I am arriving at JKF at 6 am on a Tuesday in July. I'd like to head somewhere for that day and the next; ending up Wednesday evening in Westchester where I'll spend the night.

Where to??

Somewhere near water [ocean or the sound preferred] would be great; good restaurant suggestions as we are both foodies. A nice gallery, museum, gardens, farmer's market a plus but I realize on a weekday, might not be open.

Open to heading down to Jersey, up to CT or out to LI [not Hamptons, we were there not too long ago]. Not sure if a single night is going to be hard to do, but am hoping that weeknight might not have 2 night minimum.

I welcome ideas for what town to hit, where to stay overnight and where to have dinner or other meals.

Thanks~

To head to the Jersey shore early Tuesday and then to Westchester on Wed night is an awful lot of moving in a short time and work in all the activities you listed.

Staying near Norwalk, CT would fill most of your requirements including some interesting ethnic restaurants and it is minutes away from Westchester. Unfortunately, I do not know where you can stay.

Maybe someone can recommend a place in a nearby town.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g...Vacations.html

Thanks for the suggestion. I spent the better part of 2 decades living close to Norwalk!

Thinking of Port Jeff area.....??

I do not know Port Jeff that well, but if you do stay there, you can take a ferry across the Sound and save driving time and have a more interesting view. But at this time of year make a reservation.

LI's North Fork might be nice. I can't make specific recos b/c I haven't been there in a while, but it has some good seafood restaurants, vineyards and wineries, orchards, and pretty scenery.

FYI: June/July National Geographic Traveler magazine has an article on eastern LI and North Fork.

The Inn at Stonington in Stonington Borough might work for you. http://www.theinnatstonington.com/ It's about 2hours from eastern Westchester. A popular restaurant in the Borough is Noah's. http://noahsfinefood.com/new/

Things to do: explore the Borough's old buildings, day at the beach in Watch Hill RI or RI or CT state beaches. Plenty of small shops and galleries in the Borough, Mystic and Watch Hill.

How about Mystic CT? The #170 Northeast Regional leaves Penn station at 8:30AM gets into Mystic before noon.
The return train is #177 that leaves MYS at about 4:44PM.
Mystic Seaport is a nice attraction.

I'd head up to the lower Hudson Valley - Rhinebeck or Cold Spring.

I thought North Fork as well...some good little wineries out that way...

I think North Fork; close, lots to do, very different from the Hamptons.