The things to do in the Hamptons divide into two categories: what everyone expects and what actually matters. Beaches and farm stands fall into the first. Strategic positioning at the right events, access to experiences that don’t appear in tourist guides, and understanding which activities signal sophistication versus which mark you as a day-tripper fall into the second.

This guide covers both. Whether you’re planning a first visit or optimizing your tenth summer season, understanding the full range of Hamptons activities helps you make decisions that match your actual interests rather than generic recommendations.

The Beaches: More Than Sand

Beach access drives most Hamptons visits, and the region delivers some of the finest stretches of sand on the Eastern Seaboard. White sand beaches with substantial waves line the Atlantic coast, while calmer bay beaches offer protected swimming on the northern side of the South Fork.

The Flagship Beaches

Cooper’s Beach in Southampton consistently ranks among America’s best beaches. The 500-foot stretch of pristine sand offers views of historic mansions in the distance, lifeguards, restrooms, and a snack bar. Parking runs $40 for non-residents, which explains why locals arrive by bike or on foot.

Amagansett sand dunes
Amagansett sand dunes

Main Beach in East Hampton anchors the village’s oceanfront, offering excellent facilities and the kind of scene that attracts everyone from celebrities to families. The beach has become synonymous with Hamptons summer imagery.

Ditch Plains in Montauk draws the surf crowd. The consistent break and more casual atmosphere distinguish it from the manicured beaches to the west. This is where you’ll find the younger, more athletic set.

The Insider Beaches

Sagg Main Beach in Sagaponack offers quality sand with smaller crowds than Cooper’s or Main Beach. The trade-off involves less developed facilities.

Indian Wells Beach in Amagansett provides family-friendly conditions with a playground and calmer waters than the open ocean beaches. Atlantic Avenue Beach nearby offers more serious surf.

Flying Point Beach in Southampton delivers excellent conditions for those willing to venture slightly beyond the village center.

Wine Country: The Hamptons AVA

The Hamptons, Long Island was established as an American Viticultural Area in 1985, and wine tasting has become one of the signature things to do in the Hamptons. The maritime climate creates conditions distinct from other New York wine regions.

Wölffer Estate Vineyard

The most recognized name in Hamptons wine, Wölffer has operated since 1988 on 55 acres near Bridgehampton. The rosé has achieved cult status. Beyond wine, the property hosts Friday evening concerts during summer, an equestrian center, and a restaurant. Reservations for the tasting room book quickly during peak season.

Channing Daughters Winery

Known for experimental winemaking and an extensive portfolio of grape varieties rarely seen elsewhere in New York. The sculpture garden adds visual interest to the tasting experience. The vibe trends more serious wine enthusiast than casual afternoon outing.

Duck Walk Vineyards

Multiple locations across the South Fork make Duck Walk accessible from various villages. The Southampton tasting room offers convenience, while the Water Mill location provides the full vineyard experience.

Art and Culture: Beyond the Beach

The Hamptons’ cultural institutions rival many major cities, anchored by museums and galleries that attract serious collectors and artists year-round.

Andy Warhol Pop-Art Hamptons
Andy Warhol Pop-Art Hamptons

The Parrish Art Museum

The Herzog & de Meuron-designed building in Water Mill houses one of America’s finest collections of American art, with particular strength in work created on Long Island’s East End. The Midsummer Gala in July represents one of the season’s most significant social events, attracting art enthusiasts, collectors, and philanthropists.

Guild Hall

East Hampton’s cultural anchor since 1931, Guild Hall combines visual arts, performing arts, and education. The Summer Gala in August transforms the institution into cultural ground zero, where dinner tickets start at $2,500 and tables reach $100,000. The Clothesline Art Sale in July offers more accessible entry to the art scene.

LongHouse Reserve

Textile designer Jack Larsen’s 16-acre sculpture garden in East Hampton showcases works by Dale Chihuly, Yoko Ono, and Will Ryman alongside carefully designed gardens and architecture. The annual gala draws serious collectors. For daily visitors, the reserve offers an afternoon of sculpture exploration unlike anything else on the East End.

The Watermill Center

Robert Wilson’s interdisciplinary laboratory hosts exhibitions, performances, and the legendary annual summer benefit that attracts international arts figures. The event consistently pushes boundaries in ways that make Guild Hall seem traditional by comparison.

Pollock-Krasner House

The Springs studio where Jackson Pollock created his most significant drip paintings and where Lee Krasner continued working after his death. Tours of the preserved house and studio offer insight into mid-century American art that no museum can replicate. Located in one of the more remote areas of the Hamptons, the peaceful enclave explains why the artists chose this location.

The Social Calendar: Events Worth Planning Around

The Hamptons summer operates on a carefully choreographed schedule of charity galas, sporting events, and cultural gatherings. Understanding this calendar helps you plan visits that align with your interests.

Polo Hamptons

July’s premier sporting and social event takes place on two Saturdays at 900 Lumber Lane in Bridgehampton. The 2026 dates are July 18 and July 25. Only 900 tickets per event, and they sell out by early July every year. The match provides theater, but the real action happens in the stands and during the halftime divot stomp. Sponsors, invited guests, and general admission create distinct social tiers worth understanding.

Polo Hamptons 2026 (2)
Polo Hamptons 2026 (2)

Hampton Classic Horse Show

Late August brings the Grand Prix show jumping competition to Bridgehampton, attracting equestrian competitors and spectators from around the world. The VIP tent spotting rivals the athletic competition for entertainment value. The event runs for a full week, with the Grand Prix finale commanding the highest attendance and social stakes.

The Gala Circuit

Summer benefits follow a predictable progression: Bay Street Theater (early July), Parrish Art Museum Midsummer Gala (mid-July), LongHouse Reserve (late July), Watermill Center (late July), Guild Hall Summer Gala (early August), and Stony Brook Southampton Hospital (early August). Ticket prices start around $1,250-$2,500 for entry-level access, with sponsorship tables reaching well into six figures.

Authors Night

The East Hampton Library’s annual fundraiser in August brings authors and readers together under a tent in Herrick Park for cocktails and conversation, followed by intimate dinners at private homes throughout the area. The event has become a literary season highlight.

Outdoor Activities: Beyond the Beach

The Hamptons offer substantial outdoor recreation for those who want more than sunbathing.

Cycling

Bike rides provide the best way to experience Hamptons geography at human scale. Dune Road’s 13-mile stretch offers ocean views without the traffic of Montauk Highway. Meadow Lane lets you ogle billionaire estates while getting exercise. Orient Beach State Park on the North Fork provides dedicated cycling paths through protected landscapes. Southampton’s bike-share program offers convenient access without needing to transport your own equipment.

Montauk Point State Park

The lighthouse and surrounding parkland at the eastern tip of Long Island offer hiking trails, fishing spots, and surf beaches within an expansive nature reserve. The Montauk Point Lighthouse, commissioned by George Washington in 1796, remains New York State’s oldest lighthouse and provides museum exhibits and panoramic views from the observation deck.

Kayaking and Paddleboarding

The bay side of the South Fork offers protected waters ideal for paddling. Three Mile Harbor, Sag Harbor, and Montauk’s protected inlets provide rental access and calmer conditions than the ocean side.

Golf

The historic Shinnecock Hills Golf Club hosted the U.S. Open multiple times and remains one of America’s most prestigious courses. Access requires member sponsorship. Maidstone Club and National Golf Links similarly operate as private clubs. Public options include Montauk Downs State Park, consistently ranked among the best public courses in New York.

Farm Stands and Local Food

The agricultural heritage that predates the Hamptons’ resort era remains visible in working farms that supply local restaurants and farm stands that sell directly to visitors.

Bridgehampton Farmstand
Bridgehampton Farmstand

Essential Stops

Round Swamp Farm in East Hampton has operated for generations, offering prepared foods alongside farm products. The line on summer weekends tells you everything about local reputation.

Amber Waves in Amagansett combines farming with education, offering field trips and community programs alongside their farm stand. Their August Hoedown fundraiser draws the agricultural-conscious crowd.

Bhumi Farms in Amagansett brings biodynamic and organic practices to Hamptons agriculture, supplying local restaurants with specialty produce.

Balsam Farms in Sagaponack supplies many of the area’s best restaurants and operates a farm stand with exceptional quality produce.

Farmers Markets

Saturday mornings bring farmers markets to multiple villages. The Sag Harbor Farmers Market runs from late May through mid-October in Marine Park, offering local produce, prepared foods, and the kind of community gathering that reveals the Hamptons beyond the gala circuit.

The Harbor Scene

Sag Harbor and Montauk both offer working harbor experiences distinct from the beach-focused villages.

Sag Harbor

The former whaling port maintains its maritime character through the yacht yard, marina, and waterfront restaurants. Walking the harbor, watching mega-yachts and sailboats, and dining waterside represents classic Hamptons activity. The Whaling Museum offers historical context for the area’s seafaring past.

Montauk

The commercial fishing fleet operates from Montauk Harbor, creating an authenticity absent from the western villages. Gosman’s Dock combines tourist amenities with working waterfront. Charter fishing, whale watching excursions, and sunset cruises all depart from Montauk.

Rainy Day Options

Not every Hamptons day delivers perfect beach weather. Cultural institutions provide alternatives when the weather fails to cooperate.

The Long Island Aquarium in Riverhead offers family-friendly entertainment with sharks, penguins, and sea lions. Guild Hall exhibitions rotate seasonally. The Southampton Arts Center programs events year-round. The Church in Sag Harbor hosts exhibitions and performances in an architecturally significant converted sanctuary. Cinema screenings at East Hampton’s historic theater provide afternoon escapes.

Planning Your Visit

The best things to do in the Hamptons depend on your interests, timing, and willingness to plan ahead. Beach days require no advance booking. Winery visits during peak season do. Gala tickets sell months in advance. Restaurant reservations for weekend dinners need similar lead time.

Summer weekends concentrate activity and traffic. Weekday visits offer easier access to everything from beaches to restaurants. Shoulder season, May and September, provides many of the same experiences with smaller crowds and better pricing.

The Hamptons reward those who understand that the region offers more than beaches and celebrity sightings. Working farms, serious art institutions, world-class wine, and natural beauty create depth that casual visitors miss. Whether you’re attending your first polo match or your twentieth summer gala, there’s always something new to discover.

Social Life Magazine has covered Hamptons life for over two decades. Our coverage reflects genuine participation in these communities, not tourist-guide aggregation.

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