Number One Beach in the U.S. 2010
Coopers Beach has gained the title as the top rated beach in the United States this year by the famed Dr. Beach, bringing it up from third place last year. Coopers Beach has 500 official feet of shoreline, but it extends for seven miles of pristine beachfront for your summer pleasure. If you are from New York this may be for you a cheap family vacation. So what is the big deal about this beach?
It is a family oriented beach, the only public one in the Village of Southampton, quiet during the week, and crowded on weekends. You can rent a beach chair for 10.00 and an umbrella for 5.00. The swim areas are reserved for swimmers, and those into surfing and body boarding have to respect the swim area. The water is a good temperature for swimming in the summer, the sand is white, the jellyfish don’t like it here. If you want to fish, you’ll need to go further down the seven miles of coast to find your spot. There are public rest rooms, shower facilities and places to eat.
On Friday and Saturday evenings from 4 to 8 during the summer, you and your family can enjoy a lobster dinner at Serenity, which is the laid-back eatery at the beach. The lobster bake will include an entire lobster, corn on the cob, potatoes, and seafood chowder or salad. Total is just over 26.00 per person, with discounts for children and seniors.
Lifeguards are supervising the beach from 9 am to 5:30 each day from Memorial Day through to Labor Day. You can eat at the pavilion on the beach, or choose from the restaurants in the area.
If you are curious about how the rich and famous live, you’ll see their mansions flanking one area by the beach. If you are rich, or aspiring to be, you’ll possibly enjoy the polo matches, other horse events, shopping at exclusive stores and for those antique lovers, there are definitely antique stores here. If you want to drive past beautiful homes, try Gin Lane.
If you are not from this area or New York, you’ll need to be brought up to speed regarding the Jitney. It is a bus system running from New York City to the east end of Long Island, otherwise known as the Hamptons. The Hampton Jitney requires a reservation, and serves refreshments on board. Cell phone use is limited, whatever that means. Fares can be double a train fare, which seems surprising for those who haven’t been on the Jitney. It travels the distance about an hour quicker than the train, if you can imagine.You can now reserve a first class section call the Ambassador Class. The Hampton Jitney will also take you to the Giants games at Giant Stadium, one day trips to a Broadway show, and much more. Go online to hamptonjitney.com for more information.
Accommodations: In case you are thinking the Southamptons will have only expensive rates for decent hotels, think again; however, you will not find hotels right on the beach, which is charming for those trying to avoid the commercialism. You’ll be walking or driving or biking to your hotel.
The Easterner Motel in Southampton usually has really good reviews and averages about $100.00 per night.
The Southampton Village Motel is a sweet Inn with your own porch, lovely furnishings and minutes to walk to the beach, railroad and Jitney. During the summer from June to September rates are $175.00 per night from Sunday to Thursday. After that they head upwards into several hundred. Located on 315 Hampton Road, Southampton, NY. A 50% deposit will be required to hold the reservation. Wi-fi is available. It looks like the rooms have been renovated in the last year.
A Butlers Manor has incredibly high reviews with very satisfied customers. This is a bed and breakfast in a huge colonial home. The beach is about a 25 minute walk. The Jitney is a 3 minute drive from the manor. The Eaton Court room is spacious with a tub included. There is a swimming pool and garden on the grounds.
The Village Latch Inn Hotel is within walking distance and considered the closest hotel to the beach. With a variety of rooms, you can have a suite, a fireplace, or rent a private villa for large family stays or just because you feel like it. Doubles start at $250.00 after July 4 and throughout the summer, while suites start at $450.00 during the same time, and that is per night.
Parking: you pay for parking unless you are a resident of Long Island, but to escape the $40.00 parking fee, try the hotels that offer a guest parking pass to the beach as part of its package. People also recommend biking from Southampton village to avoid this expensive fee. Sounds like a plan. The beach is located at Meadow Lane & Coopers Neck Land, Southampton, NY 11968 in Long Island. The train or Jitney will also bring you close by, and a cab to the beach will help you avoid the parking issues. One thing to keep in mind – apparently the grassy area across the street can be used for parking when the lot is full, but I’ve also heard that day passes are not acknowledged once all the annual parking passes have been sold. It would be worth your while to look into this if you are worried about this ruining what might be an otherwise affordable family vacation.
Location: Meadow Lane and Coopers Neck Land, Southampton, NY 11968.
Phone: 631-283-0247
