Long Island's Biggest Duck

Long Island ducklings are famous in the culinary world, but there's a big white duck in Flanders -- on the way to the renowned Hamptons -- that get mouths flapping. A roadside structure that's found fans through its years, the 20-foot tall, 30-foot long concrete structure has become a beloved icon for those en route "Out East."

Built in 1931 by Riverhead duck farmer Martin Maurer, who later moved it from Main Street to his grounds in Flanders, it was used as a shop for ducks and their eggs, and quickly became a novelty embraced by may local Long Islanders (although there were initial opposers). In fact, it had such a support base that residents and the now-defunct Friends for Long Island's Heritage successfully fought to save it when the land became available for development.

To further preserve the sanctity of the Big Duck, it was donated to Suffolk County in 1987, and moved to Route 24 in Hampton Bays, near the Sears-Below County Park, a year thereafter, where it peacefully nestled for 19 years.

Today, the Big Duck sits back in its home area of Flanders, Long Island, New York, where the town hopes to restore the duck farm and create a bigger tourist attraction than the structure and its gift shop already is.

To visit for yourself, head out on the Long Island Expressway to Exit 71. Turn right on to Edwards Ave/RT-24 East for 4.3 miles. Take the third exit on the traffic circle onto Flanders Rd/RT-24 East 2.4 miles, and keep an eye out your left window for a glimpse of the Duck.

Attraction Information:
Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, daily 10-5 (Closed lunch 1-1:30 pm)

Weekends only through November (Call to verify)

Phone: 631-852-8290