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The Hamptons

By Joyce Shulman April 8, 2014

Does mention of the Hamptons bring to mind celebrities and paparazzi? Limos and luxury? Yes, that's all there. But there's more. 

Gorgeous beaches, charming villages, terrific playgrounds, oceans, bays, inlets and lakes. In fact, the Hamptons can be an ideal destination for families. 

"The Hamptons" refer to a chain of small towns stretching from Westhampton Beach to Montauk on the very East End of Long Island, just under two hours from New York City. Each community has a distinctive flavor and style and, while all are great, Southampton is ideal for families traveling with tots or teens.

Southampton has it all. A village that has kept its charm and added its luxury. Beaches that stretch for unspoiled miles. Restaurants serving pizza and restaurants serving foie gras. Fishing, boating, surfing, biking. A western-style dude ranch and traditional polo matches.

One the reasons that the Hamptons don't often make the list of suggested family travel destinations is a surprising dearth of lodging options. There are no big, fancy hotels here, no high rises along the beach and most bed & breakfasts in historical buildings frown upon toddlers racing up and down their antique staircases. Finding the perfect place to stay is a bit tricky. Here are your two best options.

Home rentals are big business in the Hamptons and, while traditionally homes rented primarily "for the season" (Memorial Day to Labor Day), the changing economy had encouraged many owners to consider one or two week rentals. In fact, a recent search on VRBO revealed close to 100 options for weekly rentals in Southampton.

But if staying in a house (read, making your own bed), doesn’t feel enough like vacation, your second great option is the Southampton Inn. Under the careful eye of FOM ("Friend of Macaroni") and innkeeper Dede Gotthelf, the Southampton Inn delivers a great vacation experience for all. Here are a few things that make it great for families with tots and teens.

Adjoining rooms keep kids close but not too close. Tons of outdoor space gives tots room to run. A big pool lets tots swim and teens lounge. A surprisingly well-stocked playroom gets tots out from underfoot but not too far out of sight.

But as with most things Hamptons, it's location, location, location that makes the Southampton Inn perfect for families.

From the Inn’s location on the edge of town, your teens can walk into Southampton Village, literally a block away, to explore, people watch, hit the surf shops or Ralph Lauren, depending on their inclination. Meanwhile, you and your tots can cross the street to the incredible playground at Agawam Park. Rainy day? You’re one block to the Southampton Movie Theater. Want to get in a workout?  You are two doors down from the newly opened Evolution Fitness gym -- tell proprietor Jason Cofield we sent you. Want to walk to dinner? Several restaurants await, try Paul's or La Parmigiana for Italian, the Driver's Seat for burgers, the Publick House for local beer or 75 Main for something a bit fancier. Don't want to leave the Inn? OSO will do the trick ... their Sunday brunch is not to be missed.

Oh, wait, we haven't mentioned the beach? The Southampton Inn is less than a mile from Cooper's Beach, reigning "Best Beach in America."  An extensive snack shop, umbrella rentals and lifeguards make Coops (as it's known to the locals) a favorite-family destination. Don't feel like walking or biking? Southampton Inn's polka dotted van will get you there and pick you up.

If you have a car, your options for exploring the Hamptons explode. Other terrific family beaches include Mecox Bay, a gorgeous beach where the bay and the ocean almost meet – ask locals for directions to the “Cut” to get there -- or Long Beach in Sag Harbor, one of the best places to hunt for shells on the East Coast.

Looking for a bit more adventure? Load the family up and head out to Montauk for the day. Hit Deep Hollow Ranch for trail-riding, the Lobster Roll for, well, lobster rolls and Gosman’s Dock to see the commercial fisherman come in. Or jump on a boat for a half-day of deep sea fishing.
And the ultimate fix for antsy teens? Surfing or kite-boarding lessons with FOMs Hampton Water Sports or Main Beach Surf Shop.

But be warned. The Hamptons are addictive. We started as tourists. Now we live here.