Now that summer is nearly here, we will be spending a ton of time out east. We love getting fully settled into Hamptons mode, trading city days for long beach afternoons and sunset dinners. Just a quick trip from New York City via the Long Island Rail Road or the Hampton Jitney, it’s an easy escape for a day or a full weekend. From standout restaurants to some of the best beaches on the East Coast (plus plenty to do when the weather doesn’t cooperate), the Hamptons truly has it all. Consider this your go-to guide to making the most of summer out east.
Spend the Day at the Beach
You already know where we’ll be! This is a great activity for families and friends and you can spend a full day there. There are a quite few great beaches in the Hamptons to go to. If you’re spending the entire summer out there, I’d suggest starting out by going to whichever one is closest to you, but you can always switch it up! And if you’re just headed out there for a short period of time, here are a few to check out: Coopers Beach, Main Beach, Atlantic Avenue Beach, Ditch Plains Beach, Kirk Park Beach and Hither Hills State Park. If you’re there all summer, do something fun and check out every beach! A sunset beach trip is also on our bucket list for the summer.
Last Summer:
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Shop
Another activity that is a hobby of mine is shopping. One of the best things about the Hamptons is that there are so many great places to shop at out east. You’ll have to check out the iconic Main Street in both Southampton and East Hampton! You can find so many different stores from clothing to home goods to fantastic restaurants, a whole entire day could be spent there! Division Street in Sag Harbor has some more shops, even antique ones!
Dante x The Pridwin: Shelter Island
This summer, iconic West Village bar Dante brings its award-winning cocktail program to The Pridwin Hotel & Cottages for a season-long residency starting Mother’s Day weekend. Guests can sip expertly crafted cocktails while taking in the hotel’s timeless waterfront setting, with Sunday night Martini & Mahjong quickly becoming the chicest ritual of the summer. It’s an effortless blend of city sophistication and laid-back Shelter Island charm.
Spend a night at Gurney’s
For those looking for a weekend getaway, I have the perfect destination for you! Located on the South Fork of Long Island, Gurney’s is the place to be, let me just tell you! I have the best and most relaxing time every single time I go out there. My whole family enjoys it, too! They are a resort and spa and also have some fantastic food there! The stay and views are top notch.
One of the best parts, is that they have kids activities there, so it’s super family friendly. The Seawater Spa is unmatched, I sleep like a baby after spending some time there! The amenities are endless and they are pet friendly, so you can bring your dog.
Grab a Lobster Roll
Everyone that goes out east knows that a lobster roll is a summer staple. You can get a good one pretty much everywhere but I’d love to share my favorite restaurants that I think are standouts. There is a lot of controversy when it comes to labeling the best lobster roll out east. They’re all very different from one another and you can decide whether or not you prefer to eat them cold or warm. Mayo ratio is another huge thing to take into consideration! A few great spots on our list are LUNCH, Duryea’s, clam bar, Shinnecock Lobster Factor and Bostwick’s Chowder House.
Go Wine Tasting
I love this for a date night or day out with friends! The best place out in the Hamptons to go wine tasting would definitely be the Wölffer Estate Vineyard. There truly is nothing like it! Not only is it breathtakingly beautiful out there, but the wine, itself, is exquisite! A good wine cellar and vineyard visit is something that doesn’t necessarily need a special occasion, but it totally can be a great spot to celebrate! I mean, imagine how beautiful it would be to have your wedding here? What’s your favorite type of wine?
A standout on the North Fork, Sparkling Pointe continues to define Long Island’s sparkling wine scene with its Méthode Champenoise cuvées and elegant vineyard setting. This season introduces a new self-guided vineyard tour, offering a relaxed, immersive way to explore the vines and winemaking process at your own pace. It’s an ideal daytime escape for those looking to sip, stroll, and soak in wine country views.
See the Montauk Lighthouse
This is something that should be on your bucket list for the Hamptons season! We actually like to go off season too for a day trip to Montauk. This is a cool thing to go see, my family takes a few trips each summer to grab some photos of it! The Montauk Historical Society has a bunch of information on the history of it, if you’d like to take a a read.
Get a Good Workout In
I need to get my sweat on a few times a week and I have tried pretty much every workout spot out east. There are plenty of fabulous places out east to get a great workout in at! You can pick classes that target certain muscles and needs or go for a full body workout. I’ll list a few of my favorite spots in no particular order: Tracy Anderson Method, the BARN SoulCycle, Isaac Boots at the Hub, Formula Method by Meredith and New York Pilates.
At Hero Beach Club, summer is all about balance, where high-energy beach culture meets restorative wellness. Daily fitness classes and expanded weekend programming create an easy rhythm, while the return of Hero Volley brings a competitive, community-driven spirit to the sand. With Olympic gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings hosting, it’s set to be one of Montauk’s most dynamic events of the season.
Treat Yourself
If you don’t finish your day with a dessert trip, you’re doing it wrong! I’m not ashamed to say many of our summer nights end in ice cream runs and we wouldn’t have it any other way! Those were some of my favorite summer childhood memories, getting ice cream and sitting together as a family and just talking all night long. Here are a few of our favorite ice cream spots out in the Hamptons: Tate’s Bake Shop Tatewich, Big Olaf, BuddhaBerry in both Sag Harbor and Southampton, Sundaes in Bridgehampton and the Sagaponack General Store.
Try Restaurants
We’re major foodies and summer visitors need to know our absolute favorite spots out east because we’ve tried so many of them. There are seriously endless local restaurants in the Hamptons that you could constantly be trying new ones. I think what’s really cool is that they all have their own signature dishes, so whenever you’re in the mood for something particular, go try the place that does it the best! The seafood out there is so fresh, I highly recommend having a summer full of fish. Really just such good food out there! But also, the views sometimes are better than the food! There are quite a few restaurants with ocean views to check out. Here’s a few establishments to visit: Sant Ambroeus for breakfast, the Clam Bar for local oysters and lobster salad rolls, Carissa’s for baked goods, Goldberg’s for bagels and Tutto Il Giorno for Italian cuisine. A few honorable mentions are Sunset Beach Restaurant, Pierre’s, Crows Nest(we’re obsessed) and El Verano.
This summer, Moby’s welcomes back a residency from The Tusk Bar, bringing a slice of downtown cocktail culture out east. Expect a lively oyster station, rotating seasonal cocktails, and an atmosphere that captures the magic of golden hour turning into late-night. It’s equal parts relaxed coastal dining and elevated nightlife energy.
Back for another season, Crazy Pizza delivers its signature high-energy dining experience with paper-thin pizzas, Italian imports, and a spritz-heavy cocktail menu perfect for warm Hamptons nights. Expect lively DJ sets, spinning chefs, and a retro-glam atmosphere, plus new interactive pizza-making classes for both adults and kids. With exciting local collaborations also in the works, it’s more than dinner—it’s a full-on summer scene.
Transporting guests straight to the Greek islands, Elaia Estiatorio offers a refined take on Mediterranean dining with fresh, seasonal ingredients and vibrant flavors. They recently launched Opa Happy Hour, featuring a selection of $15 wines daily at the bar from 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM. On Thursdays, the promotion extends throughout the entire evening. It’s a warm, inviting setting perfect for long, leisurely Hamptons evenings.
Bike Rides
Looking to get out of the house and get active with your family? Grab your bikes and get out there! I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a prettier place to go on a bike ride, than along the coast inn the Hamptons. Especially before sunset, the views are just unbeatable! It’s a good way to get some fresh air and exercise and you can do it as a date night or family night.
Check out the Museums
Another great activity to do with your kids is to try something educational. It’s always a good day to go to a Museum! There’s surprisingly more out there than you think! The most well known is probably the Parrish Art Museum, which has stunning pieces. Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum, Guild Hall and the South Fork Natural History Museum and Nature Center are a few other great ones! The Children’s Museum of the East End is a favorite of ours as well!
Take a Hike
Can you tell we’re working on getting active and outdoors more? Hiking is underrated! It’s a great form of exercise, it gets you outside and is a great activity for your family to do together. Some of our best memories are just exploring outdoors with one another! If you’re on the hunt for some great places to go on a hike in the Hamptons, I recommend Quogue Wildlife Refuge, the Lighthouse Loop Trail at Cedar Point County Park and Walking Dunes at Hither Hills State Park.
See the Longhouse Reserve
Beyond the most beautiful beaches are more wonderful places for a Hamptons summer. The Longhouse Reserve is a really serene reserve and sculpture garden in East Hampton. There are 16 acres of land in the Northwest Woods and they always have fantastic things going on there. For instance, there’s a summer benefit, meditation sessions, art talks, garden walks and so much more! If you’re an art lover especially, I recommend!
Visit the Madoo Conservancy Botanical Gardens
It wouldn’t be a trip without going to the Botanical Gardens! This one is so pretty and it’s a great way to get the kids out of the house to make a memorable day.
Top Places to Check Out
There are a few places we are looking to get check out! These include Ocean Club in Montauk, Wayan & Ma•dé in East Hampton, and Namiro Sushi in Southampton. Additionally, Gig
For a Scenic Night
Finally, if you want a night out dancing or a scenic night out, you will love Stephen Talk House, Surf Lodge or Bagatelle in Montauk. These are all great spots for a night out!
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