Southampton is a relatively large Long Island town located partly on the South Fork and consists of a village and hamlet. It is extremely popular with recreation lovers owing to its positioning on the Atlantic Ocean, lovely waterfront and nearby bays and islands.
The town of Southampton is about 100 miles (2 hours drive) from New York City and many New Yorkers prefer coming here for some R&R rather than traveling to the beaches closer to Manhattan. The waterskiing, boating and fishing are all superb and the nearby woodlands feature some excellent marked trails for hikers.
There are also many other activities in Southampton that can be enjoyed away from the water, including golf, tennis, horseback riding, and camping. The downtown area of Southampton features many points of interest with some good museums and lots of shops, art, and history.
Highlights
Halsey Homestead: one of Southampton’s original buildings, Halsey House can be found on Main street and dates back to the 17th century.
Mercator Cooper House: originally home of the ships captain who was the first to formally land on mainland East Antarctica, as well as at Tokyo.
Cupsogue Beach: on Dune road in nearby Westhampton is a quality beach offering great swimming and trailer camping.
The Big Duck: the Long Island landmark celebrating the Long Island duckling can be found on State Highway 24.
Meschutt Beach County Park: located in near Shinnecock Canal in Hampton Bays is another great bathing spot.