Port Jefferson, NY
A few days before Americas
Birthday we ventured out to the historic sea port village of Port Jefferson.
Settled in the 1600”s it transformed in the late 1700”s into a leading shipbuilding
and whaling center center. At one
point P.T Barnum owned a large tract of
land he intended to make the home base for his circus. One of the Port
Jefferson ferries is named the P.T Barnum. With the sale of the the villages
last shipyards in the early 1900”s the villages shipbuilding industry came to a
close. During the 1940s the Long Island lighting company built one of their
coal fired power plants which contributed to the local economy. The old towers
still stand today and can be seen for miles around. The village once again was
transformed in the 60”s to a tourist based destination again. The village today
is mostly a tourist based center and home to the Port Jefferson to Bridgeport
Conn ferry. Route 25A which runs along the North Shore of Long Island will lead
you into a village lined with restaurants mostly catering to the seafood
enthusiast.
Knowing the day in Port Jeff
was also the day the US team was playing Belgium in the FIFA World Cup we
arrived early and checked in at Danfords Hotel which we will have a story about
later. We than set out to find the
perfect waterview, restaurant/bar to enjoy the game. That surprisingly was harder than. We
anticipated. For a waterfront town the actual number of establishments with a
water view is pretty limited. We were very surprised and a little disappointed
that Danfords although they have an outdoor water front dining area they have
no outside bar or TV”s for any viewing. It seems to us that just with those
additions it would be the place to be. Very surprising!!
View from our room overlooking marina at Danfords with ferry incoming
After a short search around
the area we happened upon Schaeffers Restaurant on Broadway St. It so turns out
that they have an upstairs out door bar with waterviews and a very friendly staff. It turned out to
be the perfect spot to watch the first half of the game ( They have a great Happy Hour starting at
4:00 ) and than we returned to Danfords
where we enjoyed the rest of the game on our private terrace overlooking their
marina. Although disappointed the US lost they put up a valiant effort
especially goalie Tim Howard. The team should hold their heads high as everyone
is so proud of their efforts.
By now it was time for a
great seafood dinner and PJs lobster house was the perfect choice. Located 5
mins from town we arrived around 7:30 and their was a 15 minute wait which is
not bad before a holiday weekend. The
choice of the Tuesday night special, all you can eat crab legs was definitely a
rite choice as were their crab cakes perfectly done.
Port Jefferson is a special
place on Long Islands North Shore full of history while transforming into a
great place to spend a few days and kick back while not having to travel to the
end of the Island and never ending traffic and crowds. We cant wait for another
venture to this quaint and friendly town.
Approaching the center of downtown Port Jefferson
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