How are the Hamptons compared to Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard?

[Anonymous]

Thank you for all the suggestions. MV sounds like a good fit and you can't beat direct flights from DCA!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We've had two family vacations on MV and loved it. Both times rented airbnbs, once in Edgartown and once in Chilmark. We didn't find it to be snobby, in general the crowd was not dressed up. Chilmark is more rural and we liked the vibe a lot. Edgartown is more touristy but had more restaurants and stores. There are several towns and lots of beaches. Some are private but many are public. Our rental in Chilmark came with a pass to the local private beach. Both trips were very relaxing and laid back. We would pick a town or beach to explore each day and either cook dinner or go out.The kids loved it, we loved it, would definitely go back. The Hamptons have great towns as well, each with their own vibe. Overall the Hamptons towns would be more crowded and more into fashion, what to wear, etc. Personally, I prefer the North Fork on L.I. Cute towns and less attitude. I've only been to Nantucket once. It's smaller than MV with less to do and felt more wealthy/upscale.

I would say the same! We went to MV and had a great time. It didn’t seem uppity at all.

[Anonymous]

I would like to go on a kid free weekend with my husband to Nantucket for cozy, fancy dinners and cocktails but felt like MV was a better fit with young kids who are a hot mess.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for all the suggestions. MV sounds like a good fit and you can't beat direct flights from DCA!

We've been to MV and Nantucket (just this summer) and prefer Nantucket. The private beaches issue on MV is limiting. The island is big. We enjoy staying in town on Nantucket and walking everywhere--wonderful restaurants and some "to be seen" places, but not overwhelming--or getting rides to the beach. I agree, the direct flights from DVA, to either island, are the way to go. Have fun with your selection!

[Anonymous]

Different take: Hamptons incredibly beautiful if you get off the beaten path and out of the towns. Serious natural beauty with incredible state parks and nature preserves on the way to Montauk and through the little islands up to the North Fork. Some of the people can be intense, but I find it very relaxing and beautiful in Hamptons.

Also, beaches better (actual gorgeous sandy beaches) and much warmer water for swimming.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Different take: Hamptons incredibly beautiful if you get off the beaten path and out of the towns. Serious natural beauty with incredible state parks and nature preserves on the way to Montauk and through the little islands up to the North Fork. Some of the people can be intense, but I find it very relaxing and beautiful in Hamptons.

Also, beaches better (actual gorgeous sandy beaches) and much warmer water for swimming.

There is a reason the Hamptons are so expensive. Everything is nice there and easy. You can't go to the beaches unless you have a season pass which you need to own a house to get one or you pay an expensive day pass for your car. This means the beaches are not crowed at all and they have a very nice, clean, upscale vibe. People are not smoking etc.. The lawns are all manicured and beautiful. Streets are clean and full of shops and restaurants and cafes. Very different vibe than MV or Nantucket and have been to all. I prefer Hamptons personally but it is much more expsensive as they do not have many hotels there purposely so renting a house is very expensive - $20,000 minimum per week.

[Anonymous]

We have a house in the Hamptons and I love it there, but we live in NYC and that choice was driven by the location and convenience of getting back and forth. If I were renting a place and staying out there for a week or more for a summer vacation, I'd choose MV. I think it's so lovely there.

[Anonymous]

They are different vibes. They all have wealth in different ways and so many of these so called "comparisons" are just off. The Hamptons is more for New Yorkers who are used to Manhattan all the time and get out to nature, exclusive beaches, towns with upscale restaurants, etc. You often have to drive to the beach and they don't mind. It has an unapologetic happening "scene" at night. They are more focused on being luxurious and glamorous versus "charming". People take themselves seriously.

Nantucket/ MV has the classic New England vibe- more family oriented, historical buildings and hydrangeas, bike rides to get ice cream in your sear suckered clothing. Nantucket has one town versus MV has several with different personalities. Edgartown is the preppiest and most like Nantucket. MV has older homes, lots of diversity and some crunchy/hippie vibes in some areas. Don't go for a glam scene for either- there isn't one especially in MV.
Lots of daytime activities- beaches, biking, boating but I wouldn't go alone or think to meet anyone

[Anonymous]

MV

[Anonymous]

I think the Hamptons (and Suffolk county generally including the North Fork) are very nice for a localish gateway, but I would not pick that over a quintessential preppy NE vacation on MV or Nantucket if coming from a different part of the country.