Someone told me this was a nice area on the water. Is this a good place to visit? Are there nice beaches nearby, good restaurants, shops, charming etc?

Greenport is on the North Fork, not on the Atlantic Ocean.

www.northfork.com

I should add, the South Fork is also known as "the Hamptons," and many/most people who visit the North Fork do so for the vineyards.

More low key than the Hamptons - the water is Long Island Sound - not the ocean - and many beaches are pebble rather than typical white sand. Many people do go for the wineries.

Is this for a couple or a family? How long are you planning on staying and what activities do you want?

Thanks Gekko. Does that eman there are not any beaches there?

the north fork is near and dear to my heart. the restaurants are top notch. you can try "jedediah hawkins inn", or the "frisky oyster". the vineyards around the area are wonderful as well. lenz, is one of my favorites.

there are beaches, but the water is calmer and the beach is pebbles rahther than sand. The actual town of Greenport is on the water, a bay between the north and south forks of Long Island.

http://www.greenportvillage.com/

Thank you for your feedback. I'm actually considering an investment opportunity here and need to visit but wanted to learn more about it for a vacation destination in general. I hear it's a growing area and a good location due to Shelter Island and ferry's to Block Island etc, but it concerns me a little there are no great beaches. When I think of going to LI for a vacation destination, I think of the great beaches. The wineries sound nice.

The "great beaches" are on the South Fork, far from Greenport.

I've not been to Greenport but my cousin owns a cottage there that she rents out. She's had it for a few years now and has found it a satisfactory investment (plus she and her family make good use of it, too). If you google for tourist info for Greenport you'll see that there's quite a bit more to do there than simply going to the beach. My cousin gets lots of families staying at her cottage.

well, while the beaches aren't as good for swimming as the South Fork, there is much better fishing and boating on the bay and the Sound. Greenport is a nice town. The North Fork in general has been booming...growing steadily since the mid 70's, I think. There are nice restaurants in Greenport, and some good shops. There are a few good antique stores and lots of farm stands in the area as well.

i think the restaurant and vineyard business is stronger on the north fork, and has certainly been booming the last 15 years. alot of the new york guys have gone out there because of the produce, quality of life, etc...etc...south fork will always have it's tourism of young beach going cocktailing hamptonites. i think they both have equal appeal, and if anything the north fork is "growing" more than the south fork.

The north fork is slightly less developed and property is not as high as the south fork - but it attracts different groups of people - and will never have the great beaches and super-high prices you get on the south fork.