7 Summery East Coast Getaways That Aren’t the Hamptons

There’s a reason people are willing to spend a small fortune on trips to the Hamptons. Celeb-frequented restaurants, exclusive beaches, box-hedged mega mansions—they’re all there, scattered among a few affluent hamlets.

If you’re sick of crowds and see-and-be-seen nature of the Hamptons, though, the Northeast has plenty of other destinations to offer. From Rhode Island’s scenic coast to New York’s Adirondack mountains, here are seven alternate trips to take this summer.

Cape Elizabeth, Maine

On the rocky coast of southern Maine, just eight short miles from Portland, quaint Cape Elizabeth offers every New England diversion. Hightail it to the Lobster Shack at Two Lights, a bluff-side joint that isn’t anything fancy but has been winning “Maine’s Best Lobster Roll” accolades ever since it opened in the 1920s.

Swing by for fried haddock or a clam boat, then walk it off in Fort Williams Park, a 90-acre sprawl just 15 minutes north that encompasses some of Cape Elizabeth’s best-loved sites including the Portland Head Light and the ruins of Goddard Mansion—one of the town’s first grand estates.

Greenport, New York

The tiny village of Greenport, which sits just across the Peconic Bay from East Hampton on Long Island’s North Fork, enjoys many of the same spoils as its seaside sister—high-end dining, pastoral environs—yet feels worlds away.

Once you’ve settled in, head for Kontokosta Winery (the North Fork is known for its vineyards), where you can pair Rosé and Riesling tastings with views of Long Island Sound. If pale ales, IPAs, and porters are more your style, Greenport Harbor Brewing—just 12 minutes west—is the spot for you.

Aurora, New York

Hugging the shores of Cayuga Lake in upstate New York, the college town of Aurora may be less than one square mile in size but it’s charming as can be. (Queen Anne–style mansions and cozy cottages are just two things that lend this village a storybook feel.)

Of course, no trip to the Finger Lakes wine region is complete without experiencing what it does best. At Heart & Hands Wine Company, you can swirl glasses of Pinot Noir and Riesling while enjoying vineyard vistas.

Down for a little shopping? Flex your wallet at MacKenzie-Childs, a homeware shop known for its majolica pottery and hand-painted furniture. If retail therapy isn’t your thing, it’s still worth the trip; visitors are welcome to wander the 65-acre farm grounds where—among other things—you’ll run into a Gothic-Revival-style chicken palace and a herd of Highland cattle.

Lake George, New York

Are you a fan of crisp mountain air and outdoor festivals—be they food-, drink-, or craft-oriented? Lake George might be the summer destination for you. Each month offers its own set of diversions, from BBQ jamborees to white-water rafting competitions, so you’ll have no issue finding something to do no matter when you visit.

One of summer’s bigger highlights is the annual Adirondack Food & Wine Festival, which welcomes more than 120 vendors from wine and craft beverage producers to artisan food purveyors and food trucks.

Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts

Martha’s Vineyard shares a lot of commonalities with the Hamptons. The summer colony encompasses a number of seaside towns; it’s filled to the brim with charming lighthouses and coveted beaches; and, of course, celebs love to holiday here.

So, what’s the difference? MV pleasantly lacks the flashy events and relentless paparazzi of Southampton and Sag Harbor, therefore delivering plenty of laid-back R&R. Skip the fancy restaurants and follow New Englanders to local joints like Larsen’s and Menemsha’s fish markets for seafood specialties like fresh clam chowder, lobster, mussels, and swordfish.

Afterwards, walk along the quiet, clay Aquinnah Cliffs or take to the trails of Chappaquiddick Island, which connects to MV proper via a barrier beach.

Cape May, New Jersey

Who knew a trip to the Jersey Shore was all it would take to see the second-largest collection of Victorian gingerbread homes in the U.S.? (The first being San Francisco, of course.) Cape May is one of America’s oldest resort towns, and while the tiny, 2.7-mile town certainly swells in size each summer, it gets nowhere near as many visitors as the Hamptons.

Cape May is also known for its active dolphin and whale population, so you’ll want to sign up for a Cape May Whale Watcher excursion if you’re visiting in season. The company whisks sightseers out into Delaware Bay—less than 10 miles offshore—to witness the mammoth creatures breach the Atlantic waters. If you prefer to stay on land, Higbee Beach and Poverty Beach are two of Cape May’s most adored spots.

Little Compton, Rhode Island

Gilded Age mansions and sailing regattas make Newport one of Rhode Island’s most popular cities, but just across the Sakonnet River, Little Compton offers its own coastal treats.

Laid out in 1682 by settlers of Plymouth Colony, the tiny town of just 5,000 is still dotted with 17th- and 18th-century Quaker meeting houses, town halls, schoolhouses, and churches. Spend a few hours exploring RI’s forested wetlands with a trip to Dundery Brook Trail, a half-mile path that follows an elevated boardwalk that’s both toddler- and grandma-friendly, so you can sightsee at your leisure.

Feeling parched after your visit? Head for Carolyn’s Sakonnet Vineyard, a 150-acre winery that hosts daily tastings.

This article was published through a partnership with Jetsetter magazine. Read the original story: 7 Summery East Coast Getaways That Aren’t the Hamptons by Chelsea Stuart, a regular contributor to Jetsetter.

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