In the off-season, Southampton is a sleepy town with a laid-back vibe. During the whirlwind summertime social season, however, this charming village plays host to jet-setters from around the world. Home to the likes of Calvin Klein and many other A-listers, here is where gated mansions, high-end fashion, and celebrity-heavy events spring to life once the season kicks in. Visitors and locals alike love to shop, dine, and hit the beaches, so we’ve put together a list of fun activities to help you and your family enjoy the summer.
Start your day at a luncheonette called Sip ‘N Soda, a long-time local favorite. A retro throwback, it offers breakfast and lunch and is the perfect setting for a good ol’ burger and milkshake. Another option is The Village Gourmet Cheese Shoppe, where you might luck into fresh raisin-encrusted scones, or head to Tate’s Bake Shop, with homemade goodies, as well as unique baked items that serve as perfect hostess gifts.
When you’re ready to shop, Saks Fifth Avenue is here, as is Hildreth’s, the oldest family-owned-and-operated department store in the United States. Hildreth’s has been around so long that at one time they had buffalo robes, whaling harpoons, and all other goods brought by ship to Sag Harbor, then transported to the store by horse and buggy! Be sure to check out The Elegant Setting too, which has both vintage and new home items. Old Town Crossing offers European antiques and private collection furnishings. If you are looking for a special gift for that special someone—or yourself!—look no further than Tamara Comolli Fine Jewelry, with shops across the world. Comolli’s jewelry exudes a casual luxury, perfect for the Southampton crowd. Another local jeweler is Corwin’s Jewelers, which has been family-owned-and-operated for an amazing 131 years. In addition to traditional jewelry, they offer estate pieces, Ball watches, and a Lorenzo silver line. Rose Jewelers is a threegeneration jewelry store that offers fine jewelry, gifts, watches, and that ever-important wedding registry. High-end stores can be found throughout the village. Try these on for size: Brooks Brothers, Intermix, J McLaughlin (two locations, one for men and one for women), Jildor, Max Studio, Ralph Lauren, Theory, and new this year, Michael Kors, and more.
As you stroll through the village, be sure to visit the tiny Pelletreau Silver Shop, built in 1686. It is the oldest working silver shop in the Americas. Master Jeweler Eric Messin leads silversmith demonstrations, gives tours of the shop, and has workshops in jewelry making. This historic property is managed by the Southampton Historical Museum. Just a block away, visit another building that the Museum manages, the fully furnished Rogers Mansion, which was built for a whaling captain, Albert Rogers, in 1843.
A day at the beach is one way to get fun under the sun. Spend a day at Coopers Beach, which touts the number one slot as the most beautiful beach in America (2010) by Dr. Stephen Leatherman. Also known as “Dr. Beach,” Leatherman is the director of Florida International University’s Laboratory for Coastal Research and has been compiling the country’s top ten beach list for 20 years. See the website of the Southampton Chamber of Commerce for a detailed listing of all the area beaches.
If the kids want some action, enroll them in the surf camp offered by the Flying Point Surf School. Body boards, kayaks, wet suits, and more can be rented. Private lessons are available for those who’ve always secretly yearned to be a surfer dude or dudette.
If you want to get out of the sun (or the rain!), here are some indoor activities: head to the Parrish Art Museum to get your culture fix, get some yoga time at the Ananda Yoga & Wellness Center, check out The Beautiful You Center for Health Arts, or visit the nearby Duckwalk Vineyards, which offers live music on weekend afternoons and daily wine tastings.
Mark your calendars now for a Labor Day weekend event that you should not miss: the Shinnecock PowWow, held at the Shinnecock Reservation. The reservation is opened up once a year to the public and Native Americans gather here from across the country. They dance around a bonfire in full traditional regalia, competing for a winning title, while vendors sell every type of Native American product you can think of, from beautiful clothing and food original to the culture to hand-crafted jewelry and flutes, and just about everything in-between. There is a giant teepee to explore and a bow-and-arrow shooting range for the kids and kids at heart. Located at the edge of the reservation is Thunder Island Coffee Roasters, open to the public year-round, with seasonal drinks, gifts, and an espresso bar.
A nearby not-to-miss event is Super Saturday, sometimes referred to as “the Rolls Royce of garage sales.” This family-oriented event, complete with a carnival for the kids, raises money for The Ovarian Cancer Research Fund. This year’s event will be hosted by Donna Karan, Kelly Ripa, InStyle Magazine, and Charla Lawhon, and will have offerings by designers such as Catherine Malandrino, Salvatore Ferragamo, Calvin Klein, Donna Karan, Diane von Furstenberg, and more. Super Saturday will be held on July 26th at Nova’s Ark Project in neighboring Water Mill.
After all this action, you’ll want to relax with some fine dining. One choice is OSO at Southampton Inn. The Tudor-style Inn is set on five acres of lush landscaping, with OSO offering umbrella-topped tables in a graceful al fresco setting under the stars. (They also serve breakfast and lunch.) Another dining option is Le Chef Bistro. While it has understated elegant indoor seating, Le Chef Bistro also has quaint outdoor sidewalk dining, reminiscent of Europe, and a year-round nightly prix fixe menu. The Driver’s Seat has been totally renovated, has a sleek, sophisticated New York City vibe, and is now open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. An extremely popular brewery/restaurant is the Southampton Publick House. In days past, this brew house played host to legends such as Babe Ruth, Clark Gable, and Gary Cooper. If a sports bar restaurant is a must-do, then Fellingham’s, a local year-round favorite, fits the bill with burgers, beers, and lots of trophies! A midweek event, Concerts in the Park (hosted by the Southampton Cultural Center), is live music offered every Wednesday night beginning June 30th. Concerts will take place at either Agawam Park or Coopers Beach. Check website for details.
End your evening with a nightcap at T-Bar at Savanna’s, where VIPs are also regulars. The restaurant has an extensive wine list, as well as a nice selection of cognac, single malt scotch, and bourbon. T-Bar at Savanna’s is led by Tony Fortuna, of T-Bar NYC, and Arthur Backal. Having cocktails in the rose garden or on the outdoor terrace is a perfect way to end a Hamptons day.
