10 Best Towns and Villages in The Hamptons

Westhampton is a laid-back resort area that attracts families. It has both ocean and bay access, markets and festivals, tonnes of family-owned shops and restaurants, and no shortage of world-class entertainment options. 

Once a thriving resort area, Westhampton returned to its roots and now offers a more casual and low-key experience suitable for families with small children, older travellers, and couples or solo travellers looking for a relaxing retreat. That’s not to say that there isn’t plenty to do, however, such as lounging on gorgeous beaches, shopping in town, and catching a local performance at an entertainment venue.

Southampton is a beautiful town in the South Fork of Long Island. It’s one of the largest in Suffolk County and surrounded by the Great and Little Peconic bays. Much of the tourism centers around the Shinnecock Canal, which offers opportunities for watersports like boating, kayaking, and fishing. 

You’ll find a lot of historic sites to explore, such as the Shinnecock Museum and Cultural Centre and the Southampton Historical Museum, which chronicle the local history of Southampton and its residents.

Once an old whaling village, Sag Harbour is one of the best places for sightseeing and historic experiences in The Hamptons. It’s home to beautiful beaches, fun events, sprawling nature preserves, and plenty of museums. 

You could visit places like the Sag Harbour Fire Department Museum and the Sag Harbour Whaling & Historical Museum, shop for vintage goods in town, or take part in festivals and nightlife on Bay Street. The Grenning Gallery is a highlight, which is home to unique paintings, sculptures, and other works.

Known for its unique boutiques and charming restaurants, Bridgehampton is one of the trendiest areas of the Hamptons. You'll find plenty of nightlife and shopping opportunities for both indie and upscale goods. Golf and polo are also popular in Bridgehampton, and you’ll find numerous golf courses and the Bridgehampton Polo Club for opportunities to enjoy these activities. 

The Hampton Classic, a prominent horse show, takes place in Bridgehampton. Bridgehampton has a considerable celebrity presence, with people like Beyonce, Madonna, and Isaac Mizrahi renting holiday properties in the area.

East Hampton is an affluent area of the Hamptons. Located on the South Shore of Long Island, East Hampton is home to gorgeous beaches like East Hampton Main Beach and Two Mile Hollow Beach, as well as the LongHouse Reserve, a sculpture garden and landscape art facility. 

You can learn a lot about the past in East Hampton by visiting heritage sights like the Home Sweet Home Museum, the Hook Windmill, and the East Hampton Historical Society. Like other parts of the Hamptons, East Hampton has plenty of shopping and dining.

Located within East Hampton, Amagansett offers a low-key retreat with gorgeous sandy beaches and delicious local restaurants. It’s known for its celebrity sightings since it’s one of the favourite spots for the city’s holidaymakers. 

Amagansett offers plenty of shopping and nightlife, especially if you’re looking for something upscale. You’ll also find 8 beaches to choose from for sunbathing, swimming, and watersports. If you want something more, you’re close to the attractions of East Hampton to explore more of the area.

Montauk is a top destination on the tip of The Hamptons peninsula. It’s home to many sandy beaches, such as Ditch Plains Beach, and historic areas like the Montauk Point State Park and the Montauk Point Lighthouse. You could also visit Camp Hero State Park to see old World War II bunkers and a radar tower. 

Montauk is a great choice for foodies, thanks to its abundance of wineries, breweries, and restaurants. Water activities, such as kayaking and whale-watching tours, are also popular.

Located in Long Island’s wine country, North Fork offers an authentic, small-town holiday experience. You'll find numerous wineries and vineyards to explore, locally owned restaurants with excellent seafood, and quaint shops with antiques and vintage clothing. You can also experience North Fork by renting a bike and taking a ride through town. 

Some other highlights of North Fork include lavender fields, farm tours, and historic general stores with artisan foods, all of which lend to the charm of the area.

If you want a unique stay in the Hamptons, Shelter Island offers a far-off paradise. Only accessible by ferry, Shelter Island is away from the hustle and bustle of some of the Hamptons’ busier towns and hamlets, but close enough that you can find all you need. 

It’s known for its seafood and champagne and quiet nights under the stars by a beach bonfire, but you won’t find nightlife or shopping in the small village. If you want outdoor activities, Shelter Island does have golf courses, tennis courts, and sailing.

The sleepy hamlet of Quogue is found east of Westhampton and holds most of the historic charm of the area. You’ll find historic farmhouses renovated into rental homes, old boarding houses turned into dining clubs, and beautiful heritage cottages by the sea that give the whole hamlet an English country appeal. 

Quogue boasts a lot to see and do, such as visiting local restaurants, sunning on the beach, and touring the nature preserve. Many of the local residents enjoy biking through town to take in the scenery.