The Essence of Sag Harbor
From architecture to industry, a history of the East End unfolds in Sag Harbor. The unincorporated village isn’t as old as the towns of East Hampton and Southampton that share it, yet its significant events and contributions are still felt today along its rambling coastline and well-preserved commercial district. American colonists fighting to win their independence from the British empire, sea captains and whalers making a living from a premier port and network of waterways, and a steady flow of creatives and tourists have left their mark over the years. Stately buildings and homes serve as prime examples of Colonial, Federal, Greek Revival and Victorian styles, and people appreciate its small-town quaintness that remains intact. Extensive beaches, green spaces and waterfront properties also drive up the desire to live here.
Nearby Neighborhoods:
Bridgehampton, Shelter Island, North Sea, Southampton, East Hampton
Dining & Shopping
Catering to its creative class, Sag Harbor’s eateries and merchants trend old-fashioned and eclectic. Uptown meets downtown, too: Le Bilboquet, a waterside French reverie born on the Upper East Side, and Sag Harbor Tavern by a Brooklyn barbecue pitmaster. The historic American Hotel and Baron’s Cove, Sag Harbor’s first resort, are known for their cuisine, while other popular haunts are Sen, which has served Japanese cuisine for over 30 years; Lulu Kitchen & Bar to feast on Mediterranean and brunch fare, and locations for Tutto Il Giorno, Carissa’s Bakery and Cavaniola’s Gourmet Kitchen. The well-rounded downtown truly offers just about every item imaginable from Grindstone Coffee & Donuts to vegan-themed Nikki’s Not Dog Stand to Swedish candy company BonBon. Shopping is equally diverse. Boldface names are behind wellness-minded shops Urban Zen and goop, while West Coast women’s wear brand Dôen entered the Hamptons here. Home décor emporiums (Monc XIII, Sage Street Antiques, The 1818 Collective) rank among designers’ top picks, and it’s always fun to browse Sag Harbor Books, Via Coquina’s global wares and Sag Harbor Variety Store.
Culture & Attractions
With so many artists, writers and musicians in its midst, Sag Harbor’s cultural calendar is always packed. Bay Street Theater programs Broadway legends to new plays, and Hamptons Jazz Fest acts and local bands also gig at Sag Harbor Masonic Temple and the annual Sag Harbor American Music Festival. Nonprofits run Sag Harbor Cinema, a refurbished art deco triplex that screens films past and present; and the Church, a multi-purpose space for exhibits, performances and events established by local artists Eric Fischl and April Gornik. Literary fans flock to Pulitzer/Nobel Prize-winning author John Steinbeck’s house. The Sag Harbor Historical Museum: The Annie Cooper Boyd House’s collections cover centuries of art, letters, costumes and other artifacts. Occupying a whaling baron’s landmarked house, the Sag Harbor Whaling & Historical Museum dives into the village’s maritime heritage; the annual HarborFest, formerly the Whalers Festival, also celebrates this chapter. Other beloved traditions include Halloween’s Ragamuffin Parade and Pumpkin Trail trick-or-treating, Light Up the Harbor during the holidays, winter’s HarborFrost with fireworks, and biannual Sag Harbor Arts & Crafts Fairs.
Leisure, Nature & Wellness
Blessed with a deep port and numerous bays and coves, Sag Harbor is a haven for boaters. Many belong to Sag Harbor Yacht Club, Sag Harbor Cove Yacht Club and Breakwater Yacht Club and Sailing Center, or dock at Sag Harbor Village Marina and Ship Ashore Marina. Those without a boat can get out on the water through Sail Hamptons Yacht Charters, whose fleet includes a Hinckley Picnic Boat, and Sag Harbor Excursions for activities such as whale watching, sunset cruises and golfing on Fishers Island. Beaches are at every bend, from Windmill Beach a stone’s throw from Main Street, to the mile-long Foster Memorial Beach (hence, its nickname of Long Beach). Lapping water and a “quiet recreation” intention make Havens Beach a top choice for families with small children. People stroll the restored Long Wharf Village Pier and new John Steinbeck Waterfront Park landscaped with native and pollinator plants by Hollander Design Landscape Architects; a boardwalk beneath Haerter Veterans’ Memorial Bridge soon links them. Mashashimuet Park features recreational fields, walking trails and Sag Harbor Tennis & Pickleball with eight clay courts from 18 total. Just beyond village limits, the 187-acre Elizabeth Alexandra Morton National Wildlife Refuge and 1,100-acre Long Pond Greenbelt at Round Pond beckon birders and hikers, while golfers tee off at the nine-hole Sag Harbor State Golf Course in the 500-acre Linda Gronlund Memorial Nature Preserve at Barcelona Neck. Fitness options further abound at Sag Harbor Gym, Yoga Shanti, Post House Hamptons for personal training and classes, and locations for Tracy Anderson Studio, Elements Barre Fitness and Nordic Strong. Wave Wellness’s holistic spa services balance classic and innovative techniques.
