The Hamptons stretch along the south shore of eastern Long Island, a string of towns and villages — Westhampton, Southampton, Bridgehampton, East Hampton, Amagansett — that have been the summer retreat of wealthy New Yorkers for over a century. The beaches are long, wide, and backed by dunes; the villages have a manicured New England charm with white clapboard buildings, farm stands, and upscale shops.
For visitors without a house to borrow, the Hamptons can be challenging. Many beaches require expensive parking permits, accommodation books up months in advance, and the prices at restaurants and shops reflect the clientele. But the beaches are genuinely beautiful, the farm-to-table food scene is excellent, and the art galleries and cultural offerings — particularly the Parrish Art Museum and the summer programming — are among the best on the East Coast.
Getting there from New York City takes two to three hours by car (longer on Friday afternoons in summer, when the Long Island Expressway earns its nickname "the world's longest parking lot"). The Hampton Jitney bus service runs regularly from Manhattan.