The East Hampton Weekend Guide Our Editors Actually Swear By

Lucía Torres · 2026-08-05

Laura Corrigan, our SVP of Marketing & PR and Executive Editor of The Agency Magazine, just published an insider's guide to the East End for Observer. It covers 16 stops stretching from East Hampton through Montauk, plus a few worthwhile detours to Sag Harbor, Southampton, and Shelter Island. You can read the full piece on Observer, but here's why this guide matters and what it says about how we think about the Hamptons. ### Why the Hamptons Still Matter The Hamptons have always run on two economies — real estate and taste — and they've never really been separate. The same families who built the first summer cottages after the railroad reached the South Fork in the 1870s are the reason the region still gets written about today. That history isn't just nostalgia; it's the foundation of the market we work in every day. Our PR and marketing team has built a reputation as tastemakers in this world, not just participants in it. That's exactly why one of our own was tapped to write the Observer's newest guide. Media prowess, in this case, doubles as market intelligence. When you know the stories behind the properties and the people, you can spot trends before they hit the mainstream. ### What's Inside the Guide Laura's guide isn't your typical list of tourist stops. It's a curated edit of places that locals actually frequent, from coffee spots to galleries to quiet corners of the beach. Here's a taste of what she covers: - **East Hampton:** The classic village center, with its white clapboard shops and tree-lined streets, plus a few under-the-radar spots for lunch or a quick browse. - **Sag Harbor:** A working waterfront with a literary history and a more laid-back vibe than its neighbors. Great for a late afternoon stroll. - **Montauk:** The far end of the peninsula, where the ocean meets the sound and the vibe gets rugged. Think cliffside walks and casual seafood shacks. - **Southampton:** The original summer colony, with grand estates and a polished main street that's perfect for window shopping. - **Shelter Island:** A short ferry ride away, this quiet escape feels a world apart. Worth the detour if you have an extra afternoon. These aren't just places to see; they're places that tell you something about the market. Where the crowds go, and where they don't, often signals where values are heading. ### Our Year-Round Connection With headquarters in New York City and offices planted throughout the Hamptons, The Agency's connection to the East End goes beyond the summer months. We're there in the off-season too, when the crowds thin out and the real character of the region shows through. That year-round presence means we know which streets flood in a storm, which restaurants survive the winter, and which properties hold their value when the tourists leave. > "The best advice comes from people who live the market, not just study it. That's what Laura's guide represents — a lived-in perspective you can't get from a map." ### Why You Should Read It Whether you're a buyer, a seller, or just someone who loves the East End, Laura's guide offers a smarter way to spend a weekend. It's not about cramming in as much as possible; it's about making the right choices. The right lunch spot, the right gallery, the right hour to hit the beach. Those choices add up to a better trip and, if you're in the market, a better sense of what's actually happening on the ground. So go ahead and read the full guide on Observer. And if you're thinking about making a move out east, our team is here year-round to help you navigate everything from the first visit to the final closing.