Sixty-Something: Five Historical Romantic Locations in the Hamptons

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I could not help but think about romance because I believe it is the magic of life. The Hamptons is filled with beautiful vistas. It has many beaches, trails, lighthouses, and old country farm roads. It was easy to pick five romantic spots to write about because there are countless such locations. So, I picked my five favorites.

First, since I lived in Montauk the longest of my bachelor east end years I nominate Camp Hero, in Montauk. Specifically, the trail heading from the parking lot east toward the bluffs overlooking the Montauk Lighthouse. I have stood there for sunrises, moonrises, clear-night stargazing, not to mention midday ocean viewing. It’s a great romantic spot. Best to go there on off hours so you can be alone. For anyone wondering, Camp Hero is named for General Andrew Hero who was the U.S. Army’s “Chief of Coastal Artillery,” in the 1920s. The camp was named for him after his death in 1942. He was born in Louisiana. He never actually saw the bluffs and lighthouse of Camp Hero.

Then, there is what I will group together as the Gerard Drive-Louse Point zone in the Springs. A favorite of locals who often bring a few chairs, a bottle of wine and then watch the sun set during the season. Perfect for scenic walks and especially stargazing. I used to have a VW convertible and would stop on the narrowest stretch of Gerard Drive where there is a small bridge. Sitting on the top of the seats with the top down I would search the night skies for shooting stars and perhaps some romance. Note: Until 1926, Louse Point Road was called Dog’s Hole Highway. Local property owners successfully petitioned the town to change the name. The tip, known as Louse Point, has its own story. Legend has it the original settlers called it that because, “it was so barren it wouldn’t support even a louse!”

A similar type of experience can also be had on Ram Island Drive on Shelter Island. I believe in the off season it is the ultimate place for stargazing, with the road slicing through Coecles Harbor and Gardiner’s Bay with a priceless view of Bug Lighthouse. At one spot both the harbor and the bay are less than ten feet from the road. Under a full sky of stars, in the off season, this place is as romantic as it gets anywhere on earth. The road was built to connect Little Ram Island and Big Ram Island to Shelter Island.

The next spot is a combination of every Hamptons Ocean Beach location. If one walks a hundred yards or so east or west, you are basically alone. Looking at the stars and listening to the cadence of the ocean’s waves breaking on the shore is special. There is always a strong magical feeling of romance when you are on an ocean beach after hours. My favorite beach for romance is Ditch Plains. The bluffs, the rocks, give it a unique un-Hamptons beach feeling. A popular beach with surfers, there may be others feeling romance at this location at any time all year ’round.

Finally, there is Conscience Point, Southampton. This is the location of the landings of the original settlers in 1640. The spot is easy to drive to, just off North Sea Road. It has a short, wonderful shell covered trail to the big rock with a plaque on the water’s edge. The bronze plaque states that this is the actual designated area where the folks from Lynn, Massachusetts, then a colony of England for only 20 years, stepped ashore to establish the Hamptons. It was a June day, and the area was surrounded by Shinnecock Indians who lived around the harbor. When there you can literally feel the spirits of the folks who inhabited that area for perhaps a few thousand years. It is a very romantic spot. The stillness is blissful.

Yes, there are so many romantic locations in the Hamptons. For many it has been a tough two years of fear and isolation. Hopefully, the darkest hours of the pandemic are in the rear-view mirror. This Valentine Day, get a card, get some flowers, do something romantic. The older you get, the more you realize how powerful love is.