Hamptons, New York

The Hamptons: Sag Harbor

Sag Harbor's wealth of imposing homes and public buildings stems mainly from its heyday as a whaling capital in the 1800s.

Restaurants

• B. Smith's 1 Bay St., Long Wharf at Bay Street, 631-725-5858
• Beacon, 8 W. Water St., 631-725-7088
• Dockside Bar & Grill 26 Bay, 631-725-7100
• Estia's Little Kitchen, Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Turnpike, 631-725-1045
• JLX Bistro, 16 Main Street, 631-725-9100
• New Paradise Cafe, 126 Main St., 631-725-6080
• Oasis, 3253 Noyac Rd., 631-725-7110
• The American Hotel, Main Street, 631-725-3535

Beaches & Parks

Beachgoers must buy parking permits, available at town beaches daily beginning June 19 or on weekends as listed below.

Seasonal fee is $20 for residents, $10 for resident seniors older than 60 and $150 for nonresidents. Nonresident daily parking permit $15 (limited number). Some town beaches are restricted to resident permit holders. Call 631-728-8585.

Foster Memorial Beach
Long Beach Road
Access: Daily and seasonal for residents and non-residents.
Beachfront: 1 mile on Peconic Bay.
Lifeguards: Weekends May 27-June 18, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; daily June 24-Sept. 4.

Bars & Clubs

21 Water Street
21 W. Water St.
631-725-7500
twentyonewater.com

Cigar Bar
2 Main St.
631-725-2575
It's open until 4 a.m. daily and is a cigar smoker's dream. Along with "Liquid Cocaine Thursdays" and some great martinis, the club has a walk-in humidor with a large selection of premium cigars.

Murf's Tavern
64 Division Street
631-725-9749
Murf's is a place for some serious drinking. It's your basic dark and smoky bar. It has a standard bar menu and music supplied by a jukebox packed with local and non-local talent.

Hotels

The American Hotel, 49 Main St., 631-725-3535
theamericanhotel.com
This historic eight-room hotel in the heart of Sag Harbor is considered a "boutique hotel" for its charm, character and luxury amenities. All rooms have private baths with Jacuzzi tubs. Mini bars and plush down comforters are also a draw. The restaurant and tavern have a clubby feel, complete with a giant moose head that peers down on guests. Finding the desk attendant can be trying, so keep trying. $$

Baron's Cove Inn,31 W. Water St., 631-725-2100
baronscove.com Dock the boat in the marina just beyond the front door, then enjoy a hot shower and a hot meal prepared in the kitchenette of your room. From there it's just a short walk to downtown Sag Harbor. Beach-goers can visit nearby Havens Beach Bay or Bridgehampton Beach to the south. The 66 rooms are decorated in a nautical theme, fitting for this old whaling village. A tennis court, sun deck and pool are on the grounds. It's not glitzy, but it is a clean and quiet retreat from the crowds on Main Street. $

Sag Harbor Inn, 45 W. Water St., 631-725-2949
sagharborinn.com
Enjoy proximity to the shops and restaurants of Main Street at here, but not the crowds and street noise. Rooms are decorated with reproduction pine furniture, and the fabrics and carpets could stand some updating. Upper-level decks provide stunning views of Noyack Bay. There's a pool, but it's not heated; wireless internet access is available throughout. $

• All hotels in the Hamptons

Shopping

Sag Harbor Variety
45 Main St.
631-725-9706
Established in 1922, the store remains the quintessential five-and-dime, offering supplies for knitting, sewing, crafts, pots and pans, underwear, toys and yes ... even candy that is still 5 and 10 cents.

Canio's Books
290 Main St.
631-725-4926
A great place for browsers, Canio's has both new and used books. There are also book signings and readings.
Web site: caniosbooks.com

Paradise Books
126 Main St.
631-725-1114
A branch of Book Hampton, the shop is spread over two levels. If you work up an appetite while you browse, there's a restaurant in back (along with a nice deck).

Romany Kramoris Gallery
41 Main St.
631-725-2499
The gallery has plenty of things to give as house gifts to the friends you're visiting -- American crafts, blown glass, books on design -- you name it.

Museums & Galleries

Goat Alley Gallery
200 Division St.
631-725-1902
Features: Sculptures, original paintings, graphics

Grenning Gallery
90 Main St.
631-725-8469
Features: Artists reviving the old masters' techniques, oil paintings
Hours: Summer hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sun.-Thur., 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Fri. and Sat. Call for winter hours.
Web site: grenninggallery.com

Kramoris Gallery
41 Main St.
631-725-2499
Features: Contemporary and folk paintings, fine crafts, sculpture, stained glass and jewelry; changing shows throughout the season representing national and local artists using different mediums.
Hours: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (closed Tue. and Wed.), 10 a.m.-midnight daily June-August.
Web site: kramorisgallery.com

• More Sag Harobr museums and galleries

About Sag Harbor

• Sag Harbor by the book
To really appreciate Sag Harbor's literary tradition, you have to do what the writers who have called this East End village home have been doing for almost two centuries: Use your imagination.

• The un-Hampton
• A whale of a time