Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in The Hamptons?

Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in The Hamptons?

Most visitors spend three to seven days in The Hamptons when visiting. The lavish beach destination offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include shopping, the beaches, the hiking, and the food.

The Hamptons is popular with vacationing New Yorkers who are hoping to escape the chaos of city life. It attracts celebrities and some of the city's most affluent, who often hop on their personal helicopters for a weekend away. The area is filled with long sandy beaches and swanky properties. There is a string of charming towns that become most crowded during the warm summer months. Head to East Hampton if you want to experience the most upscale restaurants, shops, and nightlife scene.

Do you have one or two days to visit The Hamptons? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.


Is one day enough time in The Hamptons?

One day is generally not enough time to experience the beach and other activities of The Hamptons. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to enjoy the most popular activities such as shopping, the beaches, the hiking, and the food. To genuinely appreciate the lavish beach destination, a longer visit is recommended so that you can have more time to relax at the beach. Many tourists opt for at least 3 or as many as 7 days here, after all. After all, The Hamptons is popular with tourists and offers some fun sights and attractions. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.

How to spend a day in The Hamptons

Shopping in The Hamptons is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. 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.

You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. 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 a weekend (two to three days) enough time in The Hamptons?

The Hamptons, a small beach destination offering numerous sights and attractions, is fairy popular with visitors. Given only a weekend, you will likely be rushed to find the best deals at the shops, lounge on the beach, discover the nearby hiking trails, and taste delicious cuisine. To truly savor all that the beach destination offers along with the beach, a more generous amount of time is usually needed. Many travelers opt for three to seven days to relax and explore here. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations for making the most of your visit.

The Beach at the Hamptons The Beach at the Hamptons

How to spend 2 days in The Hamptons

If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in The Hamptons, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the beach destination has to offer.

Perhaps the most famous spot in The Hamptons is the Montauk Lighthouse, so make sure you set aside some time to check it out. It might not be at the top of your list, but it's worth experiencing during your trip.

The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. There are plenty of nightclubs and bars throughout the area. Head to East Hampton for some of the best options.

More Info

If you're looking for more information about The Hamptons, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.

Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.

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