Graced with ancient elm trees, majestic gray-shingled homes, and historic windmills, the village of East Hampton has evolved into a busy and sophisticated combination of thriving summer resort and year-round community of hardworking locals and transplanted urbanites. A group of Puritan farmers and fisherfolk from Connecticut and Massachusetts settled the village in 1648, and agriculture remained its main source of livelihood until the 1800s, when the area began to develop into a fashionable resort. Cooled by Atlantic Ocean breezes, East Hampton is noted today for its lovely beaches and fine food and shopping. Its considerable wealth and the sustained effort by local government and residents to maintain East Hampton's precious heritage have combined to preserve much of the village architecture and landscape as it was during the 18th century.
East Hampton is one of the most extravagant Hamptons villages. For a more relaxed, and less pricey visit, stay at one of its graceful inns or B&Bs off season, enjoy a glass of local wine by the fire, bundle up for walk on the shore, enjoy seasonal fare at the many year-round restaurants, and take in a show at Guild Hall.
