The Hamptons is a vacation spot so mythologized—in film, in music, and in literature—that it’s tempting to think of the destination as an A-lister’s Neverland. And it’s true, like clockwork, the jet-set crowd flocks to Long Island’s East End every summer in search of sun and a good time, often in the form of rejuvenating wellness experiences or booze-soaked parties along the coast. But despite the luxuriousness that blankets (almost) every surface from Westhampton to Montauk, locals know the community charm extends far beyond what money can buy—or myth can capture.
With that in mind, we dipped our proverbial toes into the LI Sound with a ride out east in a 2022 Audi RS e-tron GT, a fully electric vehicle that combines the thrill of a lightning-fast race car with the quiet purr of...well, one of those yachts that Hamptonites seem to love so much. Cruising between numerous hamlets on the hunt for good food and better company, we found you needn’t be J.Lo or SJP to enjoy what the Hamps has on tap.
Whether you’re stopping by Little Ruby’s at Ruschmeyers for the prettiest avocado toast we’ve ever laid eyes on, strolling along East Hampton’s Main Street in pursuit of a chic find at the (newly opened) Rag & Bone or Balenciaga shops, or closing out the night with romantic dinner at Fauna in Westhampton Beach, there’s something for everyone here, from the uber-fancy scenester to the low-key diner. Despite decades of history in its stately architecture and beachside abodes, this particular group of towns knows a thing or two about never growing up. Ahead, everything we discovered along the way—including the best hotels, restaurants, and experiences offered this summer.
What to See
Parrish Art Museum
With nearly 125 years of history to its name, the Parrish Art Museum offers a thought-provoking array of primarily American art in all styles—and a chance to see up-and-coming creators exhibited alongside the greats. One of the few American museums that bathes its galleries in natural light, the Parrish’s building is its own masterpiece, inspired by the nearby barns in which local artists dream up their work. The property also doubles as an ever-changing backdrop to some of the Hamptons’ best events, including the museum’s splashy fundraising gala held every summer. See what’s on display here before your trip, but try your best to visit before July 24. You won’t want to miss the enchanting paintings, prints, and sculptures that comprise “Set It Off,” curated by collector Racquel Chevremont and artist Mickalene Thomas.
Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa
A beachside spa day doesn’t get more restorative than what Gurney’s has to offer at its 30,000-square-foot Seawater Spa, newly renovated by architect Ignacio Alonso. Featuring the only ocean-fed seawater pool in North America and multiple indoor-outdoor treatment suites overlooking the Atlantic, the spa was carefully curated with input from some of the nation’s top skin- and body-care experts. Products from celebrity-adored specialists including Dr. Dennis Gross are offered alongside bespoke facials and skincare treatments. (We highly recommend the 60-minute High Performance Facial, in particular.) Post-treatment, end your day in the spa’s bathhouse, outfitted with 104-degree caldarium and 50-degree frigidarium baths along with a sauna and eucalyptus-infused steam room.
Palm Tree Music Festival
No Hamptons summer is complete without an outdoor concert. Festival extravagance meets shoreside relaxation for one day only during Palm Tree Music Festival’s third-ever immersive show at Francis S. Gabreski Airport in Westhampton Beach this Saturday, June 25. This year, headliner Kygo and additional performers Haywood Forester, Thomas Jack, Claptone, and Disclosure will usher in summer for 5,000 festival goers. Learn more about ticket packages here, including the highest-end $20,000 RV experience featuring a private cordoned off space for you and 19 guests—with beverage and food service included, of course.
Missoni Mare Cutout Striped Crochet-Knit Halterneck Swimsuit
Where to Eat
Sí Sí
Sí Sí in East Hampton offers Mediterranean food as picturesque and sumptuous as its marina views, especially when the sun dips beneath the trees. Seafood is Sí Sí’s forte, with the spaghetti vongole and olive oil poached halibut as standout dishes. But don’t skimp on the appetizers: The charred octopus and the mezze dip—offering tzatziki, chickpea hummus, and baba ghanoush served with grilled seasonal vegetables and pita bread—are among the best in the area. (Both are best enjoyed with a cocktail, such as the jalapeño syrup-infused Spicy Affair.) Dessert is not to be missed either: The orange cheesecake with caramel sauce and passion fruit sorbet is a decadent finish to an evening spent eating, drinking, and snapping a few pics by the water.
Calissa
An inconspicuous but delicious spot off Montauk Highway in Water Mill, Calissa considers itself “Mykonos in the Hamptons,” and the title is no misnomer. Whether on the patio or within Calissa’s cozy interior, executive chef Bob Abrams’s traditional Greek cuisine is only a forkful away. We suggest opting for the classics: For appetizers, order the heirloom tomato Greek salad, lamb keftedes, crispy calamari, and saganaki cheese; for dinner, grab a friend and share a whole fish. Whether it’s turbot, branzino, or red snapper, each one is simply prepared—grilled and drizzled in citrus, herbs and oil—but exploding with flavor. And don’t forget: No Greek extravaganza is complete without a finale of baklava. Stop by on a Thursday evening if you can; live music performances on the outdoor terrace will take place through mid-September from 7:30 to 9:30 P.M.
Tutto il Giorno
Tutto il Giorno boasts some of the Hamptons’ best Italian entrées (order the gnocchi for lunch and the linguine for dinner), but it’s the restaurant’s masterful little touches that ensure more than the main course is destined for daydreaming. From the two types of complimentary bread—a house flatbread drizzled with Sicilian olive oil followed by more traditional, fresh-out-of-the-oven rolls—that kick off the experience, to the desserts—including an exceptional tiramisu—that end it, every bite is worth savoring. A lovely bonus: If you opt for Tutto’s airy, sun-lit Sag Harbor location, you’ll discover a retail component. Eye-catching Urban Zen merchandise fills the room...and will no doubt tempt you to take a piece (or two) back home with you.
Aquazzura Off To Ibiza 75 Shell-Embellished Woven Raffia Mules
Where to Drink
Wölffer Estate Vineyard
A beloved Sagaponack staple since its founding in 1988, the Wölffer Estate Vineyard is a portrait of languid grandeur, with its rustic-modern tasting room overlooking verdant rows of glistening grapes. Order a charcuterie board and a glass of Wölffer’s signature Summer in a Bottle rosé for a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, or swing by the charming Wine Stand on Thursday through Sunday evenings to grab a bottle to-go. If you have time to spare, reserve a few hours to watch the sun sink down over the stables and grapes. Maybe even stick around for dessert, too—smooth-as-silk brandy and bon-bons are a testament to the old adage, “Life is short; eat dessert first.”
Sunset Harbor
One of the newest dining establishments out east, the waterfront Sunset Harbor is an exercise in creative synergy, from family-style sharing plates (don’t miss the shrimp scampi) to mouth-watering sushi rolls. But the cocktail menu alone is worth exploring as a group, preferably from a table overlooking the boats sailing in from the bay. (A pitcher of rum punch provided our table with more than its fair share of entertainment.)
The Surf Lodge
The now-legendary Surf Lodge in Montauk started out as a humble Irish dive bar, but has since emerged as a staple of Hamptons nightlife. That’s largely due to its ongoing outdoor concert series; buzzy celebrity- and brand-hosted parties; sought-after hotel suites; fashion pop-ups (its now-open Beach Collective features an assortment of global brands from Serpui to Alexandre Birman); and ever-flowing decanters. The Lodge’s extensive cocktail list now includes a mai tai, a negroni, an Aperol spritz, and a ginger mint lemonade made with Belvedere vodka. Plan your visit in advance—space is almost always limited—but, if you can snag one, get a table by the water. The newly remodeled outdoor space, designed in collaboration with furniture company Arhaus, will shade you underneath a straw umbrella as you peer upon Fort Pond or groove to a performer’s beat. Just make sure your sandals double as dancing shoes.
Loeffler Randall Camellia Knotted Lamé Sandals
Where to Stay
EHP Resort & Marina
Tucked away along East Hampton’s Three Mile Harbor, the nine-acre EHP Resort & Marina offers a peaceful, secluded retreat from the buzziness outside its walls. Formerly known as East Hampton Point, the property underwent a multi-million dollar renovation before reopening in 2021, and the attention to detail shows. Studios, suites, and standalone cottages alike are tastefully lavish, outfitted in modern coastal décor and immaculate landscaping—you’ll literally wake up to the sound of bees buzzing around the lavender just outside your window—and equipped with private patios and working fireplaces. The perks of staying on a marina go well beyond the good night’s sleep and gorgeous views: Tennis lessons are available at the resort’s private court, and the nearby Shagwong Boat Club offers yacht tours. Busy day ahead? Sneak a croissant and City of Saints coffee from the on-site Italian bakery, appropriately named Buongiorno.
Topping Rose House
Arguably one of the most sophisticated stays in an already ritzy locale, the tony Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton takes a renovated 19th-century mansion and spins it into a tableau of modern magnificence. Guests can select from colorful studios, in-house suites, or entire cottages overlooking Topping Rose Farm and the heated outdoor pool, next to which visitors can enjoy seasonal cocktail service. Craving bubbly? Veuve Clicquot announced a takeover of the hotel this summer. Bikes and beach equipment are also available, and a complimentary BMW is always waiting to shuttle you anywhere within a 5-mile radius if you’ve had a little too much to drink. That’s luxury, friends.
Marram
A recent addition to the Montauk resort roster, the 96-room Marram is one of the more natural, earthy offerings along the water, but don’t mistake its grounded aesthetic for a thoughtless approach. The hotel is bursting with mindful choices, from its mid-century modern-meets-Southwestern decor to its new South American café, Mostrador Marram, which offers a master class in the art of paella-making. “Barefoot luxury” is the property’s motto, proving indulgence doesn’t necessarily need to mingle with excess to have the desired impact. Bonus: Rooms are screen-free to avoid any television-prompted stress, so book an oceanfront King suite and graciously watch the tide roll in as you sip your morning coffee.
Beauty Picks
Wash the day away with this collagen-packed cleansing balm, which works in three ways using three distinct textures. First, the balm works to remove makeup, then it transforms into a cleansing oil to rid the skin of impurities, and lastly it hydrates the skin as a cleansing milk. This little jar is basically a spa day at your sink.
Vintner’s Daughter Active Botanical Serum
Regular visitors to the Hamptons know the importance of an investment. And if you’re going to splurge on any one serum, invest in this one. This all-natural hydrating face oil is formulated with 22 of the most antioxidant and nutrient-packed essentials, which will restore your skin barrier and leave you looking and feeling hydrated. Sip too many espresso martinis at dinner? Slather this oil on, and you’ll be good to go.
A powerful sunscreen is a must under the dazzle of the Long Island sun, and while there are numerous options to choose from, EltaMD’s lightweight tinted sunscreen is one of the best on the market. Luxurious but affordable, dewy but strong, the formula sits well even on skin prone to breakouts and hyperpigmentation.
If a Gwyneth Kate Paltrow product wasn’t on this Hamptons-inspired beauty list, could you really trust our authority? Alas, here it is: This nourishing and hydrating lip balm took three years for the Goop team to formulate, and as GP herself puts it: “Worth it!” Ingredients like coconut, argan, castor seed, jojoba, and sunflower leave your dry or cracked lips feeling transformed.
Lauren Puckett-Pope is a staff culture writer at ELLE, where she primarily covers film, television and books. She was previously an associate editor at ELLE.
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she's not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.
