This sunset photo from the day after Thanksgiving should have you thinking about year round visits to this stunning natural beauty.
Most people know the Hamptons as the summer destination for the world’s wealthiest jet setters. White parties, surfers, big mansions, and fundraisers. Many tourists flock to the area to catch a glimpse of the fabulous A-listers living their celebrity lifestyles and others avoid it like the plague for more down to earth destinations, like the North Fork. But the Hamptons is so much more than what one might image, and it is also a great getaway destination for New Yorkers and other travelers throughout all four seasons.
The Hamptons definitely get a little quieter after Labor Day, and could be described as desolate in the dead of Winter, but plenty of people still live there and many weekenders and tourists still continue to visit this famous and historic destination year round.
Fall in the Hamptons
Nothing better than playing with the leaves in the Fall!
If you’re fortunate enough to make it to Hamptons in September and October, you need to be sure to include apple picking, wine tasting, and a trip to the pumpkin patch on your itinerary. The crisp Fall weekends are the perfect time to explore the many villages that make up the Hamptons without the crowds. And if you’re lucky, the spontaneous Northeast weather might even grant you a fabulous September beach day.
If you want pumpkins, check out Hank’s Pumpkintown, fun for all ages! But if the kids start to drive you crazy, walk yourself across the street to Duck Walk Vineyard! If you want cider and donuts after you pick the apples for your homemade apple pies, (who doesn’t?!?!) check out Milk Pail.
I’ve also started spending many holidays in the Hamptons, including Thanksgiving. A visit to the local farm stands and Small Business Saturday shopping with the locals are just a few of the common activities. You can also visit the many museums, like the Sag Harbor Whaling Museum or the Parrish Art Museum. There are also several nature reserves for you to explore, or take a walk on the beach at sunset (or sunrise).
Winter in the Hamptons
While the Hamptons are the emptiest in the months after Christmas until we start to see blooms in the Spring, there is still plenty to do. I nestled in for the big snow storm this year. You can read about My 5 Favorite Blizzard Activities here. Additionally there is ice skating in Southampton, or indoor swimming at Gurney’s Montauk paired with a lovely spa treatment.
Spring in the Hamptons
Preparing the table for Easter dinner in the Hamptons.
The past few years, I have been spending Easter in the Hamptons. I attempted to travel to St. Louis for Easter a few years ago, but the airport was hit by a tornado and my trip was canceled. So now I try to avoid returning to Missouri during tornado season, and I’ve adopted a new tradition of spending Easter in the Hamptons with friends and family.
Some of the Hampton’s wonderful restaurants are available to serve Easter brunch if you aren’t interested in the task of preparing a meal. You can stroll along Main Street in Sag Harbor to see what you fancy. You also must be sure to see the Easter Bonnet Parade in Sag Harbor. My custom hat is still in the works, but it will be ready for next Easter, and I can not wait!
This year there weren’t many signs of vegetation, but if Easter falls a little later, a nice stroll through some local gardens is a great way to explore the area, or bundle up for a beach walk.
Summer in the Hamptons
This is exactly how summer Saturdays should be spent in the Hamptons.
And well, what can you do in the Hamptons in the summer? Too much to talk about here. My recommendation would be to get your groceries delivered, make a lot of meals at home, hit the beaches early, and spend afternoons by the pool. But if you’re looking to catch a glimpse of celebrities at local hot spots, stay tuned for future posts on exactly how you should be spending your summer weekends in the Hamptons.
A great idea for a post. I think my favourite season to visit would be autumn, for the apple picking and pumpkins (love halloween)! I love all the autumn colours too.
Such a great idea to look at one location but through all the seasons! I’ve only ever really heard about the Hamptons in the movies or on TV and it is always during the summer – great to find out what it is like the rest of the year as well! We don’t really have autumn in Australia (our leaves don’t change colour really), so I always love to experience the spectacular colours of autumn when I’m overseas!
As much as I gripe about winter, I do love having four seasons!! But a very short winter is ok for me!
I like visiting places in the shoulder seasons. You pay less. It’s less crowded and it’s quite often beautiful
Being in the Hamptons anytime in May or September is idyllic!
All the years I worked in New York City, and I never made it out to the Hamptons. Next time we are out for an extended stay, I’m totally taking some of your suggestions for a Hamptons break (and who knew it was so pretty during the winter)!
You’ll have to go, and even better if it is on the off season!
I’ve only ever been during the summer, but I love the look of it in Autumn :):) MTK summers are one of the things I miss most about living in NYC!
Montauk is a whole new world now! But if you catch it off season or on a weekday, it still has its charm!
I’m always hearing amazing things about the Hamptons but I have absolutely NO CLUE where exactly it is. Thanks for sharing what it’s like in the different seasons- would love to visit one day!
It’s on the eastern tip of Long Island. A 2-3 hour drive from NYC! It’s a wonderful place, and an easy escape from the city!
When I started reading this I so thought it was going to be about a Four seasons hotel in Hampton and I was like, seriously, another one of these hotel reviews. But I was pleasantly surprised that it was actually about the four different seasons in a year! Great post, and fun photos as well!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I started working out here in college as a babysitter, and now my family has homes here and we spend many holidays here. It is a really special community that has retained its magic in the offseason.
I absolutely love your photos! The hamptons looks like a great place to visit in any season, I think my favourite would be Spring!
I love Spring there. I’ve been going the past few years. Just wish we had a few more flowers this year. Easter was too early!
Loved seeing the difference in the things you can do in all the different seasons ! Great post 🙂
Yeah, it’s a great escape from the city…and totally different opportunities than we find in the city!
I love that you go to the Hamptons all year round. I’ve only gone in the summer but I bet it’d be great in the other seasons because of the lack of crowds.
I’ve always wondered what the Hamptons was like. I assumed it was a private getaway for just the A-listers. I had no idea that it was tourist friendly and that there were things to do like apple picking and wine tasting.