Visitor's Guide
Introduction
Welcome to Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Now that you've accepted your appointment at Brookhaven, you're
probably wondering what to expect. This guide is equipped with some
vital facts about working at BNL and living on the Laboratory site
and on Long Island.
How to Use This Guide
The information here is divided into five sections:
Everyone calls the 5,265-acre Lab campus the "site."
Buildings are generally referred to by their building number. For
example, Bldg. 510 is the Physics Department.
One of the strongest recommendations anyone can make about coming
to Brookhaven for a visitor appointment is to bring a car. The Lab
has many amenities, but not everything you'll need, and the nearest
stores and towns are several miles away. Please note that the
inclusion of a commercial establishment such as a restaurant doesn't
indicate an endorsement by the Laboratory.
Aside from using the Guide, you're certainly encouraged to
explore and find your own activities. Feel free to contact the
Community Involvement, Government and Public Affairs Office (call
Ext. 2345 or e-mail us) with suggestions for additions to
this Guide.
Brookhaven Policies
You should receive a detailed outline of the Lab's policies in
several areas when you arrive on site. Here's a brief summary of
those most important to visitors:
Alcohol
Limited use of alcohol by individuals 21 and over may be permitted
after working hours in a recreational or social setting, providing
it is not excessive.
Illegal Drugs
and Controlled Substances
Individuals are strictly prohibited from using, possessing, selling,
purchasing, distributing, or being under the influence of illegal
drugs on the Laboratory site or while performing Laboratory
business. Individuals are prohibited from abusing controlled
substances, and should consult their physicians for information
regarding a prescription drug's potential to impair job performance.
Environment,
Safety, Health & Quality (ESH&Q)
The Lab's ESH&Q programs are designed to ensure a safe workplace
and environment, and guard against accidents. You will be required
to attend a safety orientation lecture at the start of your
appointment. All necessary safety equipment and training should be
subsequently made available to you through the department in which
you work. Rules on radiation safety, general safety, fire safety,
traffic safety, industrial hygiene and environmental protection must
be carefully followed. Let your supervisor know if you have a safety
concern; the Employee Relations Counselor is available on Ext. 2888
for further consultation.
Sexual
Harassment
Brookhaven is committed to keeping its work environment free of
threatening, intimidating, or harassing conduct, including sexual
harassment. If you believe you have experienced a possible sexual
harassment situation, make it clear to the other party that their
behavior is unwelcome, and contact your supervisor if you wish to
take the matter further. Each individual is responsible for being
aware of the appropriateness of his or her conduct and for
respecting the rights of others.
Equal
Opportunity
The Lab has a long-standing commitment to a policy of equality of
opportunity without regard to race, creed, color, sex, age, national
origin, physical or mental disability or veteran status. The
Diversity Office is located in Bldg. 185A and may be reached on Ext.
3318.
Security and Lab
Protection
The Lab site is not open to the public; only persons with business
at the Lab or officially sponsored visitors are allowed, except
during public events such as concerts, lectures and Summer Sunday
tours. You will be given a temporary identification card on your
first day at Brookhaven, and, if you will stay on site, will need to
use your temporary ID card as a means of identification to gain
admittance to the site. (Visitors are not issued automobile
stickers.)
Property
All materials and services on the Lab site, unless properly
identified with another organization, are the property of the United
States Government. The theft, misuse, or personal use of Government
property is unlawful and is grounds for immediate discharge. No
property or material, except for personally owned goods, may be
removed from the Laboratory site without an authorized Property Pass
or Loan Agreement. Property passes can be obtained from your
supervisor. The Lab reserves the right to inspect and search
vehicles entering or leaving the site.
Computer
Security
Using computers and software for other than their intended purpose
can lead to waste, fraud and abuse practices that cannot be
condoned. If you have questions about computer security contact your
supervisor.
Vehicles
Automobiles being driven on site must have valid registration, and
the driver must possess a valid operator's license. The Lab speed
limit is 30 miles per hour unless otherwise specified, and parking
is permitted only in designated areas.
Occasionally, Brookhaven's Police Group conducts checks of
vehicles entering and leaving the Lab to ensure safety and prevent
theft. If you are in one of the randomly chosen vehicles stopped for
one of these checks, follow the directions of the officers at the
checkpoint and have your ID card available. The police group
often monitors the speed of traffic on site and may issue warnings
and tickets to those who exceed the posted speed limits.
Firearms
No person, except members of law-enforcement agencies, may bring or
carry firearms on site without special authorization.
A Guide to Brookhaven and Long Island
Where is Brookhaven?
Brookhaven National Laboratory is located in Suffolk County on
Long Island, a 120-mile-long island directly east of New York City.
The Lab's 5,265-acre site is near the island's geographic center.
The Lab is located in the township of Brookhaven, and has its own
post office designation, Upton. The zip code is 11973-5000.
From above, Long Island looks like a giant fish, with a forked
tail on the "East End" -- the North Fork is rural, and the
South Fork has many famous "Hamptons" resort towns. The
Peconic Bay and Shelter Island are between the forks. Brookhaven is
15 miles to the west of the forks, and about 60 miles east of New
York City.
What does Brookhaven do?
The Lab is one of the U.S. Department of Energy's
multidisciplinary research laboratories, and is dedicated to basic,
non-defense scientific research. You'll often hear the Department of
Energy referred to as DOE. Brookhaven is operated by Brookhaven
Science Associates (BSA), a not-for-profit research company founded
by the Battelle Memorial Institute and the Research Foundation of
the State University of New York on behalf of the State University
of New York at Stony Brook. About 3,000 people work here, and more
than 4,000 others visit each year for days, weeks, or months to
perform scientific research or attend conferences. To learn more
about what the Laboratory is all about, explore the Brookhaven
home page.
Life on Site
Accommodations
Depending on the length of your stay and the budget of your
sponsoring program, you will be assigned accommodation in one of the
following. (If your stay will be brief and you need a
local hotel, see this page for
suggestions.)
Dormitories
There are four dorms for short-term visitors, all bearing the
names of distinguished scientists: Cavendish and Compton for men,
Curie for women, and Fleming for men and women.
Dorms are two-story buildings with individual bedrooms and common
bathrooms, kitchens and lounges. Rooms have closets or wardrobes,
basic furniture, a small refrigerator, a clock, and air
conditioning. Sheets and towels are provided and are changed
regularly. Kitchens have sinks, stoves, microwaves, and toaster, but
do not have ovens. Dishes and cooking utensils are not provided so
you may want to bring your own. There is a phone in each hall, and a
pay phone in the common area. There is a television in each dorm's
lounge, which receives local channels but not cable TV.
Guest House
Located near Curie, the Guest House houses short-term overnight
visitors, and its air-conditioned rooms can be rented out to your
guests by calling the Housing Office, Ext. 2541. Pets and
overnight guests are not permitted in the dorms or the Guest House.
Apartments, Efficiency Apartments, Cottages & Mobile Homes
All located in the apartment area; each unit is numbered and
marked on the site map. Apartments are long, two-unit buildings,
with room enough for a family or several visitors. Efficiencies are
either single or double with a shared kitchen and bathroom, and are
suitable for one person. Cottages and mobile homes are used only in
summer.
Each of these units has basic furniture and cooking utensils.
Linens are provided, but residents must launder them in the
Apartment Area laundry. Cribs and high chairs are available upon
request.
Televisions are not provided, but a hookup to the master antenna
is provided and residents may bring a TV. The wiring, insulation and
interiors of many of these units have been improved in recent years.
However, large appliances such as air conditioners may overload the
electrical wiring in some units; residents must ask the Housing
Office about permissible appliances.
Specific approval must be obtained to have your pet live with you
in all units except connecting efficiencies; pets are not allowed in
those units.
Mailing Address
If someone wants to send you something from off-site, they should
address it to you at work in the following way:
Your Name
Brookhaven National Laboratory
c/o Your Research Advisor & Department
Building #
P.O. Box 5000
Upton, NY 11973-5000
Alternatively, you can rent a U.S. Post Office box at the Upton
Post Office, located in Bldg. 179, for a small fee.
Automobiles
Getting around on Long Island nearly always requires a car. If
you can bring one with you to the Lab, do so. If you want to rent a
car once you reach Long Island, check the rental car listing on the
BNL transportation page.
You should get to know the main roads in the area so you may want
to purchase a map to guide you along all the small county roads. The
largest of the main roads is the Long Island Expressway, typically
called “the L.I.E.” and officially known as Route 495. This is
the backbone of Long Island, and runs east and west from New York
City to Riverhead. The exit numbers increase going east, and
Brookhaven Lab is just north of Exit 68.
The road that brings you to the Lab is the William Floyd Parkway,
known as County Road 46, which runs north and south across the
Island.
There are four main east-west routes that parallel the L.I.E.
Immediately north of the Lab is Route 25, also known as the Jericho
Turnpike or Middle Country Road, which runs all the way out the
North Fork to Orient Point and all the way west to the city. North
of Route 25 is Route 25A, which runs along the North Shore from N.Y
City to Riverhead. To the south, Route 27, also known as Sunrise
Highway, runs along the south shore. Further south of Sunrise
Highway is Montauk Highway, also known as County Road 80, which runs
all the way out to Montauk on the tip of the South Fork.
Banking
The Brookhaven National Laboratory branch of the Teachers Federal
Credit Union is located on Technology Street, at the intersection
with Brookhaven Avenue, and offers almost all of the options a
regular bank would. Visitors may open savings, checking, and other
accounts, and can get automatic teller machine cards that can be
used on the NYCE network, including the ATM located on site in
Berkner Hall. Stop in and talk with one of their customer
representatives.
Credit Union hours are:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m., Thursday 9
a.m.-5 p.m., Friday, 8:30-4:30, Closed on Saturdays.
Phone: (631) 344-2790
Bicycles
A bicycle makes it easy to get around Brookhaven's site,
especially if you don't have a car. And, you can go for evening
rides around the Lab. Ask your department/division administrator
about the availability of bikes in your department. If you
bring your own bike, or use one of the Lab's, be sure to use a lock.
It takes only about 10 minutes to bike to the nearest convenience
store off-site (north to Route 25 west, or south to just below the
L.I.E.). As with any recreational activity, be sure to wear the
appropriate protective equipment, obey signs, and stay out of
construction areas. If possible, travel with a friend. Traffic
on William Floyd Parkway can move very fast, so be careful.
Brookhaven Bulletin
Every Friday, the Media and Communications Office publishes a
newspaper known as The Bulletin. The Bulletin includes articles
about research and events around the Lab, as well as classified ads,
announcements of clubs, lectures, activities, and events. You should
receive The Bulletin at your mail stop, or you can pick it up at the
Community Involvement, Government & Public Affairs Office, Bldg.
134, after 10:30 a.m. Fridays. The Bulletin is also available on the
web in PDF format at http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/bulletin.html
To place a free classified ad for something you need or want to
sell, go to the Community Involvement, Government & Public
Affairs Office in Building 134 (open 8:30 – 5:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday, excluding Laboratory holidays) and fill out a
classified ad form OR fill out an on-line form at http://www.bnl.gov/bnlweb/pubaf/bulletin.html
.
Ads received by NOON on Friday will probably appear in the next
Friday's Bulletin. Only you or a family member who lives with you
can place an ad. If you need to place an ad for your off-site
apartment in order to sublet or find a new tenant when you leave,
you need to complete a real estate form, which is also available in
the Community Involvement, Government & Public Affairs Office.
Bus Trips
Occasionally, the Brookhaven Employee Recreation Association (BERA),
apartment area residents or the Brookhaven Art Society may sponsor
bus trips to New York City or other locations. Check the bulletin
board in the laundry room or The Bulletin for more details.
Children and Families
If you bring your spouse and/or children with you, there are some
things you may need to know. For information, call Ext. 2873.
Playground
The Apartment Area has a playground with swings and other equipment
for children to play on. The "Lollipop House" in this area
is often used as a meeting place, and there are barbecue grills and
picnic tables nearby.
Clubs and Activities
The Brookhaven Employees Recreation Association (BERA) oversees
many clubs and organizations. These include aerobics, softball,
basketball, bowling, running, canoeing, photography, swimming,
ballroom dance, and bridge, to name a few. A complete list is
available from the Recreation Supervisor, Ext. 2873 or on the BERA
Web page at http://www.bnl.gov/bera/.
The BNL Health Promotion program sponsors walking, water aerobics
and Weight Watchers groups. It also coordinates the annual
Healthfest on October. Watch The Bulletin for announcements.
Cultural Activities
Several times a year, the BSA Culture Committee presents
concerts, readings and other cultural events on site. Noontime
events in Berkner Hall are generally free of charge, but
occasionally there may be a fee for evening programs.
Electronic Mail/Internet Access
Brookhaven has plenty of access to the Internet, including
free-access computers in Berkner Hall. While here, you can log onto
your account at your home institution or get a new one on a
Brookhaven server. Ask your advisor or co-workers, who will probably
refer you to the Information Technology Division (ITD). Even if you
get an e-mail account on a server located in your department or
division, you should also get an e-mail alias registered with the
Labmail system. This simplifies your e-mail address: instead of
name@server.bnl.gov, your address reads name@bnl.gov. To find out
more, contact ITD at Ext. 5522. E-mail and Internet access are
useful for work and can also be used to a limited extent for
personal business.
English Classes
The English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Program
compliments the Laboratory’s mission in its endeavor to create a
safe and welcoming workplace and community environment by supporting
those visitors, spouses, partners, students, and staff members who
would like to improve their English skills with a variety of
cross-cultural educational programs that enhance communication among
our diverse population and with English language classes that suit
their curricular needs. See the
ESOL website.
Farmers' Market (spring, summer & fall)
If you like farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, go to the Farmers'
Market, held in the parking lot near Berkner Hall every Wednesday
between Memorial Day in May and Thanksgiving in November. Several
Long Island farmers park their trucks there during lunchtime selling
everything from herbs and lettuce to potatoes and flowers.
Film Developing
Film can be dropped off at the BERA Sales Office in Berkner Hall.
Pictures are usually ready in one to two days. The office is open
from 9 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. weekdays.
Food
The on-site cafeteria, at Berkner Hall, offers breakfast, lunch
and morning and afternoon snacks on weekdays. Prices are reasonable,
and there are lots of choices, including beverages, pizza, grill,
salad bar, several entrees, cappuccino and sandwiches made to order.
Local newspapers and quarts of milk to take back to your apartment
or dorm are available. You may bring your own lunch, and there is a
microwave available.
The Cafeteria schedule is as follows:
7:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. (Breakfast and snacks)
11:15 a.m. -1:30 p.m. (Lunch)
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. (snacks)
Saturdays and Sundays: 7:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Summer Sundays: 7:30 a.m.– 3:00 p.m.
For dinner and on weekends, you may want to go to the Brookhaven
Center, which has a full cafe menu complete with appetizers,
entrees, desserts, and a full bar for those over 21.
The Brookhaven Center is open from
Monday to Friday 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.,
closed on weekends.
Many buildings have snack and soda machines and are accessible
during the workday. The vending machines in Bldg. 179 are open in
the evening.
Gym
Brookhaven's gym is here for your free use for activities such as
weightlifting, basketball games, etc. Be aware that some areas are
sometimes reserved for use by organized teams in the BERA league.
Hospitality Committee
The BNL Hospitality Committee welcomes newcomers and BNLers.
The Committee has members from many different countries, speaking
many different languages. We have Dutch, German, Hindi, Italian,
French, Japanese, Mandarin, Taiwanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish
and, yes, English speakers. They may be able to help you getting
settled in, get you information, and get you over the initial
hurdles of living at the Lab. The Committee sponsors welcome
coffees, on-site playgroups, and special events. For contact
information, visit the
Hospitality Committee website.
Laundry
Located in the Apartment Area. Washers cost $1 in quarters, per
wash. Dryers are a quarter per 15 minutes. There's a soda machine,
as well as a bathroom, and big utility sinks for hand wash and
outdoor clotheslines. Bring quarters.
Lectures and Seminars
A good way to learn about other things that go on here, is
attending lectures and seminars. See the
weekly calendar.
Of course, taking time off to attend one requires your
advisor's permission. Besides the frequent technical department and
division seminars and symposia, the Lab sponsors several more
general lectures and lecture series. Watch the Bulletin for
announcements of Brookhaven, Pegram, and Brookhaven Women in Science
lectures, as well as those sponsored by Brookhaven Science
Associates.
Libraries
Your department may have its own library, but you can find
further information and references, including computer databases and
journals, in the Research Library, located in Bldg. 477. The library
is open 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The Research Library also has applications for obtaining a card
from the Longwood Public Library in the nearby town of Middle
Island.
Lost and Found
If you've lost or found something call the Brookhaven Police,
Ext. 2238, or Human Resources, Ext. 2873. You can also place a Lost
& Found classified ad in The Bulletin.
Parcourse
Brookhaven has a fitness trail, known as the Parcourse, on a path
through the woods on the western part of the site. The
parcourse features stations for exercising on simple equipment. To
reach the course, enter the trail at the intersection of Upton Road
and Cornell Avenue.
Please keep in mind that Brookhaven's wooded surroundings make it
a prime risk area for Lyme disease. When you walk or jog through
grass or woods wear light-colored pants, and pull your socks up
around the pant leg. Check your body for ticks (which look like tiny
black dots) after being outdoors, and keep an eye out for
bull's-eye-shaped marks on your skin. Contact the Occupational
Medicine Clinic (OMC) at Ext. 3670 if you need to have a tick
removed from your skin or feel a Lyme disease test might be
necessary. Remember to protect yourself against ticks and check
yourself for ticks when you finish your workout.
Medical Clinic
The BNL Occupational Medicine Clinic (OMC), is the place to go if
you have a medical emergency or concern that you can't wait to
address with your family doctor. The doctors or nurses there will
also refer you to an appropriate clinic or specialist. Visitors may
not visit the clinic for non-emergency health care. The clinic is
open Monday through Friday 8:30 – 5:00 p.m. and can be reached at
Ext. 3670 or Ext. 3671.
- For any emergency, call Ext. 2222.
Music/Piano
The Brookhaven Center has a baby grand piano in the north
ballroom, which you may use each day until 11 p.m., except Saturdays
or if a group is using the room. This room is also good for
practicing other instruments. Call Staff Services at Ext. 2553, or
go to the Housing Office for information about access. There
is also an upright piano available in the Recreation Hall in the
Apartment Area.
Offices With Services for Visitors
Police Headquarters: non-emergencies: Ext. 2238; emergencies:
Ext. 2222
Housing, Ext. 2541 or Ext. 2551: For repairs in housing or if
you're locked out of your room or apartment. Someone is there until
11 p.m.
Community Involvement, Government & Public Affairs, Ext.
2345: For more info on what to do off or on site, The Bulletin, or
summer tours.
Transportation, Ext. 2535: For shopping shuttle or car to/from
train stations.
Phones
Brookhaven is located in the 631 area code, and all phone numbers
on site begin with "344." To call another Brookhaven
number from a Brookhaven phone, just dial the four-digit extension.
To call any off-site number, press "9" first, then the
number. To call another area code, dial "9" then
"1" then the telephone number.
Phones at Work
All personal long-distance calls should be charged elsewhere,
such as to a calling card.
Dorm Phones
Each floor in the dorms has its own phone, to be shared by
everyone on the hall. Be considerate by leaving messages for people
if someone calls while they're out.
The dorm phones let you call on site and locally, but all
personal long-distance calls have to be charged to you or another
party, not a Brookhaven number. There are also pay phones in
the dorms, usually in a central location. Using these, you can get a
NYNEX operator to place a collect call. Pay phones are also located
in the Brookhaven Center, on Center Street, and in Berkner Hall.
Apartments/Efficiencies Phones
These residences have individual phones that can call on and
off-site and but you will receive a phone bill for calls you make.
Pool Use
Open after work and on weekends for employees, visitors, facility
users, their families and guests; and from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
weekdays for employees only. Swim lessons for children of employees
are offered during the summer months, and for employees and adult
dependents if there are a sufficient numbers of request. See the
schedule and details.
.
Post Office
The Upton Branch of the U.S. Postal Service is on Center Street.
The Post Office is open every weekday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
and offers all postal services and money orders. For a small fee,
you can rent a P.O. box.
Postcards/Souvenirs
Official Brookhaven postcards are available from the BERA Sales
Office in Berkner Hall. The store also sells Long Island postcards
and some greeting cards, and has Brookhaven T-shirts, sweatshirts,
mugs and more. The BERA Sales Office is open Monday thru Friday 9
a.m. - 3 p.m.
Radio Stations
If you bring a radio, the FM stations you're most likely to get
are WBLI 106.1 (pop), WLIR 98.5 (modern rock), WALK 97.5 (pop), 92.5
(country), WLNG 92.1 (pop) and others from the East End of Long
Island and southern Connecticut. For public radio fans, WPBX
88.3 from Southampton plays a wide variety of classical and
progressive music and carries NPR and BBC news, too. Connecticut's
WSHU, at 91.1 or 105.7, and its sister station WSUF 89.9, carries
National Public Radio news and entertainment programs, and classical
and new-age music.
Recycling
Brookhaven and the Town of Brookhaven recycle white, computer and
other paper, aluminum foil, containers made of glass, some plastics,
or metal. There are bins for foil and containers, such as soda
bottles, soup cans, and juice bottles, in each dorm kitchen and in
the apartment area.
PLEASE DON'T PUT GARBAGE IN THE RECYCLING BINS!!!
At work, you will find places to recycle white and mixed paper as
well as plastic, glass, and metal.
Safety
Brookhaven has an extensive safety plan, which includes fire,
police and rescue. Dial Ext. 2222 if there is an emergency of any
kind. Depending on the nature of your work, you may be required to
take certain courses on safety procedures. Check with your advisor
or administrator.
Staying safe around site only takes common sense. Keep your
room or apartment locked, lock your bike or car, follow the
instructions your supervisor gives you for lab safety, wear your
seatbelt, and never drive if you've been drinking. Always remember
to take your ID card with you, especially when leaving site.
Memorize your guest number, which is printed on your ID card.
Protecting the environment goes hand in hand with safety.
If you see a spill or other environmental hazard, notify someone
immediately.
Sirens
The Lab has a system of sirens, which sound in case of a site
emergency. The sirens are tested each Monday at noon. In addition,
the Laboratory holds drills several times a year.
If you hear the sirens at any other time, act as follows:
- Continuous sounding for five minutes: Report to the lobby or
other designated area of your building to await further
instructions.
- Intermittent sounding for five minutes: Evacuate the site
immediately.
Service Station
Brookhaven has its own on-site service station, which is
open 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each weekday and is operated by an
independent contractor. Gas prices are comparable to those off site.
The service station can repair most cars, usually within one
workday, although it's always best to get there early in the morning
before you go to work. Call ahead to make a reservation for
large repairs, Ext. 4034.
Softball
Many Brookhaven employees play softball on Lab teams during the
summer. Watch the Bulletin for information on joining, or call the
Recreation Supervisor, Ext. 2873. Games are played after work on the
fields located at the end of Brookhaven Avenue, past the National
Synchrotron Light Source. Bring your own glove; all other equipment
is provided for team play. There is a volleyball net nearby.
There are also barbeque grills close to the woods.
Sports
There are plenty of fields around site for such activities as
Ultimate Frisbee, soccer, golf-swing practice, and even
non-competitive snowperson-building. Pick-up games, and more
organized once-a-week contests, are usually open to anyone who wants
to play, and this is a great way to meet people. And, of course, you
can always join a BERA club
team.
Tennis
There are five tennis courts on Bell Avenue, all open for your
use. The courts get somewhat busy before and after work hours, and
during lunchtime. To play during peak hours, you must sign up
for court time at the BERA Sales Office near the Cafeteria.
Tours (Summer Sundays)
If you want to get to know Brookhaven better, go on one of the
“Summer Sunday” Tours offered every Sunday from the week after
July 4 to the end of August. Meet at Berkner Hall any time
between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Visitors and employees are encouraged to
join the bus tours and attend the Whiz Bang Science Show. Admission
is free.
Weather
For up-to-date weather information for the local area, prepared
by Brookhaven meteorologists, call Ext. 2263. The forecast is
recorded every weekday at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Or
click here.
Life off Site
Get out and enjoy the recreation opportunities on Long Island
and nearby -- there's a lot to see and do!
Amusement Parks
Have fun at Splish -Splash water park located outside of
Riverhead. Take County Road 46 north, then Route 25 east, and
follow the signs. The phone number is 737-3600.
There is also a small amusement park with a video arcade called
Bullwinkle’s that is located off exit 64 of the L.I.E.
Six Flags/Great Adventure in New Jersey has some wild rides, and
the BERA store in Berkner Hall has discount passes and directions.
Apartments and Houses
If you'll be moving to Long Island, there are several ways to
find an apartment or house off site. First, The Bulletin publishes a
list of real estate for sale or rent once a month. These are ads
placed by Lab employees or their family members.
The Housing Office allows local community members to advertise
their real estate for rent or sale in a binder that's kept in Bldg.
179. You can browse through the binder and copy down information
about real estate that interests you.
In the summer, the Housing Office offers a service that finds
off-site short-term and long-term housing for visitors. Call Ext.
2541.
Local real estate agents can help you find housing as well.
Check the yellow pages for local real estate agents.
Automatic Teller Machines
An ATM is located at the entrance to Berkner Hall. Additional
ATM’s are located at the 7-11 on Rt. 46 and at Waldbaum’s in the
Southport Shopping Center.
Beaches
The Atlantic Ocean is to the south and east, and the Long Island
Sound separates us from Connecticut on the north. The Peconic Bay is
in between the island's "forks." All of these make for
excellent beaches.
By far, the most popular beach with Brookhaven visitors is
Suffolk County's Smith Point Park. It is close to the Laboratory and
open to anyone. To get to Smith Point Beach, drive south on County
Road 46 as far as you can. The road dead-ends at the beach,
which is located about 10 miles from Brookhaven. The parking fee is
$8 per carload to park all day weekdays and weekends, but parking is
FREE after 5 p.m. There are grills, daytime lifeguards, a
playground, bathrooms, showers, and a snack bar. Take a stroll
on the beach or boardwalk and enjoy a casual dinner at the
concession stand.
Many small towns have beaches that require proof of residency to
enter. But if you bring your car registration and license, and get a
letter from your advisor or host certifying you work at Brookhaven,
you could get a Brookhaven Town sticker (good at any of the town's
beaches) at the Shoreham Beach, North Country Road in Shoreham. Call
Brookhaven Town Offices at 451-6100 for more information.
Culture
There are plenty of cultural things to do and see on Long Island.
Read the events calendar and ads in The New York Times and Newsday.
Here are some ideas:
The
Museums at Stony Brook -- A museum combining fine paintings,
historical buildings, a collection of antique horse carriages, and
special exhibits. Take the L.I.E. to the Stony Brook exit (Exit 62,
Nicolls Road, north), turn left onto Route 25A (west). The Museums
are in red buildings along both sides of the road Museum phone:
751-0066.
Other museums -- There are plenty of old estates to see on Long
Island, including Teddy Roosevelt's home, Sagamore Hill and the
Vanderbilts' mansion, as well as other historical places open for
touring. The
birthplace of poet Walt Whitman is also open to the public. The Parrish
Art Museum in Southampton is also interesting. SUNY Stony Brook
has a nice Museum of Long
Island Natural Sciences.
Botanical Gardens -- Long Island has several, with large estate
houses surrounded by landscaped and wild lands. The Bayard
Cutting Arboreteum in Oakdale off of Rte. 27 is very nice, and
often has classical music concerts.
Theater -- Summer stock and year-round theater on Long Island are
especially good. Tickets are usually reasonable. Again, these
listings are in Newsday.
One place to try is the year-round Theater Three in Port Jefferson.
If you feel like venturing into New York City, such free concerts
as the Central Park SummerStage and events at various music schools
are always a good bet, and there are plenty of listings in every
publication from the Village Voice to New York magazine. Be sure to
get into New York for Broadway or Off-Broadway shows. Check
with the BERA store in Berkner Hall for coupons.
Concerts -- There are a few places on the East End for concerts,
and more as you travel toward New York City. The State
University of New York at Stony Brook, which is off the L.I.E.
north on Nichols Road, has the Staller Center, which hosts a variety
of events (call 632-7230).
Other good places for large concerts (rock, jazz, and country
especially) are Jones Beach and Nassau Coliseum, both west of the
Lab. The nightclubs in the Hamptons (east of the Lab) may have live
acts in the summer.
For smaller classical or jazz concerts, many of the local towns
may have events, and there's always the great American tradition:
the town band on the green on warm summer nights. Bellport,
Westhampton, and Riverhead also have summer concert series with
visiting artists -- check local papers.
Day Trips
Take advantage of Long Island's many activities! The following
are just some of the highlights:
Port Jefferson
A port
town with many shops and restaurants, and a pedestrian-friendly
downtown that is alive until late night on summer weekends. To get
there, go north on County Road 46 to its end, take a left and follow
Route 25A for about 15 miles.
North Fork Wineries
Long Island's North Fork is home to about a dozen small wineries. To
get there, go north on County Road 46 to Route 25 east. Most
wineries are between 15 and 25 miles away, and are marked by
green-and-white vineyard signs. Most of the tours and tastings are
free, the owners friendly, and the wines not too expensive. If you
continue along Route 25, you will come into the picturesque towns of
Southold, Greenport and Orient. Head to the island’s end at
Greenport's docks, where in the summer you can take a cruise on a
small paddle-wheel boat or enjoy dinner at Claudio’s waterfront
restaurant.
Riverhead
This town at the head of the Peconic Bay offers
strolling, shopping, food, a movie theater and Bay activities such
as canoe rentals. It is the home of Splish-Splash water park,
the Tanger Factory Outlet Centers, and the Atlantis Aquarium.
The Hamptons
For a scenic ride, take Montauk Highway (Rt.
80) east, passing beautiful beaches, main street shopping areas,
restaurants, gourmet food stores and nightclubs on the way out to
the famous lighthouse on Montauk Point (it's a state park; call
668-2461). Everything in these communities is often much, much less
crowded in the off-season between Labor Day and Memorial Day.
If you like nightclubs, the nightlife
in the Hamptons in the summer is much better than in the area
immediately around Brookhaven. Try the Canoe Place Inn (CPI), a
sprawling club with several dance floors and live bands. Pick up the
free weekly papers to find out who's partying when and how to get
there.
Shelter Island
In between the two forks of the island, and
accessible only by two tiny ferry
boats, this picturesque island has beautiful homes, shops, and
the huge Mashomack Nature Preserve, a major part of the Nature
Conservancy's effort to preserve wild areas on Long Island. The
preserve has hiking trails that could take you as little as 45
minutes or as much as five hours to hike, and a nature center and
guidebooks to teach you about the ecosystem. Altogether, Shelter
Island makes a nice day trip. Refer to a map for directions.
Farm Stands/Fresh Produce
The area of Long Island around Brookhaven, especially to the
northeast, is very rural. This means a large number of farm stands
are within a 20-minute drive. Strawberries, raspberries, corn,
tomatoes, potatoes, and other crops are all very good here. If
you're here in the fall, go pick your own Halloween pumpkin, or cut
your own Christmas tree in December. There are many farms on Routes
25, 25A, and 27, Sound Avenue and Montauk Highway.
Fast Food
Closest to the Lab, within biking range, are a 7-Eleven
convenience store, a pizza place, a bakery, a Chinese takeout place
and an ice-cream store. From the Lab gate, take William Floyd
Parkway/County Road 46 south. At the intersection of County
Road 46 and Montauk Highway in Shirley are Taco Bell, Dunkin'
Donuts, Burger King, Roy Rogers, Boston Market, Kentucky Fried
Chicken, Checkers, chinese food, bagel, and pizza places, as well as
the Windmill Diner a little further down the road on the right.
North of the Lab, the area of Route 25 immediately west of County
Road 46 also has quite a few fast food restaurants. There is a
McDonald's, a deli and the Joy Luck Club Chinese takeout place close
to the intersection of the two roads, and a 7-Eleven and Taco Bell a
little further along. Also recommended are the Subway and Chinese
restaurants in the King Kullen shopping center on Route 25.
Grocery Stores
There are several large supermarkets in the immediate area.
Waldbaum's and Pathmark are both located near the intersection of
County Road 46 and Montauk Highway (Route 80) in Shirley.
Other grocery stores in the area include King Kullen, south on
County Road 46 in Shirley, and King Kullen on Route 25 west in
Middle Island. There are also convenience marts everywhere, the
closest being the 7-Eleven at the second light south of the Lab.
Movies
The nearest movie theaters are:
- Island 16: cinema de lux, L.I.E. Exit 61 (E) or 62 (W) and Route 97,
Holtsville, NY, 11742, 9.0 miles,
- Movieland Cinemas, Coram 1850 Route 112, Coram, NY, 11727, 6.7 miles
- Pj Cinemas 1068 Route 112, Port Jefferson Station, NY, 11776, 9.1 miles
- United Artists Patchogue 600 Sunrise Highway, Patchogue, NY, 11772, 10.2
miles
How could you come this close to the Big Apple without visiting
it at least once? From Brookhaven, there are plenty of ways to get
to New York, some better and faster than others. If you have access
to a car, the L.I.E. will get you to the Queens-Midtown Tunnel,
which enters Manhattan at midtown.
If you don't want to drive your car in the city, drive to the
Long Island Railroad stations in Ronkonkoma (where trains run almost
every hour), or to Mastic/Shirley, Patchogue or Port Jefferson
stations (closer to Brookhaven, but fewer trains). It's about $13
for a round trip ticket, which you should buy before getting on the
train. Check with the Travel Office in Bldg. 179 for schedules and
directions. Check the
Transportation
page for possible shuttles to the railroad stations.
What you do once you get to the city is almost unlimited.
Some popular attractions are the Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island, the
Empire State Building, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, shopping in
Soho, Greenwich Village, Southstreet Seaport, Central Park, Broadway
shows, and the amazing array of food and entertainment that only the
big city can provide. Buy a guidebook or surf the Web -- there's no
way to list everything here.
Off-Site Phone Numbers You May Need
Here are a few phone numbers for off-site locations which you may
want to keep handy.
Outdoor Activities
This part of Long Island is great for doing things outdoors.
Besides beaches and bicycling, there are several state parks for
hiking and boat-rental places.
For hiking and walking, there's the boardwalk and dunes of the
Fire Island National Seashore. Head south on County Road 46 toward
Smith Point Park, then bear right at the traffic circle.
The Peconic Bay between the North and South Forks of Long
Island's East End is a good place to kayak or canoe, and several
places in Riverhead and other towns will rent boats to you.
The Wertheim National Wildlife Refuge, on Montauk Highway just
west of the intersection with County Road 46, has trails and a river
and canoe rental.
South Haven Park, a short drive from Brookhaven, has hiking,
fishing, horses for hire on its trails, picnicking, camping,
rowboats, and the county's trap and skeet fields. Call 854-1414 for
more information.
A little further east, on Sound Avenue off of Rte. 25A in Baiting
Hollow, is Wildwood State Park, which also has a beach, recreation
areas, and camping. For more information on Wildwood and other New
York State Parks, click here.
Religious Services
One way to find a place of worship in your religion is the Yellow
Pages. Port Jefferson, Riverhead, and Patchogue are the biggest
towns around, with the most diversity of faiths.
Restaurants
If you want to eat at a place where they have table service, the
best destinations are Port Jefferson or Riverhead. However,
there are some nice restaurants close by. See the list below
and also check the yellow pages.
Some of the restaurants nearby are:
Diamond Wok,
Rocky Point
A sit-down Chinese restaurant. Go all the way north on County Road
46, then west on Route 25A; it's several lights later, on your left.
(821-6000)
Digger O'Dell's,
Riverhead
An Irish pub with a menu that features some Irish specialties. Take
County Road 46 north of the Lab to Rte. 25 East, and follow it all
the way into Riverhead. Digger's is on the left downtown, across
from a large bank. (369-3200)
La Plage,
Shoreham
Upscale, gourmet seafood, casual and intimate. Somewhat pricey,
right on the beach. Take County Road 46 north to its end at Rte.
25A, turn right, proceed to second light, take a left, follow the
road till a Yield sign, go right until you reach the beach. It's on
the corner. (744-9200)
Phil's, Wading
River
A sports bar with a reasonable American menu for lunch or dinner.
North on County Road 46 to Route 25A East, turn left at the Hess gas
station in Wading River, Phil's is on your immediate right -- park
in back. (929-4163)
Varney's
Seafood, hamlet of Brookhaven
Small place with great food at reasonable prices. Go to the
intersection in Shirley, turn right onto Montauk Hwy., continue,
bear right at the fork, look for a crab sign. (286-9569)
The Windmill
Diner, Shirley
Boasts the largest diner menu you've ever seen. Go south on County
Road 46; the Windmill will be on your right near the railroad
tracks.
The Cooperage
Inn, Baiting Hollow
Nice, mainly Italian food with a modern touch -- and great Early
Bird specials. Worth the 15-20 minute drive from the Lab for a nice
dinner with friends or your folks if they come to visit. Take County
Road 46 north to Route 25A East, continue heading east to where
Sound Ave. branches off, follow Sound Ave. for several miles;
Cooperage is on your left.
The 2 x 4
Continental Cuisine, intimate dining, fireplace in bar, best steaks
on Long Island. North Wading River Rd., Wading River. Directions
from BNL: Wm. Floyd North to 25A. Rt. on 25A to Stop Light at
intersection of 25A and Wading River Manor Rd. Left at light, keep
bearing left to bottom of hill. Pass SWR firehouse and almost
immediately, turn right on North Wading River Rd. Go approx. 2-3
miles, and see 2 x 4 sign on right. 631-929-4117
Shopping
The Smith Haven Shopping Mall is located on Route 25, about a
half-hour drive from Brookhaven. It has a Macy's, J.C. Penney’s,
Sears, and many smaller stores, and a large food court. To get
there, take the L.I.E. west to Exit 62 north to Route 25 west.
Continue until you see the large mall on your right.
The Bellport Outlet Mall is off Exit 56 of Sunrise Highway, Rt.
27, with many shoe, clothing, and housewares shops.
A larger outlet mall, with dozens of stores and a small food
court, is the Tanger Factory Outlet Center in Riverhead. Take the
Long Island Expressway to its very end, getting off at Exit 73 and
turning right into the outlet center.
For a quick shopping trip, drive south to the Southport shopping
center at the intersection of Montauk Highway (Rt. 80) and William
Floyd Parkway (County Road 46) where you will find a small
department store, hardware, clothing, shoe, grocery stores, and a
Blockbuster Video. Also good are the K-Mart and Walmart stores,
located north of the Lab on Rt. 25
Video Rental
If you bring your own VCR, there are at least three video rental
places along County Road 46 (William Floyd Parkway) south of the Lab
that are frequented by Brookhaven visitors. The closest and smallest
is in the small strip shopping center across the road from the
7-Eleven; this is within biking distance. There is also a
Blockbuster Video south of the Lab, located in the Southport
Shopping Center (directions above).
Northwest of the Lab, there is a Blockbuster Video on Route 25,
in the King Kullen shopping center several miles west of County Road
46.
What to Bring
Now that you know all about life at Brookhaven, you're probably
wondering what essentials you'll need to pack when you come. If
you're coming a long way, you may not be able to fit all of these
into your suitcase, but it's worth a try. And you can always buy
things when you get here.
IMPORTANT! Identification is required.
Please see the visitor ID page for details.
A CAR or at least a bike or a pair of
in-line skates!
Automatic Teller Machine Bank Card/Credit Card
Baseball glove: If you plan to play with a team. Other sports
equipment that may bring you instant popularity are Frisbees,
volleyballs and soccer balls.
Swimsuit for the beach and/or pool and a beach towel -- Because
the Brookhaven-supplied towels just aren't big enough for lounging
on the sand.
Bicycle: Or get one from your department or division. Also
bring a lock; bike theft has been known to happen.
Camera: For recording all your visit's memories. You can
develop your film on site at the BERA store.
Clothes: Brookhaven's workday dress code is casual; but
there may be safety reasons for wearing long pants, depending on
your work area.
Dishes: If you're going to be living in the dorms, or want
to supplement your Brookhaven apartment's supplies, bring at least a
pot and frying pan, a plate, cup, mug and bowl, and silverware.
Extension cords: For plugging the fan, radio, hair dryer
and other things into your room's or apartment's outlets.
Maps of Long Island, and New York City.
Radio and cassette/CD Player: Your room doesn't include
one.
Small Appliances: Hot pots, electric woks, etc. to
supplement what the Lab provides. Nothing that needs plumbing or
draws more than 220 volts; i.e. no air conditioners.
Telephone Calling Card: Essential for calling anywhere you
can't call collect, because the Brookhaven operators go home at 5
p.m.
Television: If you'll be living in the dorms, this
probably isn't worth bringing; you could bring a VCR to plug into
the dorm TV, though. Apartment and efficiency residents can bring a
TV to attach to the antenna connection; you'll need to bring or buy
a wire to do that.
Suggestions, Complaints, Rumors
If you have a suggestion or complaint that you'd like to share
with the Brookhaven administration, use the Lab's Write-One forms,
which you can find in the Community Involvement, Government &
Public Affairs Office in Bldg. 134. Confidentiality will be
maintained.
Please put your name, home address, and zip code on the form.
If you have a question that you'd like to find out the answer to
without being identified, call the Question Hotline, Ext. 2751, and
leave a message and your name and number. Confidentiality will be
maintained.
Comments about this Guide? Something to add?
E-mail us. Enjoy your time at Brookhaven National Laboratory!
Last Modified: August 11, 2004
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One of ten national laboratories overseen and primarily
funded by the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Brookhaven
National Laboratory conducts research in the physical, biomedical, and environmental
sciences, as well as in energy technologies and national security. Brookhaven Lab also
builds and operates major scientific facilities available to university, industry and
government researchers. Brookhaven is operated and managed for DOE’s Office of Science by
Brookhaven Science Associates, a limited-liability company founded by Stony Brook University,
the largest academic user of Laboratory facilities, and Battelle, a nonprofit, applied science
and technology organization.