10 Things to do in Hamptons That You Shouldn't Miss

April 3, 2022 Dorsey Hagwood

The legendary Hamptons, a cluster of wealthy enclaves on Long Island’s South Fork, remains a celebrity summer playground, with splashy restaurants and nightclubs galore. But lovely beaches, fishing and kayaking attract off-the-A-list visitors, as well. Old money oozes throughout Southampton, while new wealth reigns in East Hampton. Montauk is a hit with fishermen and surfers. The Long Island Railroad travels the Hamptons in an hour. The Sag Harbor Whaling Museum and Montauk lighthouse are popular stops.
Restaurants in Hamptons

1. Mashomack Preserve

79 S. Ferry Rd., Shelter Island, NY +1 516-749-1001 http://www.shelter-island.org/mashomack.html
Excellent
71%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 136 reviews

Mashomack Preserve

This Nature Conservancy property spans 2,100 acres, and accounts for one-third of the land on Shelter Island.

Reviewed By debrak2

This is a great place for a hike, especially with the family. I went with my 2 daughters in their 20s and we chose the red trail (1.4 miles). The trail was easy (I have arthritis of the knees, so it was just fine) and it was clearly marked with benches along the way. Kids will really like the fact that you get to read one page of a children's picture book every few yards, so that once you finish the hike you finish the story. There is also a gazebo along the way with water views. A lovely experience ... highly recommend it!

2. Montauk Point Lighthouse

2000 Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954-5600 +1 631-668-2544 [email protected] http://www.montauklighthouse.com/
Excellent
57%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,443 reviews

Montauk Point Lighthouse

Located on the tip of Long Island, the oldest lighthouse in New York State offers a museum, gift shop and tours.

Reviewed By N2647LQdavidw - Waddington, United States

A must see attraction. This beautiful Lighthouse on the tip of Long Island is worth the trip .You can have a picnic and take a tour and climb to the top of the lighthouse with spectacular views. And you better hurry cause it might go over the edge sooner or later

3. Cooper's Beach

268 Meadow Ln, Southampton, NY 11968-4600
Excellent
67%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 347 reviews

Cooper's Beach

Scenic beach stretches 500 feet along the Atlantic shoreline offering a view of historic mansions in the distance.

Reviewed By Rtktennis - Southampton, United States

As nice as it gets. Great food at reasonable prices for the Hampton's Worth the parking fee if you can’t bike there. ..

4. Ditch Plains

Montauk Peninsula, Montauk, NY
Excellent
59%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 142 reviews

Ditch Plains

Located on the Montauk Peninsula, this popular beach is noted for excellent surfing and body boarding.

Reviewed By fuwa1818 - Cincinnati, United States

Beautiful in the mornings! Not very crowded and mainly friendly locals out on the water. Catch a lesson with Coreyswave if you'd like to learn. Surf is consistently good for beginners in the summer. IMPORTANT: If you're visiting, none of the lots are open to cars without an East Hampton beach parking permit. I parked in the free lot at Shadmoor State Park and took the 20 min walk to Ditch. Phenomenal way to start the day with a clear mind!

5. Hither Hills State Park

Old Montauk Hwy., Montauk, NY 11754 +1 631-668-2554 http://newyorkstateparks.reserveamerica.com/camping/hither-hills-state-park/r/campgroundDetails.do?contractCode=NY&parkId=297
Excellent
59%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 204 reviews

Hither Hills State Park

Reviewed By CherryTravels17 - New Jersey, United States

My husband and I visited Hither Hills State Park on a Saturday. It is quite large and with minimal cell service in the area, we got lost looking for the Coastal Trail. We came across the Walking Dunes Trail by accident. (There was free parking on the street bordering the trail.) We only did the first loop but it was very unique and featured views of the water, dunes and forest. We later found the Coastal Trail and parked in the lot at the end of Navy Road. (Parking was free.) The trail was easy and had a nice mix of forest and water views.

6. Montauk Point State Park

East End of Route 27, Montauk, NY 11954-5600 +1 631-668-3781 http://parks.ny.gov/parks/61/hunting.aspx
Excellent
60%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 258 reviews

Montauk Point State Park

Reviewed By JohnRegoPark - Rego Park, United States

It's a far place, no doubt about it, but it is really worth it. The ride from New York is generally smooth until you get to the Hamptons when all of a sudden the highway becomes a street, and there are lights. The park itself is wonderfully laid out. There is ample parking, bathroom facilities, picnic tables, and hiking paths. You can get down to the water and walk around the base of the lighthouse. The lighthouse itself is not to be missed. There is a small charge to get into the museum which is the bottom floor of the lighthouse. The exhibits chart the history of the lighthouse, which has never been moved. The efforts to keep the sea at bay are very interesting. Because of covid restrictions, there is no place to buy food here. This is a wonderful day trip from anywhere on Long Island and will supply a lasting memory.

7. Foster Memorial Beach

1000 Long Beach Rd, Sag Harbor, NY (631) 728-8585 http://www.southamptontownny.gov/DocumentCenter/View/638/Beach-Parking-Information-and-Facilities--Parks-Map-PDF?bidId=
Excellent
50%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 36 reviews

Foster Memorial Beach

Reviewed By olivias33 - Southampton, United States

This is a great beach to go to with the family. They have lifeguards and bathrooms and the ice cream truck comes during the day. You can pull right up and take your stuff out and walk on the beach. They have day passes available.

8. Main Beach

Ocean Avenue, East Hampton, NY
Excellent
67%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 189 reviews

Main Beach

Reviewed By Rubiopatty - East Hampton, United States

Very beautiful beach, has showers, bathrooms, dressing rooms, very clean and friendly beach. You could park at the main parking in East Hampton town, and they have free shuttles like bus to the beach. Awesome ???? Beach, Love it!

9. Tanger Outlets Riverhead

200 Tanger Mall Dr Suite 410, Riverhead, NY 11901-6402 +1 631-369-2732 http://www.tangeroutlet.com/riverhead/
Excellent
45%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 359 reviews

Tanger Outlets Riverhead

Find great savings on merchandise from your favorite designer and name-brands direct from the manufacturer at stores like: Polo Ralph Lauren, H&M, Nike, Off 5th, Williams Sonoma, Banana Republic, Gap, Barneys New York, Restoration Hardware, Coach and many more. Before you travel, check out the Tanger Outlet website to find the latest Coupons & Sales Offers for Tanger Outlets in Riverhead. Or, when you arrive at the outlets, make your first stop Shopper Services to learn about the benefits of joining TangerClub (Tanger Club information is also available online). In Shopper Services you can purchase a coupon book full of great savings or if you are already a TangerClub member pick up a coupon book for free! Think Outlets, Think Tanger.

Reviewed By Momma414

Went shopping at the outlets looking for a handbag. I shopped at Michael Kors and got an amazing deal on 3 handbags, two for me and one for my daughter. After I claimed my amazing prices, I brought my receipts to the Shopper Services Office and joined the Tanger club free and earned 2 more handbags and a ton of coupons. What a great shopping day!!

10. Long Island Aquarium

431 E Main St, Riverhead, NY 11901-2556 +1 631-208-9200 [email protected] http://www.LongIslandAquarium.com
Excellent
43%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
17%
Poor
4%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 629 reviews

Long Island Aquarium

This FINtastic destination features one of the largest all-living coral reef displays in this hemisphere, a 120,000-gallon shark tank, year-round sea lion shows, African Penguins, Marmosets, numerous touch tanks and more than 100 exhibits including the lavish indoor gardens of our Butterflies, Bugs and Birds Exhibit! This Section features more than 30 species of North American and exotic, tropical free-flying butterflies and is the only insect displays of its kind in New York (and one of the only exhibits like this in the Northeast) featuring bugs ranging from most deadly to largest and most colorful. You can even hand feed the gorgeous conures, ringnecks and lovebirds in our Bird Aviary. We're celebrating our 15th birthday this year and we want you to join the celebration. You'll get FREE Aquarium admission (with valid ID) within 7 days of your birthday!! You can also try one of our JAWsome Aquatic Adventures, like the Shark Dive where you'll get in the cage and down into our amazing Lost City of Atlantis Shark Exhibit. Or the Penguin Encounter where you'll get up close and personal with our cutest feathered friends. You can even snorkel with tropical fish from around the world with our Pirate Snorkel Adventure (seasonal)! There are plenty of special events on the calendar, for guests of all ages. Check our website for a full listing of the great activities you won't want to miss. Like our Family Sleepovers, where you'll explore the Aquarium after hours, then spend the night in front of one of the tanks. Or Fish & Sips, our adults only wine tasting event featuring more than 20 local vineyards with tasting and purchasing opportunities. You can celebrate the holidays with us at our Holiday Brunches for Easter, Mother's Day or to celebrate Christmas with our Santa Brunch. We can also help you host your child's next birthday, we specialize in parties and have a wide range of party packages to offer. Planning a Bar/Bat Mitzvah or Sweet 16? We've got you covered, our Atlantis Banquets & Events team will make your child's special day the party of the year. You can even get married where the walls are alive with our most colorful and tropical exhibits! Named a Top 10 Aquarium for Children by Parents Magazine, the Long Island Aquarium is open daily from10am to 5pm year-round (Closed Christmas & Thanksgiving Days). You can add to the fun with an overnight stay at the waterfront Hyatt Place Long Island / East End and located adjacent to the property.

Reviewed By erinbI638SE - Holbrook, United States

My significant other and I went to the Long Island Aquarium for my 22nd birthday and had an incredible time. There was plenty of stuff to do. We got there around 10:30am and didn't leave until almost 2pm. We fed the stingrays, walked through the butterfly garden, spent alot of time looking through the different exhibits, and saw the sharks. We pet the sea star in the touch tank. We saw the sea lion show (Jenna and neila were both great). Afterwards we went through the outdoor exhibits and saw the penguins, river otters, reptile house, and Japanese snow monkeys. It was an awesome day and I 10/10 recommend.

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