Picture this: You wake up in the morning, throw on your plush cotton robe (imported straight from Milan, obviously) and make yourself a cup of freshly brewed coffee from your delicate French press. Open the double doors (simultaneously, of course) to your balcony overlooking the Atlantic and soak in the salty air of a summer morning in the Hamptons. Maybe you head to Cooper’s Beach during the day to sport your new Loveshackfancy bikini and get that much needed base tan for the season. Or perhaps you and a few friends are headed to the Wölffer Estate Winery, cheers-ing to a summer escape from the Manhattan heat over a chilled glass of Trebbiano. You end your day in Montauk with another lively night at The Surf Lodge, cocktail in hand while scream-singing along to the classic hits the band belts out. Life’s not good, it’s great.
Ah yes, a summer spent out east. A girl can dream, right? Back to reality. Here’s how to make the most of a weekend or day trip to the South Fork of Long Island this summer.
Beaches
Pack your latest Elin Hilderbrand novel, sunscreen, and a beach towel and head to the south shore beaches for a day on the water. Whether you want a fun day with the kids tossing a ball and boogie boarding in the surf zone, or a relaxing afternoon with your toes buried in the sand and the rise and fall of waves lullabying you into a snooze, you can bet it'll be a perfect summer day. Check out these beaches on your way out east:
Cooper's Beach (South Hampton)
Amagansett Beach (East Hampton)
Indian Wells (East Hampton)
Wainscott (East Hampton)
Hither Hills State Park (Montauk)
Ditch Plains Beach (Montauk)
Food
If you're going out east and you're not planning on shoveling a fresh, buttery lobster roll into your mouth (keeping it classy of course, we're in the Hamptons after all), then you're doing it wrong. Enjoy dining at the following:
Lunch - the way foodies rave about the lobster rolls here will have you hopping in the car and headed on the LIE a.s.a.p.
MTK Lobster House
Navy Beach Restaurant - excellent view of the bay and tables on the sand for you to sink your toes into
Duryea's Lobster Deck - known for it's delectable raw bar selection
Claude's at the Southampton Inn - fluffy pancakes for breakfast? Say less.
Scoop du Jour - end the day with a scoop of vanilla ice cream with rainbow sprinkles in a freshly made waffle cone (can you taste it from here?)
Drinks
Craving a chilled glass of Chardonnay or a crisp craft IPA? You're in luck with the variety of wineries and breweries to choose from! Enjoy some drinks and socialize with your friends, locals, or summer vacationers at the following:
Duck Walk Vineyard
Wölffer Estate Winery - try the famous Summer in a Bottle rosé or white (tip: save the beautifully designed bottle and turn it into a vase or vanity decoration)
Channing Daughters Winery
Westhampton Beach Brewing Company
Montauk Brewing Company - the Wave Chaser IPA is my personal favorite (also, they have great merch...and let's be real, it's all about the merch)
The Surf Lodge - known for it's live music and great bands
Ruschmeyer's
The Crow's Nest - pair your drink with a light charcuterie board!
Shopping
After shopping out east, you'll look like Gossip Girl's Blair Waldorf as she confidently strut down the streets of Paris with a copious amount of high-end retail bags proudly hanging from her hands. Whether you're splurging on a new leather purse or simply looking for a cute beach cover-up, the boutiques have it all!
Mint - here you will find the absolute cutest rompers and jumpsuits ladies
Reformation
Loveshackfancy
goop Sag Harbor - clothes, jewelry, beauty, home, books...goop has it all
alice + olivia
The Westside - score great denim shorts here that you can wear all summer long
Whether you’re coming from Nassau or Suffolk county, the 5 boroughs or further, the South Fork will greet you with a warm welcome and leave you with memories of a carefree summer weekend. So break out your favorite sundresses and beach reads, pack your Longchamp weekender, and hop on a Jitney a.s.a.p.!