2. East Hampton, N.Y.

Strolling along the broad stretches of white sand, listening to roaring waves and passing the glorious mansions of Lily Pond, it's easy to forget that East Hampton is an extension of New York City's Brooklyn and Queens.

In the early 20th century, this remote farming village began attracting wealthy families and successful artists seeking refuge from nearby New York City. The 1950s saw the arrival of Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning and Truman Capote. The '80s greeted Steven Spielberg and Lorne Michaels. And the '90s made way for Jennifer Lopez and rapper Jay-Z. The upper elite of American society life still resides in East Hampton, but these days you'll also knock elbows with Martha Stewart at the bakery (when she isn't making her own scones) and maybe catch a glimpse of Puff Daddy and his entourage around town.

So what has changed since the farmers stopped milking? Fancier restaurants, longer lines and the addition of velvet ropes. What hasn't changed? The charming, small-town feel, the beautiful scenery and the serenity. And you don't have to look too hard to find the primary timeless attraction that lured such beautiful people here over the years - the majestic beaches.

The scenery of East Hampton is something out of a tabletop picture book. Along Main Street, working windmills from the 18th century stand tall, towering elm trees shade passersby and the Town Pond with its swans and a 300-year-old cemetery add to the elegance. There are incredible colonial homes - many of which are historic landmarks - the first prep school in the States, Guild Hall (one of the premier art institutions on Long Island), and a pint-sized, one-room schoolhouse. At the end of Main Street past sprawling yards and fences surrounding huge homes is Main Beach, where perfect white beaches and incredibly tasty lobster rolls await enjoyment. If you don't dig the surf, roam through thousands of acres of white pines in Northwest Woods. And if you just don't want to deal with Mother Nature, take part in gallery hopping, antiquing and shopping - not to mention celebrity spotting.

East Hampton is the perfect summer getaway, but the town is equally beautiful, calmer and much more serene during fall and winter. Without the hipsters and crowds, the village is brought back to its original charm. You can still enjoy the beach without harmful rays and dine in the restaurants that wouldn't give you a table before Labor Day, though you probably won't see Robert DeNiro or Tom Hanks.
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