Thinking about a trip to the North Fork in October for a romantic weekend. I have no idea where to stay, or if it is a trip worth taking. Is it a good time of year to visit? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.liwines.com/

I would say this is definitely a trip worth taking and a nice time of year to visit. Check the link posted by the other poster and also the Suffolk Times (www.suffolktimes.com - will also link you to the Wine Press) for schedules of events. There are no large or chain hotels out past Riverhead but there are a number of smaller inns and B&B's. Since my parents live on the North Fork I have no recommendations for lodging. Some of my favorite wineries include Pellegrini, Lenz, Paumanock, Bedell and, of course, Gristina/Galluccio (my sister used to work there). If you want to e-mail me directly, I could get some more info for you. I know several of the local limo companies do great trips (Islander limo 631-765-5834) - we used for our wedding and sisters' proms, etc...).

I am actually looking at the same thing-staying in greenport in october. There is a new hotel called the greenporter-it is a boutique hotel. I have a question though-is there a nice town in greenport? what else is there to do besides go to a winery? what about restaurants? any other info or suggestions would be appreciated! thanks!

Greenport is the town and although it used to be considered kind of "seedy", it has really changed a lot, brought about in large part by an influx of people from the South Fork and NYC. There are now many little shops, art galleries, and restaurants to browse around. There is a new park (Mitchell Park) on the waterfront and you can also go to Orient Point or take the ferry over to Shelter Island (good hiking trails) and even over to Sag Harbor. Things get a little busy again in October as people come out to buy pumpkins and Fall vegetables. I think I read an article in the Suffolk Times about the Greenporter but I have not seen the hotel itself. I can try to find out if no one else can help you.

For Food: Claudio's, the oldest continuously operating family-owned restaurant in the U.S. I believe, is located on the waterfront in Greenport. The Townsend Manor Inn is on Main Street in Greenport - good food and allegedly haunted. The Soundview Inn is on Rte 48 (the North Road) in Greenport and has good seafood and a great sunset view. Bistro Blue in Greenport. Meson Ole in Greenport for mexican - good frozen drinks. There is also a newish crepe place on Main Street in Greenport. Orient By the Sea in Orient for seafood. If you get to Jamesport, I highly recommend the Country Kitchen on the Main Road. The Red Door in Mattituck.

There is also a large outlet mall in Riverhead called Tanger which has a lot of good outlets (Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, BCBG, etc) and also an aquarium.

I would bet that some of the wineries will be having Octoberfest and Halloween festivities. The Suffolk Times profiles different businesses and restaurants each week and the website will link you to back issues. It also links to the North Fork vacation guide.

do not miss the east end wineries. never a better time than september/october. make sure you check out east hampton, sag harbor. hotels? not much out there. but don't overlook getting a hotel more west (i.e hampton inn or raddison in farmingville) if you have or rent a car. you'll love it.

Here's a great Long Island whine "I wanna go to Miaaaami!"