How to make the most of Summer?

Stay local without staying local.

From Southampton through Amagansett to Montauk, the Hamptons provides endless Summer days.

The biggest difference aside from moving closer to the oceanside, is that bikes are the transportation of choice. Leave the car parked from the minute of arrive to the reluctant moment back to the city.

Start the days early by watching the sunrise over the beach or garden. Then, head out for breakfast before a day at the beach and riding around town. Skipping out to Southampton or East Hampton usually works itself in.

Here is a sampling of the essential way to do it.

The $cience

Ride over to Round Swamp Farm for breakfast pastries, coffee and hibiscus iced tea. The peach muffins are more like a shortcake with a coffee crumb-like topping. Half of one of these is filling until lunch. Their cinnamon rolls are divine! I am not a cinny roll person, but these are better than the other hyped roll we have heard about since that Blake Lively IG story.

Round Swamp’s plums and peaches are reminiscent of cheerful childhood Summers. Pick a few salads and spiced pecans to add to a lovely beach picnic. Their Crunchy Kale Salad with watermelon radish and Spicy Thai Noodles are so good and perfect for sharing. The East Hampton, Bridgehampton and Montauk locations are fully stocked and have the nicest crews.

Feeling like a croissant? Carissa’s, please. Their pistachio chocolate croissant is a must have on every trip to the East End. For a snack later, try the miso chocolate chip cookie for their soft chewiness and crispy edges. Their hibiscus iced tea is lighter compared to RSF, but this Summer you can get a Kith Treats milkshake starting at 11a. Carissa’s is doing a collaboration with Kith, so head over to their Newton Lane location in East Hampton for a Hazelnut Croissant milkshake or ice cream until the end of Summer.

The beach is usually quiet enough to listen to the waves crashing gently and the birds flying overhead. Keep in mind that even at a pleasant 72 degrees, the sun heats up the sand. This is when the Atlantic feels colder that it should- comforting to Pitta’s hot skin, but jolting to Vata’s nerves. Sitting on the edge of the sand, where the ocean meets the beach is the ideal spot to take in the salty ocean mist and occasional sightings of dolphins and whales. Sometimes crabs pop their heads up from the receding tides and a plethora of rocks are available for visual assays.

By mid-tan, ride over to Montauk Brewing Co. for refreshing Watermelon Session Ale, nostalgic tunes and easy vibes. Celebrate beach hair and their 12-year anniversary with the Jalapeño Watermelon Session Ale. Try it. Just try it.

For a late lunch or early dinner, Lunch Lobster Roll  never disappoints. We prefer the Amagansett location for the obligatory rolls, lobster bisque and special pies. The Southampton diner is also ideal before or after the Southampton Arts Center. Until July 20th, you can view graffiti by some of the greatest like Crash, Futura, Haze, Twist, and Reas. Works by Osgemeos and Lady Pink are also on view.

Walk off the lobster rolls around Southampton by stopping into the Mad Happy pop-up on Pond Lane and Morphew on Hamptons Road. Mad Happy currently has a collab with Goldberg’s Famous Bagels and offers a waitlist of their Round Swamp sold-out items. The regular Hamptons hoodies and sweatpants were still available in-store during the Fourth Of July weekend. These are simple prints on average garments, but the pink color is pretty for those who have enough mettle to keep Barbie alive. Morphew has simply the best curation of Summer items. The beautifully elegant caftans are flawless for your next stop (Hint: grapes). They also have a collection for kids with the cutest crocheted tops.

No trip is complete without one sip at Wölffer in Sagaponack. The Wine Stand serves up wines, ciders, non-alcoholic beverages, live music and wholesomeness. A lot of groups of families and friends bring their picnic blankets and beach chairs to enjoy pre-late night merriment. Never to wear beach clothes there, an effort to change into summery attire like dresses and chinos is a must. Catch the sun before it sets behind the vineyard vines with a Hibiscus Rose Cider or their new Summer in a Bottle Sauvignon Blanc.

Bottom Line

There are so many places to eat, drink and relax on the East End. These are a few visited during the recent Independence Day weekend.

Most of these places can be biked to when within certain enclaves. Alternative safe transport might be needed if the starting point is Montauk and the endpoint is Southampton. On average car time is minimal for a weekend or weeklong trip. In cases of rain or extreme heat, it is better to take a car or walk short distances between shops, eateries and venues. Carissa’s in Sag Harbor is a favorite of The Magazine because it has more room and selection. The Goop store is next door and has a larger selection than the Bond St. location in the city.

Don’t forget to pick up some RSF food to go, Carissa’s treats for later, and a Montauk Brew 6-pack or more of the limited editions.

As always, The Magazine does not get paid by any business mentioned or earn commissions. We mention them because we like them. Or in some cases we don’t.

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