The Hilton Garden Inn Riverhead on Long Island in New York is the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a spot to easily explore both the North and South forks of the East End of Long Island.
The wonderful part of staying with Hilton and being a Hilton Honors member is that with the app, you can use Bluetooth to unlock hotel building doors and your room door and check in and out without ever talking or checking in at the front desk—even if you have a dog and pay in advance!
At the time of our stay, they were starting on some renovations, so the entire parking lot was full of equipment and supplies to get ready for the new build.
The hotel is nice, but it will certainly be improved with some upkeep—but is also great that parking is free, and they have a huge parking lot to complimentary park yourself. Our room was also upgraded at the last minute to a room with a hot tub whirlpool inside.
The Long Island Fork is the in-house hotel restaurant.
We ordered the chicken tacos, pepperoni pizza, and chicken fingers and picked up at the restaurant itself (situated in the lobby), since we had our dog with us and didn’t want someone to knock and cause barking. The food was great while enjoying some wine from Macari Vineyards on the North Fork of Long Island.
Another positive about staying at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverhead is that you can cross the highway and quickly get to the Tanger Outlets Riverhead for food and shopping galore.
We had a little pick-me-up bite on our arrival to Riverhead by going to Stir-fry 88 for some Chinese noodles.
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A Short History of Riverhead
Riverhead is a charming blend of history and modern conveniences.
As the dividing point between Long Island’s North and South forks, it has long been a gateway for trade and travel. From its early agricultural roots to its current status as a vibrant hub, Riverhead retains a mix of small-town charm and progressive development.
- 1640s: Riverhead was part of the original Southold settlement by English colonists.
- 1792: Riverhead officially became a town after separating from Southold.
- 1800s: The Peconic River spurred agriculture, fishing, and early trade.
- 1900s: Riverhead became a gateway for visitors exploring Long Island’s forks.
- Today: Known for attractions like the Long Island Aquarium and its proximity to wine country.
Q&A on Riverhead
Q: Why was Riverhead established separately from Southold?
A: Its geographical position on the Peconic River made it a natural hub for trade and growth.
Q: What are must-see attractions in Riverhead?
A: The Long Island Aquarium, Tanger Outlets, and the surrounding vineyards.
