Local Attraction
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Attractions:
- Wine Country: You don’t have to be an oenophile to be enthralled by Long Island’s wineries. Only rivaled by California’s wine country, Long Island’s wine industry has grown from one small vineyard to nearly 3,000 acres of vines and over two dozen wineries producing world-class wines. The praise and awards continue to accumulate, and Long Island wines just keep getting better.
There are three excellent wineries in the Hamptons (don’t miss Wölffer Estate in Sagaponak – take home their Pinot Noir and the Cuvee Sparkling Wine Brut), but for the full experience take a day trip to the North Fork. From East Hampton take Route 114 North through Sag Harbor (a quaint old whaling village) to North Haven (look for herds of fearless deer strolling through front yards). Take the car ferry (about 5 minutes) across to Shelter Island and (if you can make it past the Mashomack Preserve without stopping to wander through 2,100 acres of woodlands, fields, coastland and tidal creeks) follow 114 across the island to the North Ferry, which takes you into Greenport.
Follow Route 25 West through pristine farmland, past farm stands piled high with local produce, and mile after mile of stunning vineyards. There are now over 20 wineries to choose from on the North Fork but don’t miss Pindar (if the good Doctor is leading a Champagne tour you are in luck, but in any case, try out their Mythology – if you can get it - and the Cabernet Port) and Lenz (their Pinot Noir, Champagne and Chardonnays consistently win blind tastings over the top French wines costing easily 10 times as much). We love the Road House Red and the Cupola at Bedell Cellars and the Reislings at Paumonok. For lunch stop at the Seafood Barge in the Port of Egypt Marina to sample more local wines, fresh seafood and local produce. Go back all the way east (do take the detour to the “business District” of Orient village – it has a post office, an ice cream parlor and a general store) to Orient Point and walk the nature trail out to the very tip. Look across the channel at the Plum Island Animal Disease Center – off limits unless you are a mad cow!
- HISTORIC EAST HAMPTON: Originally settled by Native Americans as early as 1290 B.C., the Village of East Hampton was founded in 1648 A.D. by a group of English farmers who felt that Southampton (which was founded by settlers from Massachusetts only 8 years prior) was getting too crowded and restrictive. Thus began the rivalry between the two main villages of the Hamptons! Over the years, East Hampton has managed to maintain its classic old New England village charm, its agrarian roots and its unspoiled green lands, even as it has blossomed into an internationally recognized resort destination and year-round home to an ever-growing population.
The village was laid out around a broad commons (which is now Main Street) running from the Town Pond on the west end to the sheep fold on the east end, across from where the post office now stands. Many of the historic homes and sites have been preserved, due in a large part to the East Hampton Ladies Village Improvement Society (ELVIS rules in East Hampton!). Founded in 1885, the ladies of LVIS “began raising funds to finance the costly, but necessary, watering down of dusty Main Street, sweeping of crosswalks, cleaning up the Station area and installation of oil lamps on Main Street, along with hiring a lamplighter.” (courtesy of LVIS) Thanks to the continuing efforts of the Ladies of East Hampton, Main Street is lined with stately elms instead of gas stations, strong preservationist Zoning & Planning Boards are in effect and our Historic Districts (Main Street, Huntting Lane and Hook Mill) are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. (The Mill House Inn is situated in the heart of the Hook Mill Historic Disctrict.)
Many of the historic sites are open to the public.
- BEACHES, BEACHES AND MORE BEACHES: Face it; no matter what else The Hamptons have to offer, it’s the beaches that bring the crowds.
If you’re into crowds, Main Beach in East Hampton is the place to be. Bring the umbrella and the beach chairs and settle in for a day of fun in the sun. Got to have a hot dogs and a lobster roll… But if the scene is not your scene, just walk a few hundred feet up the beach and there will be no one casting a shadow on your tan. West of Main Beach, off Lily Pond Lane, is Georgica Beach (facilities but no food). Walk west on the beach to the stretch where Georgica Pond almost meets the ocean. You can see the very exclusive homes of folks like Martha Stuart and Steven Spielberg from the pond, but not from the land (private roads and big privet hedges). Rent a kayak or canoe and paddle around the pond, but beware of the swans – one of them warrants a warning sign at the launching spot – just keep paddling if Fred starts circling your boat. And of course there is the gay beach at Two Mile Hollow…
But don’t spend all your time on the ocean – our bay and harbor beaches are spectacular, too. The water is calmer (good for swimming and paddling) and warmer (especially nice in the early summer when the ocean is still icy).
Maidstone Beach at the mouth of Three Mile Harbor gives you a good view of the boats coming & going and of Gardiner’s Island across the bay. Louse Point juts out between Accabonac Harbor and Gardiners Bay. The harbor is amazingly peaceful, dotted with small islands and Osprey nests on high platforms. Continue south along the North Shore and detour to the little known Little Albert’s Landing on Napeague Bay. Take Cranberry Hole Road east to Lazy Point on Napeague Harbor, a favorite spot for windsurfing (just as much fun to watch as to try…). Continue east, rejoining the highway for a short stretch and take a left at the tennis club on Napeague Harbor Road. Park at the end and you have the choice of hiking along the beach (its worth the effort to make it all the way out to the point between Napeague Harbor and the bay – when the tide is going in or out you can jump in for a wild “water chute” ride!) or up to the Walking Dunes on your right. Strong winds cause the dunes to move; as they “walk” they bury trees in their way. You can see the tree trunks that are slowly being covered by sand. It’s worth getting sand in your shoes climbing to the top for 360º water views. Imagine yourself as Rudolph Valentino in the silent film "The Sheik" which was shot here in 1922.
For surfing, Ditch Plains in Montauk is the most popular beach. Gin beach, on the east side of the mouth of Montauk Harbor, recalls the bootlegging past of the East End. Legend has it that crates of hooch used to wash up on the shore… Oh, and about those crowds – if you really want to find that perfect secluded beach and you have four-wheel drive, you might want to spring for a beach access permit.
- MONTAUK – THE END: Montauk, on the easternmost tip of the South Fork, is one of the sports fishing capitols of the world, as well as home to the oldest lighthouse in Long Island. Take Montauk Highway East and go to the very end. You can't miss the lighthouse! The United States Coast Guard operates the light, but the Montauk Historical Society maintains the lighthouse, keeper’s dwelling, outbuildings and grounds -- there’s an excellent museum in the keeper’s dwelling. On display are reproductions of Coast Guard Vessels and a 3D map of East Coast Lighthouses. Visitors are welcome to climb the 137 spiral steps to the top of the lighthouse and, on a clear day, look out at Block Island across the sound.
In the winter months there are Seal Sighting walks along the beach on the point. Check our Calendar of Events to find out when they are scheduled or set out on your own – about a half mile north of the Lighthouse on the rugged beach. Even in the dead of winter you will see fishing boats off the point.
A visit to Montauk Harbor is a must when you are out east. Stroll through Gosman’s Dock and tackle a fresh steamed lobster while watching the fishing boats go in and out of the harbor. Or sample very fresh sushi at the Westlake Marina’s Chowder House and Sushi Bar – the fishing boats pull up right off the deck of the restaurant and you might see the proprietor haggling for the pick of the catch!
If you are lucky enough to be in Montauk in early June be sure to catch the Blessing of the Fleet, which kicks off the summer season and combines a festive atmosphere with a somber reminder of those lost at sea the previous season. Then finish your day with a sunset horseback ride on the beach at Deep Hollow Ranch, the oldest cattle ranch in the United States.
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Activities:
- Antique Shopping: Antiquing has long been favorite pastime in this fabled resort area – the playground of metropolitan New York and European visitors. Montauk Highway, the main artery that runs from west to east throughout the area, is easy to shop with highly visible stores lining the roadway. The charming historic villages are also havens for stores and visitors can park and easily walk the tour.
Dealers in the Hamptons have a variety of wares for every taste and pocketbook. Because the customers tend to be knowledgeable consumers, prices are competitive and service superb.
For the "Tour of Antique Stores and Sources of the Hamptons on Eastern Long Island, NY" check out http://www.znap.to/antiques, which features 78 participating stores and sources in the 13 villages that run a 50-odd mile gamut from East Moriches through Eastport, Westhampton, Westhampton Beach, Quogue, East Quogue, Hampton Bays, Southampton, Water Mill, Bridgehampton, Sag Harbor, East Hampton and Amagansett. - Fishing: THE VIKING FLEET Montauk 668-5700 - The 145' Viking Starship is available for private charters on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays for groups of 30 plus anglers. Our 104' Viking Star can also be chartered by groups of 1-30 anglers, for the cost of $2000. It is available from Monday through Thursday. Viking Stariper is available for private charters. The Stariper is 65' long and will comfortably accommodate your group of 45 people. Check out the Lazy Bones (631-668-5700) or Sport Fishing Charter Service (631-668-2707) in Montauk for fishing excursions, but you can also just cast off the beach or the town dock on Gann Road in Springs.
- Sailing: SAG HARBOR SAILLING (725-5100)
offers Sailing Lessons, Daysail Rentals, Bareboat and Captained Charters on The Pelican - a 41-foot catamaran with a beam of 23. ALIENTO CHARTERS (267-6817) A 50 foot, 20 ton, teak sailing ketch. A world cruiser with classic charm, available for chartering for a full day, half day, or a red-sails-in-the-sunset cruise. This beautiful schooner has sailed thousands of miles in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. For the last six years she has been chartering from one of the most scenic embarkations on Eastern Long Island: East Hampton Point Marina. With ample deck space this vessel is full of fun and joy and great excitement for children of all ages. So welcome aboard the Aliento, which means "breath of life." Breathe deeply that wonderful sea air. Expect a memorable adventure. Captain George Wilson.
- Surfing: MAIN BEACH SURF SHOP 352 Montauk Highway, Wainscott 537-2716 MAIN BEACH KIDS 411 Montauk Highway, Wainscott Rental and sales of kayak, surf, kite board, water ski, kneeboard, wakeboard & tubing lessons and equipment. Get together a group of four or more and experience a unique way to see the true Hamptons.
- Golf: There is a championship course at Montauk Downs State Park and Poxabogue is a good
par-3 course in Bridgehampton with many other options in between.
- Tennis
- Hiking: Explore the East End by hiking our many nature trails
(contact the Easthampton Trails Preservation Society at 631-324-8662 for information.)
- Horseback Riding: at Deep Hollow Ranch in Montauk, the oldest continually operating ranch in the United States (631- 668-2744).
- Beach: from the quiet bay and harbor beaches, to the ocean – the awesome Atlantic. The ocean beaches in the Hamptons are considered some of the most beautiful in the world, with mile after mile of pristine sand, dunes and pounding surf. A walk on the beach puts the world back into perspective, while the wind clears the cobwebs from your mind
- Canoeing/Kayaking: Main Beach Surf and Sport shop in Wainscott (631-537-2716) can supply all the gear you need for kayaking, canoeing or in-line skating.
- Biking: a great alternative to the car during the peak summer traffic season. For bike rentals try Bermuda Bikes in East Hampton (631-324-6688) or Cycle Path in Amagansett (631-267-6313).
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