Another harbor town, located just beyond Stony Brook, is Port Jefferson. Once a thriving shipbuilding community, and then home to several lace factories and gravel pits, Port Jefferson today caters mostly to the tourist trade and is the main destination for visitors to the north shore. It has a rawer and more windswept feel than does Stony Brook. Witness the town’s many visiting Harleys—Port Jeff has long been a favorite stop among touring motorcyclists.

Downtown offers several small tourist-oriented malls as well as some one-of-a-kind shops, including Village Chairs & Wares (402 Main St., 631/331-5791), which specializes in handmade reproduction chairs and tables.

Also downtown are a number of historic homes. Most are privately owned, but one that is open to the public is the Mather House Museum (115 Prospect St., at High St., 631/473-2665, 1–4 p.m. Tues.–Wed. and Sat.–Sun. June–Sept., suggested donation $4), once owned by a shipbuilder. Inside, find an eclectic collection of 19th-century garments, Native American artifacts, and model boats, while out back are herb gardens, a marine barn, and a crafts house.

The ferry (631/473-0286) to Bridgeport, Connecticut, leaves from the Port Jefferson docks. For brochures and a map of the village, stop into the Port Jefferson Chamber of Commerce (118 W. Broadway/Rte. 25A, 631/473-1414, www.portjeffchamber.com, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon.–Fri. year-round, noon–4 p.m. Sat.–Sun. June–Sept.).