Westhampton, NY

Address:Westhampton, New York

Every summer weekend, thousands of eager vacationers flock to the Hamptons from New York, New Jersey, and their suburbs. The Hamptons are known for their laid back atmosphere, elegant shopping, see-and-be-seen social scene, and beautiful beaches. Located on the far tip of Long Island, the Hamptons consist of Westhampton and Easthampton, and offer access to Long Island's thousands of miles of inland, coastal waterways and the Atlantic Ocean.

In addition to the regular mix of beach-loving vacationers, the Hamptons are a popular retreat for the rich and famous. In a drive along the beach, you can see the mansions of stars such as Steven Spielberg, Billy Joel, Caroline Kennedy and Jerry Seinfeld. The town is eclectic, and the modern stone and glass estates on Westhampton sit right next to bungalows and old-fashioned, shingled cottages. To see an interesting combination of modernist and postmodernist architecture, drive along Dune Road in Westhampton Beach.

Long Island's numerous inlets, coves, freshwater lakes, and saltwater shores are popular arenas for all sorts of outdoor entertainment. Rivers, lakes and ocean are full of fish such as rainbow trout, bluefish, blackfish, summer and winter flounder, tuna, weakfish, and striped bass. Fishing charter companies are available throughout Long Island, particularly on the East End in the Hamptons, and near Orient Point. Night fishing is allowed in some parks, but a permit is needed. Sears Bellows County Park in Hampton Bays has fresh water pond fishing for bass, bluegills, perch and pickerel. Boat rentals and boat launching ramps are located throughout the Hamptons. Rentals are generally expensive, but the plus side is that many rental places will deliver and pick up the kayak or canoe at the launch site of your choice.

Scuba diving is very popular in the Hamptons. Long Island is the home of the famous "Wreck Valley," where hundreds of charted wrecks can be found. Dives to this area tend to have a fee, so if you prefer to see some beautiful fish for free, head to Ponquogue Bridge, one of Long Island's best, most accessible sites, in Hampton Bays. In August and September, divers can see trigger, pipe, angel and clown fish, in addition to the native lobsters, crabs, striped bass and blackfish. The site can be dangerous for inexperienced divers because of the very fast current, so it's vital to know about the area before you dive, to prevent getting swept away.

Shopping is made easy in the Hamptons. Celebrities often choose Amagansett Square on Amagansett's Main Street, considered to be one of Hamptons' most opulent shopping districts. Amagansett looks like a quaint New England village and the central square is surrounded by charming boutiques. Farmers' markets can be found in Montauk and Amagansett, among other Long Island towns, and are usually open from May through October.

Dine at clam bars and gourmet seafood eateries. Mussels, clams, tuna, lobster, and crab are all Hampton delicacies. If you tire of seafood, sample one of the many trendy French bistros, Asian Fusion, Tex-Mex, Greek, Southwestern, and excellent Japanese cuisine.

The Hamptons is the perfect place to pamper yourself. Spa Hampton on Dune Road offers manicures, pedicures, facials, massages and more, and has a huge pool and a deck. The spa is also right on the ocean, so you can enjoy the view while you bathe in luxury.

Accommodations in Westhampton include luxury hotels, posh historic inns, resorts, B&B's, and restored Victorian mansions. Many of the options are expensive - some of the most beautiful and well-equipped B&B's and historic inns in the Hamptons start at $250 per night! Younger visitors to the Hamptons often take part in time shares and group summer rentals, making the beautiful beaches quite a gathering place for 20 to 30 year olds.

Westhampton is about 24 miles from Long Island MacArthur Airport. It will take a little over 30 minutes to get to Westhampton from the airport. Your other option is a taxi service.