Curator’s statement
Darlings, the Hamptons have been woven into my life for as long as I can remember, first as a young woman chasing beach days and rosé at sunset, and later as a mother watching my own two boys race barefoot across the dunes. This is not one destination but a collection of villages: Southampton polished, Sag Harbor endlessly charming, East Hampton effortlessly sophisticated, and Montauk still holding onto that wonderfully bohemian spirit. It is my slice of America, the one place that still feels completely like home.
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Things to do in the Hamptons
Sunset Friday at Wölffer Estate
There is nowhere I would rather be on a summer evening, darlings: live music, a glass of rosé, and that golden light settling over the vines.
Wander the Parrish Art Museum
Tucked into Water Mill, the sculpture garden and galleries are one of my favorite quiet escapes from the beach club scene.
Climb the Montauk Point Lighthouse
Commissioned by George Washington himself, this is a little slice of history at the very end of the island, and the view is worth every step.
Join the Monday drum circle at Sagg Main
An institution decades in the making, the beach fills with drummers and dancers as the sun goes down, and I never miss it when I am out east.
Watch a match at Polo Hamptons
Every July, Bridgehampton turns wonderfully glamorous for the Hampton Classic season, and an afternoon at the polo grounds is pure Hamptons theater.
Catch sunset at The Surf Lodge
Montauk's golden hour has a spirit all its own, and this is exactly where I go to watch it unfold.
Bike the country roads
Farm stands, vineyards, and historic homes unfold around Bridgehampton, Amagansett, and East Hampton, and there is no better way to see it all than on two wheels.
Charter a fishing boat from Montauk
The Sportfishing Capital of the World lives up to its name, darlings, and a morning on the water out here is unforgettable.
Places to eat & drink in the Hamptons
Nick and Toni's, East Hampton
A true Hamptons institution, warm and lively, and always my recommendation for a classic East End dinner.
Duryea's, Montauk
Waterfront, unfussy, and effortlessly chic, this is where I send anyone craving fresh seafood with their feet nearly in the sand.
The American Hotel, Sag Harbor
If I could bottle the charm of Sag Harbor, it would look like this, breakfast that lingers into late morning and a lobster omelette that is nearly obligatory.
Tutto il Giorno, Sag Harbor
Beautifully done Italian in one of my favorite villages. Ideal for a long, unhurried dinner.
Calissa, Montauk
Mediterranean flavors and a wonderfully relaxed energy make this one of my go to spots out east.
Sant Ambroeus, East Hampton
Polished, pretty, and perfect for a leisurely lunch after a morning of shopping in the village.
The Lobster Roll
Simply put, darlings, this is the lobster roll against which all others are measured.
Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Sagaponack
Beyond the wine itself, an evening here with live music and that golden light is one of my absolute favorite Hamptons rituals.
Need to know
I always tell my travelers that the Hamptons reveal themselves slowly, darlings, so a week is truly ideal, giving you time to split between the beach clubs of Southampton, the quiet charm of Sag Harbor, and the wilder energy of Montauk.
Early June or September remain my favorite windows, when the crowds thin and reservations become far easier to secure, though Memorial Day through Labor Day is when every village is at its liveliest.
Having a car out here is essential since the villages stretch farther than most first-time visitors expect, and if you are arriving from the city, the Hampton Jitney remains the classic way to make the journey.
Travel Advisor
The Travel Collective
Stephanie Bloom
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