The Hamptons is a quintessential holiday destination with long sandy beaches, luxurious seaside mansions and lashings of historic charm. Towns, villages and communities dot the Atlantic coast, all popular with well-heeled New Yorkers and celebrities. Cooper’s Beach is an iconic stretch of sand fringed by grass-covered dunes. Rent a sunlounger and beach umbrella for a few hours, then stroll into Southampton for lunch at a farm-to-table café.
East Hampton is one of the largest and has an “old money” feel. Shop at designer boutiques, dine at high-end restaurants and sunbathe on Main Beach. Learn more about the rich history and heritage of the village at the Guild Hall Museum. The historic building moonlights as a venue for concerts, plays and art exhibitions.
For a more affordable getaway, consider budget-friendly towns like Hampton Bays, Westhampton and Montauk. All offer lively shopping and dining precincts and beautiful Atlantic beaches. Walk to the 18th-century lighthouse in Montauk Point State Park and check out the World War II bunkers at nearby Camp Hero State Park.
Getting there
The Hamptons is a 2.5-hour drive from New York City. Trains connect Manhattan with multiple towns and villages in The Hamptons, including Southampton, East Hampton and Montauk. Free shuttles transport passengers around The Hamptons in the summer. Long Island MacArthur Airport in Islip is a one-hour drive away.