Things to Do

Night Life

Bobby Van's (631) 537-0590 in Bridgehampton
There's a seafood hut just after Amagansett called Cyril’s on the Montauk Highway that attracts zillions of singles in the evening.
Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett (631) 267-3117 for live music.
A favorite spot is The American Hotel (631) 725-3535, elegant and sedate in a Victorian setting, in Sag Harbor, where they have piano on weekends.

Check hamptons.com for all activities in the Hamptons.

The East Hampton Chamber of Commerce (631) 324-0362 has full information on all activities

Beaches

All beaches require passes for parking cars. We offer beach passes or beach parking permit to the town of East Hampton only (Atlantic Ave. beach, and the bay beaches).

To visit the Main Beach on Ocean Ave., check http://www.easthamptonvillage.org/beaches.htm. Your options are: to pay a parking lot $25 for a day, to call a cab, by bike, or to use the East Hampton Free Rider vehicles (check the route on http://hamptonsfreeride.com/routes/east-hampton).

Tennis

There are four tennis clubs in the area, but the Town of East Hampton has courts that you can use. Call the Town Clerks Office (631) 324-6124 for instructions.

East Hampton Indoor Tennis Club (631) 537-8012, which also has great outdoor courts.
Bridgehampton Tennis (631) 537-1180 and Green Hollow (631) 324-0297.

Public Golf Courses

Montauk Downs State Park (631) 668-5000
Poxabogue Golf Course in Bridgehampton (631) 537-0025
Sag Harbor Golf Club (631) 725-2503
Indian Island in Riverhead (631) 727-7776
Shelter Island Country Club (631) 749-0416

Boats for Rent

Marlin Deep Sea Fishing, Inc. (631) 668-4700
Montauk "Lazybones" (631) 668-5671
Uihlein's Marina and Boat Rental (631) 668-3799
"The American Beauty" (631) 725-0397 will take you for cruises in Sag Harbor

Horses

Deep Hollow Ranch (631) 668-2744
Rita’s Stables (631) 688-5453

Whale Watching

Everyone loves this activity, and sometimes you even see a whale.

The Viking Fleet (631) 668-5700

Weather

The weather is rarely overly hot in the summer. Maybe two weekends we suffer a heat wave. Usually daytime is in the 80-degree range and night is in the 60s. Spring is cool, but May blooms are beautiful to see. Fall remains warm into October. Winter is damp, windy, and cold, but Christmas in the Hamptons is truly special. Main Street is transformed into a holiday wonderland. And when it rains, go visit the lighthouse in Montauk or sit by our fire and read.

Galleries, Museums and Theater

East Hampton has always been a favorite place for artists, from Childe Hassam to Jackson Pollock. The light is unique as it bounces off the ocean, the Sound and bays.

Guild Hall (631) 324-0806 on Main Street can solve all your cultural needs. There’s always a good art exhibition and theatrical events. Call in advance to reserve tickets.
Parrish Art Museum (63l) 283-2118 in Southampton is worth the trip. They have lovely gardens and sedate openings. But go early so you aren’t stuck in traffic.
Sag Harbor Whaling and Historical Museum is also worth the trip if nothing else just to see the historic little town.
Montauk Lighthouse and Museum (631) 668-2544. Again, worth the 45-minute ride. On the tip of the South Fork, the museum has appealing nautical exhibitions.

Art Galleries are ubiquitous in the Hamptons. Often they have opening night parties, so you might want to call ahead or get on their register (or check the East Hampton Star). Here is a very selective list:

Vered Gallery (631) 324-3303 is a must visit. The stylish owner, who is often there, has a wonderful eye for art. The artists are well known and there’s always an inspiring exhibition. The atmosphere is friendly.
Wally Findlay Gallery (631) 329-9794 is very New York and upscale and features work by famous artists.
Pollock-Krasner House (631) 324-4929 call for a reservation in advance because this is a most popular place—the home of Jackson Pollock.
Giraffics Gallery (63l) 329-0803 and Glenn Horowitz (631) 324-5511 have pleasant openings with more affordable art.
Now here’s a find. Longhouse Reserve (631) 329-3568 is the home of famous designer Jack Lenor Larsen. The gardens are beautiful and the house lovely.
The best theater is at Bay Street Theatre (631) 725-0818 in Sag Harbor. They often will have stars in their productions, such as Twiggy. Call well in advance for tickets.

Check out the Benefits list in the Arts section of the East Hampton Star for events to attend.

For You History Buffs

East Hampton goes back to the early 1700s and a stroll down Main Street and to the left of the pond features authentic historical sites.

Clinton Academy Museum is a one-room schoolhouse, ca. 1730.
The Osborne-Jackson House is in its original position, ca. 1740.
Home Sweet Home Museum, across from the Pond on James Lane, has a collection of antiques and china from the 18th century. Visiting these sites is a pleasant walk through old East Hampton, before it became a celebrity haven.

Day Tripping

Here are a few ideas for seeing the sights.

Ferry rides (2) to the North Fork are scenic and pleasurable; not too much traffic. Take Rt. 114 to Sag Harbor ferry, which takes you to lovely Shelter Island, and then on to the North Ferry to old whaling town, Greenport. You can then go east to the last village, which is charming, historical Orient, a beautiful ride through farmland.

Or you can go west on the main road and visit the wineries for wine tasting. Call (516)804-6280. You can take the Vintage Tour (631) 765-4689. Also, this is a good a good ride for antiquing with lower prices on the antiques. Finish the trip with a meal at Claudio’s Restaurant, right across from the ferry, on the docks. Don’t stay too late as ferries close down near midnight.

Sag Harbor ferry schedule
North Ferry schedule

Events

The Perlman Music Program (for real music lovers)
Polo Matches in Bridgehampton
Hampton Classic Horse Show
Hamptons International Film Festival mid-October
Call the Chamber of Commerce for dates: (631) 324-0362
The East Hampton Library (631) 324-0222 is worth a visit just to see the lovely building, interiors, and courtyard. They have a terrific children's library, computers, a magazine room, and a good local history cabinet, and possibly you can get a summer checkout card.
The Amagansett Free Library (631) 267-3810 is a quaint village library where the librarians are well read and friendly.
The East Hampton Star and Dan's Newspapers
www.easthamptonstar.com
www.danspapers.com
carry local news and lists of events for each week, from bird watching to charity galas.
LVIS, a historical house and society on Main Street has a thrift store and a great collection of used books.