Visiting the Hamptons is a must-do if you live in the Northeast. It’s a beautiful getaway not far from the city over on Long Island. You can explore the various towns, visit the beaches and enjoy some of the best seafood and produce around. Here are some of my favorite things to do in the Hamptons.
Things To Do In The Hamptons: A Weekend Getaway Guide
The Hamptons is a great destination to do a quick weekend trip, or a week-long stay too. And yes, I think you can even do a Hamptons day trip with ease if you plan it right. If you’re more of a relaxation kind of person, or an adventurer, there truly is something for everyone in the Hamptons. Here’s everything you need to know from how to get there, where to stay, things to do and more.
How To Get To The Hamptons
There are a few ways to get to the Hamptons, even if you don’t have a car. If you’re coming from NYC, there are plenty of great options. The Hamptons has just one main road though that everyone takes to get in and out of, so traffic can be a real pain during peak times like Fridays and Sunday mornings. If you’re visiting from out of state, you’ll likely fly into a New York City area airport and then rent a car, take a train, or hop on the Jitney.
Jitney
Ride the Jitney to the Hamptons by hopping on this bus at a handful of pickups throughout the city. Then ride to your destination with multiple stops throughout the Hamptons depending on where you’re headed. You can book this ahead of time for a better price. But expect to pay anywhere from $40-75 depending on location and time. Depending on traffic, and where you’re pick up and drop-off are, this can range anywhere from 2.5 to 4 hours for travel time. Check schedules and ticket options here.
LIRR
For a slightly faster option, choose the LIRR train. It will take you to the Hamptons from Penn Station or Grand Central. There is also a fast train that departs on Thursdays and Fridays at 4:07pm from Penn Station during peak season. You can check MTA schedules here.
Car
I’m a big fan of having a car if you’re not staying at someone’s house that has one. It’s nice for getting around and can be worth renting one for the weekend when splitting with friends. The drive is dependent on traffic. Take note that hotels do check out at 11, so the roads tend to be the busiest then heading back into the city. Either leave super early, or try for early afternoon for the least traffic.
Which Town Is Right for You
The Hamptons are broken up by charming towns that you can explore. From Sag Harbor, to East Hampton and Montauk, there’s something for everyone. Each has its own little vibe as well as a few pros and cons. I’ve visited many of the towns and find they all feel sort of similar in that they’re small town squares with a few shops, restaurants, coffee shops and so on. I encourage you to visit several when you’re in the Hamptons as a fun activity to do. Here’s a look at the most popular ones to visit and a little about each.
Southhampton
The classic and more traditional money vibe is definitely Southampton. There’s good shopping here and several restaurants. This is definitely the “start” of the Hamptons for a lot of visitors. Grab a quick sandwich at Cheese Shoppe before stopping into a few shops.
Bridgehampton
Smaller and a little quieter than Southampton. One of my favorite shops is here, Annabel, a well-curated women’s boutique. I also really loved the home store L’Épicuriste and Découverte. Not a ton of restaurants here but supposedly it has some good farm stands to check out. I think this town had my favorite shops for unique stores versus major brands which were in all the other towns.
Sag Harbor
This one feels the most charming with lots of character and history. Definitely less beachy and instead is more of a marina and harbor vibe. Sit on the water to take in the boats in the harbor and enjoy the weather.
East Hampton
Probably the most expensive to shop around at with a Prada, Chanel, STAUD and more major designers having stores here. There are a couple of restaurants and coffee shops to try. Slightly bigger than Bridgehampton, but smaller than Southampton. This is definitely your town if you want to do some designer shopping. And yes, this is the town that Ina Garten lives in, among many other celebrities.
Amagansett
Definitely a quieter, more low key vibe that has great farm stands, coffee shops, cute boutiques and Amagansett Square complete with a weekly farmer’s market on Fridays. I thought this town was really ideal for families too.
Montauk
This is the very end of the Hamptons and definitely more surf and beach bum energy than the rest. It’s its own vibe and more casual. Sit on the water for dinner at Gossman’s and bop into some of the cute shops and boutiques in town.
New York City Travel Guide
Oh New York City, how I love you. I was born in New York, outside the city about 45 minutes. Both my parents are born and raised in New York and it is definitely a part of my identity. Although I may not have lived there long as a kid, I still consider myself a
Read The PostBest Things to Do In The Hamptons
Plan your trip and choose a few activities to try, from visiting the beach, bopping into different towns, and doing some shopping.
Go To The Beach
There’s nothing quite like a day at the beach. Pick up some sandwiches and enjoy a few hours by the water. Or just go for a nice walk before getting your day started. Parking at the beaches in the Hamptons is a struggle and can be costly. It’s best to arrive by bike, or use the free shuttles like the Hampton Hopper. If you’re into surfing, head to Montauk to catch a few waves.
Explore The Towns
Each town is only about 20 or so minutes from one another without traffic, so it’s fun to pop into each to check them out. Explore new boutiques and restaurants and get a change of pace from whichever one you’re staying near. You can easily plan your drive around stopping in one or two of them as well.
Visit Farm Stands
One thing the Hamptons is known for is incredible produce. So many wonderful farms have stands you can visit, along with a lot of great prepared foods. Check out stands like Balsam Farm, Round Swamp Farm, and Amber Waves Farm, to name a few. You’ve probably seen Round Swamp Farm on TikTok and yes, it’s delicious, but insanely expensive. Be prepared to drop some serious money on salads, chicken tenders and cookies, but it’s all delicious.
Shop
There really is some great shopping with some cute curated boutiques as well as major retailers like Prada, J.Crew and more. I really loved Annabel in Bridgehampton and also in Sag Harbor. Tenet in East Hampton was also a personal favorite.
Museums
Yes, museums. The Parrish Art Museum is a fantastic art museum full of unique pieces and outdoor installations. There’s also the Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum to learn about this fascinating port town.
Where To Eat
My most recent visit to the Hamptons was with a family who stays there every summer, and has been there their whole lives. They are truly locals. The one thing I learned from them and this particular trip, is that a lot of the food isn’t that great.
I also noticed that there are so many popular New York City restaurants that also have a restaurant in the Hamptons. I don’t know why you’d want to travel and yet go to the same restaurant you can get back home. It’s a bizarre phenomenon I’ve noticed in the Hamptons and also Greenwich. These are the restaurants I thoroughly enjoyed and would recommend to anyone visiting.
Moby’s
Such a cute vibey spot for pizza and pasta. Definitely start with the focaccia with dips and the kale Caesar. It was fantastic. The pizzas and all the pastas were really great and felt very classic. This spot is spacious too so it’s great for larger parties.
Swifty’s
Located at The Hedges Inn, this swanky restaurant was such a vibe. The bar was so charming, and the outdoor dining was top-notch. The food was also incredible. The cold asparagus appetizer was a favorite.
Gosman’s Lobster House
This spot supplies seafood to many restaurants around the Hamptons. So why not dine at the source? Sit on the water in Montauk while dining at Gosman’s. The lobster tacos were hands down our favorite thing we ordered (I personally thought it was more flavorful than the lobster roll).
Carissa’s
This restaurant feels like it was plucked straight from laid-back California. Light fare for breakfast and lunch, along with some incredible baked goods and coffee. I loved the fluke fish sandwich with a Brussels sprouts slaw.
Shinnecock Lobster Factory
A bit of a drive, but Shinnecock Lobster Factory is home to one of the best lobster rolls I have ever had. We got the tomato and arugula one and a side of corn. Incredibly delicious and simple.
Where To Stay In The Hamptons
Staying in the Hamptons is not always the easiest, or most affordable. With limited hotel options and rentals, it can be a bit tricky. Not every hotel also has beach access, so keep this in mind when searching for where to stay. I personally found having a house to be the ideal way to enjoy this destination. You could hang out at the pool at your house and be able to eat at home for a few of your meals.
- The Hedges Inn
- The Montauk Beach House
- Beach Plum Resort (great affordable option, I’ve personally stayed here)
- Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa
- The Roundtree Amagansett, a Small Luxury Hotel
Sample Weekend Itinerary
Here’s how I’d spend the perfect weekend in the Hamptons. This assumes we have a car and a house to get the most out of this trip.
Friday
Drive out to the Hamptons in the morning, but stop halfway at Briermere Farms to pick up a raspberry cream pie to snack on throughout the weekend. Grab some food and snacks for the house at a farm stand like Round Swamp or Citarella and you can grab lunch in whatever town you’re near.
Enjoy the pool or beach for the afternoon before heading to Moby’s for dinner and drinks.
Saturday
Go for a morning walk on the beach and then get coffee and bagels at Goldberg’s. Pop into some stores in town before heading back to the pool for a little relaxation. Lunch at home with all your Round Swamp goodies. Another visit out to explore another town if you’re up for it.
Head to Montauk for the evening and go a little early to walk around and stop into a few stores. Get the lobster tacos at Gosman’s and some ice cream to finish off the day. You can grab a drink on the beach at Navy Beach Restaurant to finish the night off.
Sunday
Another beach walk to start your day before getting brunch at Carissa’s. Stop into any stores you still want to check out. Pack up and head home. You can also make a stop at another town you haven’t explored yet on the way back.
Hamptons FAQ
Is the Hamptons worth it without a car?
It’s definitely more work, and can potentially cost more money with Ubers. But there are some shuttle options you can utilize, and if you stay in the town and don’t do too much exploring, it’ll be easier.
How much does a Hamptons weekend cost?
Expect to spend a pretty penny; this is definitley not an affordable weekend trip. Everything is more expensive here than in New York City, which is already priced at a premium. Hotels can range from $350 a night to $1,300. A visit to Round Swamp Farm for a few things to eat for lunch and snack on, can easily set you back $25 per item. As always, there are tips I swear by for how to take an affordable weekend trip, like free museums, going in the off-season or during the week, and taking advantage of public transportation.
What’s the difference between the Hamptons towns?
There are only slight differences between the towns from my experience. A lot of them also have the same stores like Citarella, a Round Swamp Farm, a Golden Pear Cafe. Plus, many of the towns have shops that are also in New York City. Montauk is definitely the surfer vibe, while the rest feel more like a charming, upscale experience.
What to pack for the Hamptons?
The Hamptons is definitely a more casual destination. You won’t need fancy outfits and stilettos, but you can definitely find nicer dinners and parties to attend if that’s your thing. Check out my ultimate guide on what to wear in the Hamptons here.
The Hamptons are truly a delightful getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city. After a few visits, I am definitely partial to getting a house when possible and really taking advantage of the quiet beaches and incredible produce. While the shopping is nice, I think it’s really the relaxation that is the best perk to a getaway in the Hamptons. Visit from May to September to enjoy the summer weather, produce and all that it has to offer.
