Six Warm Weather Things to Look Forward to in Port Jefferson

If you woke up and groaned when you looked out your window this morning, you’re not alone. At Patch we've been thinking about how great it'll be when the warming rays of the summer sun return to Port Jefferson.

Below, we have listed six fun things to look forward to in Port Jefferson after the great thaw happens sometime around March or April.

(Actually it’s five things to look forward to and one thing not to look forward to. Can you guess which of these things no one misses?)

Boats Return to the Harbor.

Right now, the harbor is bare. There’s temporary fencing around the Brookhaven Town parking lot and it looks like a forbidden fortress with the snow piled up all around. The water looks frighteningly frigid. No sane person would dare take a joy ride out on the Long Island Sound on a day like today. But in a few months we’ll start to see the boats come back into the harbor and the sailors, paddlers and motorboaters will be zipping around. will open back up and we’ll be haunting Pirate’s Cove and fishing at Bouy 11 once again.

Ice Cream.

There’s nothing like getting an ice cream and eating it while walking along the docks looking at all of the boats sitting in the harbor or shopping at all of the local stores. , , and are a few place that have the cure for what ails you on a hot summer’s day. Imagine strolling along the water in shorts and t-shirt wishing you had some ice cream to cool you down.

Dining al Fresco.

Whether your favorite spot is a backyard barbeque at home or dining at one of the many restaurants in town that allow for outside eating, only in summer can you take your date for a dinner out of doors in Port Jefferson. , and all offer different experiences of dining outside with a view of the water. Or try any number of places around Chandler Square, Trader's Cove or up and down Main Street where you can sit to catch a bite or a drink outside enjoying the fresh air and people watching. There are plenty of great places to eat here in the winter but nothing beats a seafood meal, looking out over the harbor when the sun is about to set on the Long Island Sound.

Movies on the Harbor.

Last year the at hosted an outdoor movie series. People came down at dusk with their chairs and blankets to watch any one of a number of hit films with their friends and neighbors. Let’s hope they do it again this year.

Beaching it.

Yes. The beaches have from the recent storms but you can’t stop a dedicated beach goer. and , and so many miles of shoreline around Port Jefferson offer plenty of places to swim and sunbathe.

Parking Meters Return.

Are you tired of all the around here? No matter where you go in town, the parking doesn’t cost a thing. It’s like they turned Port Jefferson into a big freakin’ game of Monopoly with all the Free Parking. I heard the village constables went around putting holiday cards instead of parking tickets under windshield wipers during the . Enough already. When summer comes back we’ll all be congregating in the parking lots again, perplexed looks on our faces, grooving to the sweet sound of a buzzing parking meter rejecting our debit cards. Ahhh. Summer.