Last Updated on July 19, 2023 by Editor G
Welcome to the luxurious world of The Hamptons (NY) – a sophisticated oasis located just east of New York City. Although it’s part of Long Island, The Hamptons feels like a unique, enchanting destination, brimming with charming hamlets and picturesque villages.
As you explore this upscale enclave, you’ll discover an array of exquisite dining experiences, exclusive boutiques, and lavish hotels. Dive into the rich cultural attractions and captivating activities that make The Hamptons a must-see destination. With its renowned sun-kissed beaches and towering dunes, prepare to be captivated by the undeniable allure of this prestigious getaway.
How far is The Hamptons from New York?
According to Google, the drive is around 2hrs.
Map of the Hamptons and orientation
As you can see from the above map, The Hamptons has a north and south fork, with most of the action being on the south fork. The north forks’ main areas are Mattituck, Greenport, and Orient.
The south folk consists of the following hamplets:
Southampton
Watermill
Bridgehampton
East Hampton (confusingly not east!)
Sar Harbour (northern part of south fork)
Springs
Napeague
Montauk
There is also an island off the coast called Gardiners Island, sitting in Gardiners bay. Gardiner Island is private and has been owned by the Gardiner family since 163 and is one of the largest private islands in the USA with an amazing history.
Shelter Island sits in between the 2 forks and can be visited using the South Ferry.
What’s the Most Expensive Part of The Hamptons?
In 2021, the most expensive zip code in terms of real estate was Sagaponack. Sagaponack sits below Bridgehampton, right on the coast; the average price of a home here is $8.5 Million. Note this is just the average! Fashion designer Eli Tahari sold her beachfront home for $45 Million recently.
A look on Sotheby’s International recently has serval $21M listings along Sagg Main Street.
Hamptons Weather, When to go
Summer is a great time to visit the Hamptons, but winter visits are becoming more popular. The region used to be dead in winter with most places closing during the out-of-season months.
The Hampton’s NY Hotels – Where to Stay
It is important that you know where all the best places to stay are when you are visiting the Hamptons. Some places will be better suited to certain types of people than others, so you will need to know your options.
The Maidstone Arms is a beautiful Greek Revival inn that overlooks the town pond and has been widely regarded as one of the best accommodations in East Hampton for decades. The building has a great Swedish design, and most of its 16 rooms and three cottages were inspired by famous Scandinavians, including Hans Christian Andersen and Arne Jacobsen. When you go down the street, you will find Baker House 1650, which has arts and crafts style rooms and two expansive outdoor pools to relax in.
One beautifully updated classic is the Inn and Quogue, which has some breathtaking but homey rooms perfectly suitable for a beach-type feel. The American Hotel, a red brick Victorian building, is located in the center of Sag Harbor and stands in stark contrast to many other buildings in the area. This place hasn’t changed a lot since 1846, but it has a lot of charm and will make you feel right at home.
There is a startling lack of nice hotels on the water in the Hamptons, but you will find that the White Sands Resort Hotel will provide you with some beautiful and clean accommodations for your stay. Montauk’s hillside Panoramic View Resort & Residences is another great choice if you want a breathtaking ocean view.
The Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina is on a small isle and is essentially a scaled-down replica of the town’s most famous lighthouse. With three pools, a spa, four tennis courts, and a marina, this hotel will most likely have just about everything you need.
Butlers Manor in Southampton is a gorgeous little B&B with only 5 rooms. The Butler’s Manor also offer packages like ‘Friday night date night’ – which includes champagne on arrival $100 credit at a sushi and steak restaurant, along with a ‘gourmet’ breakfast.
Other notable smaller hotels include EHP Resort, Topping Rose B&B and The Surf Lodge.
Pet-friendly Hotel in The Hamptons
The Hamptons has many pet-friendly hotels to choose from. Kenny’s Tipperary Inn is a great choice with 549 positive reviews on Trip Advisor; prices are around $100+/night. If you are looking for 4 star places then you could stay at the Hyatt Palace Long Island/East end.
Another option around Southampton is the Southampton Inn; this hotel is dog friendly and has many amenities.
Cheap Hotels in The Hamptons
We have trawled through every cheap hotel online to find the best value hotels with amazing reviews. The winner is The Sunrise Guest house in Montauk.
The Hamptons in NY is one of the perfect venues close to New York City, where you can find numerous campsites. These campsites can help you relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the cities, and get close to Mother Nature. Also, these campsites are well equipped, so you can experience nature at your convenience. It can be challenging to choose the right one among so many different Hampton campsites, here’s a few to further research:
- Cedar Point County Park: 5 Cedar Point Rd, East Hampton, NY 11937
- Cupsogue Beach County Park: 906 Dune Rd, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978
- Hither Hills State Park: 164 Old Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954
- Indian Island County Park: 1 Cross River Dr, Riverhead, NY 11901
- Shinnecock East County Park: Dune Rd, Southampton, NY 11968
There are not many low-cost options on Airbnb; there are a couple of single rooms in houses, but most are suitable for 4-6 guests and average $250 per night – this is a good option if you are traveling to The Hamptons with friends.
The Hampton’s Camping Grounds
If you are on a budget or traveling with children, camping could be a great option. Here are a few options for camping in the Hamptons.
Blydenburgh County Park:
The Blydenburgh County Park is well connected with the help of Veterans Memorial Highway. The park has forested hills and valleys. It is spread over 627 acres, which means there are plenty of options when it comes to pitching up your tent. Some of the amenities which help this park stand out as a campsite include:
-Established campsites
-Fishing
-Dog park
-Hiking trails
-Picnic spots
-Rowboat rentals
-Bird watching sanctuaries
-Horseback Riding
There are numerous things to do when heading over to this campsite. Guided hikes are also available, so even if you’re new to hiking, you can complete the trail. You can book it in advance to ensure you do not miss out. Thus, when looking for a campsite in Hamptons, Blydenburgh County Park will not disappoint you.
Highlights:
-Easy connectivity
-Large area
-Plenty of activities
Cathedral Pines County Park:
Cathedral Pines County Park is a campsite spread over 320 acres. It is well-connected by Interstate 495. The bulk of the campsite is in the vicinity of the Carmans River. The USP of this campsite is that it offers a variety of options like:
-Individual camping
-Youth group camping
-Club camping
-Family camping
In total, there are ten sites with water and electricity fixtures. It means that you can enjoy nature without worrying about the essentials. It also consists of various picnic sites to explore nature in the vicinity while having a relaxing day.
One of the unique highlights of Cathedral Pines County Park is that it is adjacent to Prosser Pines Nature Preserve. The nature preserve is host to white pines dating back to 1812. It is also a must-visit place for hikers and photographers. The nature reserve is full of hiking trails that you can easily explore. That is why, when you head over to this campsite, you can relax at the park and have the opportunity to explore the nature preserve. That certainly makes it one of the best campsites in the Hamptons.
The amenities of the campsite include activities like:
-Bird watching
-Camping
-Hiking
-Picnicking
-Bicycling
When you combine this with the fact that you have a whole nature preserve in the vicinity, which you can explore, there are endless options. That is what makes Cathedral Pines County Park such an excellent choice.
Highlights:
-Adjacent to a nature reserve
-Numerous activities on offer
-Situated in the vicinity of the Carmans River
Indian Island County Park:
The Indian Island County Park is well-connected by the Long Island Expressway or LIE-495. It is spread over 275 acres. The beauty of this park is that it is situated near the mouth of the Peconic River. Also, it is open throughout the year, which means that you can head over there as per your convenience.
The options to camp in the park are plenty like:
-Organized camp groups
-Individual camps
-Camping clubs
-Trailer camping
Basic amenities like restrooms and shower facilities are available. It means that all the essentials are readily available. A unique feature of this campsite is the activity field. It offers you many activities at the same place, which makes it such a great choice. Apart from the activity field, there are a wide variety of other amenities on offer like:
-Hiking trails
-Picnicking spots
-Playground
-Camping sites
-Fishing spots
-Bird watching spots
It means that when you’re in this campsite, you will not have to worry about things to do. The Flanders Bay area which connects the island with the mainland offers great panicking spots, benches, grills and picnic tables. Everything is already ready for you to enjoy your day’s outing. The numerous picnicking spots, along with a variety of different camping options, make this campsite a great choice.
Highlights:
-Beautiful picnic spots
-Located at the mouth of the River Peconic
-Various types of camping options
So, if you’re looking for the best campsites in Hamptons NY, these are the three options to go with. Each of them offers something unique, which means that you have plenty of choices. Also, all of them are well-connected, making reaching them easy. All the necessary features and essentials that you are looking for at a camping site are present at these options. It is time to take a few days out and get close to nature at any of these campsites.
Where to Eat in The Hamptons
The Hamptons is packed with amazing places to eat from Michelin star restaurants to great tiny cafes serving fabulous seafood.
Many foodies love to eat at Vine Street Café, which is located on Shelter Island and offers crisp calamari salad as well as a miso salmon that is absolutely to die for.
Plenty of gourmet goodies are on the menu at Robert’s, located in the very small town of Water Mill. This restaurant has some of the best Italian cuisine you can find in the entire area, so it is definitely worth checking out. Mirko’s, which a husband and wife run, is another great place to go to when you get hungry, and they have a famous Croatian stuffed cabbage that you will absolutely love.
Dish, which is a BYOB restaurant with just 16 seats, is a unique little restaurant where the owner must confirm your e-mail reservation while sending the evening’s prix fixe menu. Despite its quaint appearance, this restaurant is actually very popular and may take a while for you to get a reservation at.
We have been to all the above places, but here’s a few more on our list to get to over the next 12 months, all these have amazing reviews.
Top Rated Restaurants in the Hamptons
Cowfish Restaurant
A wonderful surf ‘n’ turf restaurant with the view to match. The Cowfish serves some of the best steaks and seafood in the Hamptons. Services start from brunch, where you can begin your day with a light cocktail and a wake-up meal.
This vast establishment serves true American food, situated by the marina to give ease of access by either car or boat. Lunch and dinner menus include the house specialties of shrimp, tuna, scallops, and steaks. The rustic interior is tastefully decorated to give off that classic Hampton vibe. The restaurant has many romantic tables available for two, or parties can book tables for 10 or more.
• Specialties: NOLA Shrimp, Hudson Valley trout.
• Accessibility: Boat docking. Wheelchair access.
• Experience: Reservations for tables of over 10 people.
• Price: $$
Stone Creek Inn
The Stone Creek Inn is popular with food critics and voted as the best restaurant in the Hamptons by ZAGAT. The Parisian Chef adds a French flair to each dish. The Chef insists on using the best ingredients available such as duck from long Island, Crystal Valley poultry, and fine lobster. Stone Creek Inn is an elegant experience – fine-tuning coastal-American classics with French cuisine.
This immense estate offers fresh air dining with impressive garden views. Formal guests can enjoy their meals in the sophistication of the main dining room. Diners looking for outdoor eating can enjoy an open-air experience under the garden pergola.
• Specialties: Imperial gold Malossol caviar, butter-poached lobster, soft-shell crabs.
• Accessibility: Weekend valet parking.
• Experience: Covered outdoor dining available. Reservations up to 2 weeks in advance.
• Price: $$
1770 House Restaurant
The 1770 House Restaurant and Inn pride themselves on their luxurious three-course meals. Each creation includes ingredients sourced from the finest local farms and international suppliers. Courses include Japanese yellowtail tuna and Hudson Valley foie gras. Summer truffles are also among the favorite additions to 1770’s menu items.
1770’s wine list is as broad as it is concise. 1770 House offers local wines from the State and others from around the world. If you tire of driving home after an extensive meal, consider staying a night. Contemplate booking one of 1770’s historical guest rooms or their carriage house for an eloquent break.
• Specialties: Striploin, Atlantic halibut, Greenport oysters.
• Accessibility: Street parking.
• Experience: Tavern and formal dining rooms. Extensive wine list.
• Price: $$$
Lobster Roll Restaurant
A classic restaurant offing classic meals to appease those memories of having great food without the nonsense. The Lobster Restaurant is both a local and international favorite, with their most popular dish being their lobster salad. Their use of pure cold-water lobsters, and recipes that stretch back 50 years, make their dishes both unique and delicious.
Everything is cooked to perfection for those that want to eat something rustic. There are classic burgers, sandwiches, and many gluten-free options to cater to food intolerances. Other foods include some of the Hamptons’ best chowders, steamers, and crab cakes. Diners can eat in or take their meals down to the beach for a picnic. The restaurant also indulges in creating delicious cupcakes and sweet pies.
• Specialties: Frozen key lime pie, lobster salad, Manhattan seafood chowder.
• Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible. Off-street parking.
• Experience: Dine-in and take-out.
• Price: $$
Where to Shop
You will find plenty of different places to go shopping while you are in the Hamptons, so you will therefore want to look into some of the different options you have so you know exactly where to go when visiting this area.
Wineries
Bridgehampton’s Channing Daughters Winery is a great place to visit if you have a passion for wine. These vineyards are lined with the owner’s own sculptures, making for a truly beautiful and unique aesthetic to say the least.
Sagaponack’s Wolffer Estate Vineyard is yet another place you will want to put on your list if you have an affinity for wine, and it hosts free Friday jazz at sunset overlooking the wines.
Bridgehampton, NY is found on the south folk of the Suffolk County peninsula. Bridgehampton things to do include the Hampton Classic Horse show, Sagg Main Beach and Bridge Gardens. Bridgehampton also has a fantastic children’s museum, which runs many events throughout the year.
Clothing
Lazypoint is one clothing store that you might want to stop in at, and is packed with sexy but sophisticated clothing options as well as jewelry found by the husband and wife on all of their travels around the world. Just down the street, you will find Pink Chicken, which offers a wide variety of floral dresses and tunics for beachgoers.
In a converted Wainscott diner, you will find Tomas Maier, which sells some of the most amazing swimwear in the entire area. Jennifer Miller Jewelry in Southampton and East Hampton, you will find all kinds of stunning pieces that will impress you. This is the place to go if you have been looking for a particularly striking new ring or necklace.
Things to do the Hamptons
Museums
One of the best attractions in East Hampton is Guild Hall, which is a center for visual and performing arts. Alec Baldwin is known for hosting readings as well as theater performances here. The Parrish Art Museum is another place you will want to stop by; it was first built in 1897 and has some truly amazing pieces you won’t want to miss.
Nature Trails
The Hither Hills State Parking Walking Dunes Trail is something you won’t want to miss, especially if you are looking to take a little adventure with some truly breathtaking beauty. There is also the Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife Refuge, which offers some amazing nature as well. The Nature Conservancy’s Mashomack Preserve offers hiking trails through the various ecosystems and past kettle holes formed by glaciers millions of years ago.
Visit Montauk
Montauk is on the very far end if the peninsula (see map above), which is why residents call it ‘The End’. Montauk is much quieter that The Hamptons, especially during the summer months.
Montauk has a famous surf break, so you can spend time watching the surfers if you do not want to participate. If you want to give ‘Ditch Plains’ a go, just ask for the local surf shop and hire a board. Things can get quite windy on these beaches; if you are traveling with small children we recommend taking a pop-up tent if the sand starts blowing too hard.
Things to do in Montauk include surfing on Ditch Plain, visiting the lighthouse and chilling out on Camp Hero State Park. Montauk also has an 18-hole golf course called the Moutauk Downs State Park Golf Course, which also has a good driving range.
See Montauk hotel options; see Hampton’s hotels above.
Amagansett
Amagansett has a 2 mile beach called Hollow beach, which is regarded as one The Hampton’s best beaches.
Southampton
Southhampton is another village in The Hamptons just as you arrive there. ‘Southampton Village‘ is a very wealthy part of the southern folk. The village has a modern art museum worth visiting, a decent golf course and the beach called ‘Coopers Beach’. Coopers Beach is the only area of the 7-mile Southampton coast that is actually manned with lifeguards in the summer months. You can also hire deck chairs here, and you indulge in an ice cream.
Other beaches on this stretch of cost indude; Fowlers beach, Cryder beach, Old Town, Wyandanch beach, Little plains beach, Gin Lane beach and Halsey Neck Beach. To the east of Southampton Village lies Shinnecock Easy County Park with is a remote rugged beach with a campsite.
The Hamptons Transportation
East Hampton does have an airport but its mainly for private helicopers, private jets and sea planes. The nearest airport for commercial flights is Mcarthur, 50 miles from East Hampton. JFK airport is aproximately 80 miles away for international visitors coming to the area with fly drive.
You can get to Southampton from New york by train, using the Montauk line which takes 2 hours 40 min. You can also jump on the Cannonball Express which takes 95 minuites, but make you bookings early in the high season.
By Uber! We searched for a quote from Manhattan to The Hamptons and here are the prices as of Oct 2017.
Gareth Evans is a travel writer and entrepreneur living life as a digital nomad. Gareth is currently living and working in Thailand.