[AlaskaErik]

BTW: I don’t care what the wannabes say: West Hampton and Hampton Bays are NOT the Hamptons! ;-)

Exactly what are the Hamptons? I've heard the term a few times over the years.

[Arguendo]

A very rich (if largely new money and somewhat tacky) area on the south shore of Long Island. Many of the most famous New Yorkers have houses out there.

[Clemenza]

The Hamptons are a collection of upscale summer resorts on the south fork, at the very end of Long Island. The communities usually associated with the Hamptons are Easthampton (once artsy, now just wealthy with lots of celebs), Southhampton, Bridgehampton, Springs, and Amangansett. Montauk, which is east of the Hamptons proper, is not considered part of the Hamptons.

Basically, its where celebrities, hedge fund billionaires, and those who love them spend their summers.