East Hampton
East Hampton is the cultural anchor of the Hamptons — Main Beach (one of the most-photographed beaches in America), Guild Hall theater + gallery, the 1648 founding history, and the Main Street + Newtown Lane shopping district. Less honky-tonk than Westhampton, less working-fishing than Montauk.
Known for
- Main Beach (top-ranked US beach)
- Guild Hall theater + gallery
- Pollock-Krasner House
- Maidstone Hotel
- Hamptons cultural anchor
East Hampton is the Hamptons village that came first (1648) and still feels most coherent. The Main Beach is regularly ranked one of the best in America. Guild Hall is the cultural anchor (touring shows, gallery, summer talks). The Pollock-Krasner House (Jackson Pollock’s home) is a National Historic Landmark. The Main Street + Newtown Lane shopping district is what New Yorker readers picture when they think “the Hamptons.”
The cultural anchors:
- Guild Hall — 380-seat theater + gallery, $$$ but real cultural programming
- Main Beach — quintessential Atlantic Ocean East End beach. Paid parking required.
- Pollock-Krasner House — guided tours by appointment, summer only
- Maidstone Hotel — historic inn (1740s), Sunday brunch on the porch is a scene
- East Hampton Library — gorgeous building, free Wi-Fi, the writer’s-room of the Hamptons
Practical:
- Beach parking: residents-only at Main Beach summer weekends without a permit. Two Mile Hollow has guest spots.
- LIRR Montauk branch (2h45 from Penn). Hampton Jitney is the bus option.
- Restaurants: Almond, Sant Ambroeus, The Palm. All require reservations 2+ weeks ahead in summer.
- Best non-peak window: late September. Still warm, no crowds, restaurants take walk-ins.
Upcoming in East Hampton
2nd Annual East Hampton Art Affair at Herrick Park
Herrick Park turns into an outdoor gallery with artists showing work across painting, sculpture, photography, and more. Newtown Lane means you can walk to shops and cafes before or after browsing. Free admission, and the park setting beats a typical gallery any day.
- When
- Where
- Herrick Park, East Hampton
2nd Annual East Hampton Art Affair at Herrick Park
Day two of this outdoor art festival brings more artists to Herrick Park, showing everything from paintings to photography. Right on Newtown Lane, so you can easily grab lunch or coffee in the village before or after. Free to walk around and talk to the artists directly.
- When
- Where
- Herrick Park, East Hampton
Hamptons Sweat Fest, A Fitness & Wellness Fundraiser
Hit multiple fitness studios across East Hampton starting at 7 AM, then wrap at a VIP cocktail event—all benefiting cancer research through the Beljanski Foundation. Check in at Rejuvenation Health on The Circle before spreading out to participating locations.
- When
- Where
- Rejuvenation Health- Event HQ, East Hampton
- Price
- See ticket page
Hamptons Sweat Fest, A Fitness & Wellness Fundraiser-Beljanski Foundation
A fitness fundraiser spanning multiple East Hampton studios, wrapping with a VIP cocktail hour at Rejuvenation Health on The Circle. Proceeds benefit the Beljanski Foundation's cancer research and natural health initiatives. Early morning start means you can still hit the beach after.
- When
- Where
- Rejuvenation Health- Event HQ, East Hampton
- Price
- See ticket page