Shelter Island

Shelter Island is an island and town in Suffolk County in New York. It is between the two forks on Long Island and in total is 6.5 sq miles and was founded by the Sylvestor family.

The woods and the Sound

Villages and Hamlets

• Dering Harbor
• Shelter Island Heights

Understand

Get in

In order to get onto this island, you must take either:

• North Ferry, 631-749-0139, . Take the Long Island Expressway (I-495) east to the last exit, exit 73. The off-ramp will lead you directly to Suffolk County Route 58 east. After about three and one half miles, County Road 58 will merge into Route 25 east. Continue on Route 25 east for about 20 miles to Greenport. Watch for signs marked "To Route 114 South." These signs will direct you to turn right onto Sixth Street. Drive one block and make your next left on Wiggins Street ("To 114 South"). At the end of Wiggins Street, ferry traffic makes a hard right turn and continues turning right to enter the final staging area. The ferry line takes you away from the ferry, around a loop, and back in line facing the ferry dock and passenger terminal.
• South Ferry, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Take Queens/Midtown tunnel. Take I-495 east to Exit 70. Turn right at the "yield" sign to Route 27 east. Continue on 27 through the town of Bridgehampton. At traffic light, turn left onto County Road 79 through Sag Harbor (4 miles) to stop sign at flag pole. Go left over bridge on 114 north for 3 miles to the South Ferry. 
• Westmoreland Airport (49NY), 516-354-5310. A small, 1400ft private airstrip for emergency use only.

Get around

Camp Quinipet

The main means of getting around on the island is by car. But you may also walk or ride a bike.

See

• Mashomack Nature Preserve. There is a nice nature preserve that would be a great place to see. It is part of the Nature Conservancy and comprises 1/3 of the island. 
• Kissing Rock. Also, there is a huge, well-known rock located at the end of Crescent Beach that was redecorated immediately after 9/11. 
• During the summer, once a week, the Perlman Music Camp, founded by world-known violinist Itzhak Perlman, puts on a performance. The students are gifted young people and occasionally Itzhak Perlman conducts the students.
• The Ram's Head Inn. Was the site of the Shelter Island Conference on the Foundations of Quantum Mechanics in 1947. Many famous physicists attended, including Oppenheimer and Feynman. A small plaque commemorates the event. 

Do

Manhanset Chapel

• This island has many beautiful beaches. Spending a day at the beach would be great to do.
• Also, there are two golf courses and one mini-golf course if you enjoy shooting a game of golf.
• There are also retreats available for groups through St. Gabes and Quinipet.
• Ride bicycles
• Go birdwatching at the nature preserve.
• Rent horses Paard Hill, run by Ellen Lear, daughter of TV Producer Norman Lear, operates these stables which offer lessons for all levels.
• Play a game of tennis at the tennis courts is also an option.

Buy

There are quite a few little shops on the island that are worth checking out. There are some antique shows, gifts shops, specialty shops, and a few delis, etc. There is a newly owned IGA supermarket at 75 North Ferry Road, that offers home and boat delivery. Catering also available 631-749-0382. If needed there are also two banks and two post offices.

• . Black Cat Books is a wonderful and classy used bookstore on 114 around the middle of the island. It has a sprawling black couch to rest on and plenty of fiction, art, photo books and more. A great break for those biking across the island on the Hamptons-Greenport route. 
• Geo Jo video, 57 north ferry rd, ☎ [phone]. Not your usual video store. Worth a visit or two. 
• Jacks Marine (True Value), Bridge St, ☎ [phone]. This is a Toy store for all ages. It has been on Shelter Island for over 60 years. 

Eat

James Havens Homestead

• Bob's Fish Market. Authentic. 
• The Chequit Inn. Good food. Wonderful patio. Great place to meet for a drink. Decent people watching. Great place to stay if you're carless. Azaleas. 
• The Dory. A real harbor bar. Not fancy. 

There are plenty of restaurants where you may want to grab a bite to eat.

• Pat and Steve's. Simple meals. Nothing fancy. 
• Pridwin. Rustic food and rooms. Cabins ideal for young families. Wonderful salt pool. Spectacular sunsets. 
• Ram's Head. Lovely place. Perfect for a quiet weekend. Excellent food and service. Superb bartender. Simple but fine accommodations. 
• Shelter Island Pharmacy. You mean the soda fountain? 
• Bella Vita, 3 North Ferry Road, ☎ [phone]. 11 AM to 10 PM daily. Fantastic Brooklyn-style pizza. 
• Maria's Kitchen. Organic Mexican stuff 
• Vine Street. 
• Sunset Beach, 35 Shore Rd, ☎ [phone]. A late night spot near the Pridwin. Be cool. 
• Planet Bliss, 23 North Ferry Rd, ☎ [phone]. World Bistro Menu. 

Drink

There are quite a few places to get a drink. All the hotels have a bar and you can also get drinks at The Dory.

Sleep

Hotels

Union Chapel in Shelter Island Heights

• The Chequit Inn. 
• Pridwin. 
• Ram's Head. 
• Sunset Beach, 35 Shore Rd, ☎ [phone]. 20-room seasonal hotel with restaurant, bar and boutique was opened in 1997. Inspired by the Italian and French Rivieras, it offers French bistro cuisine with sunset views overlooking the Peconic Bay. $235-$635. 

Bed and breakfasts

• Belle Crest Bed and Breakfast. 
• House on Chase Creek. Good food and absolute peace and quiet in an immaculate old house. 
• Beach Tree House. 
• The Candlelight Inn. 

Go next

• Southold
• East Hampton