Summer in The Hamptons: Where New York Goes to Play
When the famous and the great have grown tired of New York, they have always headed to the crystalline relief of the Hamptons shoreline. From the Gilded age of The Great Gatsby to today, The Hamptons will always be the refuge for the rich.
A view of Montauk Point Lighthouse in the Hamptons.
Rent a cottage, house, or spectacular mansion from Amagansett to Sag Harbor, East Hampton to Montauk, and you never know whom you might meet. Or who your neighbor might be. The whole of the Hamptons gets infused in the summer by a healthy influx of the world’s elite. They move from their apartments in the Upper West Side to the romance of the dusty dunes and shingled Montauk Point Lighthouse.
There are a host of tranquil bays with beachcombing opportunities, and cafes galore. Duryea’s Lobster Deck is set on a rocky Montauk outcropping, with the finest succulent lobster around. Canal Café, tucked into a Hampton Bay’s marina, is the best place for lobster rolls. And there’s Clam Bar for alfresco seafood. It all sounds inconspicuous enough, until you see Paul McCartney sitting in a café, or Gwyneth Paltrow’s kids setting up their own lemonade stand. 
A boat on the pier in the Hamptons.
Getting onto the water is a must. There are a variety of boat tours and boat rentals, such as Montauk’s catamaran Mon Tiki. If you don’t know your skiff from a schooner, Sail Montauk will help you up to speed, with sailing lessons on the bay. Or charter your own yacht and crew to take you around the waters in style and comfort to see Stag harbor. You’ll be well looked after by Lelanta Luxury Sailing Excursions, with their stunning classic luxury schooner. Feel the rush of wind against your face; it’s an adventure that can’t be beat.
There are many ways to keep active in The Hamptons, whether it’s Pilates, golf, or canoeing tours. Rent kayaks from the quaint Springs General Store and go check out the picturesque Accabonac Harbor from the waters. Or seek out Peace on Earth Yoga, a hot yoga studio with a new oxygen purification system and infrared radiant heating system that produces an atmosphere of skin-clarifying heat and air while you stretch.
A windmill in the peaceful landscape of the Hamptons.
After all that activity you may be craving some R&R, look no further than the stunning mass of luxury spas that cater to the fine ladies and gentlemen of the Hamptons. One notable mention is Naturopathetica Holistic Health Spa, with its colorful array of apothecary style jars, full of lotions and potions for the perfect skin. Let the excellent massages relax your body, and feel yourself being soothed into melting serenity
Artists have been a staple of Hampton’s society for generations. They set up their studios by the sea for inspiration. Visit the Pollock-Krasner House & Study Center, in East Hampton’s Springs area, where you can tour their home and studio. Catch a glimpse of the paint splotches on the floor, marking the birth of the abstract expressionist movement. Not to miss on the other side of East Hampton is Long House Reserve, with notable works by artists Willem de Kooning and Sol LeWitt that dot the acres of gardens.
The view of the beach from Montauk Point Lighthouse.
At Cooper’s beach, there are parties abound, and the revelers dance like there’s no tomorrow. Head to Surf Lodge in Montauk for a spectacular night composed of fire pits and freshly made Mojitos. The silhouettes of those enjoying The Hampton’s nightlife bring the still waters and the silent sand to life in the summer.
There’s only one club to go and be seen in the Hamptons. SL East, with its massive VIP lounge for the most important of people. The renowned celebrity clientele meander around the sleek patio terrace with private cabanas. Or, to avoid the red-roped pretension of other clubs, get down and dirty with the locals and have a nice cold beer to start the night at Liar’s Saloon.
In the Hamptons, a relaxed and indulgent air permeates the water. The shores are swamped in the luxurious homes of the rich and famous. The night air is alive with the sound of decadent parties, just as in the days of the Great Gatsby. You could almost feel like you were stepping back in time, if the façade wasn’t so contemporary. Take advantage of the warm night air and stay up until the dawn, enjoying palatial villas and quaint lake homes. Only in The Hamptons can you be a salty sea dog in the day and a king at night. Enjoy the Golden Age.