With top-notch restaurants, fresh seafood and charter boats leaving daily on fishing trips, The Nautical Mile in Freeport is one of the hottest destinations for food and summer fun on Long Island.
Located on Woodcleft Avenue, which runs along the west side of Woodcleft Canal, the waterfront strip features dozens of restaurants, bars, shops and recreational hot spots, making it the perfect destination for families and party-goers alike.
“Walk a nautical mile in Freeport town, and you’re sure to feel up instead of down,” as the Freeport Chamber of Commerce puts it.
During the day, visitors to The Nautical Mile can find some of the best seafood on LI, check out the shops or simply enjoy the waterfront vistas. After the sun goes down, it transforms into a premiere party destination with a lively nightlife scene.
Although Superstorm Sandy hit The Nautical Mile hard in 2012, most businesses there have rebounded to make the strip better than ever. With many new places to eat and party opening up for the first time this season, the historic avenue is showing that it is “stronger than the storm.”
Whether you want to take the family out to dinner, shop, catch a local band play or spend the night out with friends, here is a guide to what you’ll find at The Nautical Mile. FOOD
EB Elliot’s
EB Elliot is an upscale steakhouse featuring the finest cuts of beef and fresh seafood caught just that day. With a happy hour lasting from 12-7 p.m. and live music Thursday-Saturday night, it is an ideal spot for drinks and fun. They also offer prime parking across the street for customers.
Taco Tuesdays
When Ralph’s Italian Ices moved down the block, Taco Tuesday took its place, serving up authentic Mexican food in a fun taco truck-like atmosphere. The counter service shack with picnic benches on the side shells out food such as the authentic cilantro, white onion and lime steak tacos to items like the fry bowl, a California favorite commonly known as super fries that is basically the contents of a burrito on top of a massive pile of fries.
Otto’s Sea Grill
For over 80 years, this third-generation waterfront restaurant specializes in seafood, using only the freshest ingredients to prepare classic dishes. The indoor and outdoor seating, lounge, bar, raw bar and live music creates a laid back atmosphere.
Woodcleft Crab Shack
From the street, Woodcleft Crab Shack has a signature sea-themed mural. On the inside, the family-owned restaurant has been serving up fresh, quality seafood since 1978.
Burgers on the Mile
Opening for their first season, they offer varied types of burgers, from the standard cheeseburger to the hangover, a burger topped with bacon, egg, cheese and avocado. And with every good burger place, they also offer shakes, and sides such as fries and fried pickles.
Nautilus Café
This restaurant is a timeless seafood eatery with great food and excellent service.
Limoncello Trattoria & Bar
One of the newest restaurants on the mile, Limoncello is an Italian restaurant with outdoor seating on the canal, complete with a brick patio and bar to dance to the bands that play there.
Hurricane Harry’s
“A sunny place for shady people” as their Facebook page states, Hurricane Harry’s is yet another great, no-frills, bands and booze, waterfront seafood spot that keeps it simple.
Tony Cuban Restaurant
Who would have though Cuban and Italian food could exist in the same atmosphere? Tony Cuban did, and the restaurant offers just that. Patrons can order Cubanos and Penne Ala Vodka from the same menu while enjoying live bands with the canal as a backdrop.
Jamrock Jamaica
Open for their first summer season, the canal-front restaurant offers a diverse menu, full of authentic Jamaican food.
Pip’s Ice Cream Parlour
If you want quality ice cream that comes in an overwhelming of varieties and a quick coffee boost, then Pip’s Ice Cream Parlour is a stop that cannot missed. Housed in a cute, pastel yellow house with blue and red pastel seating outside, every member in the family can find something they like.
Ralph’s Italian Ices
A Long Island staple. Need we say anymore? NIGHTLIFE
BrewSA Beer
Opened in May 2017, Brew SA Brewing Company is Freeport’s first microbrewery. This upstart craft brewery offers beer flights in their tap room seven days a week with 25 percent of profits donated to veterans’ charities.
Tropix on the Mile
The restaurant and bar has a huge outdoor patio, themed nights every day of the week, and EDM DJs playing different nights throughout the summer. The large-capacity club is a definitely a place that pumps out dance music to make for a great night.
Bracco’s
Bracco’s, stemming off Capt. Ben Bracco’s Fish Market, is one of the best places on the mile for seafood and nightlife. With Ladies’ Night on Thursdays, Country Night on Wednesday, and Bottomless Brunch on Sunday, there’s something for somebody every day of the week.
Maui on the Mile
A newcomer to the Nautical Mile club scene, the Polynesian-themed restaurant and bar transports clubbers to the tropics with a pastel-colored outdoor patio, lush lounge chairs and palm trees swaying in the wind on the waterfront to make a tropical backdrop for a great night.
Halfway Down
Yet another new-comer, Halfway down is a bar and restaurant that is literally halfway down the Woodcleft Ave. The sanded outdoor patio makes it a great place to grab a beer, with events every night of the week such as ladies’ night, happy hour for first responders and even a networking night.
Hudson’s on the Mile
Hudson’s is a combination of both restaurant and outdoor bar with a patio that offers live music and great eats. It is definitely should not be missed. RECREATION
Codfather Fishing Charters
Most think of fishing as a summer activity on the Island. Codfather Fishing Charters thinks differently, showcasing excursions for offshore and inshore throughout the entire year. The 32’ custom J.C. boat can take you to spots for species like Bluefin, Mako Shark, Fluke and Seabass
Captain Lou Fleet
Since 1948, Captain Lou has been a staple of charter boat excursions on Long Island. The fleet comprised of three different excursions. Captain Lou’s Fleet sends off trips like fluke fishing trips daily in the summer. Captain Lou’s Party Cruises specializes in event and parties like sweet sixteens’, birthdays and weddings. Sapphire Charter Cruises is a 134 passenger luxury excursion yacht that does private parties and dinners and has a lavish interiors and large windows for scenic views of the Great South Bay.
Party Boat Central
Party Boat Central shows off two vessels: Miss Freeport V and Freeport Princess. Miss Freeport V accommodates 80 adults for parties with heated indoor area and year-round fishing. A premiere yacht, Freeport Princess is 106-foot-long and can hold parties for up to 150 people for occasions like weddings, communions, birthdays and sweet sitxteens.
Guy Lombardo Marina
Located on the other side of Woodcleft Canal, the marina is an ideal spot for mariners who want to fish on the pier where the canal meets the bay. On the other side of the park, the Town of Hempstead-owned marina offers parking for boats by application.
Freeport Water Taxi & Tours
If you are looking for a place to watch the sunset or see the ecology of the bay up close, Freeport Water Taxi & Tours offer myriad boating activities to cater to all crowds. They can accommodate any kind of voyage from private party, fishing excursions to a Caribbean-themed cruise.
Crow’s Nest Cove
The ultimate test of time, patience and skill, mini golfing can be found at Crow’s Nest Cove. The pirate-themed course takes mini golfers through 18 holes of twisting and turning holes, with different kinds of obstacles and even a waterfall hole.
Randall Park
Located in front of the start of the Nautical Mile, the 8.2-acre park, owned by the Town of Hempstead, features various playing fields that include soccer, baseball, softball, football and lacrosse, all with nighttime lighting. In addition, there is also a full-sized and kiddie pool. The entry fee for the park and pool is free.
Sea Breeze Park
Sea Breeze offers scenic views of the boats going in and out of the Woodcleft Canal. The public park also has volleyball courts, a giant multi-use field and a playground. You can also catch a movie there on Fridays in July and August.
SHOPS
Sea Horse Gift Shop
One of the only gift shops on the mile, Sea Horse sells Nautical Mile-related memorabilia, holiday decor and other fun home goods.
Silver by the Sea
Established in 1991, this jewelry shop on the mile specializes in silver in all kinds of different forms.
Blackbeard’s Motorcycle Gear
Blackbeard’s is a locally-owned motorcycle shop that sells high-quality biker products, from helmets to patches, at affordable prices.
