Looking for a way to spend a day away from New York City’s craziness? Long Island has numerous under the radar places that are great getaways from the City. The region is famous for its vineyards and also for beaches but, did you know there is a lavender farm in Long Island too? Yup! You don’t need to catch a flight to Provence to see some gorgeous lavender fields.
Lavender by the Bay is a lavender farm which is located in East Marion, Long Island just past Greenport. It’s a premier lavender farm and one of the largest in the country. The farm is owned and run by a family that have been growing the highest quality lavender in Long Island for over 15 years.
The fields have twenty varieties of lavender, growing across seventeen acres, which offers in over 50,000 plants. The best part? Lavender by the Bay is open to the public and you can visit the fields during the blooming seasons. The aroma of the place, we guarantee, is irresistible.
Before to plan your visit, you need to keep in mind that there are just three blooming periods during the year. Lavender by the Bay has lavenders from France and from England, and that’s why the blooming happens in different times.
The first English Bloom typically takes place mid to late of June and sometimes into early July. The main French Bloom usually begins in early July and lasts about 2 weeks. According to the farm, this is the best time to visit the place, because this bloom is the most impressive.
Do you still want a chance to see the lavenders? Well, you can check out the second English Bloom, that typically starts late Summer/early Fall. But, it’s good to remember that we are dealing with mother nature. So, you can’t predict the exact time – these are approximations. You should follow Lavender by the Bay on Facebook to check the updates about the blooming.
During the month of May, the farm opens Friday through Sunday, from 9am to 5pm. From June to September, it is open 7 days a week, from 9am to 5pm. Finally, in October the farm is opened Friday through Sunday, from 9am to 5pm.
There is a $5 per person (ages 12 and up) field entry Fee. Once you visit the place, don’t forget to check out their store – it sells lavender cosmetics, lavender honey and, of course, lavender.
This article written and photographed by Laura Peruchi, exclusive for @BehindtheScenesNYC and reprinted with permission on Untapped Cities. Next, check out an abandoned psychiatric hospital on Long Island that you can actually visit!
