The Hamptons


The Hamptons are a group of seaside communities on the East End of Long Island in Suffolk County, New York. The region consists of the towns of Southampton and East Hampton which form the South Fork of Long Island. The area developed from early agricultural and fishing settlements and became a well-known seaside resort and summer colony by the late nineteenth century.
The Hamptons extend eastward from Westhampton to Montauk. The Atlantic Ocean forms the southern coastline, while bays such as Shinnecock Bay and Gardiners Bay lie to the north. Communities in the Town of Southampton include Westhampton Beach, Quogue, Southampton Village, Bridgehampton, Sagaponack, and part of Sag Harbor. The Town of East Hampton includes East Hampton Village, Amagansett, Springs, Wainscott, and Montauk. The Shinnecock Reservation of the Shinnecock Indian Nation is located within the Town of Southampton.
Early settlement and trade linked the Hamptons closely to coastal New England, particularly Connecticut, and these connections influenced town layouts, which in some villages resemble those of New England coastal towns. The extension of direct rail service from New York City in the late nineteenth century led to rapid growth as a seasonal destination, especially in Southampton Village, while other communities developed more gradually.
Artists have been associated with the Hamptons since the nineteenth century. Studios, schools, and seasonal artist communities formed in Southampton and Springs, and they remain part of the region’s cultural identity. The region also hosts recurring cultural events, including the Hamptons International Film Festival, held annually at venues across the South Fork.
The Hamptons are home to several prominent sporting venues. Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton has hosted the U.S. Open Championship on multiple occasions, including in 1896, 1986, 1995, 2004, and 2018. Polo and equestrian events are held seasonally, including matches organized by Bridgehampton Polo Club.
Although widely known as a resort area, the Hamptons retain active farms and vineyards. The population increases sharply during the summer months and declines in winter, giving the region a strongly seasonal character.

Transportation

The Hamptons are connected to New York City and the rest of Long Island by road, rail, and bus service. Major roadways include Montauk Highway and Sunrise Highway. Passenger rail service is provided by the Long Island Rail Road via the Montauk Branch, with limited year-round service and expanded seasonal schedules.
Private coach bus operators, including Hampton Jitney and Hampton Luxury Liner, provide frequent service between New York City and communities throughout the Hamptons. Local bus routes operated by Suffolk County serve connections within the region.

In popular culture

Film

The Hamptons have frequently been depicted in film as a setting associated with wealth, leisure, and social exclusivity.
  • The 1975 documentary Grey Gardens portrays the reclusive relatives of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis living in a decaying East Hampton mansion, becoming one of the most influential American documentaries.
  • Several films by Woody Allen, including Annie Hall, Interiors, and Blue Jasmine, feature the Hamptons as a vacation destination for affluent New Yorkers.
  • The black comedy thriller Deathtrap, based on the play by Ira Levin, is largely set in a house in East Hampton.
  • Something’s Gotta Give depicts a late-life romance unfolding at a Hamptons beach house.
  • Several films have used Montauk as a setting, including Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and No Hard Feelings.
  • The apocalyptic thriller Leave the World Behind is set primarily in the Hamptons.

    Television

Television series have frequently portrayed the Hamptons as a seasonal retreat for elite or socially prominent characters.
  • The sitcom Seinfeld featured the Hamptons prominently in the episode "The Hamptons".
  • The medical comedy-drama Royal Pains is set almost entirely in the Hamptons.
  • The drama series Revenge centers on events unfolding among wealthy families in the Hamptons.
  • Multiple episodes of The Affair were set and filmed in Montauk and East Hampton.
  • Reality television series including The Real Housewives of New York City and Kourtney and Khloé Take The Hamptons have featured the Hamptons as a seasonal backdrop.