Visiting the Hamptons this summer? Lucky duck! There is no need to sacrifice your eco-loving lifestyle! Here are some sure-fire ways to experience the best of what the natural, organic, sustainable Long Island summer haven has to offer, along with shopping local and giving back.
1. Get wellness at Naturopathica Healing Arts Center and Spa In East Hampton, where Naturopathica, the Ecocert-certified line has a gorgeous flagship spa, you can experience founder Barbara Close’s recently launched line of healing remedies, called Wise Concoctions. Make an appointment for a Pure Results Facial, or to learn how “diet, massage therapy, herbal remedies and other wellness rituals enhance beauty from the inside out.”
2. Sign up for the Saturday Barbecue at Gurney’s Montauk The Beach Club Bar & Grill, near Hither Woods Preserve, where the local grilled seafood is not only delicious, but you may learn a thing or two about supporting sustainable seafood.
3. Get Farmy Take the kids to the Art Farm in Bridgehampton, an eco-friendly place where kids learn about animals and caring for the planet, as well as cooking, art-making and more in this solar-powered space, where you can also book a birthday party that features goats, chickens and pigs.
4. Drive a Tesla. Why not, everyone else is this summer. Tesla’s mobile pop-up (made from shipping containers) is touring the U.S. this summer and stopping in the Hamptons, where you can test drive the electric cars.
5. Shop the many farmers’ markets. Long Island has been a farm hub for as long as I can remember, with many farm stands and farmers’ markets, ripe for the picking. Take your pick, thanks to this guide from onehealthyhamptons.com:
- Westhampton Beach: Saturday 9am-1pm in parking lot next to Historical Society
- Hampton Bays: Saturday 9am-1pm at St. Mary’s Church, 165 Ponquogue Avenue
- Southampton: Sunday 9am-2pm, 25 Jobs Lane, Southampton Cultural Center
- North Sea Farms: 1060 Noyac Road, Southampton
- Watermill: The Green Thumb Organic Farm: 829 Montauk Highway, Water Mill
- Bridgehampton: Hayground School Farmers Market Friday 3-6:3pm at 151 Mitchell Lane
- Country Garden Farm Stand: 35 Millstone Road, Bridgehampton
- Halsey’s Farm Stand: 829 Montauk Highway, Water Mill
- Sag Harbor: Saturday 9am-1pm at Bay & Burke Streets
- Serene Green Farm Stand & Seafood Market: 3980 Noyack Road, Sag Harbor
- Shelter Island: Saturday 9am-12:30pm at the Historical Society, 16 South Ferry Road
- Pike Farms Farm Stand: 82 Sagg Main Street, Sagaponack
- East Hampton: Friday 9am-1pm in Nick & Toni’s Parking Lot, 136 North Main Street
- Round Swamp Farm: 184 Three Mile Harbor Road, East Hampton
- ECO Farm Stand: 55 Long Lane, East Hampton
- Springs: Saturday 9am-1pm at Ashwagh Hall, 780 Springs Fire Place Road
- Amagansett: Wednesday 2-6pm at 15 Montauk Highway
- Balsam Farms: between Town & Windmill Lane, Amagansett
- Bhumi Farm Stand: 139 Pantigo Road, Amagansett
- Montauk: Thursday 9am-2pm at Village Green in town
- Greenport: Saturday 9am-1pm at United Methodist Church, 621 Main Street
6. Take a hike. Pack an organic picnic and amble through one of the nature trails or national parks in the area, like Fresh Pond Loop in Hither Hills State Park or check out these 10 Great Hikes on Long Island.
7. Eat Fresh. Head to Fresh Hamptons, the Bridgehampton resto with reclaimed wood walls and a congenial atmosphere, where everything is local or organic, and totally delicious. Founded by Todd Jacobs, a French Culinary Institute grad, yoga-loving foodie, and ex executive chef at the renowned American Hotel in Sag Harbor, the menu is local and organic and includes a Prana menu, which includes, but is not restricted to, raw, vegan, gluten-free and vegetarian options.
8. Drink sustainably, Drink locally! Check out members of Long Island Sustainable Winegrowing, a non-profit that offers support and special certification for Long Island vineyards. Members include Long Island’s Bedell Cellars, Channing Daughters Winery, Martha Clara Vineyards and Shinn Estate Vineyards, Lieb Cellars, Harbes Family Vineyard, One Woman Wines & Vineyards, Peconic Bay Winery, Wolffer Estate Vineyard and more. Go for a wine tasting, raise your glass in the glorious vineyards and learn about sustainable winemaking.
9. Shop at LurkShop in Sag Harbor, where Anne Nelson Sanford, founder of the beautiful Lurk perfumes, curates clean and gorgeous beauty brands like May Lindstrom, One Love Organics, Suntegrity and more. You will love the Lurk scents—subtle, sensual and irresistible!
10. Give Back to those who appreciate your help. Before you head back to the city, donate your food leftovers to a food pantry in your town:
Hampton Bays: The Hamptons Bays Food Pantry at St. Rosalie's Church (631-728-9461) Donations are accepted Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pantry open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday, through Thursday.
Bridgehampton: Bridgehampton Community Food Pantry at St. Ann's Episcopal Church (631-537-1527, 2463 Main Street). Pantry open Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Westhampton: The Westhampton Food Pantry at Immaculate Conception Parish (631-288-1423) accepts donations year round.
Southampton: Human Resources of the Hamptons (631-283-6415, hrhamptons.org) has been helping Hamptons residents in need for 30 years.
Sag Harbor: The Sag Harbor Community Food Pantry (631-725-2880, sagharborfoodpantry.com) helps feed approximately 250 people per week.
Montauk: The Mother Teresa Outreach Center Community Food Pantry (631-668-2425) is open the third Tuesday of each month.