As a New Yorker, being in the city in the summer can be depressing, especially when the temperature hits 100 degrees, you’re trapped inside, and the only way to cool down is to stick your head in the freezer. (Trust me, I’ve done it and it’s not cute.)
But if you’re looking to avoid your freezer and cure the #FOMO you feel while endlessly scrolling through everyone and their mom’s beach vacations on Instagram, hit up Montauk on the East End of Long Island, which is filled with great food, live music, wellness events, high-end shopping, and gorgeous beaches. The overall vibe is super chill—you actually feel like you can disconnect, relax, and have fun! Here, tips on how to get there, where to stay, what to do, and more—all while looking cool as hell on your Insta, because if you don’t Insta, it didn’t happen.
But first, the essentials:
Eliou Kavala Multi Earrings
Triangl Yellow Floral One-Piece
NICHOLAS Scoop Blouse in Amber Multi
triangl Cinnamon Bikini
Loewe Ibiza Square-Frame Acetate Sunglasses
Drunk Elephant The Littles
Chloé Gold-Tone Cuff
Dolce & Gabbana Printed Cotton-Voile Pareo
If you REALLY want to splurge, the quickest, most convenient way to get out east is to fly. My husband and I flew Montauk Sky, which is operated through Blade. The entire experience was amazing and premium AF. A car service picked us up at the Blade lounge on the west side and took us to Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, and we got snacks and ~dranks~ during the 45-minute flight and were greeted with a fresh lobster roll when we landed.
But if you’re looking for more budget-friendly options, the cheapest is the Long Island Railroad. The Cannonball train leaves from Penn Station at 4:06 p.m. on Fridays during the summer and runs express to the Hamptons, stopping first in Westhampton. The Jitney, a coach bus with multiple pickup points throughout the city, is another less spensy way to get out there.
Solé East is a hidden gem, a 15-minute walk or 2-minute Uber from town and the beach. I absolutely loved the vibes from the minute I walked in the door. The decor is bungalow chic, the property is buzzing with energy, and the rooms are bright and stylish. I’m also obsessed with the artwork: Original black-and-white photography of the Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, and others hang all over—and it’s all for sale! The restaurant is bustling all day long, and you’ll also see a lively pool crowd and enjoy live music.
On Friday night, we headed to Scarpetta Beach for dinner. Located at Gurneys Montauk, the delish Italian restaurant can do no wrong—order the spaghetti and thank me later. The cute outdoor area has a DJ, fire pit, and dancing. Gurneys is also a great—scene-y—day spot that lets you rent out daybeds. They’re a pretty penny, but hey, at least you’ll look cool as hell while doing it!
On Saturday morning, I took a workout class with Melissa Wood (founder of Melissa Wood Health) as part of Solé East’s summer wellness series—it hosts a plethora of activities throughout the summer ranging from workout classes and panels to other group events. The class went down on the beautiful deck located on the side of the property—it’s remote and surrounded by lush greenery. After the class, I listened to a panel discussion on wellness, female empowerment, and entrepreneurship with Melissa and Helen Reavey, the celebrity hairstylist and founder of Act + Acre. It was a different and creative start to my Saturday morning—and, obv, quite ’gram-worthy.
On Saturday evening, we ventured out to Surf Lodge to grab dinner and check out the music scene. Surf Lodge is low-key one of my favorite places in the world during the summer—a definite must-hit spot if you’re in the Hamptons, thanks to the prime food, drinks, and overall scene. Surf Lodge also has a weekend summer concert series, bringing in guests on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the summer. Dress your best, because basically every area of this establishment will look good on your feed. Bonus points if you get a picture in one of the swings!
On Sunday, we walked into the town and grabbed breakfast at Goldberg’s, a great bagel shop that’s almost always guaranteed to have a line. In town, you’ll find tons of cute shopping (like Cynthia Rowley) and other nice spots to eat. Afterward, we strolled down to the beach, about a five-minute walk from the town. Once you hit the sand, you know what to do—find yourself a spot and get your ’gram on.
If you’re looking for more of a sit-down lunch situation, other faves are Duryea’s Lobster Deck (for delish lobster rolls), The Crow’s Nest (for everything from a mix of Mediterranean mezze platters to fish), or Navy Beach. These places are also great dinner/sunset-watching spots that’ll look fab on your feed.
Yes, I like Pina Coladas, and getting caught in the rain. I also like making things look ~ pretty ~ and can often be found reminiscing on the glory days of Dance Moms season 1.
