Embrace the Heat at these Summer Escapes

We’ll never stop loving New York, but on those hot-as-hell midsummer days, the city can feel a little (or a lot) like a pressure cooker. When the heat descends, it’s time to pack a bag and make for the coastline. From Oyster Bay to the easternmost tip of East Hampton—below, the GrandLife guide to doing summer right.

Sag Harbor

This postcard-worthy seaside hamlet in Long Island, only two-and-a-half hours from Manhattan, has a laidback community vibe and more than enough beaches, shops, and eateries to satiate your senses. We love Dockside Bar & Grill for the freshest local seafood in a simple yet refined setting with water views and a patio. Local beaches Havens Beach and Foster Beach offer white sand and calm, bay swimming.

Greenport 

Located on the North Fork, Greenport can be reached by car or bus in close to 2 hours. Beaches and vineyards are the main draw but the drink and dining options also add to the appeal especially with the arrival of Death & Co., one of New York’s top cocktail bars, which has taken up residency on the beach in partnership with Sound View hotel. After a day at the beach, we recommend an afternoon at Greenport Harbor Brewery before sunset drinks at Sound View followed by dinner at American Beech.

Montauk

Ride the Long Island Rail Road all the way to the end of the line and there at the easternmost tip of East Hampton, you’ll find Montauk, a quaint fisherman village surrounded by raw, glittering coastline that provides the perfect escape from the sticky New York heat. With a year-round population of some 3,000 residents, the sleepy town springs to life during the warmer months with a lively influx of fishermen, surfers, New York scenesters, travelers and holidaymakers in search of golden beaches and good vibes. 

Rockaway Beach, Queens

Surf schools, food shacks, and lots of outdoor sports, Rockaway, located around an hour’s drive from the city, is an excellent day trip. Spend the day beachside with a book and some healthy bites from Brothers Rockaway on the Rockaway Beach Boardwalk before heading to local favorite Low Tide Bar for an afternoon frozen margarita and a serve of fish and chips. 

Oyster Bay

Located on Long Island’s North Shore, this sleepy seaside village is an off-the-grid beach destination located under an hour’s drive from the city. Pack a picnic and a good book as food and drink options are limited. Here, it’s all about the raw, untouched surrounds—think scenic countryside, golden beaches, and salmon sunsets.

PHOTOGRAPHY Read McKendree, Sound View