Explore the Hamptons
Your insider guide to beaches, wineries, farms, festivals, and more
Beach Days & Bay Nights
The season we live for
Ocean View Terrace Inn sits on Shinnecock Bay in Hampton Bays — the central point of the Hamptons, with everything in this guide within about 30 minutes of our door. And summer here is pure magic. Spend your mornings on pristine ocean beaches, afternoons paddleboarding the calm waters of Shinnecock Bay, and evenings watching the sun melt into the horizon from our private bay beach.
From surfing lessons and kayak adventures to sunset cocktails and live music at the Meschutt Beach Hut, there's no shortage of ways to soak in the season. Charter a captained HampTiki tiki boat for drinks out on the bay, or keep it simple — our private bay beach has complimentary loungers and chairs, plus beach-gear rentals and watersports through a local outfitter when you want to get on the water.
Explore Beach & Activities
INN
1956
Live Music & Sunsets
Catch live bands at the Meschutt Beach Hut, then chase golden hour on a captained HampTiki cruise across Shinnecock Bay.
Farm Stands & U-Pick Berries
Summer is roadside farm-stand season — sweet corn, tomatoes, peaches — plus u-pick strawberries and blueberries at East End farms.
INN
1956
Fresh Blooms & New Beginnings
The Hamptons in bloom
Spring breathes new life into the East End. Lavender fields burst into purple, farm stands open with fresh greens, and the bay warms just enough for the season's first paddle.
It's also prime fishing season — striped bass and fluke run strong in Shinnecock Bay and the surrounding waters. Book early to secure your summer dates, as our inn fills up fast once the season turns.
- Lavender fields & garden tours
- Fishing season: striped bass & fluke
- Early-bird summer booking rates
- Quieter beaches, perfect weather
Magic Fountain Ice Cream
The best ice cream on the East End
Worth the drive up to the North Fork: Magic Fountain in Mattituck has been scooping small-batch ice cream, made fresh daily, since 1966. Expect a wall of inventive flavors — classics alongside goat cheese, lychee, olive oil, even chocolate chili — plus sorbets, vegan scoops, and custom cakes that double as edible art.
Owner Ali is a longtime friend of the Ocean View Terrace family — tell him we sent you.
9825 Main Road, Mattituck, NY · a scenic drive up the North Fork
Visit Magic Fountain →Braun Seafood Co.
Up the road in Cutchogue, Braun Seafood has been a family-run North Fork institution for nearly a century — a fish market, seafood distributor, and a casual kitchen with a to-go window serving some of the freshest catch on the East End. Grab a lobster roll and eat by the water — or, even better, they run a food truck that caters events, so they're a natural fit if you're hosting a wedding or party here at the inn. It's our friend Cody's family business — tell them the Ocean View Terrace family sent you.
Magic of Autumn in the Hamptons
From harvest festivals to hiking trails, fall on the East End is something truly special. Here's how to make the most of it.
FUN
Farms & Pumpkin Picking
Nothing says fall like a day at the farm. Pick your perfect pumpkin, get lost in a corn maze, and take home fresh apple cider.
- Hank's Pumpkintown — pumpkin picking, corn maze, hayrides
- Waterdrinker Family Farm — u-pick flowers, fall festival, pony rides
North Fork Adventures
Take a scenic drive across the Peconic to the North Fork for farm stands, bakeries, and the biggest fall festival on Long Island.
- Briermere Farms — legendary pies (get there early!)
- Hallock's Cider Mill — warm cider donuts, fresh-pressed apple cider
- Harbes Family Farm — Long Island's biggest fall festival
Parks, Trails & Beach Bonfires
Fall is the perfect time to explore the Hamptons' parks and nature trails. Crisp air, golden light, and fewer crowds make autumn ideal for hiking, kayaking, and stargazing.
- Good Ground Park — playground, open fields, community events
- Squiretown Park — water access, kayak launch, peaceful walks
- Hubbard County Park — miles of hiking trails through pine forests
- Fall beach bonfires — s'mores, stargazing, crisp bay breezes
Fall Special
Use code FALL05
for 5% off your base rate this autumn
Quiet Luxury by the Bay
Slow down, breathe deep
Winter in the Hamptons offers a rare kind of beauty. Empty beaches, moody skies, and a stillness you won't find in summer. It's the perfect time for a romantic getaway or a quiet escape from the city.
Settle into a spacious suite, take brisk walks along the winter shoreline, and enjoy holiday events in the charming towns nearby. Off-season is our calmest, quietest stretch of the year.
- Romantic winter getaways
- Cozy, character-filled suites
- Holiday events & festive dining
- Off-season rates & quiet beaches
East End Wine Country & Breweries
Long Island's East End is one of the country's great wine regions — and it's a year-round pleasure. Rosé and vineyard music in summer, harvest festivals in fall, cozy tastings all winter. A few of our favorites, from the South Fork to the North Fork to Shelter Island.
Vineyards & Wineries
- Wölffer Estate — Sagaponack · world-class rosé, vineyard dining & summer sunset music
- Roanoke Vineyards — Riverhead, North Fork · sustainable winemaking; plus Tulio's NY Wine Bar in Mattituck
- Duck Walk Vineyards — Water Mill · tastings & scenic grounds
- Channing Daughters Winery — Bridgehampton · small-batch wines & sculpture garden
Craft Breweries
- Shelter Island Craft Brewery — Shelter Island · a craft brewery on your favorite little island
- Long Island Farm Brewery — Riverhead · craft brews & the annual Oktoberfest
Don't Miss These Events
Golf at Shinnecock Hills
Minutes from Shinnecock Hills — six-time U.S. Open host, back again in 2036 — plus National Golf Links, Sebonack, and the East End's best courses.
Learn More →Palm Tree Music Festival
Kygo's beachfront music festival on the sands of the Hamptons. A summer highlight.
Learn More →Hamptons Fine Art Fair
Curated galleries showcasing important 20th & 21st century art in Southampton each July.
Learn More →Hamptons Jewelry Show
The nation's largest jewelry-only show with 100+ exhibitors at Southampton Fairgrounds.
Learn More →Hampton Classic
The Hamptons' premier horse show. Eight days of Grand Prix jumping, boutique shopping, and equestrian elegance in Bridgehampton.
Learn More →Shinnecock Pow Wow
Annual celebration of Shinnecock Nation culture with traditional dance, music, and art.
Learn More →Montauk Day Trip
Lighthouse, fishing village, surf culture, and seafood. The perfect East End day trip.
Learn More →Plan
It!
We'll Plan It For You
At Ocean View Terrace Inn, we want to make sure your getaway is perfect. Let us help you plan personalized itineraries and day trips — from wine tours and beach hopping to farm visits and fishing charters.
We're also a proud partner of Discover Long Island, the region's official destination marketing organization — a wonderful resource for events and things to do all across the Island.
Contact UsHampton Bays & the Neighboring Hamptons Towns
Staying with us puts you within easy driving distance of the Hamptons’ best towns — from the world-class golf at Shinnecock Hills to the wineries of the North Fork. Here’s where to go and what to do, all within a 30-minute drive.
Shinnecock Hills
6 mi · ~12 min drive
Home to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, host of the U.S. Open (returning in 2036). The course is private, but the surrounding area has lovely scenic drives along Tuckahoe Road and the Shinnecock Canal. Stop at the Shinnecock Canal Maritime Museum to learn about the area’s commercial fishing heritage.
East Quogue
4 mi · ~7 min drive
A quieter Hampton — known for the Quogue Wildlife Refuge (305 acres of nature trails, freshwater wetlands, and a rehab pond for native birds) and a small main street with bakeries and casual restaurants like Dockers Waterside. Perfect for a low-key morning.
Southampton
5 mi · ~10 min drive
The original Hampton. Shopping on Jobs Lane, lunches at Sant Ambroeus or Tutto Il Giorno, and ocean beaches at Coopers Beach (frequently ranked among America’s top beaches) and Cooper’s Neck. Also home to the Parrish Art Museum.
Flanders
5 mi · ~10 min drive
Home of The Big Duck — a beloved 20-foot-tall roadside duck building from 1931, now a Long Island landmark and gift shop — and the gateway to Riverhead’s outlets, breweries, and the Long Island Aquarium.
Sagaponack & Bridgehampton
12 mi · ~20 min drive
Wide-open potato fields, lavender farms, and a string of wineries — including Wölffer Estate Vineyard and Channing Daughters. Bridgehampton hosts the Hampton Classic Horse Show every August. Beach access at Sagaponack Beach if you want to swap the bay for the Atlantic.
Aquebogue
15 mi · ~25 min drive
Your gateway to the North Fork wine country. Start at Palmer Vineyards or Paumanok, then work your way east through Jamesport and Cutchogue. Many of the best Long Island wineries are within a 15-minute window of each other. Pack a designated driver or book a tour.
Whether you spend the day at the beach, on a course, or working your way through a wine tour, the inn is your home base for it all.