Setauket combines American history with restaurants and nearby parks
Setauket was once full of spies. During the American Revolution, British forces had set up camps in the area, particularly near the waterfront community of Strongs Neck. George Washington wanted information on these camps and their plans, so he and other military members asked locals like Abraham Woodhull to assist them in espionage. Woodhull used the alias Samuel Culper Sr. and watched the movement of British troops from his nearby farm, then traveled to New York City to inform Washington. Other volunteers watched from the water or passed messages to safe areas via clotheslines. The events, which helped change the course of the war, were depicted in the TV series “Turn: Washington’s Spies.” Woodhull is buried at Setauket Presbyterian Church, and the annual Culper Spy Day celebration honors him and his fellow patriots.
Setauket’s present features less surveillance than its past, but there’s still plenty for residents to see. The Long Island community is home to several popular restaurants and is within a few miles of beaches and parks, while maintaining access to Long Island MacArthur Airport. “It’s pretty wonderful for families,” says Julia Yuanyuan Zhang, a Realtor with Realty Connect USA, thanks to its location and highly rated school system.
Cape Cod and ranch-style homes along winding, tree-lined streets
The community is part of the town of Brookhaven and is surrounded by trees that often form dense woods. Though the Strongs Neck area has several waterfront homes, most roads do not have Setauket Harbor, Conscience Bay or Little Bay sightlines. Streets can be narrow and wind through the area while gently rising and falling over its hills. The region has plenty of traditional architecture, including Cape Cod homes and ranch-style properties. These houses can range from $575,000 to $910,000. Larger Colonial Revival and custom homes often run from $915,000 to $1.6 million. Yards typically have bushes or hedges near the house, and some can feature large trees.
Three Village Central School District gets high marks from Niche
Students are served by the Three Village Central School District. They can attend Setauket Elementary School, which holds an A Niche grade. Paul J. Gelinas Junior High School earns an A-plus score. Ward Melville High School offers graduation pathways like career and technical education, arts, humanities and world languages. It receives an A-plus rating. Nearby, The Stony Brook School is a private academy for grades 7-12 and holds an A-plus score. Stony Brook University has more than 25,000 students and is close to a 3-mile drive.
Hit a nearby beach or take in the Old Field Point Lighthouse view
Frank Melville Memorial Park offers walking trails, ponds and three historic buildings, including a working mill house now serving as its headquarters. Catch-and-release fishing is allowed from the south side of Old Field Road Bridge. Visitors looking to take snapshots of wildlife or special events must purchase a photography pass. The nearby Old Field Point Lighthouse grounds are filled with open green space and have views of the Long Island Sound. West Meadow Beach, a few miles away, gives residents a place to watch the sunset. It also features volleyball courts and a playground.
The Emma S. Clark Memorial Library plans family activities and hosts local history classes. The Three Village Historical Society has a self-guided museum exhibit on the Culper spies and an art gallery.
Grab a sandwich from Se-Port Delicatessen or try upscale fare at Bliss
Several restaurants and shops sit along North Country Road. Se-Port Delicatessen sells several sandwiches invented or inspired by celebrities like baseball pitcher Jacob DeGrom and rockstar Dee Snider. Bliss serves upscale food in shareable portions, and the menu at Ichi Sushi & Ramen reflects its name. Country Corner has a shifting beer selection and a dive bar environment. The community can access Stop & Shop and Wild by Nature grocery stores and Ace Hardware.
Access to New York State Route 25A and Long Island MacArthur Airport
New York state Route 25A, known locally as North Country Road, borders the community, which is around 55 miles from the mainland and close to 65 miles from Manhattan. Long Island MacArthur Airport is less than a 20-mile drive away, and Stony Brook University Hospital is about 4 miles south. Zhang says North Country Road can experience some traffic at peak hours, but significantly less than in larger communities on the mainland. Suffolk County Transit Route 51 buses make several stops along North Country Road. Zhang says the area occasionally gets snow in the winter, but Brookhaven does a good job of quickly clearing the streets.
Learn about the area's American Revolution impact on Culper Spy Day
The Culper Spy Day celebration, held over two days each fall, combines history lessons with era-appropriate music, family activities and a 5K run. The Setauket Neighborhood House hosts concerts, art exhibits and other special events. Caroline Episcopal Church throws its Annual Country Fair for the community each autumn, complete with food and craft vendors, live music, raffles and a kids zone.
