Northville offers nature-rich Long Island living
Northville is where you can peer out at the rolling waters of Long Island Sound from the comfort of your back porch, on a property that’s steps from the beach. This small area in the town of Riverhead features a long row of waterfront homes with unobstructed views. But whether you live on the water or not, the shore and miles of trails are always just minutes away. The lush landscape here is also conducive to vineyards, setting the stage for a vibrant wine scene.
Northville has a mix of coastal views and inland space
Northville takes up a piece of Long Island’s North Fork peninsula. The waterfront houses in this area face Long Island Sound, between Long Island and Connecticut. Properties on the coast sit just off Sound Shore Road and were built anywhere from the 1920s through the 2020s. Many are obscured from the road by mature trees, providing privacy for homeowners. Flooding isn’t considered an issue, either. “Most are high up on the bluff,” says Janet Bidwell, a local Realtor with Douglas Elliman Real Estate who’s lived in the North Fork area since the late 1980s.
Homes throughout Northville share the community’s rustic vibe, and some of them trade water views for bigger lots, sometimes roughly an acre or more. The Highlands Club at Aquebogue subdivision adds homes that face the private Long Island National Golf Club. Houses south of Sound Avenue, farther from the Long Island Sound shore, typically sell for prices from the upper $500,000s to the upper $900,000s. Options closer to the water, north of Sound Avenue, range from the upper $900,000s to around $1.7 million. Architecture in the Northville area includes an eclectic mix of cottages, ranch-style options and New Traditional homes.
Scenic parks, coastal trails and golf courses are readily available
One of the perks of Northville’s location is the sunsets. “Personally, I consider that area up there to have the best sunsets in the summer,” Bidwell says. Iron Pier Beach is one of the prime spots to catch the sunset here, a sandy stretch that features a playground and miles of waterfront both east and west to explore. The 225-acre Hallock State Park Preserve nearby is another place to enjoy outdoor time on the coast. “That area used to be a [sand] mine, and it became a park and it's really great,” Bidwell says. “You can also ride your horse there … There’s a lot of birdwatching, too. That is actually surrounded by vineyards, so it’s a nice walk. There’s a trail down to the beach, from the parking lot.”
North Fork Preserve County Park spans over 300 acres off the water, with more paths to explore through wooded terrain. “It’s mostly undeveloped,” Bidwell says. “There’s trails throughout. You can see deer, fox, and other wildlife, and birdwatch, also. Horseback riding is allowed. Be sure to put on tick repellent when you’re in there hiking, though.” Golfers can look into membership at Long Island National to play the club’s 18-hole, Robert Trent Jones II-designed course. Indian Island Golf Course, Cherry Creek Golf Links and The Woods at Cherry Creek offer more 18-hole courses just outside Northville that are open to the public.
Wineries, taprooms and farm stands offer plenty to sip and eat
The North Fork area has dozens of wineries, and a couple are particularly close to people in Northville. The options include:
- Palmer Vineyards, where you can grab fresh pizza from the on-site food truck to go with your drinks
- RGNY, a winery that originated in Mexico in the late 1990s
- Macari Vineyards, whose wine club includes up to 12 bottles sent four times a year and selected seasonally
Jamesport Farm Brewery is also in the area, offering over 10 beers on tap, plus daily food trucks. Nearby Tuckers Taproom and Smokehouse slow-cooks brisket, pastrami, chicken, and pork in a 1,000-gallon smoker. At-home chefs can pick up ingredients at Sound Shore Market, which is open daily from the spring through the fall and offers a variety of produce, meats, sauces and more. Northville Farms is another area farm stand and is known for its cheesecake. Gala Fresh Farms, 4 miles away in Riverhead, is one of the closest traditional supermarkets.
Local schools include Riverhead campuses with arts offerings
The Riverhead Central School District extends to Northville. Students in Northville are closest to Aquebogue Elementary School, which covers prekindergarten through fourth grade. The district’s Pulaski Street School teaches grades 5 and 6. Riverhead Middle School serves students in grades 7 and 8 before they move on to Riverhead High School. The district has a robust arts program, including a variety of courses and classes in its middle and high schools, covering music, performing arts and visual arts.
Major roadways nearby connect residents to key points
The wider region is relatively easily accessible from the North Fork peninsula. Locally, you can reach downtown Riverhead in just about 10 minutes via the Northville Turnpike. Key destinations beyond that include:
- The Hamptons, which are just under 40 minutes away using New York state routes 24 and 27
- Long Island MacArthur Airport, which is less than 50 minutes away on Route 27 or the Long Island Expressway
- New York City, which is a little over two hours away on the Long Island Expressway
![Wayne Epps Jr.]()
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
