FUN THINGS TO DO IN SOUTHAMPTON, NEW YORK, THE FUN PART OF THE HAMPTONS...
Sure there are other villages and hamlets to enjoy
and each one has it's own personality and attractions; but there is something about Southampton, New York that makes you want to come back again and again and again!!!
What to do the first week here in the Hamptons??? Whether you are a summer resident or a summer tenant--there is always the question of what to do with the kids?--now that you are all settled in?
HAPPENINGS IN SOUTHAMPTON VILLAGE:
Agawam Park and Playground was just recently updated to include all kinds of new equipment. Located at the West end of Jobs Lane, this park has been in existence for decades. The park was established as a memorial to the Veterans of the world wars. The World War II monument at the Southern end of the park is considered a perfect example of Greek Revival Architecture, with it's Corinthian Columns gracing the monument steps.
Agawam Park is noted for it's gatherings during the Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day celebrations. Fireworks at the Ocean can be viewed from this park, as you face the Southern end of Lake Agawam.
- All of the parades begin in the Village's Northern most point near the railroad station, with their Colonial Army Soldiers and their costumes and army gear, and ends at the Park. This is the perfect spot where picnics and other gatherings unfold.
- Unforgettable summer concerts are held every Wednesday night in the summer too. An unforgettable gathering of local rock bands brings the crowds from all over the Hamptons.
- At the Parrish Art Museum building there is a Farmers Market held every Sunday during the summer. Amidst the "Busts of Caesar" columns you will find the tables of produce grown right here in the Hamptons.
AGAWAM PARK:
- If the kids are restless, take them to the playground right here in the Village and let them feed the ducks, swing and play endlessly around the monument to WWII. You may even run into people you know here! Lounge in the grass and do a loop up and over Pond Lane--on the way stop to watch the ducks and geese who gather there to see what bounty might come out of someone's pocket...careful though! The geese can take on a mean chase if someone becomes too assertive with their goslings!
- On a rainy day during the week, there is the Rogers Memorial Library on Windmill lane right in the center of Southampton Village. Call 631-283-0774 for information on classes, reading hours and other fun things to do on a day when you can't be outside.
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Shopping is an option too; right near the playground is a fabulous toy store, Stevenson's! Located on the North side of Jobs Lane in a two story building , the blue awnings will show you where to go. Roam through the isles and maybe even buy a couple of goodies...maybe a balloon or two!
- Museums are everywhere in southampton Village; they are waiting for the sophisticated and the child-like wonder as well. The Historical Museum on Meeting House Lane may even offer a look into days gone by; check out what it was like to be in the "stocks" for a period of time as punishment for a minor crime.
VILLAGE BEACHES AND WATER PARKS:
- Take a long walk to the beaches, right from the shops on Main Street! There are so many beaches in the Village that you will be able to visit by walking to them--then maybe a bike ride to the bay beach on Meadow Lane! (You may even rent a bicycle from Rotations right on Windmill Lane, near Agawam Park.) Watch the Terns and the other water fowl as they bask in the calm waters of their protected reserve.
- You can see "Clammers" in their hip boots as they do their interesting harvesting too. They are usually collecting their dinner for that evening---how fresh is that???
- Just across the road is the ocean. There are board walks to take to the ocean side and dunes to climb. Long beach walks can expose the backside of the most wonderful estates here in the Hamptons....Famous and historical houses are all there--some hidden behind the dunes, some right there to see! And the power of the ocean is awesome---sit for a time, quietly watching and you may see a whale or a seal in the distance; large, deep sea fish sometimes jump and dive there as well. The waves are also great to watch---see how high they rise and how low they fall---if you close your eyes for a period of time, breathe deeply, you can actually feel the "push" and the "pull" of the water---a very interesting phenomenon that I discovered some time ago during a quiet meditation on the ocean beach....gives you a real sense of the power in the ocean.
BEACHES, PARKS AND RESTAURANTS
- Coopers Beach on Meadow Lane, on the Atlantic Ocean
- Little Plains Beach at the very end of Little Plains Road and Gin Lane, on the Atlantic Ocean
- Agawam Park on Lake Agawam, in the heart of the village on Jobs Lane
- Southampton Historical Museum, The Rogers Mansion, on Meeting House Lane in the heart of the
Village - Shinnecock Bay, access on Meadow Lane in the Village
- World Class restaurants, i.e.: Red Bar, San Ambroise, Delmonico's, Tutto Il Giorno, Silvers, Plaza Cafe, Little Red and many more fabulous places to eat!
- World Class Shops
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These will keep you busy for a few weeks--the rest of the time you will want to venture out to see the rest of the public beaches in Southampton Village. Here they ALL are from West (the furthest away) to East (the nearest):
- Road G on Meadow Lane
- Dune Beach " "
- Road D " "
- Halsey Neck Lane beach on Meadow Lane
- Coopers Beach
- Little Plains Beach on Gin Lane
- Wyandanch Beach on Gin Lane
- Old Town beach on Gin Lane
- Fowler Beach on Fowler Lane
...And if that is not enough, go to Mecox bay and Flying Point Road for all kinds of water sports such as kayaking and windsurfing.
Season beach stickers can be purchased at Coopers Beach and at Southampton Village Hall and Town Hall, both located in Southampton Village.
HEADING NORTH FOR THE DAY?
If you want to go North on North Sea Road, go all the way to the end. There are the delights of Great Peconic Bay beaches, where you can walk for miles and pick up sea glass, shells, and water washed stones from centuries gone by!
If you stick around until sunset, you may get to experience an unforgettable "light phenomenon" in the sky above the Great Peconic Bay--watch carefully so you don't miss it! I once saw a shaft of light that went straight up into the clouds from the horizon over the water and it appeared to look like a higher power was making itself known! I stood there, speechless, as the entire crowd of others missed the whole event--they were watching a large sailboat in the distance on the other side of the bay!!!
The same kind of fantasy and delight await you and the kids as you go North, drive along Noyac Road and pull into the Elizabeth Morton 
Wildlife Refuge. Located on the North side of Noyac Road, you will find such an oasis for the smaller wildlife who inhabit the wetlands and woods. Safe and sound, this protected world for small wildlife is rare and here you can literally visit the fearless birds and animals and see for yourself!
- Carefully packed seeds and nuts should be ready and in your pockets for this fantastic happening! Park your car and walk back into the preserve via a well established pathway that will take you into the heart of the wonderland; here, small chipmunks and other rodents scamper over your feet and dash into the brush on the side of the walkway, looking for seeds and other things you may drop along the way. Don't forget the seeds ---the kids will soon find out that you can quietly hold your handful of birdseed out into the air and small songbirds will fearlessly fly right into your hand and feed on the delicious seeds...they actually come looking for these treats!
- Such squeals of delight will let you know that you have hit the jackpot with the kids! This is the best summer ever!
So now, come and join us and find your own favorite things to do here--Southampton is unforgettable!!!
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