Moriches, NY

Moriches was originally occupied by Native Americans called the Patchogues and divided into three villages: East Moriches, Center Moriches and West Moriches. Farming and fishing were the area’s two main sources of income and trade.

Moriches was settled during the 1700s and 1800s. The area continued to grow and thrive as families, some of whom can trace their roots back to Revolutionary War times, prospered off the land. Today, this area still houses families with deep ties to the land, as well as those seeking access to the popular Hamptons culture without paying the excessive rents.

Though Moriches doesn’t support any museums, the Moriches Bay Historical Society and Moriches Bay Audubon Society are both located along Montauk Highway.

Though Moriches lies just a few miles from the storied Hamptons, its cuisine ranges from Greek to diner food, American, pizza, Italian, Mexican and Japanese. Most restaurants are gathered around Montauk Highway, the area's main drag. Greek Bites consistently appeals to locals with its casual ambiance and down home, incredible food. Popular items include the gyros, Greek salads, halloumi cheese sandwiches and falafels. Though it has no indoor seating and only a few tables outside, the fresh ingredients and healthy food served with a smile more than makes up for the lack of seating capacity.

Moriches Bay Diner also draws a crowd with its extensive menu of diner classics, such as burgers, sandwiches, salads, finger foods, soups and pretty much anything else you can think of. The friendly servers always make you feel at home, whether you're heading out early in the morning, joining friends after church or hanging out after the bar scene closes down. Ladakins on Mill Pond serves American and Mexican food in a convivial atmosphere. It's the perfect place to go for a first date or when a little celebration is in order, since they have live music and some outdoor seating on the waterfront. Popular dishes include the crispy fried sesame crusted calamari, little neck clams and Long Island crab cakes, if you're looking to get your seafood on. Since Moriches is located outside the Hamptons, nightlife can best be described as quiet and focused around the bar scene. Locals like Linsa Torr's Place in neighboring Mastic Beach for a dive bar vibe and loud music, and the drink specials don't hurt either. Buckley's Irish Pub in Center Moriches provides lots of choice when it comes to draft beer and microbrews, so you can hang for dinner and drinks, or just have a snack at the bar with friends. Noise levels can get a bit high, especially on weekends. This area doesn't have much in the way of live music venues or dancing, though Painter's Restaurant in nearby Brookhaven has some dancing on a small floor.

Since Moriches is a very suburban area, most locals prefer to get around via car. Public transportation is spotty and can be expensive, depending on where you’re going. However, some people choose to take Montauk Bus Service, Suffolk County Transit buses, the LIRR or Hampton Jitney to get around this area.

It’s nearly impossible to hail a cab unless you’re at a train station, but it’s easy to get an Uber pickup here. Moriches provides easy access to Montauk Highway, its main drag, which connects with other major arteries.

Walkers will find this area picturesque and easy to navigate, if somewhat spread out. There are some bike lanes and little traffic (unless it’s summer time), making it safe for cyclists.

Center Moriches has two parks for locals to enjoy. Terrell River County Park has a huge wooded area and beach spread across a wide territory. Though dogs and kids are welcome, there are no services to speak of, so make sure to bring what you’ll need to pack in and pack out after a lovely walk along winding nature trails.

Kalers Pond Park encourages visitors to bring chairs to sit and watch the lake, taking in the peaceful views and watching water birds fly over the surface. It’s very quiet here, so while kids and dogs are welcome, excessive fitness activities would probably be best kept to a local gym or fitness center. This does make a perfect spot for a picnic, however.

The cost of living in Moriches runs higher than the New York average, with a typical one-bedroom residence renting for around $1,417.

If you're looking to grab a beer, expect to pay around $5 in most local pubs. It costs around $21 to get to NYC’s Penn Station from Moriches via the Long Island Railroad, and gas runs around 17 percent higher than the national average.

Moriches is very much a small town, so it doesn't support a lot of shopping — of the high-end variety or otherwise. Nearby Shirley has chain stores like Stop & Shop and The Home Depot. Moriches does have smaller boutiques such as The Cottage at Moriches, a charming spot selling antiques and vintage furniture on Montauk Highway. You may be able to spot a bargain in Buttons and Bows Antiques, which provides vintage consignment items for good prices. Don't be afraid to haggle a little. Mandee Shop and Cotton Caper both have quality women's clothing and accessories for low process in case you forgot any of the essentials. Most locals buy their groceries at chain stores like Stop & Shop or Pathmark in Shirley or King Kullen in Manorville. However, smaller purveyors such as Market by the Bay offer convenience and savings on many grocery items. Rather than farmers markets, this area is generally served by farm stands, smaller versions of the same concept often located along farming roads. La Corte Farm Stand on Montauk Highway attracts many locals for seasonal produce and baked goods. Other choices include Hanks's Farm Stand and Olish Farms in neighboring Eastport.