September 15, 2004 -- Summer in The Hamptons means bling bling, tons of traffic, shiny cars, and a buzzy, see-and-be-seen scene chock full of beautiful people mingling at posh after-hours parties. While the crowds start to disappear as summer draws to a close, fall is actually one of the best times to visit Long Island's scenic coastline, countryside, and vineyards. The beaches are still beautiful, the fruit stands still bursting with ripe produce, the small bed and breakfasts still open. Best of all, hotel prices begin to plummet.
The tip of Long Island splits off into two separate beach areas. The North Fork, with its quaint inns and quiet life, is much mellower than the more upscale and showy South Shore where the Southhampton shopping scene features the likes of Ralph Lauren, Armani, and Saks.
Southhampton
Most hotels offer fall discounts. For example, all fall rates at the Southhampton Inn (www.southamptoninn.com/) are markedly lower than they are in summer. A standard room on a weekend night this fall costs $119 to $199 (compared to $249 to $459 in summer). Located on 5 acres in the heart of Southhampton village, this large, Tudor-style mansion with sprawling grounds is less than a mile from the beach. A great time to go is October 20 to 24, when movie stars and Indie filmmakers will descend onto the village for the Hamptons 12th International Film Festival (www.hamptonsfilmfest.com).
Montauk
Farther out towards the very tip of Long Island lies the town of Montauk. Equipped with a beautiful lighthouse and fertile waters where striped bass and other game fish migrate back and forth from warmer to colder waters, Montauk has a certain mystique. Years ago, the government conducted weird time travel experiments there and set up big guns to protect our shores during the Cuban missile crises. Currently, Montauk enjoys superior waves and a more rustic fishing town atmosphere than its more upscale neighbors.
The Montauk Motel (www.montaukmotel.com), a low-slung property just three blocks from the beach and the same distance from town, offers excellent fall rates and a host of perks. While summer rates get close to $200 dollars a night, from September 6 to October 30, rooms start at $95 during the week and $125 on weekends. From October 31 to March 10 prices start at a mere $65 during the week and $95 on weekends The hotel offers beach parking passes, pick-up and drop off at the local train station, and lobster cooking pots and grills if you want to barbecue or steam your catch.
North Fork
On the other side of the island lies the more tranquil North Fork. Here, the beaches are rockier, the mindset seems more peaceful, and the days go by a little more slowly. Greenport, the largest town on the North Fork, has many inns and bed and breakfasts that offer affordable fall rates. From September 1 to October 4, fall deals at The Harbor Knoll (www.harborknoll.com), a waterfront bed and breakfast near the town, give you a third night free if you stay three days from Tuesday to Thursday. In November, if you stay two nights Tuesday to Thursday you get 30 percent off the second night's stay. Rates at the hotel, one of the most beautiful garden properties in the vicinity, start at $200 from October through December. The rooms are exquisitely furnished.
Visit one of the North Fork's wineries, or all do a smattering of tastings at all of them. Information on the local vineyards can be found at www.greenport.cc/. Hit on the "Vineyards" link for details.
Getting There
To get to the Hamptons or the North Fork, fly into New York's JFK or LaGuardia airports and then rent a car or take the Long Island Railroad (www.lirr.org/lirr/hamptonsreserve/index.html) to the town of your choice. Train fare shouldn't cost more than $18 dollars round trip. A bus service called the Hampton Jitney (www.hamptonjitney.com) offers airport pick-up and round-trips for approximately $46 round trip.