Ah, The Hamptons. These seaside villages have long been the summer destination of choice for the well-to-do with money to spend. But for the rest of us, The Hamptons might seem out of our budgets.
Fortunately, The Hamptons can be done on the cheap. Here’s a look at how.
First, it’s best to plan your trip for a weekday. If you’re planning on a budget-friendly Hamptons trip, forget summering in a million-dollar beachside mansion. In fact, it’s probably best to forget staying in The Hamptons proper. You’ll do best to stick to hotels like the Budget Host East End Riverhead Hotel, just a few miles away in Riverside, N.Y. Rates start at less than $100 during the week. The Hampton Inn Long-Island Brookhaven is another affordable option, about a half-hour drive from Westhampton Beach.
If you plan on hitting the beaches, expect to pay between $10-$20 for public parking. Fowler Beach in Southhampton and Kirk Park Beach in Montauk are popular since they don’t require permits for beach access. If you’d rather shop, you can take advantage of high-end brands at discount prices at the Tanger Outlets in Riverhead.
Wineries are another affordable way to spend an afternoon. You can take a free self-guided winery tour at Paumanok and treat yourself to a flight ($6-$15 per person) in the tasting room. You can also taste wines from a 150-year-old barn at Jamesport Vineyards for $5-$15.
When it comes time to chow down, Montauk is a good area for relatively affordable dining options. At Shagwong Restaurant, you can grab sandwiches for $10 or seafood lunch plates for around $14. If you’re looking for shellfish, Duryea’s Lobster Deck offers steamed mussels or little necks for $15 or less.
(Main image: pvsbond)
