Country House
- Afternoon West Meadow Beach Historic District
- Evening Country Corner Tavern
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
Stony Brook was a pretty unknown place until Stony Brook University was constructed, but that's the way the wealthy residents of the hamlet wanted it. As a result, there has been very little development within walking distance of the university, other than a minimal strip of shops directly across the street from the train station. Instead, the center of the hamlet has remained where it was, two and one-half miles or so north of the train station, and retains a charming, old-fashioned feel.
Get in
By train
The MTA Long Island Rail Road has a station in Stony Brook. Service from New York on the Port Jefferson Line takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes and requires a change of trains from an electric-powered to a diesel-powered train, usually in Huntington but sometimes in Jamaica or Hicksville. There are virtually always clear announcements telling riders where to change, and conductors are also helpful with information.
Stony Brook Station is right next to the university.
By car
Route 25A is called North Country Road in Stony Brook. It is a through street that traverses most of the island, but it has traffic lights. If you are coming from farther west than Smithtown or Kings Park, you should instead take the Long Island Expressway (I-495) and get off on the exit for Nicolls Road (Route 97) north, or take the Northern State Parkway, which turns into Route 454 in Hauppauge, and then the Nesconset Highway (Route 347), and go north (left) on Nicolls Road.
Get around
It's a pretty long walk from the train station to Stony Brook Village. Most people either drive, take a taxi from the train station, or use a bicycle in decent weather. If you do walk on the streets, keep in mind that they often lack sidewalks, and you may also be yelled at by idle joyriding teens with nothing better to do. That said, otherwise, the walk is not unpleasant.
See
See West Meadow Beach Historic District
This peninsula of park land is approximately 1.5 miles long and was added to the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic District on October 28, 2004. You can come here to enjoy their long and rocky beaches, or spend your time jogging, hiking, or cycling on beautiful trails.
See The Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages
Originally named the Museums at Stony Brook when founded in 1939, this nine-acre open-air museum is a good place to spend the day with the family. It is known for its large collection of work by William Sidney Mount, as well as its collection of over 200 carriages. Your time spent there can be occupied within the museums located in 7 different buildings and multiple barns that include a schoolhouse and historic blacksmith shop. There are also several gardens, outhouses, fountains and a burial ground to explore.
Do
Do Staller Center for the Arts
Has a full season of professional performances of music, theater and dance. The student music performances (most of them free) are also at a very high level, as Stony Brook University is very arguably the top graduate school for music in the State University of New York system.
Buy
Shop Wish
This boutique sells handbags, jewelry, and junior & women's clothing. Brands offered include DKNY, Juicy, Lucky Brand Jeans, Michael Stars, Bulldog & Free People. Product pricing is moderate to high end.
Eat
Eat The Country House
This cozy restaurant is open 7 days a week serving lunch and dinner daily. The owner aims to keep the restaurant fresh and innovative by changing the menu as often as monthly, and is always changing the restaurant decor in order to match seasons and holidays. The comfortable environment makes this a location for many events including weddings.
Drink
Drink Country Corner Tavern
Friendly neighborhood bar, complete with weekly live music, open mic, trivia, wonderful food, drinks, and the warmest hospitality. Owner Ben always greets with a smile.
Sleep
Stay Bayles Estate Bed and Breakfast
This historic bed and breakfast is quite the relaxing place to stay while in the area. Each guest room is decorated with fresh flowers and has beautiful views of gardens. Every morning a breakfast table is set up in the formal dining room, with antique china, crystal and silver. During the late spring and summer, guests may enjoy fresh eggs from local hens, home-baked bread, and fruits and vegetables from the gardens. All rooms are air-conditioned and equipped with free high-speed wireless internet access.
Go next
Port Jefferson and St. James are the next stops to the east and west, respectively, on the Long Island Railroad. For shopping, there's the Smithaven Mall in Smithtown, accessible by car or by Suffolk County bus. Further afield, the pleasant town of Huntington is about halfway to New York City on the train and an easy drive. There are some pretty areas near the Long Island Sound to the east of Stony Brook in small communities like Poquott and Miller Place.
Nearby
Port Jefferson
City / town · 15 listings · 4 mi away
Smithtown
City / town · 9 listings · 6 mi away
Mount Sinai
City / town · 8 listings · 6 mi away
Islip
City / town · 21 listings · 11 mi away
Northport
City / town · 16 listings · 11 mi away
Bay Shore
City / town · 30 listings · 14 mi away
Brookhaven
City / town · 16 listings · 14 mi away
Huntington
City / town · 14 listings · 15 mi away
My experience
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