While visiting family in Long Island we planned a little jaunt to Northport, a quaint little seaside town, for some theater and traipsing around. We started with one of my favorite small town things to do- shopping! We wandered through a drug store and bought some snacks at a great health food store & cafe, named Organically Yours. Then we crossed over to Heartichoke, the little store that could. The store looks like a small backwoods cabin adorned with beautiful baubles that draw you in. The store opened in 1984 and I'm sure it has been attracting shoppers ever since. Just inside the door I knew my money would soon be departing:) The store is stocked with gardening, home and sparkly goods packed into eye-catching displays.
We then headed to the show, which was the main reason to hit the town. Madagascar was playing at the John W. Engeman Theater. In 1932, the current theater building was open for business and after many different uses and a few owners, Kevin and Patti O'Neill purchased the theater in 2006 and named it after Patti's brother, a Chief Warrant Officer that was killed in Iraq. The theater has been entertaining adults and kids ever since. We entered the renovated theater, bought our refreshments and were seated right up front. I wasn't sure what to expect with a play where people in animal costumes sing and dance, but the actors where great. The musical was super fun, the zebra "Marty" could really cut a rug and the King of the Lemurs was hysterical. The kids seemed to really enjoy the musical and stood in a short line for selfies with the wild animals to complete the experience.
The other favorite thing to do in any small town is to try new restaurants and after the show we grabbed ice cream for the kids and a quick bite at the Copenhagen Bakery for the moms. The homemade ice cream was yummy and the sandwich was okay but very simple. There are enough restaurants to bring me back a few times to check out the food possibilities. I could grab a beer & a bite at the Rockin' Fish, possibly on the patio-their sign was working on me (it doesn't take much, sometimes), but not with kids. The Shipwreck Diner would be fun with or without the kids for diner style breakfast or lunch. The little brick building holding the restaurant Feed and Grain also looked appealing and The Purple Elephant that sits across town and has beachy digs with Latin menu items would be right at the top of my list. There is even an old-fashioned soda fountain luncheonette to try. There are so many choices and so little time.
We finished up the day on the playground, by the seashore with the trees budding and the sun shining. A great way to wrap up the day in this nice little Long Island town. If you are looking for something fun to do or see near you or far away, let us know at Stowaway Travels and we can help plan and book!!