A Walking Tour of Westhampton Beach

When heading East, the first Hampton you pass through has all the amenities you would expect from a village nestled between the ocean and the bay. Whether you're catching a show at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center or cruising down scenic Dune Road, Westhampton Beach retains a charming atmosphere that makes for entertaining evenings and delightful days.

One of the Hamptons' most unique shopping experiences resides right in the middle of Westhampton Beach's Main Street. This architecturally pleasing collection of shops and places to grab a quick bite boasts a Haeagen-Dazs ice cream parlor, a sushi bar, a toy store and a jewelry store all under one roof. Even on rainy days - which are few and far between in the sunny Hamptons - residents and visitors of Westhampton Beach can wander around the softly-lit collection of shops in comfort.

Known for its diverse population, visitors of every age will find something to keep them entertained while perusing the intimate shops and restaurants of Westhampton Beach. For the younger crowd, Calypso has more Jack Rogers sandals, handmade Brazilian bikinis and floaty linen separates than any other shop of its size in the Hamptons. And for the perfect prom dress, head over to the only A.B.S. by Allan Schwartz boutique on the East End to buy designs that look exactly like the gowns worn by A-List celebrities on the red carpet for a fraction of the price. Fun, casual eateries frequented by young Westhamptonites include Magic's Pub, the newly-renovated home of the Hamptons' best cheeseburgers and crispiest fries and Main Street Sweets, which is the only place in the Hamptons (besides their Montauk location) where Hamptonites can indulge their craving for Ben & Jerry's fresh-baked ice cream cones, fudge-doused cups and elaborate sundaes.

For the older crowd, Westhampton Beach offers fine cigar shops, sports apparel stores, antique gems and enough designer clothing to put a smile on any woman's face.

And as far as faces are concerned, Westhampton Beach spas and salons offer luxurious beauty treatment a discerning Hamptonite or New Yorker could crave. Even Sportime of the Hamptons, the largest workout facility near Westhampton Beach, offers massages and wellness advice along with their impressive roster of classes, tennis lessons and personal training.

Westhampton's vibrant year-round community ensures that no matter what the season, there is always something to do in Westhampton Beach. The bakeries are some of the finest on the East End, serving decadent pastries and light confections perfect for summer picnics and steaming cups of hot chocolate beneath Westhampton's famously elaborate holiday decorations in the wintertime. Although each Hampton has its own tradition in regards to holiday decorating, the residents of Westhampton Beach pride themselves on dazzling visitors to their Village with their enviable array of sparkling reindeer and twinkling lights.

The Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center is another jewel that seems to bring in the crowds all year 'round, wowing audiences of all ages with myriad theatrical, musical and dance performances. Among the exciting shows the WHBPAC plans to offer this summer are the Long Island Comedy Festival, Randy Newman, Craig Fergusun, Debbie Reynolds, John Pizzarelli, The New York City Opera, Linda Ronstadt, Rufus Wainwright and every child's favorite naturalist, Jungle Jack Hanna.

The Village of Westhampton Beach was settled in 1666 as a part of the Quogue purchase. Originally a quiet community that saw its first real estate boom take off around 1675, development was slow and the hamlet stayed small until 1870. When the railroad reached Westhampton Beach in 1870, the character of the Village began to take form.

Now in its 341st year, Westhampton Beach has become an incomparable stop on the East End tour and one of the most comfortable places in which a discerning Hamptonite could reside.

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