Steal My North Fork Itinerary for August

Scenes from Riverhead Raceway (Photo credit: Petite North Fork)

Want to know one sentence you’ll never hear me utter? “Flying by way too fast!” And you know what I’m talking about… In fact, I’m sure you’ve heard, or even said, those exact words lately when talking about summer. The trick is that not a week goes by that our crew doesn’t soak up all that summer has to offer, savoring every last drop and filling our days and nights with North Fork events and happenings that are simply too good to miss. So, wherever you are in your response to “How’s summer been,” make the most out of its final full month with these 10 ideas for family fun on the North Fork happening in August. 

Sign up for our weekly newsletter to be the first to know all the family-friendly things to do, places to see, and people to meet.

Steal My Itinerary is made possible by Mariah Mills, your local Real Estate Advisor — helping families buy, sell, and rent homes across the North Fork.

Cheering in the stands as school buses race and crash at Riverhead Raceway’s Day of Destruction and School Bus Demo, Riverhead

“Loud, wild, and so so so much fun” is how I’d describe demo days at the Riverhead Raceway. On Saturday, August 1 at 5 p.m., settle into the stands at Riverhead Raceway for a night you won’t forget. Featured events include school bus demolition, smash to pass, trailer races, spectator drags, and more. Tickets may be purchased at the box office on the day of the event. Cash only. $30/adult, $20 for children ages 6 to 12, free for ages 5 and under. More info here.  

Searching for treasure with Greenie Supply & Tackle’s latest Treasure map, North Fork

It’s been a minute since we last hunted for treasure across the North Fork, but with the recent release of Map 27, we’re looking forward to heading out and about in search of golden treasure. Snag your map at the back of the old fishing station at Port of Egypt Marine in Southold in the Greenie Supply Map Machine for $5. Coins or card currently accepted. Pro tip: bring a compass and a shovel!

Getting GUNK-Y at First Fridays on Love Lane, Mattituck

One of our fav nights of summer is hereeeeee!!! We’ll be dancing and singing to GUNK at First Fridays on Friday, August 7 with our whole crew. Running from 6 to 9 p.m., this family-friendly monthly happening is the place to see neighbors and friends in a lively yet casual setting. If you have yet to see them live, GUNK puts on a super fun show that will have you dancing and singing alongside this all-girl band. 

Going fishing with Tide Hustle Fishing Charters, Greenport

Fishing is something our family has yet to dive into, but when I learned that Tide Hustle Fishing Charters now offers family experiences for children of all ages, I knew this was our time! There are two Family Fishing Experiences planned for August: Sundays, August 2 and August 9, each day offering trips at 8 to 11 a.m. and 12 to 3 p.m. The cost is $60/person and covers all! Learn more here.

Adventuring through a sunflower maze at Rottkamp’s Fox Hollow Farm, Baiting Hollow

We were thrilled to see Rottkamp’s Fox Hollow Farm offering their sunflower maze again. The three-acre maze, which is just east of the farm stand, features 50,000 sunflowers along its walking trail. Weather permitting, the maze will be open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. through August 9. The cost to enter the sunflower maze is $ 8 per person ages 6+, free for those 5 and younger. Learn more here.

Listening to live music beachside at Orient Beach State Park’s Music by the Beach concert series, Orient

Good music, good food (full menu by new eatery, Third Culture Club), good vibes. Say no more! With a newly released schedule for August, concert-goers can listen to live tunes by Points East on Tuesday, August 4, Mudflats on Thursday, August 13, Gene Casey & The Lone Sharks on Tuesday, August 18, and Linden Farm All Stars on Tuesday, August 25. All shows from 5 to 7 p.m. 

Picking berries at Patty’s Berries and Bunches, Mattituck

Recently, part of our petite crew went berry picking at Patty’s Berries and Bunches while the other part of our petite crew was out of town. We decided that we’ll be going again in August with the whole fam — you can never have too many berries, right?! We went on a cloudy weekday afternoon and were the only ones picking at the time, making for a peaceful, leisurely experience. We walked down the lengthy row of blueberries, taking our time to pick our favorites. When we reached the end of the row, we discovered the blackberries and spent some time picking those as well. The walk back towards the farm was perhaps our favorite part as we passed vibrant flowers in every hue, sat on a wooden swing and chatted for a bit, and took photos in front of the farm’s old pickup trucks. When we go in August, we’ll bring a picnic lunch and hang in the farm’s enclosed seating area, which also features lawn games. Hot tip: homemade ice cream is also available for purchase, a fun way to end your u-pick session! Cost: $10/person; each person gets a container to pick. Open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with last u-pick field entry at 4:30 p.m., weather permitting. 

Making collages and nature wands, decorating art boxes at Art Lab at Hotel Moraine, Greenport

Art Lab at Hotel Moraine, led by Nicole Roccaro of Artfully Long Island, invites artists of all ages, from tiny to teen, to create at their own pace using recycled and upcycled materials. Two sessions are planned for August: Sunday, August 9th, and Sunday, August 23rd, both from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets cost $15/person and can be purchased here. At the August 9th session, creators will make cardboard collages and decorate art boxes, and at the August 23rd session, make fabric collages and nature wands.

Watching 13: The Musical at the North Fork Community Theatre, Mattituck

With a cast of North Fork Community Theatre’s tween and teen performers, 13: The Musical is sure to resonate with your crew. The musical tells the story of a New York teen who must navigate friendships, crushes, and the chaos of middle school while planning the perfect Bar Mitzvah. The show opens on Thursday, August 13 at 7:30 p.m., with additional shows on Friday, August 14 and Saturday, August 15 at 7:30 p.m., and closes on Sunday, August 16 at 2:30 p.m. Purchase tickets here.

Dancing the night away to The Realm at Monday Night Dances in the Park, Greenport

On Monday, August 31, hang with our crew as we dance the night away to The Realm at summer’s final Monday Night Dances in the Park (Battle of the Bands on Sept. 7). Bring dinner, picnic blankets, chairs, and your best dance moves to this family-fun night.