There are big changes happening in downtown Riverhead right now as the former Swezey’s and Twin Forks Bicycles buildings have been razed to make way for a new town square that will be pedestrian-friendly and offer easier access to the riverfront. But there is no reason to wait for the town square’s completion to enjoy a day afoot in Riverhead. There are many old-favorite destinations and new sights, restaurants and breweries to visit.
An outing to Long Island Aquarium can easily be an all-day affair. The aquarium is open year-round and includes a living coral reef, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, sea lion shows, touch tanks and more marine displays. There’s an indoor butterfly garden as well. Even if you don’t go inside the aquarium on your day in Riverhead, you can still see the seals in the rockscape pool out front. 431 East Main Street
NoonRide a BikeA leisurely bicycle ride through Riverhead is a great way to survey downtown and take in the riverfront. Bethpage Ride, the Suffolk County bike share program, has bicycles available to rent for $4 per hour or $35 per day. There are four stations in Riverhead where you can pick up or return a bicycle, including at Town Hall (210 Howell Avenue), the Long Island Rail Road station (Railroad Avenue), at the River and Roots Community Garden (West Main Street) and on the Peconic Riverfront (south of East Main Street).
1 p.m.Have a Bison LunchAfter working up an appetite on your rental bike, head to Tweed’s Restaurant & Buffalo Bar, a Riverhead staple that serves bison raised nearby at North Quarter Farm. Bison has less fat, less calories and less cholesterol than beef but more protein, according to Tweed’s. The restaurant offers bison chili, bison burgers, bison kebob, bison reubens, bison filets, bison hangar steaks — and the list goes on. 17 East Main Street
2 p.m.Take in ArtEast End Arts has two galleries in downtown Riverhead, the main gallery at the nonprofit’s headquarters (133 East Main Street), where art lessons are offered as well, and the west gallery inside the Peconic Crossing building (11 West Main Street). But that’s not all. Grangebel Park (Peconic Avenue) has public art on display.
3 p.m.Buy a New InstrumentMusic & Arts is a small storefront with acoustic and electric guitars, ukuleles, amps, keyboards, accessories, sheet music and more. Embrace a new hobby or pick up what you need to advance an existing one. 30 West Main Street
4 p.m.Have a Flight (or Two)Downtown Riverhead is a craft beer lover’s dream. There are six breweries within walking distance of each other. Peconic County Brewing (221 East Main Street) is the newest. It offers both indoor and outdoor seating overlooking the Peconic River. Enjoy a flight of Peconic County Brewing’s flagship IPA, Dream Girl, a seasonal like Camp Hero Haunted Pumpkin Ale, and a few of the many locally themed brews, including Bananagansett Hefeweizen, Sunrise Chairway Nitro Cream Ale, Scuttlehole Sour Ale and Peconic Bay Imperial IPA. Last year, Tradewinds Brewing (70 West Main Street) took over the spot formerly occupied by Crooked Ladder Brewing Company, and übergeek Brewing Company (400 Hallett Avenue) took the place of Moustache Brewing Company this spring. Long Ireland Beer Company (817 Pulaski Street) has been operating in the same spot for 10 years. North Fork Brewing Company (East 2nd Street) is inside a former firehouse that it shares with Montauk Distilling Co., which makes it a great stop for a group in which not everyone likes beer. Twin Fork Beer Co. (807 Raynor Avenue) while a little more out of the way is another brewery worth a visit.
5:30 p.m.Stroll the River WalkRiver Walk offers a wide boardwalk, benches and picnic tables along the Peconic River. It’s a relaxing spot to watch birds hunt fish or just enjoy a coffee. 145 Main Street
6 p.m. Enjoy Dinner Near the WaterRiver Walk Bar & Grille opened in 2018 in the former Joe’s Garage next to the Peconic River Park parking lot. The restaurant offers dinner either “From the Land,” such as prime rib, shell steak, pork chops, roasted duck, and sausage and peppers, or “From the Sea,” including seafood scampi, shrimp, flounder, sea scallops, salmon, mahi-mahi and fried clams. But don’t skip the appetizers. The pub fare includes jalapeno poppers, potato skins, corn nuggets, zucchini sticks, wings, tuna tartare, coconut shrimp, clams casino and more. 40 Peconic Avenue
7:30 p.m.Attend a ConcertCap off the day at Suffolk Theater, a restored 1930s art deco venue that was formerly a movie house but now hosts concerts, comedy and even weddings. Shows start at 8 but the doors open at 6:30 to enjoy a dinner menu designed by Ellen’s on Front in Greenport or a drink from the bar. Upcoming concerts include Popa Chubby and Roomful of Blues (November 21), Magic of Motown with former members of The Temptations, the Four Tops and Heatwave (November 26), Jay & The Americans (November 27), Lee Greenwood (December 3), a Sinatra birthday celebration (December 4), WLNG's Rockabilly Christmas (December 10), Gordon Lightfoot (December 15) and A Lords of 52nd Street Christmas (December 17). 118 East Main Street
