The Hamptons may shimmer with designer caftans, social buzz, and luxury SUVs today, but the East End’s soul is steeped in its bohemian roots. For generations, it’s been a creative sanctuary for artists and writers lured by the golden light and sea air. Lee Krasner and Jackson Pollock made their masterpieces here. Truman Capote built a home in Sagaponack. Andy Warhol held court at his Montauk compound, where The Rolling Stones and Bianca Jagger later partied. Today, that energy lingers—equal parts glam, grit, and golden-hour magic.
Influencers like Alix Earle post GRWMs from Montauk mansions, while Kaia Gerber turns up at Fourth of July parties and summer launches—proof that the scene’s still hot, just with a Gen Z gloss.
For the classic Hamptons experience, check in at The Maidstone in East Hampton. This 19th-century inn blends Scandi style with an East End twist. Up the road, the American Hotel in Sag Harbor—standing since 1846—is still the grand dame of local dining and lodging. Gurney’s in Montauk, meanwhile, brings the oceanfront buzz with summer programming from beach yoga to sunset DJ sets.
Need a reset? Shou Sugi Ban House in Water Mill is a minimalist dream of a wellness retreat, with seasonal meals, cedar tubs, Watsu therapy, and guided meditation in a serene, leafy setting. Want next-level skin? Book a sculpting facial with Iván Pol, the legendary “Beauty Sandwich” aesthetician who is popping up in East Hampton for the season and always draws a loyal, glow-obsessed crowd.
Workout warriors are well cared for, too. Kevyn Zeller Pilates is a go-to for classical mat devotees in East Hampton. Tracy Anderson— yes, the Tracy Anderson—runs a powerhouse studio in Water Mill, where A-listers like Gwyneth and J.Lo come to sweat. SoulCycle at The Barn celebrates 18 seasons on Butter Lane in Bridgehampton this summer, with Stacey G. still causing a Monday booking frenzy. Isaac Boots brings his high-burn Torch’d classes to The HUB all season long, drawing bold-faced regulars. The Formula x Meredith offers a sculpting, low-impact mix of HIIT and Pilates. And in Montauk, Fuze House is shaking up the fitness scene with its beat-driven, athletic dance classes and infrared recovery lounge—a total body reset disguised as a party.
When hunger hits, Duryea’s in Montauk still reigns supreme with harbor views and just-caught seafood, served since the 1930s. Donohue’s Steak House, a UES classic, has landed in the former Post Stop Café location in Westhampton with wood-paneled charm and martinis to match. Il Buco al Mare in Amagansett delivers rustic elegance with wood-fired fish and fluffy house-made focaccia.
Sag Harbor’s Tutto Il Giorno dishes up refined southern Italian in a candlelit garden setting. Gigi’s at Gurney’s brings glam to the beach with perfect playlists and people-watching, while Le Bilboquet offers a Euro-sceney vibe for long, luxe, rose-soaked lunches. (Do not miss the Cajun chicken with fries, natch.)
Round Swamp Farm is a must for your weekend fridge—locals line up for chicken salad, Lisa’s sea salt caramel chocolate chip cookies, and that iconic blueberry muffin. BuddhaBerry (especially the Sag Harbor outpost) is a fro-yo fantasy with organic swirls and wild topping bars. And Briermere Farms in Riverhead? Its peach, cherry and apple crumble pies are legendary—leave early for the drive out east from the city or risk heartbreak.
Toast it all at Wölffer Wine Stand in Sagaponack, where rosé and sunsets go hand-in-hand. The Wölffer family has owned the vineyard since 1988, bottling up the East End spirit with every pour of Summer in a Bottle.
For retail therapy, the East End delivers. TWP in East Hampton is a haven for quiet-luxury lovers, and Tenet in both Southampton and East Hampton curates fashion and design finds from around the globe. Curio’s Southampton summer residency is your go-to for resort wear and swim from emerging designers. And for breezy caftans, Supergoop SPF, and minimalist beach staples, Goop Sag Harbor remains the ultimate wellness-meets-wardrobe destination.
Culture-wise, start in The Springs at the Pollock-Krasner House— Jackson’s actual studio floor still bears the iconic splatters of Blue Poles and Autumn Rhythm. The Parrish Art Museum in Water Mill is an architectural standout, with a sleek Herzog & de Meuron design and rotating exhibits of local and international talent. And in Montauk, the historic lighthouse—commissioned by George Washington and completed in 1796—offers sweeping Atlantic views and a dose of American history.
Whether you’re here for the scene or the silence, the sand or the sculpture, the Hamptons serve up a version of summer that always feels just right. Just don’t forget the SPF— and maybe a peach pie for the road.
