Seven Days on Long Island

Seven Days on Long Island: A recommended itinerary from the Andrew Harper Travel Office.

Day 1 

Check into The Baker House 1650 in East Hampton. To get there, it's easiest to fly into Long Island's MacArthur Airport, served by Southwest and US Air, and rent a car. Alternatively, fly from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport to the East End with New York Helicopter. Either option is more pleasant than driving from New York City, particularly in July and August.

Settle in, have a swim in the hotel's pool, refresh yourself with a treatment in the atmospheric little spa or stroll to the nearby pond and historic cemetery.

Walk to dinner at The 1770 House, dining in either the handsome, casual Tavern or the sophisticated Dining Room.

Day 2  

Explore historic East Hampton. Stop in the Guild Hall, home to a fine modern art collection, and visit Mulford Farm, a fascinating English Colonial farmstead that was home to 10 consecutive generations of the Mulford family.

Head west to Bridgehampton for lunch at the famous Bobby Van's Steakhouse. Bridgehampton is an excellent town for antique shopping. Browse through the treasures at English Country Antiques and Hampton Briggs Antiques.

Before returning, visit the Channing Daughters Winery. In addition to working with common varietals such as Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, this winery also successfully experiments with unusual grapes such as Tocai Friulano, Dornfelder and Blaufränkisch. Nearby Wölffer Estate in Sagaponack makes traditional European-style wines.

Day 3  

Drive to nearby Amagansett, notable for its impressive sand dunes. After working up an appetite walking among the dunes, continue east along the Montauk Highway to the Clam Bar restaurant (avoiding the overrated Lobster Roll). Sitting at an umbrella-shaded table with a cup of clam chowder and an impeccably fresh lobster salad roll is pure bliss.

At the far end of the South Fork stands the famous Montauk Point Lighthouse, completed in 1796. Climb the 110-foot tower for stunning views of the coast. If time and energy permit, explore the nature trails near the lighthouse and in adjacent Camp Hero State Park.

Return to East Hampton and enjoy dinner at The Palm, a warmly decorated traditional steakhouse.

Day 4  

Explore the captivating town of Sag Harbor, which is filled with historic buildings from its days as a major seaport. Be sure to visit the fascinating Whaling Museum, with front doors framed by whale jawbones.

Lunch in one of the charming restaurants along Main Street, and enjoy some chain-free shopping in the local boutiques. Alternatively, rent a kayak for a couple of hours from Mill Creek Kayaks.

Dine tonight in East Hampton at Della Femina, a cozy spot reminiscent of an upscale Tuscan farmhouse.

Day 5  

Venture around Great Peconic Bay to the North Fork, home to numerous inviting wineries, many of which feature tasting rooms as well as picnic areas. Moving from west to east, some favorite wineries include: Paumanok Vineyards, Jamesport Vineyards, Shinn Estate Vineyards, Castello di Borghese, Pellegrini Vineyards, Peconic Bay Winery and Bedell Cellars. Also, be sure to stop at the atmospheric Tasting Room in Peconic, which pours wines of boutique wineries too small to have tasting rooms of their own. (This excursion is easiest on a weekday.)

Day 6  

Return to Sag Harbor and rent a motor or sailing yacht (complete with captain) for the day. Take a leisurely cruise, and indulge in a romantic picnic lunch.

Alternatively, stay near East Hampton and take a day to relax on the beaches, renowned for their fine, whitish sand and sapphireblue waters.

Enjoy dinner this evening at The American Hotel in Sag Harbor, which boasts one of the finest wine lists in the United States.

Day 7  

Depart.