Long Island/Hamptons/Montauk help please?

[Harleyboy]

Evening,

Hoping you may be able to tear yourselves away from Happy Valley and give me some pointers?

Heading to NYC in September. Have family there and will stay with them for a few days but then we (wife and I) fancy taking the train to Long Island. We would like to spend some time on the beach, some mooching around and maybe rent a boat for a few hours. We’re not sure where to stay but would like to be in a guest house/b&b rather than a hotel and fairly ‘quaint’. Probably 2 nights

Any suggestions for which town to base ourselves in and/or any accommodation?

Thanks a lot

[Alexandra]

I live in Southampton so happy to help. Are you looking for anything specific? There are plenty of coastlines, and beaches (some private, some not), and I'm sure you can rent a boat from anywhere around here. I'll add some recommendations when I have a few minutes later.

[Harleyboy]

Hi,

So, we’d like to stay somewhere where we could walk from where we are staying into town and ideally the beach. Preference is to not be in a large hotel and thinking perhaps a guest house/b&b would be nice.

Not fussed about shopping or fantastically top end restaurants, so if there is a more laid back location, this would probably suit. We are fit and active so happy to walk, run, cycle etc!

Vague, I know!

Thanks for your response

[Alexandra]

The weather in September should be okay for the beach but the sea will be cold so be aware. Coopers beach is our local and it's lovely. We walk or cycle there but you need a permit or have to pay if you park. There's a museum here in Southampton, lots of fantastic shops along the high street, a vineyard at Duck Walk, and good food at the https://www.plazacafesouthampton.com/. For somewhere to stay there are AirBnB's and I've heard good things about https://1708house.com/. If you can find bikes to hire you can cycle up to the end of the island.

Moving to East Hampton, I think you can rent a boat at Cedar Point park but if not there will be plenty of places up and down the coast. A couple of places to eat.. https://www.rosiesamagansett.com/ and https://bostwickschowderhouse.com/ Rosie's is in Amagansett, which is also a really nice place to visit.

Montauk - the obvious attraction is the lighthouse, which you can walk up and the views are stunning. There's also an abandoned military base that has been turned into a nature reserve and is worth exploring.

Anything else, just ask.

[Harleyboy]

Hi, thanks so much, this is really helpful. It sounds as if there is more going on in Southampton and that guest house looks just what we are after.

I really appreciate you taking the time, I will be taking a closer look at Southampton as a base