The Big Duck

We moved to Long Island because my dad opened a supermarket in Hampton Bays. His 2^nd uncle was a butcher and followed him out east to retire in Flanders. His uncle bought a cute house a few blocks away from the water and worked in the supermarket. During the summers, who do you think was produce boy? Italians see their children as instant laborers, I was 13 in the supermarket union! haha
But the Duck? They used to sell eggs from this thing back in the day. It makes me laugh when people say they’re sad when they see the duck, it brings back memories. It’s like the Smithtown Bull, what memories? You drive past it at 60mph and say ah, the Duck. That’s my memory and I saw this thing every day during my summers in the Hamptons.
The Duck shouldn’t be shut down, Its been a symbol in Long Island for over 100 years. The Big Duck was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997. Go Flanders!
To get here from Sunrise hwy is a pain but if you want to take a picture with the large Duck, take a detour and find this big boy.

Came here today with my family. It was my son’s and nephew’s first time here and I can say they lived it. The guy working inside was super nice and funny. It was a great place to find out a little about long islands past. We will definitely be coming again.

It was smaller than what expected but it was cute. The shop person told us they decorate the duck during the holiday seasons. Good to know.

What’s not to love about THE Big Duck on the way to the Hamptons! The store is small but cute. Lots of people taking pictures on the outside. Especially on the nice day out, pictures — silly or not — is worth some stars!

What’s not to like — it’s a big duck on the way to the Hamptons! The shop is fun too. My 20 month old loved it!

I would never forget the day I ducked in and took a gander at this marvelous piece of quackitecture. Foundation was solid and nary a quack despite decades of having been waded around. Now declared a landmark, this bird will no longer fly elsewhere as the duck stops here in Flanders, NY.
Clearly, it was a privilege and and honor to to be part of the flock that witnessed such hallowed ground. These days, I look back and divide my life to before I’ve seen the duck… and after.
No more rat races for me, sitting still is what I want. My life has changed. I’ll be selling everything I have and will fly south to Central America to start a duck farm in my new life there.

As far as Big Ducks go, I’ve seen bigger.
Also, when my wife and I drove by in the middle of winter at 6 in the morning, the gift shop was CLOSED. I mean, how am I supposed to remember the Big Duck without a commemorative key chain? The early bird gets the worm, the late duck gets $ 1.95 in lost revenue.
So why 5 stars? It’s a Big Duck in the middle of nowhere for no reason, of course that warrants 5 stars!

giant duck! also gift shop! you know you must go!

It’s a giant duck!!! What’s not to love? Gift shop was closed when I visited but looks like they have all your fresh giant duck gear needs for the upcoming season! Will definitly visit again when in the area… QUACK!

This is a cool little place (emphasis on LITTLE) that everyone should stop by at least once. Or twice. Heck if you are near it, just stop in! About 4 people can fit comfortably inside so be ready to be best friends with the other shoppers.
They have some souvenirs to buy, some old pictures which are cool to look at, and the lady behind the counter is friendly and likes to talk and share history. All in all we are very happy we stopped there on the way home from Montauk Lighthouse and would definitely visit again when we are in the area.
Go Big Duck!

I use to come here as a child when they still sold food inside. Americana at its highest.

Long Island has beaches, wineries, and The Big Duck.
We were in the area for some pumpkin picking and decided to make the short detour to Flanders to see Long Island’s most famous duck. Surprisingly, you can actually go inside the duck to check out some of the history behind this structure. I guess, based on so many great reviews, that Long Islanders are proud of this thing. I think it is kinda cool, too, but I’m not necessarily going crazy over it, nor am I ever going out of my way to see it again. It’s worth a quick stop if you are in the area, however, it doesn’t have any real significance or draw. Although definitely kitschy, it doesn’t seem as cool as some other roadside attractions you might find in the Western part of the country.

Ok, I’m not going to beat around the bush with the Big Duck. It’s big. It’s Flanders’ claim-​to-​fame. It has a gift shop inside, for God-​knows-​why. But whenever I pass through Flanders on my way to Riverhead, the duck puts a big smile on my face. I once bought a lunch and had it behind the duck as there is a picnic area behind it. And one of these days, I’ll take a photo of my son standing in front of the duck as millions have probably done before.
I love this damn duck. Especially around Christmas time, when the duck has a necklace of lights around its neck. It just makes me happy with its very campy presence.

The big duck is both large and a duck. It has a gift shop in it which I did not partake in.
Facts about the Big Duck:
1. It is the largest duck I have ever seen real or imagined.
2. There is an area behind it to picnic.
3. It was one of the quickest «here’s a weird thing we can take a photo next to» adventures I have ever taken.

I was out in Cutchogue with a friend and we wanted to do something besides drink wine and eat ice cream (as great as they both are). So we decided to go to one of the light houses, which wasnt too exciting, and then we went to the big duck. Correction, THE big duck. As silly as this sounds, it was the highlight of our trip. We both started getting excited as we drove up to it, then just started taking silly pictures. Who knew there was a souvenir shop inside too? The lady working there was really helpful and seemed to enjoy working there a lot. All of the souvenirs were cute too. My friend bought some noisemakers, and i bought a magnet.
I definitely recommend this if you are bored out on the island!

Normally a fun, interesting attraction with a rich Long Island history. Fun to see during the day and try to catch the gift shop/​museum open inside the duck (Memorial Day-​Labor Day).
I made the mistake recently of going about a week after a big snow storm to show a friend who was in town. Not only was half of the duck still covered in snow, but the walkway and parking area was not even plowed.
Definitely something to see if you live on Long Island or just don’t mind the trek to the East End of the island. Just go in the nicer weather.
Parking area in front of the duck.

Guess I’m a Long Islander, and The Big Duck is a classic piece of Long Island history! First saw it when I was a kid and my parents were crazy enough to take at least five of us on a ride out East in the late ‘50s.

The gypsy-​esque duck has been a part of my life since I was a wee one, and it’s one of my favorite sentimental spots on LI.
The duck has moved — a lot. Almost more than I have, which is saying something. He’s trekked to different spots in the Hampton Bays vicinity over the years, always welcomed with open arms by passers-​by and local fans.
At Christmas time, the duck wears a necklace of bulbs, and is adorned with twinkle lights. At Easter, baby eggs surround him (or come to think of it — her?).
There’s a gift shop within the duck’s belly, but I haven’t seen it open since appx. 1987.
No trip to the east end is complete without a snapshot of you beside the duck — Riverhead’s most famous resident.

I was staying in Long Island and The Big Duck was only 20 minutes away. Definitely worth the 20 minute detour.
Unfortunately, the gift shop inside was closed because it’s winter. While looking online I found some conflicting addresses since it has moved a couple times. Its current location is 1012 Flanders Road Riverhead, NY.
Great photo op!

Well — you just can’t miss the Big Duck — it’s about as famous a landmark as Lucy the Elephant in Margate. You know you’re in Long Island, baby! (But alas, most of the Duck farms — and farms in general are gone.)
Please save the remaining farms (and not all are vineyards) — try One Woman Farm or the many Goat farms with great products. Such good local produce here.
Long live the East End (North Fork)!