The Most Romantic Things to Do in the Hamptons

We love a real-life rom-com, and meeting and greeting out here can be as romantic as any classic Nora Ephron flick. Our resident dating expert is back with her tips for romancing it up on the East End this summer. BY

LINDSEY METSELAAR

Happy August, Spotlight fam! Many people consider the Hamptons to be one of the trendiest and chicest destinations. But the real heart and soul of the Hamptons is how romantic it can be. It’s especially meaningful for me, because it’s where my husband said “I love you” to me for the first time, and where we got engaged. There are endless opportunities for romance Out East, and most of the time it has to do with the person you’re with, not what you’re doing. Regardless, here are my top four withoutfail romantic picks.

1. Take a sunset or sunrise walk on the beach.

The Hamptons is known for its incredible beaches, and there are so many to choose from. There are the more frequented ones, like Cooper’s, Mecox, and Ditch Plains. And then there are the smaller, more private beaches, like Gibson and Havens Beach. My personal favorite beach is Little Plains because that’s my “I love you” beach. There’s no moment more special than walking by the shore and looking at a stunning sunset.

2. Enjoy some ice cream in Sag Harbor.

Sag Harbor is one of the oldest and most picturesque towns. It dates all the way back to 1707!

My favorite part of Sag Harbor is the beautiful dock, where you look out at the incredible yachts and can enjoy the best ice cream at Big Olaf. My personal order is chocolate chip cookie dough in a wafer cone with rainbow sprinkles, but you can’t go wrong with any of its delicious flavors.

3. Take a ferry to Shelter Island. When was the last time you spent time on Shelter Island?

It’s quickly become one of the most secluded and lovely parts of the Hamptons, not to mention that the food is outstanding. If you take a day trip to Shelter Island, you can ride a bike around town, stop at Sunset Beach for some swimming, and end up at León, the new hot spot in town.

4. Hit the high seas. Don’t have any idea how to sail? Or want to learn? Sailing is one of the most romantic activities, and there are plenty of ways to set sail around the Hamptons. Sag Harbor Sailing offers rentals, if you can sail on your own, or you can check out Breakwater Yacht Club and rent a sailboat with a captain. Bring a towel, sandwiches from Harbor Market and Kitchen, and brace yourself for one of the calmest experiences for couples to share. Whether you’re a romantic or not, there’s always an opportunity to make a date memorable. There are also tons of events going on in the Hamptons, so make sure you’re staying up to date. For more tips, you can follow @wemetatacme on Instagram or listen to “We Met At Acme” wherever you listen to podcasts. Hope we all get to enjoy some amazing sunsets this month! T