East Hampton

East Hampton is a coastal town in Suffolk County on Long Island, New York, including several villages and hamlets along the Atlantic shoreline. The municipality runs from Napeague Harbor to Shinnecock Canal, combining flat dune landscapes with bays separated from the ocean.

English settlers founded the place in the mid-1600s under the name Maidstone and began farming and cattle raising. In the following century, Sag Harbor grew into an important whaling port that sent ships as far as the Pacific.

Some streets show wooden houses from the 1700s that are still lived in, reflecting the shift from farmland to summer residence. Many locals keep the tradition of clamming in the bays, especially when the tides are right.

Several beaches have lifeguards during summer, while autumn and spring offer quieter conditions for walking. A car makes it easier to reach the different villages, as public transport is limited.

The Montauk area hosts Deep Hollow Ranch, which has operated since 1658 and is considered the first cattle farm on present-day state territory. Visitors can still use riding trails through open grassland that reaches the dunes.

Location: Suffolk County

Elevation above the sea: 10 m

Shares border with: Southampton

Website: http://EHamptonNY.gov

GPS coordinates: 40.96343,-72.18480

Latest update: December 13, 2025 20:31