We love relaxing in the sun just as much as the next gal (slathered in a thick veil of sunscreen, of course). But if you nap by the water all day, you’ll miss out on the amazing events happening on the East End all summer long--and we’re not just talking about dancing on tables. Here are 32 Hamptons activities you can’t miss.
The Official Hamptons Summer Bucket List
32 can't-miss events on the East End
1. Perfect your dance cardio moves at Tracy Anderson’s East Hampton studio, where you’re almost guaranteed to see celebs like Hilary Rhoda sweating it out beside you.
2. Stock up on organic beets, berries and broccoli at the Green Thumb farm stand in Water Mill. You’ll support the local community and keep your beach bod in check.
3. Nab treasures from Alice + Olivia, Henri Bendel and Club Monaco at the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance's Super Saturday garage sale...and become BFFs with hosts Donna Karan and Kelly Ripa.
4. Take a day trip to Shelter Island and toast with André Balazs’s Reserve Rosé at the hotelier’s legendary Sunset Beach hotel.
5. Get your butt kicked (and possibly spot JT and Jessica Biel) at Barry’s Bootcamp’s new Southampton location, opening in June.
6. Indulge in lobster cocktail and an old-school porterhouse at the original Bobby Van’s in Bridgehampton.
7. Sip drinks by the pool at the Backyard at Solé East Resort, then stay for its free summer concert series.
8. Catch a concert at the Surf Lodge, where Mayer Hawthorne, Wild Belle, Milky Chance, St. Lucia, Oh Wonder and Chromeo are slated to perform.
9. Boost your immunity with a Queen Bee (wildflower honey, bee pollen, chia seeds and cayenne) at Montauk Juice Factory.
10. This one is mandatory: Sample the fish dip (aka "crack dip") at St. Peter’s Catch in Montauk. OK, don't sample. Eat the entire thing.
11. After breathing gross city air all year, you need to detox, stat. Spend an hour chilling in the Montauk Salt Cave, which purportedly removes pollen and pollution from your lungs.
12. We know, we know, the cookies are to die for, but here’s a secret: The zucchini bread at Tate’s Bake Shop is even more incredible.
13. Go wine tasting at the stunning Wölffer Estate Vineyard on Fridays and Saturdays. From 5 p.m. until sunset, sip wine and eat cheese while gazing at the gorgeous, expansive vineyard views. Bring a blanket.
14. Craving the wide open seas but too scared to actually become a pirate? Check out the Radical Seafaring exhibit at the Parrish Art Museum through July 24 instead.
15. Fact: Dinner tastes way better when you eat it outside. Explore Fairview Farm in Bridgehampton and sample eats from dozens of East End chefs at Dan's Taste of Two Forks on Saturday, July 23. Oh, and you might meet Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli.
16. Pack a sunshade, a cooler and a HoodiePillow beach towel, then head to the sparkling clean Main Beach in East Hampton. Repeat as necessary until Labor Day.
17. Summer = fireworks. While you can catch them all over the Hamptons on the Fourth of July, we especially love the ones in Montauk, which light up over the ocean. Wake up early and nab a spot on Umbrella Beach for the best view.
18. Forgot to book a spa day at The Baker Spa? Make an appointment on the Zeel phone app and a massage therapist will make a house call in a few hours. Ahh, vacation...
19. Even if you’re not a hotel guest, you can hang out at the Montauk Beach House all day long. (Order the unlimited watermelon wedges.)
20. Make a splash with an Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley or BMW…no one needs to know it’s a rental.
21. Expand your art collection (or start one) at ArtHamptons from June 23 to 26.
22. OK, there’s only one reason to wake up at 5 a.m., and this is it: Charter a fishing boat on Shinnecock Bay and catch your own fish. When you’re eating fresh-caught sea bass for dinner, you’ll understand.
23. The Jitney? Yawn. Land in the Hamptons via seaplane or helicopter.
24. You haven’t lived until you’ve tasted the pistachio gelato at Sant Ambroeus. You just haven’t.
25. Red Maple, the Chequit’s rustic American restaurant and bar, is now open for brunch. We’ll have the brioche French toast, please.
26. Spend the day at Gurney’s in Montauk. The only year-round resort in Montauk has an expansive spa and a slew of restaurant and bar options, including Scarpetta Beach, Tillie’s, Corso, the Beach Club and the Regent Cocktail Club.
27. We know you spent way too much money on those Dior sunglasses. Save cash and make friends by hitching a ride on the Hampton Hopper.
28. Oh, athleisure, we want to live in you all summer. Stock up on Koral, Michi and Alala at the original Bandier in Southampton and you’ll be set for the season.
29. Rent a bike hourly, daily, weekly, monthly or for the whole damn season at Bermuda Bikes Plus in East Hampton.
30. Food trucks from Manhattan to Montauk will hit the road and roll up to the Hayground School on August 19 for Edible East End’s 5th Annual Great Food Truck Derby.
31. Think you have what it takes to be a seafarer? Try your hand at sailing school and then relax around a bonfire with s’mores at Montauk Yacht Club.
32. Pick your own fruits and veggies all summer long at farms throughout the Hamptons. Sorry, Trader Joe’s, we’ll see you in September.