Hamptons in April???
 

My wife and I would like to visit Southampton and the surrounding areas, sometime in April or early May, next year. We love cool, crisp weather, love to wear jackets and sweaters. Would prefer not to have snow, but who knows? Are most of the shops open in April? If not, when do they open? We are not zillionaires, but we travel so infrequently, that we have saved up for this trip. We enjoy luxurious hotels and fine dining. Any suggestions? Thanks!

I fear you are a little confused. There is no snow in the Hamptons in April or May - perhaps early March if there is a late storm. The weather may be chilly or it may be warm - don't count on wearing winter clothes - spring in April/early May and summer by late May. (If you want to visit off season beaches and see seals, etc on the empty beaches you are more late March/early April and late Oct/Nov).

The official season runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day but quite a few places are open on weekends at least for the month before and after that. And naturally many shops and restaurants are open all year long.

However, the water is cold - it is the North Atlantic - and even in early Sept it's quite chilly. Locals find it refreshing - people used to warm water often find it too cold.

And you should know that most of the beaches are private - either town beaches for which you need a pass (but the inn you stay at can get you one) or the private property of the ultra wealthy whose mansions line much of the ocean. (There are not a lot of hotels - it's not that sort of place - much more inns or fisherman motels.)

Hither Hills is a state park with naturally free beaches. And there are condo colonies in Amagansett which are located right on the beach (but behind the dunes) so they have immediate access to beaches. Town of Montauk also has beaches open to all but not a ton of places to stay.

You will need a car to get around - but if you go in May you will find most shops, restaurants, museums, etc are open. Just don;t be surprised at prices - this is the playground of the ultra wealthy.