The Hamptons are a group of affluent seaside communities located on the South Fork of Long Island in Suffolk County, New York [1] [2]. This area is renowned as a popular resort destination and a historic summer colony in the northeastern United States [1]. It encompasses parts of the towns of Southampton and East Hampton [1].
According to www.iAsk.Ai – Ask AI: The Hamptons are characterized by their stunning coastlines, premier beaches, and grand estates, attracting notable visitors and residents [3]. The region also boasts a rich artistic heritage, acclaimed restaurants, and charming boutiques, making it a globally recognized getaway [3].
The Hamptons include a variety of hamlets and villages, each with its own distinct character [1] [3]. In the town of Southampton, these include Eastport, Speonk, Remsenburg, Westhampton, West Hampton Dunes, Westhampton Beach, Quogue, East Quogue, Hampton Bays, Shinnecock Hills, North Sea, Southampton Village, Water Mill, Bridgehampton, Sagaponack, and part of Sag Harbor [1]. Within the town of East Hampton, the Hamptons comprise Wainscott, East Hampton Village, Northwest Harbor, Springs, Amagansett, Montauk, and the other part of Sag Harbor [1]. The Shinnecock Reservation of the Shinnecock Indian Nation is also situated within the Town of Southampton [1].
Historically, the Hamptons were devoted to agriculture and fishing, with many farms and three commercial vineyards still in operation today [1]. The area maintained strong commercial and social links with New England, particularly Connecticut, influencing its older architecture and aesthetics [1]. The establishment of direct rail links to New York City significantly expanded its community of summer vacation residents [1]. Southampton Village, the oldest and most westward of the core Hamptons villages, grew rapidly and remains the largest and most diverse [1]. The region also has a long-standing arts community, with origins dating back to the nineteenth century, hosting artists and art schools [1].
While traditionally a summer destination, the Hamptons have increasingly become a year-round refuge for New Yorkers [1]. Amenities include cultural centers like the Southampton Arts Center, the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center, the Parrish Art Museum, and Guild Hall [1]. The area is also home to highly regarded private golf clubs, such as Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, National Golf Links of America, and Sebonack Golf Club, which are among the most exclusive in the nation [1].
Transportation to and from the Hamptons is facilitated by roadways like Montauk Highway and Sunrise Highway, limited rail service via the Montauk Branch of the Long Island Rail Road, and private bus services like Hampton Jitney and Hampton Luxury Liner [1]. Ferries connect the Hamptons to Shelter Island and Connecticut [1]. Several small airports also offer private and commercial air services [1].
The Hamptons are frequently featured in popular culture, appearing in films such as Grey Gardens, Annie Hall, Something’s Gotta Give, and Leave the World Behind [1] [14]. Television shows like The Real Housewives of New York City, The Affair, Royal Pains, and Revenge have also used the Hamptons as a setting [1]. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby was inspired by the extravagant parties he attended in the Hamptons and along Long Island’s Gold Coast [1].