Southampton:Founded in 1640, Southampton vies with Southold Town on the North Fork for bragging rights as the first English settlement in New York. Suffice to say there is a lot of history there. Today’s Southampton retains much of its charm and is eternally attractive to titans of Wall Street or those who have created the companies they took public. Southampton is big though, and not everybody is rich. There are lots of diverse areas beyond the village and estate section. How about rural North Sea, or Noyac in the woods. For extra commuting convenience to NYC there’s Shinnecock to consider as well. The eastern side of town, including Watermill, Bridgehampton and Sagaponack, has retained much of its rural charm with big open fields and lots of farm stands with amazing produce for the five in season months of the year.
The old Southampton set hangs around at the Meadow Club for a spot of tennis, and down to the bathing corporation for lunch afterwards. In the afternoon it’s off to Shinnecock or National for a round of golf. The estates on Gin Lane and down Dune Road and its environs are incredible to behold and are owned by the wealthiest and most influential families in America.
If you’re out in Southampton don’t miss Duck Walk Vineyards for a tasting. Stop by the Drivers Seat or Barristers for a quick sandwich. Evening time try the Red Bar or Public House where you can slake most any thirst. The new Parrish Art Museum scheduled to open Summer of 2012 is not to be missed.