When temperatures heat up in crowded, stuffy New York City, there is only one place real New Yorkers dream of traveling: the Hamptons. During the hot summer months, the once-small towns on the eastern-most tip of Long Island become cool, luxurious havens for the city’s most glamorous inhabitants. However, the Hamptons aren’t reserved for New Yorkers alone; in fact, there is plenty of space for visitors near and far.
If you are looking for a simple summer vacation spot, you should consider a trip to the place many New Yorkers call their second home.
Where to Stay
There are 10 distinct hamlets that make up the Hamptons, and each region has its own perks and flair. For the perfect Hampton trip — one that fulfills your vacation wishes and stays within your budget — it is critical that you rent space in the appropriate town. Here is a quick summary of each hamlet in the Hamptons:
- East Hampton. Inarguably the most popular area of the island, East Hampton offers unparalleled nightlife, shopping, and luxury accommodations. Cheaper lodgings can be found farther inland, but generally this is an expensive place to stay.
- Southampton. Glittering with multi-million-dollar mansions, Southampton is the neighborhood for the rich and famous.
- Sag Harbor. A combination artist’s haven and old whaling town, Sag Harbor is a mixture of funky and quaint, with boutique restaurants and shops along Main Street.
- North Haven. With a suburbs feel, North Haven is most often populated by families. Unfortunately, there aren’t many attractions in this tiny town.
- Westhampton. Closest to New York City, Westhampton is a good choice for travelers looking for urban fun as well as a relaxing trip. The beaches, shops, and restaurants here are as high-quality as East and Southampton without the high price tag.
- Sagaponack. The oldest of the hamlets, Sagaponack is also one of the most rural, which allows for beautiful landscapes and scenic beaches.
- Amagansett. Nestled inside East Hampton like Vatican City inside Rome, Amagansett has a distinct culture of art and music that separates it from the larger town around it.
- Water Mill. More people call Water Mill home than other regions of the Hamptons; though some rental properties are available here, most of the community are locals who enjoy peace and quiet.
- Montauk. The best surfing on Long Island is right here in this old fishing village, and the pub scene at night is fun for travelers and locals alike.
- Bridgehampton. As the site of the Hampton Classic Horse Show as well as quite a few world-class wineries, Bridgehampton tends to attract the super-rich.
What to Do
Because the Hamptons attract visitors with quite a bit of disposable income, shopping opportunities abound. Whether you are looking for clothing, furniture, fresh produce, or just a souvenir to take home, you can find a line of shops in East Hampton, Southampton, Westhampton, and Bridgehampton willing to cater to your needs. The antique market is particularly bustling in the Hamptons, so if you love old things, you will have plenty to see and buy.
Watersports are perhaps the most popular activity in the Hamptons due to the excellent beaches around the hamlets. As mentioned, Montauk is known for its superb waves, which attract surfers (including the wind and kite varieties), paddle-boarders, kayakers, and more. Montauk and Sag Harbor are also prime destinations for avid boaters, who can fish, tow, and more in the calm, blue waters. In fact, boating is so popular here that many owners donate their boats to be resold at rock-bottom prices; you could easily snatch up a first-rate vessel to bring back home — or keep in the marina for your next Hamptons vacation.
Before it became a lavish vacation spot, the Hamptons were a retreat for hundreds of big-name artists looking for inspiration. All over the region, historical houses are open for visitor exploration, like the Pollack-Krasner House where renowned painters Jackson Pollack and Lee Krasner created countless works. Additionally, galleries, museums, and institutes showcase famous pieces of art from past and present artists of the island.
How to Get in and Get Around
The closest airport is MacArthur, which is still roughly 50 miles away from the beaches of East Hampton, which makes land travel much more feasible for visitors to the region. It only takes about 90 minutes to drive to the Hamptons from New York City using the Long Island Expressway and Route 27 — though traffic may slow you down on popular Hamptons weekends in the summer and fall. Conversely, the Long Island Railroad costs only $15 and makes stops throughout the Hamptons’ hamlets for more exposure to this beautiful place.
