TMM1982

Hey folks, is there anything worthwhile doing in the Hamptons? My girlfriend thought it would be cool to a spend a weekend there.

Non-NonRev

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/26/fa...-hamptons.html

cestmoi123

Unless you know people who are going to be in the Hamptons, I wouldn't bother. It's expensive, crowded, and hard to get to, and there's not a huge amount there. Better beaches, better food, etc. are available without the hassle and cost.

TMM1982

Any other fun areas outside of NYC?

cestmoi123

Depends on what you're looking for. If you want natural beauty, some good restaurants, etc., I'd head up the Hudson Valley to places like Garrison and Cold Spring, or even farther up.

MapleLeafss

Really depends on what you would want to do. I would agree that if you don't have friends out there or friends joining you it may not be worth it. Keep in mind that if you are talking about this summer, basically every good hotel (Topping Rose House, Gurney's, Maidstone, Surf Lodge, Ruschmeyer's, Sole East, Montauk Yacht Club, etc. etc.) will have already been booked solid (at least on weekends) for the entire summer many months ago. If you could find a room somewhere, expect to pay on the order of $700++ per night for a basic room and probably have a three-night minimum. if you want to go during the week then you will have more (and more affordable) options, and it won't be nearly as crowded. Where would you be coming from?

MapleLeafss

Beacon is also nice, and Storm King Art Center is definitely worth a visit. Another good day trip from the city is the Philip Johnson Glass House in New Canaan if you are into art/architecture.

You could also look into North Fork and/or Shelter Island.

TMM1982

Chicago, but I guess as you say, everything will be booked. I could check b&bs maybe.

NYCRachel

I'd look into Airbnb/VRBO.

Hamptons are good, but scene-y. I go there often because I have family out there. Restaurants are not great and overpriced, but there are a few gems. It's more a place to go if you have a nice house, grill (lots of great farms to shop at) and bum at the beach, unless you're into spending a lot of money clubbing. The ocean won't be warm enough to swim until August (even then, it's pretty cold).

I went to Asbury Park two weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised. Easy drive, cute shops, great restaurants (shoutout to Tallulah's), nice beach. Wasn't trashy Jersey Shore.

TMM1982

Hudson River Valley maybe?

Non-NonRev

A lot of people will book their 2017 plans while they are there in 2016. So many accommodations are long gone well before the season.

TMM1982

Must be pretty awesome if people are booking a year in advance

Non-NonRev

This also happens in Manhattan - wealthy families from other US cities come into the city every year for shopping, Broadway, etc in the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

cestmoi123

Those people are coming out from NYC. If they're into the social scene, I can understand why someone would come out from NYC, even given the logistical hassles.

AMflier

If you want to have a similar experience that's more user friendly, I would look into Montauk and Fire Island.