Stony Brook, NY Road Trips

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.

West Meadow Beach Historic District, West Meadow Beach Rd. 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. Free of charge to Town of Brookhaven Residents. Non-residents can pay a daily fee during the beach season (Memorial Day weekend-Labor Day weekend). 1 The Long Island Museum of American Art, History, and Carriages, 1200 Route 25A, ☏ +1 631 751-0066. 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. (updated Aug 2017)

1 Staller Center for the Arts, 100 Nicolls Rd (Within the Stony Brook University campus), ☏ +1 631 632-ARTS (2787), fax: +1 631-632-7354. 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. (updated Aug 2017)

1 The Country House, 1175 North Country Rd, ☏ +1 631 751-3332. 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. (updated Aug 2017)

1 Country Corner Tavern, 270 Main Street, Setauket, ☏ +1 631-751-2800. 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. (updated Aug 2017)

1 Bayles Estate Bed and Breakfast, 1249 North Country Rd (½ mile from Stony Brook Village Center), ☏ +1 631 689-5865. 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. (updated Aug 2017)

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. 1 Stony Brook Station is right next to the university. 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.

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.