The Hamptons are a fair distance from New York City, located on the southeastern region of Long Island. Less populous than the Big Apple, it has long been an escape for those middle- and upper-class New Yorkers seeking a change of pace over the summer hoilidays.
The Hamptons are actually a collection of several small towns that are actually closer (as the bird flies) to New Haven than NYC. Though the Hamptons proper are Southampton, West Hampton Dunes and East Hampton, the towns of Hampton Bays, Springs, North Sea and East Quogue are also included, albeit unofficially, along with a sizable number of other small towns and communities.
Interestingly, although the terms "The Hamptons" has long been associated with the idea of a summer "playground for the rich," in fact most permanent residents are solidly middle-class for that region.
The Hamptons make up one of Long Island's more scenic areas; this, in addition to its relatively low population during most of the year, has made it a popular area for filmmakers. Some feature films you may have seen that were shot in the Hamptons include two Woody Allen films, Annie Hall and Mighty Aphrodite; other popular movies filmed in the Hamptons were She Devil, Something's Gotta Give and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind.
Of course, there's much more to the Hamptons than the film industry. This part of New York State has as much to offer as other popular areas like Finger Lakes, Rochester and Buffalo. In addition to a lively arts and entertainment scene, the Hamptons recently joined the growing global "Slow Food" movement with the establishment of the Amagansett Farmer's Market. This weekly event, like thousands of similar ones throughout the nation, focuses on locally grown fruit and vegetables (from within a 200-mile radius), which are not only of better quality than most supermarket produce, but are usually raised in a more environmentally-friendly manner.
The Hamptons also offers a wide range of outdoors recreational activities that include everything from horseback riding to deep sea fishing. Once you're done with that ofr the day, you'll find no shortage of nightlife in the Hamptons with the area's numerous pubs, dance venues, live theatres and concerts.
Whether you're coming from New York City or New England, getting to the Hamptons is easy enough, and is served by the Long Island Railroad; alternatively, those choosing to come by private auto can take the Montauk Highway, or ride the bus line known as the Hampton Jitney, which has provided inexpensive transportation from NYC to the Hamptons for well over three decades.
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Anne Harvester writes about Social News,Culture, and Interest Stories from the big apple.