Discover 10 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Southold (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Horton Point Light, Custer Observatory, and Southold Free Library. Also, be sure to include Joseph Nelson Hallock House in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Southold (New York).
Table of Contents
Horton Point Light
Lighthouse. Horton Point Light is a lighthouse on the north side of Eastern Long Island, New York in the hamlet of Southold. The lighthouse and the grounds surrounding it are under the supervision of the Town of Southold Park District.[1]
Address: 3575 Lighthouse Rd, 11971 Southold (Northfork)
Custer Observatory
Astronomical observatory. Custer Observatory is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by Custer Institute. Located in Southold, New York, facing Peconic Bay and Shelter Island, Custer's location boasts some of the darkest skies on Long Island.
Long Island's oldest public observatory, Custer Institute was founded in 1927 by Charles Wesley Elmer (co-founder of the Perkin-Elmer Optical Company), along with a group of fellow amateur astronomers. The name was adopted to honor the hospitality of Mrs. Elmer, the Grand Niece of General George Armstrong Custer. In 1942, the Custer Institute was incorporated as a non-profit educational corporation in the State of New York.
In 1938, the group purchased the land the institute presently occupies. Initial construction was completed in the spring of 1939. A 100-seat lecture hall was added in 1945. In 1947, through donations by Charles Elmer and Mr. Polk, a three story tower/library and observatory dome were built. In 1954, Charles Elmer died; that same year, the Institute added a shed, which houses three sliding roof observatories.
Over the years, Custer has acquired a large collection of telescopes of all sizes and descriptions. Most recently, Custer acquired a 10" Zerochromat refracting telescope. Custer's Zerochromat telescope is the largest of its type in the United States. This telescope is in the main observatory dome.
Custer's 10” refracting telescope was manufactured in England by Zerochromat Telescopes. Designed by award-winning optician Peter Wise, the telescope's unique dialyte lenses make it apochromatic, providing superior views of solar system and deep space objects. The folded light path construction uses mirrors to make the telescope a manageable size (still more than 6’ long), allowing the long f/12 focal length telescope to fit in Custer's dome.
The telescope is attached to a computer-controlled Fornax 152 equatorial mount, permitting easy aiming and object tracking. The entire assembly can be raised/lowered on the Pier-Tech pier to accommodate most users’ heights, for comfortable viewing.
Previously, the dome was home to a 25-inch (f/5) Obsession Newtonian reflector. In order to bring the eyepiece of this telescope to a level that does not require observers to climb a high ladder, the optics on this telescope were modified solely by Custer's own Justine Haupt, an engineer at Brookhaven National Lab. Justine is currently involved in working on the camera for the Vera C. Rubin Observatory.[2]
Address: 1115 Main Bayview Rd, 11971-3441 Southold (Northfork)
Southold Free Library
Public library in Southold Hamlet, New York. The Southold Free Library is a public library located in Southold, New York, serving the towns of Southold and Peconic.[3]
Address: 54325 NY-25, 11971 Southold (Northfork)
Joseph Nelson Hallock House
Joseph Nelson Hallock House, also known as the Ann Currie-Bell House, is a historic home located at Southold in Suffolk County, New York. It is a two-story, five bay Shingle Style dwelling with a cross gabled, gambrel style cedar shingled roof. It is part of an outdoor museum complex operated by the Southold Historical Society.
The house was built in 1900 for Joseph N. Hallock.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.[4]
Brick Cove Marina
Sailing, Marina
Address: Sage rd, Southold (Northfork)
Town Doctors' House and Site
Building in Southold Hamlet. Town Doctors' House and Site is a historic home located at Southold in Suffolk County, New York. The house was built about 1720, and expanded in about 1880, 1930, and 2002–2003. The house is a 2+1⁄2-story, northern-Colonial–style building with a cross-gabled roof and central chimney. The site includes Bilberry Swamp, where the earliest Euro-American occupation occurred around 1664. There is evidence on the site of pre-17th-century occupation by Native Americans.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.[5]
Southold
Historical place in Southold Hamlet, New York. Southold Historic District is a national historic district located at the hamlet of Southold in Suffolk County, New York. The district has 86 contributing buildings, one contributing site, and two contributing objects. The majority are residential buildings built either with a heavy timber frame or balloon frame construction and range in date from about 1656 to about 1938. The district also includes three prominent religious facilities and educational facilities.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.[6]
Samuel Landon House
Samuel Landon House, also known as the Thomas Moore House, is a historic home located in Southold in Suffolk County, New York. It is an L-shaped, 1+1⁄2-story, five-bay, New England Colonial–style residence with a central fireplace and a cross-gabled roof. It is part of a museum complex operated by the Southold Historical Society. In 2019, Southold Historical Society installed a permanent exhibition titled "Slavery in Southold" in the Samuel Landon House. Five enslaved people lived in the house circa 1760.
It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.[7]
Henry W. Prince Building
Historical landmark in Southold Hamlet, New York. The Henry W. Prince Building, also known as Prince Store, is a historic commercial building located at Southold in Suffolk County, New York. It was built in 1874 and is a two-story, six-bay brick building with a front gabled roof. The building is currently owned by the Southold Historical Society and its affiliated gift shop. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.[8]
Sparkling Pointe Vineyards and Winery
Wine, Eat and drink, Winery, Food and drink, Wine tours, Vineyard, Outdoor seating
Address: 39750 County Rd 48, 11971 Southold (Northfork)