The Hamptons, NYCs Summer Location
Written: Apr 12 '06 (Updated Sep 16 '06)
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Pros: Outstanding Beaches and Fine Shopping
Cons: During the summer are crowds, need for permits and prices for everything are outta-hand.
The Bottom Line: The Hamptons are an attractive and lively destination...if you can afford it in the summer.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: The Hamptons |
I'm in the Hamptons at some point a few times a year. My wife and I have stayed at B&Bs and walked the small towns and villages to shop, look through galleries, take scenic pictures and also frequent some of the finest small restaurants on Long Island. The only problem is we have never stayed there in the summer. The prices can be outrageous!! More in a bit.
Where Are They?
Long Island is know to be shaped like a fish. If you go all the way east, away from NYC the end splits into two fins or forks. The south fork is the home of the Hamptons. Though some may differ in exactly what the Hamptons area include I'll discuss them how I know them. The Hamptons are considered a long stretch of towns from the West Hampton and the Hampton Bays to East Hampton and Amagansett the last towns before Montauk. Some include Montauk to the east and Sag Harbor to the north. For the purpose of this review I'm generally referring more to the areas within that stretch including South Hampton and all the towns east to Amagansett. You'll know you are leaving the Hamptons as I know them once you see a little roadside shack with a sign LUNCH on top. Many people do call it that by name but the place is really known as the Lobster Roll and the namesake food is best there.
This area includes some names like Bridgehampton, Wainscott, Georgica, East Hampton and Amagansett. Some of these towns are bisected by Rt 27 that happens to be the main 2 lane stretch of road that goes through them. Each town has a different feel and character to them and spending time in each will show their appeal. I happen to like Amagansett's simpler style better than the uppity and aloof impression I receive in East Hampton. We all have our own likes and dislikes.
Getting There
This road is also a disaster to try and get through on summer weekends. While trying to visit the Hamptons on a Friday night and returning back toward the city on a Sunday night the road becomes one very slow parking lot. I could almost feel safe dropping my wife off as we enter a town and know that she could shop a bit and still walk to the end of town, hop back in our car and I never miss a minute of the car's slow progress through town. Yes, It really is that slow at times, but is it worth it?
I would compare the trip as one going to Europe. You may not like the actual traveling to get there, but once there you can settle in and enjoy...if you can afford it.
If you decide on mass transport the most regal way of going out, short of taking a helicopter or plane to the small airport that serves the Hamptons, is on the Hampton Jitney, an upscale bus, that gives comfort and non-stop rides (except for the traffic) out to the Hamptons, Long Island's playground for the wealthy. You have to check their schedules for the exact locations they stop. The Long Island Railroad also has tracks that go smack through the middle of most of the Hampton towns. It's not frequent service but it's also one of the most painless ways of getting to these beautiful little towns...and beautiful they truly are.
Windmills, picturesque ponds, estates surrounded by high hedges, lovely B&Bs and some of the most beautiful beaches of Long Island are out there. A camera is a must for the tourist types. Bring some swim gear and casual but upscale threads and you'll be ready to fit in for most of Hampton life.
For those overcast days of when you just want to relax and take in a film, the Hamptons have six or seven movie houses to choose from.
Many fruit and vegatable stands with fresh local goods dot the roads to and from the Hamptons. The Duckwalk Winery is also a fine place to make a stop for homegrown product.
Who Goes There?
The Hamptons happen to be the playground of upscale people from NYC. Manhattan loses much of its population to the Hamptons in the summer months. It seems that even more and more are buying second homes and staying out there year round more than ever before. Huge mega homes are being built.
This is also the home of summer celebs. Movie stars, directors, sports notables and the music industry's hot names spend much time during the Hampton summers frequenting parties and being spotted in local shops and restaurants. Many politicians do their hand-shaking and fund raising incognito with their Hollywood friends in relaxed atmosphere of the Hamptons too.
For many this is the place to see and be seen. That also holds up for the wanna-bees that chip in and rent homes. They invite many of their friends and party. I have read that it's harder and harder to do this kind of rental but there are many homes and what they call mini-estates listed in rental magazines and papers.
Of course this is also the destination of many day trippers from Long Island and elsewhere. As we from the island go up to Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts and the New Jersey coast-line haunts, the residents from those places also come to the famous Hamptons for a day, weekend or more. ("The beach is always sunnier on the other side of the fence".)
Beaches
Most of the small towns have access to beaches but it's not always easy to find which one is open to the public or where you may find parking. Many are private or you need a permit. In the off season there really isn't much of a problem but in season beware, be careful and watch out for towed cars and high priced tickets for improper parking. Some of the public beaches like Cooper's in South Hampton offer facilities. Many private areas do not.
Be sure to talk to any lodging choices about the beaches, access, permits and how you can get there. Many of the main towns where the B&Bs are may be a mile or two from the beaches. Some are walkable. Some B&Bs provide beach chairs and umbrellas and will drive you to and from the beaches with immediate drop offs and pick-ups via a cell phone call.
Shopping and More
I won't spend much time on this because I do not like shopping at all. The towns have every conceivable type store you may think of, nothing oversized though. All the very high-end shops that are in NYC also have their satellite stores in the Hamptons. This is also true for the more common stores like the Banana Republic, Coach, the GAP and Victoria's Secret. Many jewelry stores dot the towns with Tiffany & Co and others ready to make a romantic weekend even more...ha, expensive in my eyes. I'm not sure why but for some reason my wife still says she loves me. No, I don't purchase jewelry in Tiffany.
I do however enjoy walking through the many galleries that display local artist work. There is a lot of talent and the prices reflect the attitude and pocketbook of the area.
Ice cream shops and such are being pushed out of some the towns main street areas due to high rentals. Some of the prices are WAY outta control. I just won't spend $4.00 for one scoop of ice cream in a cone.
There are also some very fine garden centers out east on Rt 27. Though there are still some locally grown goods, farm stands are seen a bit less. What is now a stop for most on the east-end in the Hamptons is a tour of the Hampton's many wineries that are producing fine world class selections.
If just driving through the Hamptons be sure to get onto 27a Montauk Highway. This is home to "Main" street of many of the smaller villages. Many B&Bs are located in these areas.
Our Choices
Though my wife and I prefer the more laid back style of Montauk (and it's relatively cheaper prices) in the summer, we've stayed in the Hamptons during the off-season. April and very early May can still bring relatively inexpensive rates of $175-$300 per night for a fine Victorian style room with a queen or king bed including breakfast. The sun is also warm at this time of year and one can start on a bit of a tan too. During the summer these same rooms will go up 50-75% in price with 2 or three day minimum. Some may even demand one week minimums. This is also true in the few motels out that way. There are many more exclusive B&Bs and resorts that charge much more again. I must confess that the charm and easy living and quiet atmosphere in the off season can be intoxicating. The many fine restaurants, of which many are open all year, (and many not) make it a romantic place to be. Some like those on Dune Road have glorious views of the Atlantic to the south and sunsets to the west.
Not everyone is into elbow rubbing with stars and many people instead go for the hiking, biking, kayaking, and boating. Fishing is best done out of Montauk but you can get charter boats out of the many marinas of the Hamptons. Check the local papers for information.
Mmm, while I'm talking of papers be sure to pick up a free copy of Dan's Papers to get a feel and sometimes irreverent understanding of what makes the Hamptons tick. You will find them available in just about every shop on the streets of the Hamptons.
Golf is also an option though, except for the fine course out in Montauk at Montauk Downs State Park, I don't know much about them. I can tell you that the other activities are easy to find and equipment can be rented locally or bring your own.
We stayed at Cedar Point County Park the last couple of years. You do need a Suffolk County Pass for this one. This is open for tents and campers. The beaches are on the north part of the fork and are not the beautiful white sand beaches of the Atlantic but, it is an inexpensive way to stay out east and then take in everything else the Hampton towns offer. Though I do complain about prices, rightfully so in my mind, you can still find some family friendly pizza shops and the like just off the main streets of towns.
Two years ago we discovered a corn maze out in Bridgehampton that is perfect for family fun during the early morning before the sun's heat comes in.
Last Thoughts
The off season gives a fine picture of these towns that straddle the Atlantic ocean. It's a slower pace that is easy to enjoy and can give any couple a warm romantic feeling.
During the summer the prices are just too high for my wallet and the volume of traffic and amount of people are too much to deal with every day. Lines, even with reservations, to restaurants can be ridiculously long. I like a "get-away" to get away from it all if you know what I mean. In the case of the summer Hamptons it's just moving from the wonderful little shops and restaurants in NYC to the same type places in the Hamptons.
That said, for the beaches, and for those who enjoy shopping, the place excellent. Be sure to have permits for the beaches and a high ceiling on your plastic for shopping. Many of the towns have lost the small-town appeal giving way to the high rentals of better shops. The towns are very attractive to walk through though.
I have mixed feelings of the Hampton's towns that all have slightly different ambience to them.
"The Hamptons are a place that during the summer I wouldn't want to visit but I sure would like to afford to live there!"
****Four Stars off season
*** Three stars in summer
The Hamptons and in particular East Hampton is listed in the book 1,000 Places To See Before You Die It's a good one!
Duckwalk Winery
The Lobster Roll, better known simply as "LUNCH" in Amagansett
The Maize Maze in Bridgehampton Family Fun!
MONTAUK, It's The End
Montauk Point State Park and Lighthouse History, Fishing, Scenery, and quiet hikes.
Montauk Downs State Park Creature Comforts: A Pool, Golf and Games
Hither Hills State Park Camping on the beach
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
Best Time to Travel Here: Sep - Nov
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