The Hamptons – for the cool rich and famous‏

With summer starting next week, all celebrities, rich people and all true New Yorkers can’t stop talking about going to “The Hamptons” for the summer. Think 20 million dollar beach houses, private uber-helicopter service from Manhattan for 3000 dollar a flight or ten thousand dollar weekend 2bed rentals. Now I know Americans can overprice and exagerate. A lot. So I went there to check it out and was amazed! So here is a guide for the perfect Hampton weekend roadtrip to feel like a star without spending the bucks!

BRIDGEHAMPTON

To make sure you have arrrrrriiiiiiiived, get your first Hamptons fix in Bridgehampton. Walk along pretty Main Street with its cute shop porches and a white church. Go for an outside breakfast or lunch at Pierre’s, a cute local favorite serving creative French bistro and local seafood with a bakery up front, always crowded! DO make sure to listen to all conversations on the tables next to you for the Hamptons feel – I sat next to a HBO producing family, who’s six year olds were perfectly normal in complaining about having to go to Sundance Film Festival AGAIN this year now that HBO GO bought Daddy’s series. Oh and loudly confessing to Mom that the nanny was sooooo much better than Mom in doing her hair… Well, then you know you’ve arrived in the Hamptons!

If Pierre’s is booked you’ll find other nice spots in Bridgehampton like Topping Rose House – a pretty hotel with fancy interior, and if you’re not driving; definitely go taste local wines with a view at Winery Wolffer estate – the Wine Stand, along the Montauk highway!

EAST HAMPTON

Aside from a real nice brunch at Babette’s – a casual, health-minded eatery that prepares meals from local & organic ingredients with vegan options – East Hampton is a somewhat pretentious rich village with a Main Street full of your typical upscale shops.

But you just have to go there for THE DRIVE around town! Imagine your head turning as if you’re watching the longest tennis rally ever: that’s the amount of wows and whahhs you’ll experience left right and center when you drive through these Millionaire streets, with pretty awesome houses from the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Martha Stewart and many more celebrities!

Set your GPS for Further Lane, Lily Pond Lane, Georgica Beach and Geogrica Road!

AMAGANSSET

My absolute favorite tiny village of the Hamptons! Not so much pretentious, but think of a quiet tree covered main street with few hipster coffee spots, live rock band music blasting from the vintage record store on Main Street with all sort of people calmly strolling around the green lawn around craftsy shops.

I went back every day to my favorite Jacks coffee for its awesome coffee menu ranging from cold brews to double red-eyes, but also for its quirky hipster surfer interior. Go for a laid-back lunch at fish house Bostwick Chowder House’s outside patio and enjoy the good seafood (lobster roll!) on plastic plates in beachy digs!  Or if you crave original indian lunch outside in the sun: Hampton Chutney Co, its Indian crêpes called dosas get stuffed with nontraditional fillings at this quick-serve eatery!

For late night fun, the Stephen Talkhouse is a great music bar where nationally known live acts as well as local heroes appear at an intimate live music club in an old house. Buy the 10 usd tickets at the door!

MONTAUK

The further you go along Long Island, the more surfer relaxed the Hamptons seem to get! Montauk at the very tip if the island has nothing rich famous pretentious, but is more a fishermens village with young surfer vibes! Make it to the tip of the Island with scenic drives and views of Oyster Bay and ofcourse go for a walk along the shores of pretty scenic Montauks Lighthouse.

A true surfers hotspot to go for breakfast, lunch or dinner is Gig Shack – my tuna taco’s combined with Montauk’s locally brewed beer was absolute heaven! And: live bands play in the weekends = amazing. More in the mood for cocktails? South Edison is a very beachy trendy place to go for local seafood for dinner and eclectic cocktails!

BEACH

So supposedly the beach is voted as “one of the best in the world”. Well, if thats the same vote they use for every “best burger in town” on every corner of the street for every average place.. (sorry not sorry, but by definition that’s not possible).

Anyway. The beach in the Hamptons is very pretty! White and wide, it is perfect for summer runs, walks and tanning! Truthfully, the beach isn’t beating Thailand or any Carribean paradise but it sure beats sizzling hot new York city in summer temperatures.

It is a nice escape and I can totally see why the UBER helicopter service WORKS and I really wish I could go back!!!

@NYEline