Visitors | Getting Here | Weekend | 7 Days | Kids | Facts
Don’t
tell anyone, but fall and winter are among the best times to visit the
Hamptons. Yes, summer has the glamour, the big parties and the hours of
lounging on the beach—but it also has its drawbacks. Like traffic, the
inability to get restaurant reservations and even more traffic. But
once the madness of summer has passed, the beauty and idyllic nature of
the place once again shines through and reveals what it is that has
attracted people to the far eastern end of Long Island for so many
years.
Stretching about forty miles from Westhampton to
Montauk with the Atlantic Ocean to the south and Peconic and Gardiner’s
Bays to the north, the string of towns and villages known as the
Hamptons have been attracting artists, writers, fisherman, farmers and
the wealthy for over 100 years. You can spend time biking through the
Estate Section of Southampton with its enormous mansions built at the turn of the century for the wealthy summering New York aristocracy. Or head to East Hampton with its chic boutiques and high-end restaurants. Stroll through Sag Harbor
and explore the town's 19th century whaling past when its population
was greater than that of New York City and it wasn't uncommon to
encounter sailors from South Africa and the South Pacific. Or take a
drive through The Springs to see where Jackson Pollock worked and the true Bonackers still call home. Stop in Sagaponack and Wainscott where the farm fields have yet to be developed and catch sweeping views out to the ocean. And head to The End, Montauk, where fishing is still king and clam chowder is both a noun and a verb.
Each area has its own distinct charm and character and one trip just isn’t enough to take it all in. But we’ll help you try. Fall and winter are the perfect times to head out wine tasting at the local vineyards, indulge in the harvest menus at the restaurants, take seal-spotting hikes along the empty beaches in Montauk, do a little surfcasting, take a traffic-free scenic drive, and stop in at the local town events and festivals that reveal what this place is all about.
Sleeping: Get Comfortable
When Bill and Hillary Clinton come to the Hamptons, they don’t stay at The American Hotel
in Sag Harbor, they stay at Steven Spielberg’s place on Georgica Pond.
But if they didn’t stay at Spielberg’s, they’d stay at The American
Hotel and if you haven’t gotten your invite to Spielberg’s yet, you
should definitely stay at The American Hotel. It has an old-world charm
and elegance, along with an award-winning wine cellar and restaurant,
that just can’t be beat, coupled with a central location—halfway
between Southampton and East Hampton—that makes it the perfect spot
from which to explore. Should you prefer to stay in East Hampton (and
indulge in a little pampering) the Baker House 1650
offers similar accommodations as well as a state-of-the-art spa and an
indoor pool, all just a short walk from the boutique-filled streets of
East Hampton. And if your escape to the Hamptons is really planned as
an escape, then consider the Ram’s Head Inn
on Shelter Island. You won’t find a quieter, more romantic spot
overlooking Gardiner’s Bay than Ram’s Head Island and it’s the perfect
spot to be if you want to spend some time exploring the Hamptons or
wine tasting on the North Fork.
Another benefit of visiting the Hamptons during the winter are the deals that you can find. Southampton Inn
offers winter packages, romantic getaways, cooking classes and holiday
parties, all right in the heart of Southampton. And if Fido is along
for the trip there are a handful of spots ready to cater to his every
doggone whim, though one of the best is Bassett House Inn in East Hampton.
Dining: Harvest Menues and Intimate Eats
One
thing that we do well here in the Hamptons is eat. The vast majority of
our regular visitors are New Yorkers who don’t leave their refined
palates in the city when they head to the Hamptons. This has the
beneficial affect of raising the culinary bar a bit higher than you
might find in other resort towns. That said, some places are doing it
better than others. If you haven’t already heard of Nick & Toni’s,
you have now. Consistently some of the best food you’ll find in the
Hamptons and also the place that you’re most likely to spot the
aforementioned Steven Spielberg. Farther west, in Southampton is red bar,
which turns out spectacular food in an intimate, romantic setting just
outside of town. For the steak lovers, two options should be
considered: the East End outpost of Bobby Van’s
in Bridgehampton does serious steak (and it’s not a bad place to find
your second or third husband or the ladies looking for second or third
husbands) and The Palm in East Hampton. Also worth mentions in the high-end category are 1770 House in East Hampton, Alison in Bridgehampton, F.O.O.D. in Hampton Bays (a little-known spot that many say has the best food in the Hamptons) and Annona
in Westhampton, where they do special fall menus and where you can buy
that Ferrari you’ve had your eye on for awhile in their attached
high-end car dealership—sounds cheesy, but it’s actually really cool.
Beyond these white-tablecloth standouts, there are a few other spots that shouldn’t be overlooked. The Candy Kitchen
in Bridgehampton is to breakfast what Nick & Toni’s is to dinner.
Say hi to actor Roy Scheider who’s there every morning and don’t be
afraid to order a milkshake on the way out. One of the newer—and
outrageously popular spots—is Townline BBQ in Sagaponack where you’ll find true Texas bbq matched with true Texas prices. If the wind is blowing cold and bitter, Almond
in Bridgehampton is the perfect, cozy spot to snuggle up with a bottle
of wine and tuck into the exceptional bistro fare at very reasonable
prices. And sometimes you just need a burger, so think about Rowdy Hall in East Hampton or—a local favorite—The Corner Bar in Sag Harbor.
Nightlife: Sip It Rather Than Shake It
Summer
is when the clubs are hopping and $1,500 bottle service is the only way
you’ll get in the door if you’re not a celebrity. Fall and winter are
the times to settle down with a snifter and have a nice chat. 75 Main in Southampton has a great bar and a wine list to match. Ditto 1770 House
where the best spot to head is to the pub downstairs where you can have
a seat in front of the fire and sample amply from their wine and cheese
bar. The American Hotel is also a good spot for a good cocktail, which always seem to taste a little better when served by a bartender in a tie.
If you want a little more action, The Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett has live music year-round and they attract some great acts. Beer lovers won’t want to miss The Southampton Publick House
where they brew their own beer and—if awards are any indication—they
seem to know what they’re doing. And if all you really want is a
Budweiser and to meet a functional alcoholic, then Murf’s Backstreet Tavern in Sag Harbor is the spot—just watch out for the ghost.
Shopping: Seeking Out the Super Chic
Rodeo Drive, Fifth Avenue, Main Street in East Hampton. If it’s luxury you’re looking for, look no farther than East Hampton. Coach, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Tiffany & Co., Catherine Malandrino, Cynthia Rowley, Elie Tahari—the list goes on—they’re all in East Hampton. Couple these spots with London Jewelers, Mayfair Jewelers, Scoop, Blue & Cream
and a host of others and you can’t find a better street in America to
max out a credit card. And it’s not just clothes and jewelry you’ll
find: East End Books and Glenn Horowitz have rare and exceptional books, Turpan has design products to rival MoMA, and if you’ve got a sweet tooth, Dylan’s Candy Bar is the spot to go. In Southampton tastes run more towards the Upper East Side where you’ll find Brooks Brothers, Calypso, Christopher Fischer Cashmere, Hollis Reh & Sharif, Vilebrequin and Saks Fifth Avenue. (Also an easy place to max out a credit card.)
If
your interests run more towards the active than the acquisitive, then
there are plenty of spots that you can gear up for some fun. Main Beach Surf + Sport
in Wainscott has—yeah, shocker—surfboards, but also kayaks and all the
other gear you’ll need if you want to get out on the water. They also
do lessons and lead kayaking trips if you’re in the mood to learn. Flying Point in Southampton has a similar selection of gear and services on offer. Bikers will want to checkout Rotations in Southampton or Cycle Path Bikes in Wainscott and if you’ve a mind to do some fishing the best guy to talk to is Tony at Tight Lines Tackle in Sag Harbor.
Activities: Outdoor and Indoor
Happily,
the Hamptons offer a wide enough range of activities and pursuits that
just about any taste can be satisfied. Whether it’s art or
architecture, paddling or performances, there’s something for everyone.
For art lovers, there are two don’t-miss-this spots: The Pollock-Krasner House
in The Springs, where Jackson Pollock worked is a monument to one of
last century’s greatest artists and it has been left just as it was
when he worked there. In Southampton, The Parrish Art Museum
has one of finest collections of artwork by turn-of-the-century artists
to be found anywhere. The Hamptons have a long and rich history of
playing host to the greatest artists of the day, from William Merrit
Chase in the late 1800s to Jackson Pollock in the mid-1900s to the
great artists of today—including Chuck Close, Julian Schnabel, John
Chamberlain, Eric Fischl, Ross Bleckner and others. Coupled with the
history, museums and art galleries that line the Main Streets of each
town, the Hamptons are the perfect spot to indulge any art lover.
For oenophiles: Thirty
years ago the Borghese family had the radical idea that the eastern end
of Long Island would be a good place to start a vineyard. Today there
are more than three-dozen vineyards spread across the North and South
Forks of Long Island. The three in the Hamptons are notable for the
exceptional wines they produce and idyllic settings in which they are
situated. Heading east from Southampton, Duckwalk Vineyards is the first vineyard visitors will encounter. Farther east in Bridgehampton is Channing Daughters Winery
where they focus on varietals that many of the other wineries eschew
and the vineyard is decorated by the giant tree sculptures of retired
venture capitalist Walter Channing. And just a few miles down the road
you’ll find Wolffer Estate Vineyards
where winemaker Roman Roth oversees the award winning wines and a
tasting room that has views out across the vineyard. Each has tastings
every weekend and there are few better ways to spend a Saturday
afternoon.
For the active: If sleeping, shopping and
eating need to be rounded out with a little activity, then
opportunities abound. Surfers hit the water year-round if there are
waves (in really thick wetsuits, natch), kayakers can take paddles out
around Georgica Pond or around Peconic Bay with Main Beach Surf + Sport in Wainscott or Weekend Warriors in Sag Harbor. Bikers will the find the area’s relatively flat terrain a joy to pedal and the local bike shops, Rotations and Cycle Path Bikes, are always happy to recommend routes. There always something biting and fishing enthusiasts should call Tightlines Tackle in Sag Harbor or any of the numerous charter and party boats in Montauk. If hiking is more your speed get in touch with Group for the East End, where you can get trail maps (check out Hither Hills and the routes around the Montauk Lighthouse where you can often spot seals on the beach).
And everything else: Fall
and winter weekends often feature local festivals and fairs and it’s
the perfect time to get a sense of the real flavor of the area. Check
out Plum’s calendar of events
and head out to see the locals and what it is that makes the Hamptons
one of the most popular destinations summer, fall, winter or spring.
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