11 Best Things to Do in East Hampton, NY

July 1, 2020 - Updated

East Hampton is an idyllic summer vacation destination where you will find a host of cultural and historic attractions to uncover. Over the centuries many New York artists have made themselves at home or vacationed in East Hampton and you can spend many happy hours exploring their historic homes and studios. LongHouse Reserve, the Pollock-Krasner House and the Lieber Collection are examples of unique museums/sculpture gardens which are a joy to visit. The Guild Hall is home to a thriving performing arts/music community which hosts countless shows, concerts and performances each year. History buffs can join a weekend guided Historic District Walking Tour to admire some of the village’s oldest buildings.

1.LongHouse Reserve

LongHouse Reserve is a must-see East Hampton attraction for all art enthusiasts and creative souls. At the heart of the 16-acre reserve and sculpture garden you will find LongHouse, the home of Jack Lenor Larsen who built the home to demonstrate the use of art and creativity in living spaces. The innovative home is spread over 4 levels and is a joy to explore. The magnificent gardens and the sculptures contained therein complete the story of this amazing museum/garden/sculpture park. You need to book in advance to tour the house but the gardens are open to the public daily except for Sundays.

LongHouse Reserve, 133 Hands Creek Rd, East Hampton, NY 11937, Phone: 631-329-3568

2.Pollock Krasner House

Another arty attraction in East Hampton, the Pollock Krasner House was once home to celebrated artists Jackson Pollock and Lee Krasner. In this modest little house and its’ adjacent barn, many of the artists most famous paintings were created. When you tour the home you will be able to see the upstairs bedroom which both artists used as a studio as well as the barn where Pollock painted many of his larger innovative art works. The house contains many of the couple’s personal belongings as well as a collection of several prints of their work. The House is open to the public from May to October from Thursday to Sunday – guided tours are available at 2pm and 4pm.

Pollock Krasner House, 830 Springs-Fireplace Rd, East Hampton, NY 11937-1512, Phone: 631-324-4929

3.Guild Hall

Originally established in 1931, Guild Hall was the first arts center in the land to successfully combine a museum, theatre and educational space under one roof. This much-loved cultural landmark plays host to over 60,000 visitors each year and presents more than 200 programs. The theater always has something on the go and lucky East Hampton residents can look forward to attending up to 100 shows each year. The museum has a staggering permanent collection of over 2,400 works of art and holds between 8 and 10 exhibitions each year. In addition, the center hosts all manner of artistic workshops for both children and adults.

Guild Hall, 158 Main Street, East Hampton, NY 11937, Phone: 631-324-4050

4.Round Swamp Farm

If you are craving some old-fashioned home style goodness, the place to go in East Hampton is the Round Swamp Farm. Here you will find the shelves groaning under the weight of trays of home-make cookies, muffins, cakes, preserves and much more. The aromas of freshly baked bread and cakes will hit you as soon as you step out of your car. Besides all the delectable sweet treats you can also stock up on pickles, farm-fresh vegetables and fruit and a great collection of artisan cheeses. In addition, the farm sells freshly caught East Hampton lobsters and whatever fresh line-fish is available on the day.

Round Swamp Farm, 184 Three Mile Harbor Rd, East Hampton, NY 11937, Phone: 631-324-4438

5.Cedar Point County Park

Home to the historic Cedar Point Light House, Cedar Point County Park covers over 600 acres of coastal land offering great views of Gardiners Bay. The park is your spring-board to a host of enjoyable outdoor recreational activities including camping, hiking, biking and wildlife watching. There is a long deserted beach to explore and you can also enjoy maritime activities such as salt-water fishing, swimming, boating, paddling and even scuba diving. The protected shallow waters are perfect for young children to swim and play while Mom and Dad relax on the beach. Bring along a picnic basket and enjoy a great day at the sea-side.

Cedar Point County Park, 5 Cedar Point Rd, East Hampton, NY 11937, Phone: 631-852-7620

6.Mulford Farm

Mulford Farm appears on the National Register of Historic Places and is currently operated as a living museum. The farm was built back in 1680, earning it the distinction of being one of America’s most important fully-intact English colonial farmsteads. The homestead is remarkable in that it has been largely untouched throughout the centuries and today offers an insight into the everyday lives of several generations of Mulfords. The adjacent barn is a slightly later addition, built in 1721 and is currently undergoing necessary restoration. The ground floor of the homestead has been filled with period furnishings and appears just as it would have in 1790.

Mulford Farm, 10 James Lane, East Hampton, NY 11937, Phone: 631-324-6869

7.The Lieber Collection

Another of East Hampton’s unexpected gems, the Lieber Collection is a unique museum dedicated to the lives and artistic endeavors of Judith and Gerson Lieber. Judith Lieber was a handbag designer who became famous for the remarkable handbags she designed for US First Ladies from 1953 onwards. So amazing is her work that it appears in prestigious museums all over the world. Her husband Gerson was an equally talented Modernist artist. In 2005 the couple built a Renaissance-style Palladian museum to house their considerable collections of art. The building is surrounded by 7 acres of beautifully landscaped sculpture gardens designed by Gerson himself.

The Lieber Collection, 446 Old Stone Highway, East Hampton, NY 11937, Phone: 631-329-3288

8.The Osborn-Jackson House

History and architecture enthusiasts should not leave the peaceful village of East Hampton without paying a visit to the historic Osborn-Jackson house on Main Street. Today the house is operated as a period museum for the public and is also the headquarters of the East Hampton Historical Society. The original house is believed to have been built in 1723 as a small, single-story home. Over the years successive generations of owners have added many additions to the original little house. The Osborn-Jackson House is open to the public from 9am to 5pm on weekdays throughout the year and is a stop on the regular weekend Historic District Walking Tour.

The Osborn-Jackson House, 101 Main Street, East Hampton, NY 11937, Phone: 631-324-6850

9.Bostwick’s Chowder House

Named after owner Chris’ favorite fishing spot off Gardiner Island, Bostwick’s Chowder House is a popular seasonal restaurant where you can indulge in your favorite summer-time Hampton’s foods. Forget about the latest food trends and fashions, at Bostwick’s you will find old-style comfort food like steamers, fresh locally caught fish, lobsters, a raw bar and sensational all-American burgers and fries. The atmosphere is laid-back and friendly and the food is fresh, delicious and satisfying. As the name indicates, you will also find a selection of delicious chowders on the menu alongside their signature lobster rolls and fried clams. There is a Guppy Menu for the kids and you can also get take-aways.

Bostwick’s Chowder House, 277 Pantigo Rd, East Hampton, NY 11937, Phone: 631-324-1111

10.The Springs Tavern

The Springs Tavern is an East Hampton institution which has been pleasing palates since 1934. Unfortunately the original building was destroyed in a fire in 1944 and was rebuilt to continue serving a growing number of fans. In the 1940’s the tavern was a popular hang-out of artist Jackson Pollock and several other arty folk who lived in the area. Today visitors can enjoy a large selection of dishes including soups, salads, sandwiches, small plates and entrees. The food is all freshly prepared on site from locally sourced ingredients to ensure the very best flavors. Be sure to leave room for one of their delicious home-style desserts.

The Springs Tavern, 15 Fort Pond Blvd, East Hampton, NY 11937, Phone: 631-527-7800

11.The Maidstone Restaurant

More than just a restaurant, The Maidstone offers visitors to East Hampton a beautiful and historic place to stay. The Maidstone has been welcoming visitors since around 1920 and was recently completely renovated to offer guests 16 individually designed guestrooms and 3 cottages. The Restaurant at the Maidstone is open daily from breakfast to dinner and you are also welcome to just drop by for a pleasant cup of coffee or tea in the garden. The food menu changes regularly to reflect whatever is in season, fresh and locally available. You can enjoy a great brunch on Saturdays and Sundays and kids and dogs are welcome and have their own menu.

The Maidstone Restaurant, 207 Main Street, East Hampton, NY 11937, Phone: 631-324-5006