Summer Fun 2021

This is sure to be a summer like no other. So, while it might look different than those from years’ past, let’s do our best to enjoy it

Believe it or not, there are practically a million other free, inexpensive and amazing outside-centered things to do out here in the Hamptons than just hit the beach. Though by no means a comprehensive guide — that would fill this entire magazine and more! — here’s a fun list of activities for when the urge strikes to get outdoors and explore.  

Keep in mind that many of the places listed here offer multiple types of entertainment and experiences. So, use this list as a jumping-off point, and then head on out there and discover all the wonders that are right here at your fingertips on the East End. 

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Take a Hike
Spotlight: Cedar Point County Park in East Hampton offers 607 acres of parkland, featuring commanding views of Gardiners Bay and a decommissioned lighthouse to boot.
• Walking Dunes, Montauk
• Northwest Woods Trails, East Hampton
• Trout Pond Park, Sag Harbor
• Noyac Hills County Park, Sag Harbor
• Squiretown Park, Hampton Bays
• Dwarf Pine Plains Trail Head and Dwarf
   Pine Plains Preserve, East Quogue
• Pine Neck Sanctuary, East Quogue
• Shadmoor State Park, Montauk

For organized community hikes, the Southampton Trails Preservation Society leads hikes every Saturday and Sunday and the East Hampton Trails Preservation Society offers themed hikes, such as moonlight and historic, plus bike and kayak/canoe hikes. For more, you can also view and purchase trail maps at the Southampton Town and East Hampton Town websites. 

Preserve Nature
Spotlight: Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island is a 2,039-acre coastal nature reserve, filled with marshes, forests and creeks.
• Springs Nature Preserve, Springs
• Gerard Drive Nature Park Preserve, East     Hampton
• The Elizabeth A. Morton National Wildlife
   Refuge, Noyac
• Long Pond Greenbelt Nature Center,
   Bridgehampton
• Quogue Wildlife Refuge, Quogue
• Sagg Swamp Nature Preserve,
   Bridgehampton
• Mulvihill Preserve, Bridgehampton 
• Poxabogue Preserve, Sagaponack
• Amagansett National Wildlife Refuge,    Amagansett
• Evelyn Alexander Wildlife Rescue Center,
   Hampton Bays
• NY Marine Rescue Center, Riverhead

Park It
Spotlight: In addition to the trials and great hiking, Camp Hero State Park in Montauk is home to the infamous Montauk Radar Tower and the buried gun batteries left from World War II.
• Herrick Park, East Hampton
• Maidstone Park, East Hampton 
• Agawam Park, Southampton
• Hither Hills State Park, Montauk
• Shadmoor State Park, Montauk 
• Napeague State Park, East Hampton 
• East Quogue Park, East Quogue
• Red Creek Park, Hampton Bays

Paddle Out
Spotlight: Hubbard County Park in Hampton Bays offers fishing, hiking, camping, canoeing and kayaking.
• Montauk County Park and Big Reed Pond,
   Montauk 
• Cedar Point County Park, East Hampton
• Northwest Harbor County Park, East Hampton
• Indian Island County Park, Riverhead
• Meschutt Beach County Park, Hampton Bays
• Accabonac Harbor, East Hampton 

Pitch a Tent
Spotlight: Sears Bellows County Park in Hampton Bays features places to camp, fish, hike and horse ride. 
• Hither Hills Campground, Montauk
• Montauk Campground, Montauk County Park
• Shinnecock East County Park, Southampton
• Cedar Point County Park, East Hampton
• Cupsogue Beach County Park, Westhampton
• Indian Island County Park, Riverhead

Bird Watch
• Meschutt Beach County Park, Hampton Bays
• Shinnecock East County Park, Southampton
• Hog Creek, East Hampton
• Napeague Harbor, East Hampton

Scuba Dive
• Cedar Point County Park, East Hampton
• Montauk County Park, Montauk
• Cupsogue Beach County Park, Westhampton
• Meschutt Beach County Park, Hampton Bays

Learn Something
Spotlight: South Fork Sea Farmer in East Hampton is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the health of the South Fork’s marine environment, offering home oyster growing tips and kits for local homeowners with their own docks, bulkheads or underwater land.
• The South Fork Natural History Museum &
   Nature Center, Bridgehampton 
• Quail Hill Farm, Amagansett
• Mulford Farmstead, East Hampton
• U.S. Life Saving and Coast Guard Station,
   Amagansett

Catch a Concert or Play
Spotlight: The Montauk Music Festival is a volunteer-run, grassroots live music event designed to celebrate, support, and promote the thriving Montauk music scene.
• Good Ground on Stage at Good Ground Park,
   Hampton Bays
• Ponquogue Beach Pavilion, Hampton Bays
• Southampton Cultural Center at Agawam Park,
   Southampton 
• East Quogue Summer Concerts on the Green,
   East Quogue
• Westhampton Beach Gazebo Series,
   Westhampton Beach
• Guild Hall, East Hampton
• Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center,
   Westhampton Beach
• Bay Street Theater, Sag Harbor
• Sag Harbor Marine Park, Sag Harbor

Walk the Dog
• Springs Park Dog Park, Springs
• Southampton Dog Park, Southampton 

Skate Along
• Red Creek Skate Park, Hampton Bays
• North Sea Skate Park, North Sea 
• Montauk Skate Park, Montauk 
• Amagansett Youth Park, Amagansett

Catch Some Culture
Spotlight: LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton, founded by Jack Lenor Larsen, it’s chock-full of collections, gardens, sculptures and special programs. 
• Pollock-Krasner House, Springs
• Parrish Art Museum, Water Mill
• Sag Harbor Whaling Museum, Sag Harbor
• Shinnecock Nation Cultural Center and
   Museum, Southampton

Smell the Roses
• Madoo Conservancy, Sagaponack
• Rogers Memorial Library Rose Garden,
   Southampton
• Bridge Gardens, Bridgehampton

Enjoy the View
Spotlight: Montauk Point Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in the state of New York. The national historic site affords sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean and Block Island in the distance.
• Custer Observatory, Southold 

Kids’ Stuff
Spotlight: Every single library on the East End. Believe it or not, our wonderful libraries offer some of the best free and low-cost options for kids. Be sure to check out the lists of available programs from these terrific area resources. 
• The Children’s Museum of the East End,
   Bridgehampton
• Southampton Town Youth Bureau Sports and
   Recreation Facility, Southampton 
• Fairview Farm Corn Maize, Water Mill
• Puppet Power Camp at Bay Street Theater, Sag
   Harbor
• Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center
   Kids Camp, Westhampton Beach
• Guild Hall Kids Camps, East Hampton 
• Hamptons Film Festival Film Camp for Kids,
   East Hampton
• Parrish Art Museum Summer Camps for Kids,
   Water Mill
• YMCA East Hampton RECenter, East Hampton 
• Hamptons Art Camp at The Church, Sag Harbor
• Hayground Camp, Bridgehampton 

Play Ball
Spotlight: Mashashimuet Park in Sag Harbor offers visitors healthy recreational opportunities connected to nature, including ball fields, tennis, basketball, a playground and youth sporting events. 
• Herrick Park, East Hampton
• Red Creek Park, Hampton Bays

Make Par
Spotlight: Montauk Downs State Park in Montauk sports an 18-hole Robert Trent Jones-designed course, plus driving range, tennis courts and a swimming pool. 
• Indian Island County Park, Riverhead

Saddle Up
Spotlight: Montauk County Park in Montauk is the site of Deep Hollow Ranch, which offers horseback rides and trails for park visitors. The expansive parkland also comprises outer beach camping, salt and freshwater fishing, hiking, canoeing, and the historic Third House, which was utilized by Theodore Roosevelt and the Rough Riders. 
• Camp Hero State Park, Montauk 

Of course, that’s not everything. Other fantastic and fun things to do out East could include: taking a self-guided windmill tour, catching an outdoor film, dining al fresco, taking up croquet or tennis, setting sail, practicing outdoor or goat yoga, visiting a farmstand or winery, flying a kite and volunteering to plant flowers or joining a beautification society. Just get out there and do it!