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A beautiful morning in Sag Harbor.
Mentioned in Herman Melville’s famed book, Moby Dick, Sag Harbor lies just between the villages of East Hampton and Southampton in Suffolk County. Settled in the early 1700s Sag Harbor became a prosperous harbor and the first commercial port in the United States. Here are some fun facts, from the Sag Harbor Historical Society, that you may not have known about Sag Harbor. Sag Harbor had the first newspaper printed on Long Island, the first volunteer fire company in New York, and the first custom house in the United States.
The Sag Harbor Custom House Museum provides a glimpse into the town's history.
History buffs and people with a passion for old buildings and houses, will adore the Sag Harbor area. Most of Sag Harbor is on the National Register of Historic Places so all exterior reconstructions must first be approved by the local Board of Historic Preservation and Architectural Review. The village has a lot of pride in its history and works very hard to preserve, commemorate, and share their past.
Welcome to historic Sag Harbor.
Besides having such a rich history, Sag Harbor is also rich in culture and small town charm. You can take a stroll down Main Street, visit the small town style shops, bask in the artsy aspects of the village, and sit down to lunch at one of their many independent restaurants. There are often different festivals, fairs, and events going on in town too, keeping Sag Harbor extra lively and jovial. Sag Harbor truly is one of Long Island’s hidden gems.
Nautical Attractions
With such a rich whaling and maritime history it’s no surprise that the village of Sag Harbor is inundated with nautical fare and attractions. From museums to seaward cruises, nautical lovers and seafaring folk won’t be without things to do and see.
Historical buildings and sites are approved and maintained by the Sag Harbor Historical Society.
Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum
200 Main St, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-0770
A small, charming museum packed with artifacts from the whaling days of Sag Harbor, navigational tools, scrimshaw, model ships, and changing exhibits throughout the year. The museum is in operation weekends until Columbus Day and admission is $6 for adults, $5 for students & seniors, and $2 for children 11 and under.
Sag Harbor Sailing
51 Pineneck Ave, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-5100
Sag Harbor Sailing offers sailing classes to visitors who want to learn how to master the open waters. They also rent out boats and host fishing charters to aid you on your way to making your next big catch.
Sag Harbor Charters
23 Marine Park Bay Street, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Sag Harbor Charters conveniently allows guests to design their own charters, or pick from the Captain’s own tours. The crew members are very knowledgeable about the area, local wildlife, and the historic past of Sag Harbor. Don’t forget, you can bring your own food and drink to enjoy while on board.
Sailacat Catamaran Cruises
27 Bay Street, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Make some magical memories aboard a luxurious catamaran cruise. You can take a dip in the water, lie out on the boat, play around on kayaks and paddle boards, and enjoy tasty food and cocktails. Very accommodating hosts and facilities.
Theatre & Cinema
If you are looking to catch a flick or see a live theater performance, then Sag Harbor will make those wishes come true. Foreign and independent film lovers will definitely want to check out what’s playing at the classic cinema in town and theater-goers can sit back and relax while they enjoy an acclaimed live theater performance at Bay Street Theatre.
Indulge your artistic side and visit the Sag Habor Fine Arts Center.
Bay Street Theatre
1 Bay St, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-9500/ 631-725-0818
Founded in 1991 Bay Street Theatre, a not-for-profit professional theater and community cultural center, offers year-round entertainment including live shows, workshops, a comedy club, camps, and classes. Many of the shows that have been developed, and premiered, at Bay Street Theatre have gone off to be Broadway and Off-Broadway productions.
Sag Harbor Cinema
90 Main St, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Sag Harbor Cinema, a classic theater founded in the 1920s, features art house and foreign films and is one of the last remaining continuously running single screens in Suffolk County. A perfect place for cinema lovers to visit and catch a film.
Fun For Kids
Kids will have a blast in Sag Harbor walking around the unique village, taking in the old buildings, and trying some homemade ice cream. There is an animal refuge where you can feed birds right from your hand and a puppet theater to entertain the little ones.
Big Olaf
8 Wharf St, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-7505
This ice cream shop serves homemade ice cream, with many different flavors to pick from, and frozen treats. After you get your cone head over to the nearby park and sit on a bench overlooking the water while you finish your treat.
Foster Memorial Beach
1000 Long Beach Road, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-728-8585
This mile long beach on the Noyac Bay is a great spot for kids and families to play in the sand, splash around in the water, enjoy a snack on the grassy picnic area, and even bring their dogs along for a walk on the marked dog walk routes.
Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge
2595 Noyac Rd, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Established in 1954 this 187 acre wildlife refuge is an awesome place to go for a hike, take in the diverse habitats, and snap some photos along the way. Don’t forget to bring along bird seed, wild birds will feed right from your hands! Kids will have a blast being so close to nature.
Mouthwatering Restaurants
Sag Harbor has many independent restaurants lining the streets of the village. With cuisines ranging from seafood (of course) to Italian, American to Mexican it’s nearly impossible not to find at least one restaurant that will satisfy everyone’s palate.
Dock House
1 Long Wharf, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
This cozy, little restaurant specializes in seafood and is right across from the Sag Harbor beach area. They have award-winning chowders and will prepare your seafood any way you like it. They also offer fresh seafood and lobster for you to cook at home.
Estia’s Little Kitchen
1615 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-1045
Estia’s serves delicious food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a Mexican flair. Be sure to try their seasonal specials throughout the year. They even serve fresh vegetables right from their garden out back.
Tutto Il Giorno
6 Bay St, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-7009
Tutto Il Giorno is an Italian restaurant that has everything from flavorful pasta dishes to scrumptious soups. They also have a charming outdoor patio where you can eat and look out at the marina.
Bay Burger
1742 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-899-3915
Bay Burger serves thick, juicy burgers on fresh, made daily buns. The rear dining area features a large plasma television and an X-Box 360 to play games on. Don’t forget to finish off your meal with some of their homemade ice cream.
Bagel Buoy
3 Bay St, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Bagel Buoy offers guest both breakfast and lunch options. They have the usual breakfast staples, bakery treats, burgers, salads, sandwiches, and bagels. They are open 7 days a week from 6 a.m. – 4 p.m.
For more great restaurants located in Sag Harbor, check out our Sag Harbor Restaurants Guide!
Entertainment For Adults
Sag Harbor has many different types of entertainment for adults. Art enthusiasts will have a fantastic time viewing the galleries around the village, golfers can get in a game at one of the nearby golf courses, and wine connoisseurs will be sipping away happily trying local and foreign wines.
A typical representation of mainstreet on any given day.
Grappa Wine Bar
62 Main St, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-0055
Grappa Wine Bar offers a sophisticated atmosphere and a collection of over 60 varieties of foreign and local wines. The wrap-around bar is the main focal point of the restaurant but the antique chandeliers dripping crystals will be sure to catch your eye also.
Sag Harbor Golf Club
Barcelona Point, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
631-725-2503
This flat, 9-hole public golf course sits out on a peninsula surrounded by wetlands, bluffs, and woodlands. Golfers can play one round or two to complete an entire 18-hole game. The par value is 35.
Romany Kramoris Gallery
41 Main St, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
This casual, diverse art gallery focuses mostly on local art and artists. The gallery features eclectic sculptures and beautiful paintings. The Romany Kramoris Gallery is open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Where To Stay
If you decide to turn your day trip into a longer stay there are various locations around Sag Harbor where you can rest your head for the night. The American Hotel is the big name place to stay in town but there are also many other hotels, motels, inns, and bed and breakfasts with perfectly pleasant accommodations for guests.
Iconic Liberty Square commemorates Sag Harbor's role in the Revolutionary War.
The American Hotel
49 Main St, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Built in 1846, the American Hotel is a very popular place to stay in town. They have an elegant establishment and top rate restaurant with an award-winning wine list. With an unbeatable location, right in the heart of Sag Harbor, you’re never far from restaurants, shops, art galleries, beaches, and the harbor.
Harborwoods Guesthouse
1702 Bridgehampton Sag Harbor Turnpike, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Located just outside of the village, this bed and breakfast offers up to date accommodations in a nice set back wooded area. Harborwoods has many amenities like WiFi, a tranquil garden, and televisions in the cottages. They also have beach passes available if you feel like taking a dip.
Sag Harbor Inn
45 W Water St, Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Sag harbor Inn has beautiful panoramic views of the bay, perfect for a relaxing morning watching the boats float through. Each guest room has its very own terrace or balcony and the rooms are tastefully ornamented with 18th century furniture reproductions.
Cedar Haven Guest House
11 Cedar Haven Lane , Sag Harbor, NY 11963
Only a ten minute bike ride into town, this quiet, secluded guest house is an ideal place to stay in Sag Harbor. The innkeeper is very amiable and eager to make sure all guests are as comfortable as they would be at their own home.
If you’d like to plan a day trip or weekend getaway to Sag Harbor there are a couple of different ways to get there. If you plan on driving out on the southern fork to Sag Harbor take Route 27/Sunrise highway until you see Route 79 to Sag Harbor. From there just follow the signs. You can also take a bus to Sag Harbor. Companies like Hampton Jitney will drive out there and drop you off right in the middle of town. Taking the train is also a transportation option. Take the Long Island Rail Road to the Bridgehampton stop then Bridgehampton is only a few miles from Sag Harbor.
If you're looking for fun things to do in other great places on Long Island, check out our other Guides for Ocean Beach, Fire Island, Montauk, Freeport, The Hamptons, Northport, Greenport, Port Jefferson and North Fork!