A Hamptons insider of 60 years dishes on the history, people, and parties that makes New Yorkers' favorite beachy hideaway so iconic

Jordan PandyMay 7, 2023, 18:24 IST

The longtime summer getaway of New Yorkers, the Hamptons offers a breath of fresh salty air.Gurney’s Resorts

Ultimate Hamptons insider Dan Rattiner started writing about the Long Island enclave in 1960.
Rattiner, whose book "Hamptons Private" explores the area in pictures, shared his observations.

Today, the Hamptons is known as one of the most luxurious getaways on the East Coast.

The white-sand beaches on the tail end of Long Island, New York, are the stomping grounds of celebrities from Martha Stewart to Beyoncé.

Longtime Hamptons resident Dan Rattiner, the author of local rag "Dan's Papers," explored the beachy area's charm outside of the glitz and glamor it's known for in his 2021 coffee table book, "Hamptons Private," published by Assouline. (It's just $105, a bargain by Hamptons standards.)

Rattiner arrived in the Hamptons encalve of Montauk at 16 years old and, just four years later, began publishing a local newspaper surveying the happenings of the area. "Dan's Papers" is now a go-to source for Hamptons news.

"I've interviewed lots of celebrities and lots of local people," Rattiner told Insider, citing interviews with the likes of Donald Trump, Billy Joel, and Barbara Corcoran, as well as plenty of Long Island locals. He is, to put it concisely, the authority on the area.

Rattiner's "Hamptons Private" describes the history of how the Hamptons came to be — from the 1600s, when New England settlers moved into the area, to present day.

Assouline

Rattiner's "Hamptons Private" describes the history of how the Hamptons came to be — from the 1600s, when New England settlers moved into the area, to present day.

Rattiner's family moved to the hamlet of Montauk from a New Jersey suburb after his father, an avid fisherman, purchased a drug store.

Karen Foley Photography/Getty Images

Montauk, especially, is known as one of the more surfer-friendly Hamptons enclaves.

Delfina Blaquier

"It's a big surfing town," Rattiner said. "Montauk, I think, is ranked among the top 10 locations for surfing in the country."

Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images

Both fishing and pleasure boats, like yachts, are a regular sighting in the Hamptons, Rattiner said.

Yacht Kelpie

Because the Hamptons is largely a summertime destination, outdoor sports — like croquet, pictured here — are the norm.

Nick Hunt Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

The Hamptons is unlike any other beach town due to its rolling dunes, grand elm trees, and green foliage, Rattiner said.

There's no better example to show off the greenery of the Hamptons than fashion designer Lisa Perry's estate, pictured here.Robyn Lea

The Hamptons is also home to one of the country's largest privately owned islands. The 5-square-mile Gardiner's Island has been in the Gardiner family for nearly 400 years.

Robert David Lion Gardiner and guests enjoying a picnic on Gardiner's Island.Alfred Eisenstaedt/The LIFE

The Hamptons is also home to one of the country's largest privately owned islands. The 5-square-mile Gardiner's Island has been in the Gardiner family for nearly 400 years.

The Baker House is one of the few bed and breakfasts that still operates in the Hamptons.

Guests enjoy a meal at The Baker House.Yuxi Liu

Rattiner likens the food culture in the area to that of Italy, noting that fresh ingredients and home-cooked meals are important to Hamptonians. Just think of East Hampton local, the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten.

Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Rattiner likens the food culture in the area to that of Italy, noting that fresh ingredients and home-cooked meals are important to Hamptonians. Just think of East Hampton local, the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten.

It isn't just vegetables that get their due out there. "There's fish factories, there's lobstering, there's lots of fishing boats going out," Rattiner said.

Christy Ferer

There are also dozens of wineries. Wölffer Estate Vineyard, in Sagaponack, has been producing wine and cider on Long Island since 1988.

Friends raise their glasses at Wölffer Estate Vineyard.Mark Weinberg

The area's social scene has grown in tandem with its seasonal popularity.

Kelli Delaney

It's home to a variety of housing, from charming bungalows to impressive estates. American architect Norman Jaffe designed this East Hamptons house.

Doug Kuntz

With million-dollar homes and an abundance of high-end events, still the most compelling element is the area's 40 miles of pristine beach.

Gavin Zeigler Alamy

And that's still true. The Hamptons is a luxurious hideaway from the city, though now more so than ever, it's a playground for those who can afford it.

Gurney’s Resorts

See inside one of the world's largest aircraft 'boneyards' where planes go after airlines are done using them

Cookies on the Business Insider India website

A Hamptons insider of 60 years dishes on the history, people, and parties that makes New Yorkers' favorite beachy hideaway so iconic

Rattiner's "Hamptons Private" describes the history of how the Hamptons came to be — from the 1600s, when New England settlers moved into the area, to present day.

Rattiner's family moved to the hamlet of Montauk from a New Jersey suburb after his father, an avid fisherman, purchased a drug store.

Montauk, especially, is known as one of the more surfer-friendly Hamptons enclaves.

"It's a big surfing town," Rattiner said. "Montauk, I think, is ranked among the top 10 locations for surfing in the country."

Both fishing and pleasure boats, like yachts, are a regular sighting in the Hamptons, Rattiner said.

Because the Hamptons is largely a summertime destination, outdoor sports — like croquet, pictured here — are the norm.

The Hamptons is unlike any other beach town due to its rolling dunes, grand elm trees, and green foliage, Rattiner said.

The Hamptons is also home to one of the country's largest privately owned islands. The 5-square-mile Gardiner's Island has been in the Gardiner family for nearly 400 years.

The Baker House is one of the few bed and breakfasts that still operates in the Hamptons.

Rattiner likens the food culture in the area to that of Italy, noting that fresh ingredients and home-cooked meals are important to Hamptonians. Just think of East Hampton local, the Barefoot Contessa herself, Ina Garten.

It isn't just vegetables that get their due out there. "There's fish factories, there's lobstering, there's lots of fishing boats going out," Rattiner said.

There are also dozens of wineries. Wölffer Estate Vineyard, in Sagaponack, has been producing wine and cider on Long Island since 1988.

The area's social scene has grown in tandem with its seasonal popularity.

It's home to a variety of housing, from charming bungalows to impressive estates. American architect Norman Jaffe designed this East Hamptons house.

With million-dollar homes and an abundance of high-end events, still the most compelling element is the area's 40 miles of pristine beach.

And that's still true. The Hamptons is a luxurious hideaway from the city, though now more so than ever, it's a playground for those who can afford it.