A Destination Celebration

The Hamptons are a ritualistic summer destination for New Yorkers and their fortunate guests. A farsighted handful of Dallas families have been home owners for multiple generations, as well as a mix from all the Unites States and Europe. The beautiful stretches of ocean beaches and casual but luxurious lifestyle have been a longtime lure for visitors. Of course, the maximum influx of visitors is in July and August when the precious few guest houses and restaurants are filled to capacity. Only the challenges of getting to the tip of Long Island via bumper to bumper summer traffic on the Long Island Expressway curtails some of the influx. No wonder helicopter travel is becoming more mainstream.

The "Hamptons" include a string of communities – many with "Hampton" in the name -- stretching from West Hampton to Hampton Bays, Southampton, Bridgehampton and East Hampton, intermingled with villages such as Quogue, Water Mill, Sagaponack and Amagansett -- stretching along the eastern tip of Long Island. Towns such as Southampton and Sag Harbor were founded in the 1640s and flourished primarily as whaling centers. Luckily, some charming vestiges of other times remain.

Lovely seaside homes abound, and a drive along Gin Lane in Southampton and Further Lane in East Hampton allow glimpses of another era, when grand shingled homes at the turn of the 20th century became a symbol of the Hamptons. Added summer attractions include polo games and celebrity sightings. A walk along Job's Lane in Southampton or Newton Lane in East Hampton might include a sighting of author Tom Wolfe, Steven Spielberg, Billie Joel or even Madonna, who has recently bought a large horse farm in nearby Sagaponack. Visits to local vineyards and farm stands are de rigeur in the summer and still available in the fall.

While we love the beach in the summer, we can recommend a weekend visit in the fall when the crowds have left, and the area is populated by the year-round locals and those who spend their weekends at their country/beach homes. Seeking out the area for a birthday or anniversary celebration would be ideal, especially added onto a New York visit.

The beach is always there for long walks and shelling in the fall. The fall visitors enjoy the abundance of local seafood and the shops that stay open for weekends through Thanksgiving, after which the crowds thin again. Incidentally, our beach of choice, Cooper's Beach in Southampton, has been named this year's number one beach in the country.

Fall allows seeing the changing colors of foliage, excursions to the nearby and once important whaling town of Sag Harbor (a seaport now given over to sizeable yachts for summer moorings), and even out to Montauk at the tip of the island, the destination for serious fishermen and for visits to the Lobster Roll, the iconic restaurant that gave its name to the lobster salad on a bun. (Incidentally, we love the fact that Café Pacific has added the item to the menu.) In between are roads through remaining (and rapidly diminishing) farms and horse farms.

Shopping is a major sport in the Hamptons. While a few "chains" have had a presence there for some time, such as a small Saks Fifth Avenue in Southampton and Tiffany's in East Hampton. Ralph Lauren has also been a staple whose clothes fit into the Hamptons' style. But, now more of the major New York stores, such as Hermés in East Hampton and Asprey in Southampton, are following their clientele to their summer homes. We love the single owner shops such as The Elegant Setting, H Groome and Nancy Corzine in Southampton. Those who love Highland Park's Madison will love The Elegant Setting with its selection of sleek crystal and china and great gifts for monogramming. The shop also carries the posh stationery from The Printery, which is a Long Island company. And don't forget Mecox Gardens, the home-base of the Dallas offshoot.

In addition to visiting the Parish Art Museum in Southampton, which has broken ground for a new museum in Water Mill, designed by Pritzker Prize-winning, Swiss architects Herzog & de Meuron, there are several serious art galleries in the area. As many of you may know, many artists have made their homes in the Hamptons, including former Dallas resident Dan Rizzie. Keszler Gallery, a New York-based gallery, is next to H Groome on Southampton's Main Street. Their recent exhibit included the sculptural art of Peter Anton. His appetizing, jumbo-sized boxes of faux chocolates could easily be the leitmotif for our site. Regretfully, the Spanierman Gallery in East Hampton has closed after a long run. Their artists are available at their New York Galleries.

Bridgehampton, along Route 27, the major road that cuts though all these towns, has wonderful antiquing. We love English Country Antiques for its huge selection as well as Bittersweet Interiors. It is also home to Loaves and Fishes Cookshop, a kitchen wonderland, and C&W Mercantile, with great housewares and fine children's clothes. We never visit without finding a few gifts at either place. Food shops include Citarella, the New York City fish emporium which has spread its epicurean wings with fine food throughout the Hamptons. Tate's Bake Shop in Southampton (a comfortable place for sitting outside with coffee and fresh-baked goods in the morning) has become known in Dallas. We are addicted, partly out of nostalgia, to their delectable cookies available at Central Market.

Top guest houses are listed below, most of which enable the guest to walk to the village where they will be staying. Needless to say, the off season rates are considerably less than summer and holiday rates, another cause for a celebration! Some of the restaurants are also within walking distance from the various guest houses. If the celebration is a special one, you might want to size up the restaurant appropriate for the occasion and plan accordingly.

In the end, if you are smitten with the Hamptons, as many visitors are, you might acquaint yourself with next summer's rentals.

Let us know how you enjoy your visit and celebration.

It is our intention to include occasional destinations for special celebrations. We hope you will consider our suggestions, both for now and in the future. Meanwhile --

Indulge us!
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