Hamptons in January | Off-Season Guide
January in the Hamptons is quiet in the best possible way. The crowds have disappeared, the beaches become wide and empty, and the villages slow down into a peaceful rhythm that feels almost like a secret season. If you’ve only ever experienced the Hamptons in summer, January will feel like a completely different place, soft, calm, and beautiful.
Here’s your full guide to enjoying the East End in January.
🌊 Winter Beaches: Peaceful, Empty, and Stunning
Bundle up and head to your favorite shoreline. Georgica, Sagg Main, Coopers, Ditch Plains, Ponquogue. In January, the dunes are quiet, the water is still, and the skies turn pastel at sunset.
There’s truly nothing like a winter beach walk on the East End.
🍷 Wineries Open Year-Round
Many vineyards stay open through winter, offering:
• indoor tasting rooms
• fireplaces or cozy corners
• small crowds
• seasonal wine flights
Check hours for:
Wölffer Estate Vineyard (Sagaponack)
Duck Walk Vineyards (Water Mill / Southampton)
Channing Daughters (Bridgehampton — call ahead)
Winter wine tasting is one of the calmest and coziest off-season activities.
🎨 Arts, Culture & Local Exhibits
January is a great month for galleries and museums. Many institutions open new winter exhibitions, including:
Guild Hall (East Hampton)
Southampton Arts Center
Smaller local galleries across Sag Harbor & Montauk
It’s the perfect time to enjoy the arts scene without the summer crowds.
☕ Cozy Cafés & Warm Winter Stops
January is “café season.” Think warm drinks, pastries, foggy windows, and quiet tables.
Some favorites that locals love in the off-season:
Golden Pear (multiple locations)
Sagtown Coffee (Sag Harbor)
Hampton Coffee Company (Westhampton Beach / Southampton)
Left Hand Coffee (Montauk)
🚶 Nature Preserves & Trails
Whether you’re exploring Mashomack Preserve on Shelter Island or the trails at Quogue Wildlife Refuge, winter hikes are peaceful and beautiful. Expect bare trees, crisp air, and maybe even a dusting of snow.
🌅 Why We Love January on the East End
The Hamptons in January isn’t about events, it’s about atmosphere.
It’s the month for:
• quiet resets
• reflective walks
• cozy meals
• creative inspiration
• stress-free exploring
• slower mornings and slower days
January is the Hamptons without the noise, and it’s absolutely stunning.
Stay Connected All Winter
We post updated activities, date ideas, hidden spots, and weekly inspiration throughout the month.
Follow @hamptonsvacationinn for weekly January guides and 2026 updates.