Hamptons, New York

The Hamptons: Southampton

Take a break from celebrity-hunting to play a round of golf, drink a pint, visit an art museum or discover the area's Native American heritage in this traveler's guide to Southampton and its neighboring communities including Water Mill.

Restaurants

In Southampton
• 75 Main, 75 Main Street, 631-283-7575
• Barrister's Restaurant, 36 Main Street, 631-283-6206
• Buckley's Irish Pub, 76C Job Lane, 631-283-4316
• Driver's Seat Restaurant, 62 Jobs Lane, 631-283-6606
• Fellingham's, 17 Cameron, 631-283-9417
• John Duck Jr.'s, 15 Prospect St., 631-283-0311
• La Parmigiana Italian Restaurant, 48 Hampton Road, 631-283-8030
• La Pizzaiola, 801 County Road 39, 631-283-6770
• Le Chef Bistro, 75 Jobs Lane, 631-283-8581
• Lori's Restaurant and Wine Bar, 75 Main Street, 631-283-7575
• Madame Tong's, 256 Elm Street, 631-204-0300
• Meson Ole, 1746 County Road 39, 631-283-8574
• Mount Fuji of Southampton, 1670 North Highway, 631-287-1700
• Nello Summertimes, 136 Main Street, 631-287-5500
• Paul's, 21 Hill Street, 631-283-1861
• red / bar brasserie, 210 Hampton Road, 631-283-0704
• Sant Ambroeus, 30 Main Street, 631-283-1233
• Shippy's Pumpernickel, 36 Windmill Lane, 631-283-0007
• Silver's, 15 Main St., 631-283-6443
• Southampton Publick House, 40 Bowden Square, 631-283-2800
• The Coast Grill, 1109 Noyac Road, 631-283-2277
• The Lobster Inn, 162 Inlet Road, 631-283-1525
• The Plaza Cafe, 61 Hill Street, 631-283-9323
• Tuscan House, 10 Windmill Lane, 631-287-8703
• Wildthyme, 129 Noyac Road, 631-204-0007

In Water Mill
• Foody's, 760 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill, 631-726-FOOD
• Mirko's, Water Mill Square, Water Mill, 631-726-4444
• Suki Zuki of the Hamptons, 688 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill, 631-726-4600
• Trata East, 1020 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill, 631-726-6200

Beaches & Parks

Beachgoers must buy parking permits, available at town beaches daily beginning June 25 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 (noted below) are restricted to resident permit holders. Call 631-728-8585.

Emma Rose Elliston Park
Millstone Road off North Sea Road, North Sea.
Access: For Southampton residents only.
Beachfront: 150 feet on Big Fresh Pond.
Access: Lifeguards, picnic tables, rest rooms.

Flying Point Beach
on Flying Point Road, Water Mill.
Access: Open only to seasonal permit holders, including nonresident permit holders.
Beachfront: 250 feet on ocean.
Lifeguards: On weekends.
Facilities: Showers, rest rooms, mobile food stand, volleyball courts.

Bars & Clubs

Madame Tong's, 256 Elm St., 631-204-0300
This popular Asian restaurant serves upscale Chinese food, but it's also a well-known nightspot with an outdoor patio, outdoor sushi bar and a lawn with a fireplace. The club promises circus performers every Saturday night. One interesting gimmick: Get a VIP card and you can bypass the lines.

Nello Summertimes, 136 Main St., 631-287-5500
This restaurant-lounge appeals to an older clientele; it overlooks a golf course. Hang out at the raw bar or try the rib steak Florentine, then burn a few calories dancing to tunes from the British DJ Nathan.

Pink Elephant, 281 County Rd. 39A, 631-287-9888
Though this beach-themed venue has been around for a while, this year it's partnering with Eugene Remm and Mark Birnbaum, who run the new Manhattan club TENJUNE. And look for familiar faces from the Chelsea club Cain, which plans to send its clients here. Make sure to stroll through the outdoor spaces, where you may see celebs ducking into the private cabanas.

DUNE, 1181 N. Sea Rd., 631-283-0808
From the folks who brought you Marquee in Manhattan and Tao in Las Vegas comes DUNE, a new club in the old Jet East space. Expect a whole new yacht-club décor anchors, ropes and blue-and-white striped wallpaper. (Even the waitresses will be wearing nautical-themed outfits.) The average cocktail will run you a reasonable $9, but this isn't the place for young amateurs to go crazy: The club is aiming for a slightly older, upscale crowd.

Stereo by the Shore, 125 Tuckahoe Lane, 212-244-1965
After-hours types used to know it as Tavern, but it's now being handled by the people who run the Manhattan club Stereo. Tavern's clubby, after-hours vibe is out; Stereo's friendly, loungey atmosphere is in. Expect plush new leather banquettes, doormen in seersucker suits and, if you're a high enough roller, a Bentley to pick you up.

Hotels

1708 House, 126 Main St., 631-287-1708
1708house.com
Some areas date back to the mid-1600s, but this downtown inn hardly shows its age. At check-in, guests will find the table already impeccably set with china and stemware for the next morning's breakfast. Rooms are spacious, with private baths decorated in wood tones and subway tile. Suites have sitting areas and large desks for guests who fool themselves into thinking they'll get a little work done. All the chi-chi shops and restaurants are just outside the door. $$

The Capri, 281 County Road 39A, 631-283-6100
hrhresorts.com/capri.htm
The motel is closed during the week. But watch out on weekends. The motel's nightclub and lounge, the Pink Elephant, is a Hamptons hot spot. Crowds spill out of the club and into the courtyard, where cabanas with plush cushions and pillows overlook the pool. The 30 guest rooms have a stylish retro feel, with cut-out headboards, brushed-nickel touches and black-and-white photos on the walls. Guests seem to either love it or hate it; most critics cite the high price or sluggish service. Open from May through mid-September. $$$

The Easterner Motel, 639 Montauk Hwy., 631-283-9292
hamptons.com/EasternerMotel
Cabins are clean and outfitted with kitchenettes. Plaid bedspreads and rattan chairs give the rooms a kitschy feel. There is a pool, and Cooper Beach is nearby. The best feature, given the good location on the outskirts of Southampton, is the price. $

The Enclave Inn, 450 County Road, 631-537-2900
Formerly the Olympia Motel, the inn recently joined the Enclave chain the South Fork (locations in Bridgehampton, Shinnecock, Southampton and Wainscott). All the rooms were renovated to look sleek and slick with their white downy comforters, shiny white laminate furniture and tiled bathrooms stocked with Neutrogena soaps and shampoos. Rooms have a small kitchenette, handy for making a picnic to eat by the pool. $$

The Mainstay Inn, 579 Hill St., 631-283-4375
themainstay.com
The innkeeper's artistic flair is seen everywhere, starting with the faux-painted walls that give the bed and breakfast a dreamy feeling. It's close to downtown, but so secluded that guests may want to skip the social scene and lounge by the pool or amid the roses. Rooms have antique beds and country pine furniture. Not all of the eight guest rooms have a TV; most have air conditioning. Continental breakfast is served. $

Southampton Country House, 485 N. Main St., 631-283-7338
shcountryhouse.com
This bed and breakfast is open mainly on weekends during the busy season. Guest can choose among two rooms, each with its own bath, and a roomy two-bedroom apartment. The innkeepers - and their cat - are friendly and readily make guests feel at home. (Maybe that's why so many have returned over the inn's 13 seasons.) Rates include a full breakfast, prepared in an airy kitchen that overlooks the lush, landscaped lawns around the pool. $$$

Southampton Inn, 91 Hill St., 631-283-6500
southamptoninn.com
With 90 rooms, this hotel is often used for corporate events and large gatherings. (Indeed, the Garden Club of America was holding a regional meeting here during our visit.) The lobby is decorated cheerfully and each room has a distinct décor. The café in the terrace-level basement serves breakfast and light lunch. Other amenities include a pool, shuffleboard court, tennis and a fitness room. A free shuttle drops guests off at nearby Cooper Beach. $

Southampton Village Motel, 315 Hampton Road, 631-283-3034
southamptonvillagemotel.com
This humble motel is dressed like the million-dollar homes in the area - gray shingles, red door, slate walkways. Clean, cute, quiet and close to downtown, it's an affordable place to stay in any season. Beds are outfitted with crisp white linens, and a refrigerator and TV are concealed behind pine armoires. There are only 10 guest rooms, so book early for the summer season. $

Village Latch Inn Hotel, 101 Hill St., 631-283-2160
villagelatch.com
Eclectically elegant, the inn has 67 rooms in five buildings on five acres. Antiques and artifacts are everywhere. Rooms are country chic, with distressed furniture, oriental rugs and floral wallpaper. Enjoy a continental breakfast with fresh jam and pastries in the garden room or amid the funky sculptures on the grounds. Pool, tennis and bike rentals are available on premises. $$

In Water Mill

Box Farm, 78 Mecox Road, 631-726-7769
boxfarm.com
A 1600s farmhouse is now home to seven airy guest rooms with plush white comforters. Public rooms are furnished with white, slipcovered lounge chairs, and the wide, knotty-pine floors look newly restored. A computer station offers Internet access -- but skip the e-mail and instead head to stunning East Hampton beach. Bikes are available if you want to explore the residential area just south of the inn. Full breakfast included. $$$

The Pondview, 1332 Deerfield Road, 631-726-7226
thepondview.com
Located about 2 miles north of Montauk Highway, this bed and breakfast is a secluded retreat set among the farms of Water Mill. This B&B is newly constructed, but loaded with charm. The family residence is in the south wing; the north wing contains two roomy suites and a sitting area - all beautifully decorated. A guest house on the grounds is perfect for families. And activities abound: a 60-foot chipping/putting green, a fully equipped exercise room. a playground, a tennis court and even a pond stocked with fish and frogs. It's sumptuous - but not snobby. $$

• All hotels in the Hamptons

Shopping

Lee Gallery
49 Main St.
Unusual gold jewelry as well as pieces in wood, ceramics, and glass.

Table d'Art
58 Job's Ln.
Pottery, candles, candlesticks, glassware, napkins and napkin rings--everything you need to set the perfect table.

Hecho a Mano
46 Job's Ln.
Everything is made by hand--the candlesticks, serving platters, lanterns, mirrors--even the aluminum dining chairs.

Shinnecock Indian Outpost
Montauk Hwy.
Native American arts and crafts assembled from communities around the country. Pottery, moccasins, jewelry.

Judith Anne's
71 Job's Lane
Toys, games, and dolls--a good place to stop if the weather turns nasty.

Book Hampton
91 Main St.
Browsers' heaven, with a good selection of current books.

• More shopping in Southampton

Museums & Galleries

Chrysalis
2 Main St.
631-287-1883
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon.-Sat. (until 9 p.m. Sat. during summer), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun.

Michael Perez Gallery
49 Jobs Lane
631-287-1003
Features: Modern Pop Art painting of Michael Perez.
Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Wed., 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Thur.-Sat., noon-4 p.m. Sun.; call for off-season hours
Web site: www.michaelperezgallery.com

The Parrish
25 Job's Lane
631-283-2118
In Southampton Village, the museum offers workshops, children's art classes and changing exhibits.
Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Mon.-Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun., June 1-Sept. 15. Closed Tue. and Wed., Sept. 15-May.
Fee: $5, $3 seniors and students, free ages younger than 18.

Southampton Historical Museum, Rogers Mansion
17 Meeting House Lane
631-283-2494
Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Tue.- Sat., 1-5 p.m. Sun., May-December, noon-5 p.m. Thur.-Sat., January through April; other times by appointment.
Fee: $4 adults, $3 seniors, $2 students.
Central building is an 1843 sea captain's home, with period rooms and changing exhibits on Southampton history.
On site: 1-room schoolhouse, paint store, blacksmith shop, other commercial buildings. Nugent Carriage Barn houses farm tools and a gallery on whaling history.

Old Halsey House
South Main Street
631-283-2494
Built by Thomas Halsey circa 1660, it is the oldest house in Southampton; has 17th and 18th century furniture.

Shinnecock Nation Cultural Center and Museum, Shinnecock Reservation
Montauk Highway and West Gate Road
631-287-4923
Museum depicts 10,000 years of Shinnecock history. "A Walk with the People" exhibit has murals and sculpted totems by Shinnecock artist David Bunn Martine, a replica wigwam, an ancient birchbark canoe, mounted animals, tools, jewelry, beadwork, weavings, photos of ancestors. "My Spirit Dances Forever" has Algonquian bronze sculptures donated by Frederick DeMatteis.
Web site: www.shinnecock-museum.org