Summer in The Hamptons
We have just celebrated Memorial Day which means Long Island's most famous stretch of beach towns "The Hamptons" are open for business! Only 2 – 3-hour drive from midtown Manhattan (depending on when you travel, i.e. Friday evening is a long trip) this gorgeous area out on the tip of Long Island feels a long way from the concrete jungle of Manhattan.
Location:
For those who have not been before, 'The Hamptons' is made up of several gorgeous beachside towns at the eastern end of Long Island's South Fork. Including Southampton, Water Mill, Sagaponck, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Amagansett, Sag Harbor & Montauk.
Accommodation:
There are not many hotels in this area, think low rise, laid back beach chic, plenty of gorgeous beach homes and little beach shacks, take your pick! most houses can be rented via the usual house rental sites including Airbnb and VRBO.com and hotels on travel sites like expedia.com.
Getting There:
Driving is the easiest way, but remember there is only 1 road in and out of the Long island hot spot, so traffic can be crazy Friday evenings and Monday mornings.
Bus - the Hamptons Jitney is a very popular bus that leaves from Manhattan and makes several stops once it hits the Hamptons area. It takes about 3.5hours depending where you get off. It offers return rides to NYC as well. Rates from $26pp.
Train - Long Island Rail Road - regular train to Montauk or an express train on Friday afternoons over Summer.
Best things to Do in The Hamptons, 2019
- I love the Wolffer Estate & Winery in Sagaponack, besides being a gorgeous winery and well known for its wine and floral bottle art they offer a picnic style night out on a Friday and Saturday night at the 'Winestand'. Live music, bring your picnic rugs, and they have wine, cheese, charcuterie boards etc. for sale onsite. (kids welcome)
-Goop, Sag Harbor is back again for those who like an inside into Gwyneth Paltrow's powerhouse brand. Lots of homewares, skincare, fashion and fresh produce from local produces.
-Beach, of course you are out on Long Island to hit the beach. Most beaches are public, but some are private, be sure to check. You also need a permit to park at any beach, if you are renting a house they will probably have parking passes for you, if not, ride a bike or take an uber as a car pass can cost up to $90 per day!!
-Window shopping in East Hampton, arguably the mot high end part of the Hamptons, stop for lunch on Main St and watch the passing crowd, hours of entertainment.
-It wouldn’t be summer without a Lobster roll, you can buy them all over the island but the famous spot is in Amagansett at the aptly named 'Lobster Roll'. The ultimate beach shack, kid friendly and great casual seafood.
- Moby's, one of the hottest restaurants and bars in The Hamptons, has reopened for the 2019 summer season at East Hampton Point (new location).
-Sip 'n Soda - a must visit Southampton old school diner, but you really go for the ice cream sundaes and old school milkshakes.
-Splish Splash- water park for the kids who don’t like the beach. located in Calverton NY, south end of the Hamptons. -
-Take a ferry to Shelter Island, a cute little Island which sits between North & South Fork of Long Island. Go for lunch at the famous Sunset Beach hotel, the place to 'be seen' and let the kids play on the gorgeous beach area in front of the hotel. Other options on the island include Chequit hotel or Pridwin Hotel, both super chic as well.
