Brought to you by Long Island Hub is this article on the Town of Southampton.
Looking for a seaside retreat that’s also a storied American
institution? Look no further than the Town of Southampton. Along with the Town
of East Hampton, the Town of Southampton comprises the Hamptons, a famed locale
that has long been the summertime paradise of American elites like Jacqueline
Bouvier Kennedy Onassis. Having been featured in such movies as Something’s
Gotta Give (2003), Southampton occupies an unrivaled place in the American
imagination. Southampton is home to some of the best Long Island Restaurants.
Located 65 miles east of New York City, on Long Island’s
South Shore, the Town of Southampton encompasses seven incorporated villages
(which include Sag Harbor, Sagaponack, and Southampton) and 16 unincorporated
hamlets (which include Flanders, Hampton Bays, Northampton, and Shinnecock Hills)
As of 2017, the town’s population was 58,439, but this number fluctuates,
exploding in the summer.
This community is known for its affluence and sky-high home
prices. The median household income is $102,344, while the median home value is
over $1,000,000. Major employers include Southampton Hospital, Stop & Shop,
Southampton Union Free School District, and the Hampton Jitney.
The Hampton Jitney is one way to get from the hustle and
bustle of New York City to the glamour of the Hamptons. In operation since
1974, the famed Jitney provides year-round bus service from NYC to the South
Fork and North Fork of eastern Long Island. While driving is of course always
an option, one can also access Southampton via the Long Island Rail Road’s
Montauk Line, which includes stations in Speonk, Westhampton, Hampton Bays,
Southampton, and Bridgehampton. Francis S. Gabreski Airport and East Hampton
Airport also make Southampton accessible via plane.
Southampton is home to one institution of higher learning,
Stony Brook Southampton. An outpost of Stony Brook University, Stony Brook
Southampton is known for its programs in marine biology, health sciences, and
the arts. Its new 15,000-square foot Marine Sciences Center offers unparalleled
research opportunities for marine biologists, while undergraduates can also get
in on the action through the Semester by the Sea program. The Southampton
campus also offers a Doctor of Physical Therapy, a Master’s in Applied Health
Informatics, and a Master’s in Occupational Therapy. The campus is also
well-known for its arts programs, including an MFA in Film and an MFA in
Creative Writing & Literature (which produces the literary journal
Southampton Review). The Southampton Writers Conference, held every summer,
brings practicing writers into conversation with aspiring writers in a tranquil
setting.
Southampton’s K-12 educational options aren’t lacking, as
the town is home to the Southampton Union Free School District. With a total
enrollment of 643 students, the district’s intimate size means that the
students get individualized attention, whether they’re attending Southampton
Elementary School, Southampton Intermediate School, or Southampton High School.
Dining options abound in Southampton. While some might think
that dining out in this community is only for those with deep pockets, or that
the only options are seafood, that’s far from the truth. There are restaurants
that cater to all budgets and tastes. Some delightful options include:
● Sant Ambroeus: An
upscale Italian restaurant with outdoor seating; known for its pastries; patio
also available for private events
● Cowfish: New
American cuisine; every month, it hosts Forks & Corks (a wine pairing
dinner featuring wines from local vineyards)
● Edgewater
Restaurant: Restaurant serving Italian food (including steaks and gourmet
pizzas) and overlooking Shinnecock Bay
● Canal Cafe:
Serves fresh seafood; located on the Shinnecock Canal
● La Hacienda
Mexican Grill: Generous portions of Mexican food prepared by a father-daughter
team
● Saaz: Traditional
Indian cuisine
If you’re dreaming of a Hamptons wedding, the Town of
Southampton won’t disappoint, whether you’re looking for an expansive venue or
a more intimate setting.
● Featuring a
renovated ballroom and a lush outdoor space, the Southampton Inn is a beautiful
venue for weddings large and small.
● The Muses offers
brides the ultimate flexibility, with the choice of an indoor area filled with
sunlight or a lawn and patio. The venue can provide catering, or one can
arrange their catering from another company, ensuring that everyone gets
exactly what they want.
● Dockers Waterside
Marina & Restaurant in East Quogue often hosts weddings and is a perfect
venue for those who desire an intimate wedding.
● Topping Rose
House was the Hamptons’ first luxury hotel and continues to maintain a strong
reputation as an excellent venue for intimate weddings.
The main draw of the Hamptons has been its beaches, so
residents and visitors alike have abundant opportunities for recreation.
Visitors to Southampton Village Coopers Beach don’t have to sacrifice safety
for privacy, as this beach is not only secluded but also has lifeguards.
Ponquogue Beach is a public beach with parking and a pavilion. For those
craving adventures on the waves, Hamptons Surf Co. offers year-round lessons
taught by a professional surfer.
Southampton has been the birthplace or residence of notable
Americans. Some of these distinguished individuals include:
● Mary Louise
Cleave: Born in Southampton in 1947; engineer and former NASA astronaut
● Victor Garber:
Born in 1949; actor known for award-winning performances in Titanic (1997) and
Argo (2012)
● Jacqueline
Bouvier Kennedy Onassis: Born in Southampton in 1929; former First Lady of the
United States
● Howard Stern:
Born in 1954; radio DJ often characterized as a “shock jock:”
By Lawrence E. Orient
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