A Hamptons Guide
Whether you’re celebrating your recent walk down the aisle or going away for a long weekend, the Hamptons is always a right choice. That’s why we’ve curated a Hamptons guide with some of our favorite places to eat, beach, shop and play in from Montauk to Southampton. Read on, and you might just leave the Hamptons with great additions to your home decor and closet, lots of inspiration, a few extra pounds and most importantly a new wrinkle or two from all the smiling you’ll be doing.
Where to Beach
Cooper’s Beach
Voted as one of the most beautiful beaches in America, Cooper’s Beach is the secluded shore you’ll have to visit at least once. It’s where sun worshipers perfect their tans decked on immaculate white quartz sand. The great waves and on-duty lifeguard attract rookie surfers who can safely master the waves. Side note: Cooper’s beach is the only beach in Southampton with a lifeguard.
Because it's never overcrowded, you’ll be able to play a disc game of your liking without eliciting anger from sunbathers. Perfect for parents with lively kids.
If you’re still on the fence about this family friendly coast, then we’re obliged to disclose that it’s science approved. Stephen Leatherman aka Dr. Beach, a coastal science professor at Florida International University, puts this shore on his annual list of best public beaches that he ranks by sand and water quality. You can’t argue with science.
The Walking Dunes
Want a quick escape from the Hamptons' nautical and manicured landscape? Give the Walking dunes a try. These sand hills that can get as tall as 80 feet will transport you to the deserts in Dubai. They’re called the walking dunes because the hills, formed 100 years ago, are in constant flux. The 75-mile trail starts on the beach and takes hikers through natural scrub and foliage called the Phantom Forest. It's an area filled with dead trees that’re emerging from the dunes as they travel. For those who complete the hike, a spectacular view of the Napeague Harbor awaits.
Where to Shop and Play
Antiquing in Sag Harbor
Ahhh, antiquing! How can you not love it? It’s an eco-friendly way of shopping for souvenirs to bring back home. And Sag Harbor has some of the best stores for that. The cluster of antique stores in this village will transport you from Bay Street to the French countryside or simply to the Hamptons' fishing days.
Find paintings, nautical wares and character-adding ornaments in the shops where Jimmy Fallon, Martha Stewart and Gwyneth Paltrow go treasure hunting.
Gurney's Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa
This East Coast glamorous institution is Montauk’s only year-round oceanfront. You might be wondering why you’d spend time by the pool when the Hamptons has plenty of pristine beaches. Well, Gurney’s Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa will seduce you with more than its dramatic ocean views and private 2,000-foot sand beach. The resort has the states' only indoor, ocean-fed seawater pool with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean. The view alone will melt off the stress of everyday life.
Aside from great views, guests can enjoy spa amenities including a Finnish rock sauna, Russian stream room and a Swiss shower. After a wellness-filled day, famished visitors can try to nab a table at the popular (read: always booked) Scarpetta. You can also hop on the complimentary shuttle to their newest resort and indulge in a leisurely Showfish dinner.
Longhouse Reserve Garden
If you’re looking to tickle your creativity, you’ll find inspiration in textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen’s multicultural sculptural garden, the LongHouse Reserve. Like his textile designs, the eclectic public garden is a marriage of worldwide cultures, and the designed landscape brings the world to the Hamptons.
Despite being an artform itself, the 16-acre garden has a collection of donated, purchased and loaned sculptures. It's a case study of the interaction between plants, art and people. Amongst the impressive collection are pieces such as Buckminster Fuller’s “Fly’s Eye Dome,” Yoko Ono’s “Play It By Trust” and Willem de Kooning’s “Reclining Figure.” The sculptures share the spotlight with not only a wide variety of natural elements such as a water lily pond, a short allée of red azalea and lotus plants, but also a Larsen’s private house. A 7th century Shinto shrine in Ise, Japan inspired Larsen to build that house.
Thanks to Larsen’s quirky and magical view of art and gardening, this imaginative space is appropriate for all ages and tastes.
Where to Eat
Wölffer Kitchen
Since this casually buzzy European chic restaurant is backed by the siblings that brought Wölffer Vineyard to the Hamptons, it’s no surprise that the food here is created to go with their extensive wine list. The crowd is sophisticated, and the cuisine is a mix of American and Mediterranean influences created using locally sourced ingredients.
Though we can't help but drool over the falafel shrimp, we recommend that you try any of their wine, grape juice or cider-infused cocktails — all of which are harvested at the vineyard. We believe they're the season's cocktails.
Grindstone Coffee and Donuts
Can’t escape your sweet tooth? Stop by Grindstone. This grab-and-go spot serves fresh brioche and cake doughnuts in innovative flavors such as the Matcha Green Tea, the Maple Bacon and the Thai Peanut donuts . The pad-Thai-inspired doughnut, a summer favorit, is covered in spicy peanut butter glaze, brown sugar peanuts, lime zest and topped off with Thai basil.
Since all glazes and fillings are made from locally sourced organic ingredients, it’s not too shocking to see that they sell a Wölffer Rosé Jelly donut. Collaborating with a vineyard that gave the locals summer in a bottle resulted in a doughnut perfect for summer mornings on the dock.
Oh, and before we forget, doughnuts come in XXXL for special occasions or for those who are on a doughnut-only diet.