If potential guests call a B&B owner on the North Fork to book a room for the July 4th weekend and they say they plan a picnic in Montauk, some guidance is in order! Anyone planning a major event will serve himself well by learning the “lay of the land.”

The East End of Long Island begins in Riverhead where the Peconic River ends its journey from the center of Long Island and empties into Peconic Bay, the body of water that splits Long Island into the Twin Forks. The surface of Peconic Bay is about 200 square miles and has a myriad of harbors, coves, and inlets creating superb boating conditions.

One of the Twin Forks is The North Fork Wine Country. It is bounded by Peconic Bay and Long Island Sound, a 110-mile long estuary extending 21 miles across from the North Fork to Connecticut.

The distance from Riverhead to Orient Point, the tip of The North Fork, is about 25 miles, and the land mass is only a few miles wide between the 2 bounding waterways. Two roads run east/west: Route 25 and County Road 48 (this is the same as Sound Avenue east of Mattituck.) Route 25 runs along on the Bay side, through the hamlets, and County Road 48 runs along the Sound side and through the farmland. Many locals call these 2 roads respectively Main Road and North Road. At Greenport, the 2 roads become 1 so that there is only 1 way out to Orient. You just can’t get lost on the North Fork. Sooner or later you are bound to meet water, and then you can get your bearings. A guest staying at the most easterly B&B is still only 30 minutes from the most westerly winery. Greenport is the only harbor front village on the North Fork, and from there, you can catch the North Ferry to Shelter Island and then into Sag Harbor on the South Fork.

Each hamlet on The North Fork has something to offer: Wading River is home to Wildwood State Park, offering camping, picnicking, and beaches (the beaches on the Sound are pebbled). Riverhead has Tanger Mall with over 165 brand name manufacturers. Here also you’ll find Atlantis Aquarium strategically located on the banks of the Peconic River. Continuing east along Route 25 or County Road 48, you will pass farm stands, wineries, antique shops, and small villages. Detour off onto Peconic Bay Boulevard, New Suffolk Avenue, and Oregon Road for fabulous views of the Bay or farm vistas. A great many vineyards are on both roads.

The second Twin Fork, The South Fork, is The Hamptons, one of New York State’s most famous vacation choices. It is bounded on one side by Peconic Bay and on the other by The Atlantic Ocean. The distance from Riverhead to Montauk Point is approximately 44 miles. Just as the South Fork is longer than its twin North Fork, it is also wider. There are 2 main roads traveling east/west: Montauk Highway and Route 27. After Southampton, they merge back together until Montauk, where there is a brief split again. Sag Harbor is a harbor front village and from nearby Noyac you can catch the South Ferry to Shelter Island.

The Hamptons refers to an area, not a specific town. Some of the most charming hamlets do not have “Hampton” in their names. Remsenberg, Wainscott, Water Mill and Sagaponac are prime examples. Westhampton is obviously the most westerly Hampton and is actually south/southwest of Riverhead. Probably its most famous byway is Dune Road with its mansions and windswept beaches. Southampton is the next “Hampton” and is, indeed, the heart of the Hamptons. This year the U.S. Open was held here at Shinnecock Hills Golf Course. Its famous Jobs Lane boasts exclusive designer shops and trendy boutiques. Continuing east along Route 27 you’ll drive through Water Mill, Sagaponac, and Bridgehampton, where The Hampton Classic Horse Show marks the official end of the summer season.

You can continue east to East Hampton or go north to Sag Harbor, an old whaling village replete with history, shops, restaurants, and art galleries. East Hampton is perhaps one of the most beautiful towns in the world with its pond, windmill, and wide, tree- lined streets, chic shops, and historical buildings. Route 27 eventually leads out to Montauk Point with its famous lighthouse. Montauk has a wonderful harbor, ferry service to Block Island, and whale watching excursions. Panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean are along Old Montauk Highway and after that, it’s Europe!