A Travel Price Comparison for New York New York City vs. The Hamptons for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Families

Should you visit New York City or The Hamptons?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for New York City and The Hamptons. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

New York City

New York City is a vibrant, energetic, and cosmopolitan city. It's an amazing and huge city with tons of activities and things to do. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

The Hamptons

The Hamptons is a wealthy, opulent, and lavish beach destination. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and hiking.

New York City and The Hamptons: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in New York City or The Hamptons?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New York City. Although New York City and The Hamptons are both popular with visitors, New York City has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. New York City is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, christmas markets, and big city activities, while The Hamptons is known for its resorts, beaches, and hiking. New York City is more touristy than The Hamptons and is popular for its high-reaching skyscrapers, iconic landmarks, world-class theater scene, and endless energy. It is also home to The Statue of Liberty. The Hamptons is popular for its long sandy beaches, charming seaside communities, opulent villas, and vacationing celebrities.

How is New York City different from The Hamptons?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between The Hamptons and New York City. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in New York City or The Hamptons?

New York City is a world-class destination for its museums and landmarks. However, The Hamptons does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors will find world class museums and historical sights in New York City that are not to be missed. The sights and museums around the city are too numerous to list, but some of the most famous include the Statue of Liberty, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, Central Park, and the Empire State Building. This is a city that is filled with iconic landmarks and you could spend weeks here and still not see it all.

The Hamptons does not have museums and landmarks.

Is New York City or The Hamptons Better for Theater?

New York City is a world-class destination for theatre. However, The Hamptons is not a theatre destination.

Visitors will find world class theater shows, plays, and musicals in New York City that are not to be missed. Visiting Broadway is a quintessential NYC experience. Whether you enjoy the theater or simply want to experience something new, seeing a Broadway show is a true bucket list activity.

The Hamptons is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in New York City or The Hamptons? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

New York City is a world-class destination for its restaurant scene. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Many restaurants in New York City have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The city has a diverse variety of restaurants, with everything from local dives to Michelin star options. There are many neighborhoods that are notable for their ethnic cuisine, particularly Little Italy and Chinatown. Quintessential NYC dishes include NYC pizza, NYC hot dogs, bagels, and Chinese dim sum.

The Hamptons has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There are a number of fine dining restaurants in the area and seafood is a favorite. Some restaurants are known to be frequented by vacationing celebrities, so if you're hoping to spot someone famous, do some research and you may have some luck.

Is New York City or The Hamptons Better for Nightlife?

New York City is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for nightlife and partying.

People head to New York City just to party. Known as the city that never sleeps, you can be assured that NYC has some of the best nightlife in the world. There are world class bars and clubs, but also local venues that have a more relaxed atmosphere. Several famous clubs include Paul's Cocktail Lounge, Le Bain, and Avant Gardner.

If you're looking for night time activities The Hamptons has a few options to choose from. There are plenty of nightclubs and bars throughout the area. Head to East Hampton for some of the best options.

Is New York City or The Hamptons Better for Music?

New York City is a world-class destination for live music. However, The Hamptons is not a live music destination.

New York City is a world class music destination. Popular music venues include Music Hall of Williamsburg, Radio City Music Hall, Beacon Theatre, and Forest Hills Stadium.

The Hamptons is not a live music destination.

Is New York City or The Hamptons Better for Resorts?

The Hamptons is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, New York City is not a resort destination.

There are plenty of resorts in The Hamptons to choose from. Known as a hangout for the rich and famous, there is no shortage of luxury hotels and resorts in the area.

New York City is not a resort destination.

Is New York City or The Hamptons Better for Beaches?

The Hamptons is a good destination for its beaches. However, New York City is not a beach destination.

The Hamptons offers a nice beach destination. The beaches in the area feature long stretches of soft sand and plenty of space to spread out. Many beaches do come with a hefty price tag though as they require you to pay for parking or a permit.

New York City is not a beach destination.

Is New York City or The Hamptons Better for Hiking?

The Hamptons is a good destination for its hiking trails. However, New York City is not a hiking destination.

The Hamptons offers some nice hiking trails. There are a number of picturesque walks through the dunes and wetlands around the area. There is plenty of peaceful nature to explore if you're looking for a break from city life.

New York City is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in New York City or The Hamptons?

Shoppers can find a variety of fantastic stores in both New York City and The Hamptons.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in New York City. The shopping is as diverse as the city itself. Head for Fifth Avenue for high end shopping or check out any of the many street markets for local items. New York is known for its many flea markets where you can find vintage items at a good price. And if you're looking to pick up a souvenir shirt or knick knack, there are plenty of souvenir shops around town as well.

The abundance of shops in The Hamptons make it a world-class shopping destination. Known as a playground for the rich and famous, you can be assured there are plenty of shopping opportunities where you can flash your cash around town.

Is New York City or The Hamptons Better for Christmas?

New York City is a world-class destination for its Christmas activities. However, The Hamptons does not offer Christmas activities.

New York City is a world class destination for shoppers. Christmas in the city is a quintessential experience. From the Christmas tree and ice skating at Rockefeller Center to seeing a live performance of the Nutcracker, everyone enjoys the holidays in New York.

The Hamptons does not offer Christmas activities.

Is New York City or The Hamptons Better for Christmas Markets?

New York City is a great destination for its Christmas markets. However, The Hamptons does not offer Christmas markets.

New York City offers plenty of Christmas markets. There are a number of Christmas markets that pop up around town during the holiday season. Nothing will get you more in the holiday spirit than wandering these unique venues.

The Hamptons does not offer Christmas markets.

Is New York City or The Hamptons Better for Families?

New York City is a great destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

New York City is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many activities for kids of all ages including world class museums, beautifully designed playgrounds, and theater shows designed just for young ones. There are many kid-friendly restaurants as well and older kids will enjoy visiting the iconic landmarks in this world-class city.

The Hamptons offers lots of family activities. The area has a family-friendly setting with many outdoor activities and a children's museum. There are music events, children's parks, small zoos, and, of course, the beach. Also make sure you pick up some ice cream and enjoy that quintessential beach experience.

Is New York City or The Hamptons Better for Couples?

New York City is a world-class destination for romance. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

New York City is a great city for couples, as it has plenty to offer. From a beautiful carriage ride through Central Park, to a romantic river cruise at night, there is an endless list of unique activities that couples can enjoy in the city. Whether you're interested in theater, the arts, music, or nightlife, this city has it all.

The Hamptons is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy beaches, dining out, and escaping the chaos of city life will enjoy a retreat here. The area has many beautiful parks and outdoor spaces, but there are also amazing restaurants that make for a great date night.

Is New York City or The Hamptons Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

New York City is a great destination for backpackers. However, The Hamptons is a beach destination with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit New York City. It isn't a particularly budget-friendly destination, but it does get its share of backpackers, so you'll find a nice list of hostels and affordable hangouts that are perfect for the backpacker crowd. This is probably one of the most popular cities for backpackers in the entire United States.

The Hamptons is not the best destination for backpackers and budget travelers due to its high prices. It's more popular with the rich and famous than it is with the budget crowd, so you may struggle to find an affordable place to stay, much less a hostel.

Is New York City or The Hamptons Better for Students?

New York City is a world-class destination for students. However, The Hamptons is not popular with students.

New York City is a very popular city for students. The city has a diverse population, and international students will feel right at home here exploring the city. There are also plenty of major universities including NYU, Columbia University, and Cornell University.

The Hamptons is not popular with students.

Is New York City or The Hamptons Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

New York City is a world-class destination for its public transit. However, The Hamptons is a beach destination with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in New York City can get you around easily. The city has one of the largest subway systems in the world. There's also an elaborate bus system, ferry system, and yellow taxis all around town.

Public transit is quite limited in The Hamptons. While there are trains between towns, there aren't many options when it comes to public transit.

Is New York City or The Hamptons a more walkable city?

New York City is a world-class destination for its walkability. Also, The Hamptons is still popular, but not quite as popular for its high level of walkability.

Getting around New York City on foot is easy. The majority of the neighborhoods in Manhattan are very walkable and easy to explore on foot. Most people prefer not to drive here as it can be overwhelming and chaotic.

The Hamptons is a somewhat walkable place. While some of the towns offer a nice place for a stroll, most of the Hamptons is not very walkable and it's best to have a car.

For even more information, also check out Is New York City Worth Visiting? and Is The Hamptons Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in The Hamptons or New York City?

How long in New York City or The Hamptons?

Both New York City and The Hamptons have a number of activities to choose from. In our opinion, New York City has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in New York City than The Hamptons. However, 3-7 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in New York City than The Hamptons. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in New York City, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in New York City than The Hamptons. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in New York City that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in New York City than The Hamptons if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in New York City.

One day in New York City or The Hamptons?

Each neighborhood in New York City has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the lavish destination of The Hamptons. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. Your budget might influence how long you stay. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in New York City or The Hamptons?

New York City is a fun place to experience. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in The Hamptons. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Don't miss the shopping, as that's what most people do. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do. A weekend is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Five days in New York City or The Hamptons?

Each neighborhood in New York City has its own distinct appeal, so there are pleny of areas to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Many travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the wealthy destination of The Hamptons. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This beach destination offers a variety of activities to choose from. If you have five days, this is a great place to go. Five days is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A week in New York City or The Hamptons?

New York City is a popular place to visit. Many people spend one week here. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the beach destination of The Hamptons. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Plenty of people spend one week in the area when traveling.So, one week is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in United States of America, The Best Luxury Tours to United States of America, The Best Tours for Seniors to United States of America, and The Best Contiki Tours to United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between New York City and The Hamptons, we can see that New York City is more expensive. And not only is The Hamptons much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to The Hamptons would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in The Hamptons and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in New York City would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New York City than you might in The Hamptons.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is New York City Expensive? and Is The Hamptons Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, New York City or The Hamptons?

New York City has a larger population, and is about 1940 times larger than the population of The Hamptons. When comparing the sizes of New York City and The Hamptons, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit New York City or The Hamptons?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit New York City or The Hamptons in the Summer?

Both The Hamptons and New York City during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to New York City for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to The Hamptons because of the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

New York City is around the same temperature as The Hamptons in the summer. The daily temperature in New York City averages around 77°F (25°C) in July, and The Hamptons fluctuates around 76°F (25°C).

The Hamptons gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in New York City. New York City usually gets more rain in July than The Hamptons. New York City gets 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New York City or The Hamptons in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both New York City and The Hamptons. The autumn months attract visitors to New York City because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to The Hamptons this time of year.

In the autumn, New York City is around the same temperature as The Hamptons. Typically, the autumn temperatures in New York City in October average around 57°F (14°C), and The Hamptons averages at about 58°F (14°C).

In October, New York City usually receives around the same amount of rain as The Hamptons. New York City gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit New York City or The Hamptons in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to New York City as well as The Hamptons. The museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to New York City this time of year. Also, many travelers come to The Hamptons for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in The Hamptons. It's quite cold in New York City in the winter. In January, New York City is generally much colder than The Hamptons. Daily temperatures in New York City average around 31°F (-1°C), and The Hamptons fluctuates around 31°F (-0°C).

New York City usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as The Hamptons. New York City gets 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit New York City or The Hamptons in the Spring?

Both The Hamptons and New York City are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to New York City for the activities around the city and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to The Hamptons in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

New York City is around the same temperature as The Hamptons in the spring. The daily temperature in New York City averages around 52°F (11°C) in April, and The Hamptons fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In April, New York City usually receives around the same amount of rain as The Hamptons. New York City gets 3.8 inches (98 mm) of rain, while The Hamptons receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for The Hamptons and New York City