Sunset on the North Fork

May 22, 2026

Memorial Day Weekend on the North Fork

Summer Starts Here: The Unofficial Start of Summer at Sound View Greenport & The Halyard

There’s something about Memorial Day Weekend out east that always feels like a deep breath before summer fully begins. The boats return to the harbor, the farm stands start waking back up, music drifts through town again, and suddenly everyone’s remembering why they fell in love with the North Fork in the first place.

As someone who lives full-time in Greenport, this weekend always feels especially exciting to me because it’s not just the start of a busy season. It's the return of the energy that makes this place feel alive. Don’t get me wrong, I love the sunsets in winter just as much as summer. The stillness to create and reset is just as beautiful to me as the bloom of summer. But who doesn’t love long dinners outside, sunset walks until 9 PM, reconnecting with familiar faces around town, and those first beach days that turn into staying out later than planned?

At Sound View Greenport, Memorial Day Weekend really marks the unofficial start of summer for all of us, and we’re excited to welcome guests back for another season by the Sound.

Low Tide Bar Returns

A local favorite and personally one of my favorite places on property, Low Tide Bar officially reopens for the season Memorial Day Weekend from 5–9 PM Friday through Sunday, with a special holiday opening on Memorial Day Monday as well.

If you’ve spent time at Sound View before, you already know there’s something pretty special about LTB at sunset. It’s casual in the best way,  good cocktails, fresh seafood, music playing near the water, and everyone slowly settling into the summer. There are always family reunions happening, kids running into the beach, dogs lounging nearby, and barefoot guests and locals all mingling together to celebrate the start of summer.

One of the things I’m most excited about this year is that we’re adding live music Friday-Sunday all summer long, with a special Memorial Day weekend night.

Memorial Day Weekend Music Lineup

  • Friday, May 22 — Julia King | 6:30–9 PM
  • Saturday, May 23 — Rob Europe | 6:30–9 PM
  • Sunday, May 24 — Paris Ray | 6:30–9 PM
  • Monday, May 25 — Jeff LeBlanc | 6:30–9 PM

And honestly, if the weather ends up being a little moody this weekend, don’t let that scare you off. Some of my favorite weekends out here have been rainy ones. If needed, the music simply moves inside to the Piano Bar, which honestly becomes one of the coziest spots on property when it’s gray outside. Cocktails, candlelight, live music, and people lingering a little longer than planned, it’s kind of the perfect rainy-day backup plan.

Beginning Tuesday, May 26, we officially kick off our weekly Piano Bar local live music series for the summer with Rachelle Rossi from 6–8:30 PM.

And on Wednesday, May 27, Sid Gold’s Piano Karaoke with John Khoury returns from 7–10 PM every Wednesday night all summer long, which has quickly become one of the most fun nights of the week around here.

Poolside Yoga Is Back

For our wellness lovers, poolside yoga returns with Lucy Nystrom of New Moon Wellness beginning Saturday, May 23rd. Classes will take place every Saturday and Sunday morning from 8:30–9:30 AM poolside whenever weather allows, with sessions moving into the Gathering Room if needed. Yoga is always complimentary for our Sound View Greenport and Harbor Front Inn guests,  just make sure to sign up at the front desk.

Summer Returns to The Halyard

Memorial Day Weekend also means the return of summer menus at The Halyard, which is always a well-loved seasonal transition.

Everything at The Halyard continues to be deeply rooted in what’s available locally and seasonally across the North Fork… from fresh seafood coming in daily to produce from nearby farms, herbs, greens, and ingredients that truly reflect this time of year out here. We’ll also officially be bringing back lunch service for the season from 11 AM–3 PM on Saturdays and Sundays beginning Memorial Day Weekend. Jacks Shack will also be reopening at the pool for our guests everyday 11-4pm!

Whether you’re stopping in after the beach, escaping a rainy afternoon with oysters and local wine, or coming for sunset dinner overlooking the Sound, it’s one of the best places to settle into the rhythm out here.

Don’t Let the Weather Change Your Plans

Truthfully, there’s still so much to do out here even if the weather isn’t perfect beach weather. If you’re heading out from Brooklyn or the city with family, I always recommend making a stop at Long Island Aquarium. It’s genuinely such a good rainy-day option for both kids and adults alike. Another great stop on your way out or heading home is Tanger Outlets Riverhead, which makes for an easy shopping break before continuing east.

Once you get to Greenport, the Village really starts coming alive over Memorial Day Weekend.

  • The East End Seaport Museum is hosting a Friday evening opening reception to celebrate the beginning of the 2026 season, featuring a new exhibition by Courtney M. Leonard alongside updated interpretation materials and a new children’s area. Stop in for the reception from 6-7pm Friday May 22nd.
  • The Railroad Museum of Long Island also officially reopens Memorial Day Weekend, on Saturday & Sunday with hours from 10:30 AM–4:30 PM. They are located at 440 4th Street
  • Over at North Fork Arts Center, there will be an opening reception Saturday, May 23rd, at 3 PM for Small Works, featuring five North Fork artists. films playing throughout the holiday weekend including Back to the Future (Saturday at 1 PM), Pretty in Pink (Saturday at 8:15 PM, Sunday & Monday at 6 PM), Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (daily screenings at 1:30 PM, 4:30 PM & 7:10 PM Saturday and Sunday; 4:30 PM & 7:10 PM Monday), The Sheep Detectives (daily screenings at 2 PM, 5:10 PM & 7:40 PM), and I Love Boosters (Saturday at 5 PM & 7:20 PM, Sunday at 2 PM, 5 PM & 7:20 PM, and Monday at 5 PM & 7:20 PM).
  • You can also stop by Floyd Memorial Library to view their current exhibition featuring works by celebrated lithographer Stow Wengenroth
  • Or visit North Fork Art Collective to explore current exhibitions including Bananas & Other Matters, a solo exhibition by Adam Straus, alongside Alternative Landscapes, featuring works by Scott Bluedorn, Karine Laval, Meghan Boody, Bruce Lieberman, Ty Stroudsburg, and more. The gallery will be open Memorial Day Weekend Friday & Saturday from 12–5 PM and Sunday from 11 AM–4 PM.
  • And if you want something a little unexpected and nostalgic, the GDC Roller Skate Rink will also have a public skating session on Sunday from 11-3pm open skate for all levels. A special Friday May 22,  evening glow skate from 6-10pm!

Rainy weekends are sometimes the best weekends for simply wandering into Greenport’s Village district. Grabbing a good read at Burton's Books, espresso and scones from Aldo's Coffee Company, stopping into The Times Vintage for  a hint of nostalgia, and visiting  other antique stores, galleries, boutiques, wine shops, and little places you normally rush past.

A Few Favorite Vineyard Stops

Rainy weather also pairs very well with North Fork wine tasting. A few places I always recommend for indoor tastings include: Kontokosta Winery, Rose Hill, Sparkling Pointe, Macari Vineyards, RGNY, and Borghese Vineyard. Especially if you’re making your way out east slowly or stopping along the way back to the city. Macari and RGNY are always great options, though I definitely recommend making reservations beforehand on holiday weekends.

Summer Truly Starts Here. There’s a reason people return to the North Fork every Memorial Day Weekend. It’s the shift into summer mode. The energy changes. The light changes. And after a long winter, I think we’re all ready for that summer feeling again. Looking forward to welcoming everyone back out east for another season by the Sound.