Ahh the Hamptons. A favorite East Coast summer retreat buzzing with old money and delusions of grandeur, despite their notoriety as an upper crust and celebrity retreat, the Hamptons can be an accessible vacation destination for all whether you want a luxury getaway or a weekend of see and be seen party hopping.

A group of colonies, villages and hamlets just short ride from Long Island, you can get to the Hamptons via a ferry from NYC or Connecticut, or the Jitney, a coach bus specifically designed to shuttle people to the haute hideaway for the weekend. The ferry will run you just about $15 per person per way, or $55 if you want to shuttle your car across, while the Jitney costs $18-30 depending on what stop you’re getting off at.

Photo Credit: Steve

Stay

If you’ve got money to burn, Southampton’s Meadow Lane is known as Billionaire’s Row, which includes a private helipad that can get you to Manhattan in 20 minutes flat. With a median home price costing just 18 mil, if that sounds ridiculous, there are plenty of hotels and vacation club rentals for the more modest vacationer. With Expedia averaging about $200-400 a night for a 3-star pad, we recommend checking out airbnb. You can find a number of cute cottages and country homes for under $100 a night. Most are not waterfront, but there are surprisingly few waterfront properties in general in the area.

Montauk | Photo Credit: Dave Curtin

Do

You’re at the Hamptons to relax, and there’s no better place to bask in the sun than at Coopers Beach in Southampton. Consistently rated one of the best beaches in the country, it’s perfect for sunbathing and splashing around. When you’re ready to beat the heat, browse for antiques, hike the nature preserve, or shop ‘til you drop.

Photo Credit: Mr.Tindc

Eat

Splurge at country chic Toppling Rose, originally opened by celebrity chef Tom Colicchio before they parted ways last summer. If you want to celeb-spot, Nick and Toni’s and 75 Main are two of the best high-end dinner spots. For a more reasonable meal, try one of the many fish shacks like Canal Café for their lobster rolls or Bostwick’s Chowder House, a favorite of chef Bobby Flay for it’s raw bar and seafood soups. Or, if you feel so inclined, the Hamptons are home to tons of famer’s markets and fruit stands for you to make your own picnic by the water.

Photo Credit: Eurgene Remm

Play

SL East is the place to get a Saturday night bumping. For a less clubby environment, Rick’s Crabby Cowboy Café & Marina is a popular bar that comes alive on the weekends. If you’d rather check out a live show, Stephen Talkhouse is where you want to be.