What It's Like: The celebrities have packed up croquet mallets, backed their SUVs over the commoners, and driven back to the city for the season leaving, in their wake, silence. With no traffic, no restaurant lines, no parking permit headaches, no party circuit, the Hamptons are at their loveliest in winter.

What to Do: Cooper's Beach in Southampton will fulfill both your beach-combing and star-gazing impulses with views of the glorious, blustery seascape as well as the graceful rooflines of beachfront estates. Then stroll along Main Street in Southampton and East Hampton and visit the posh boutiques and stores. Though some have closed for the season, you can still hit the likes of Scoop, Eileen Fisher, DKNY, and Saks.

Where to Stay and Dine: At the Southampton Inn (91 Hill Street, Southampton, 800/832-6500; www.southamptoninn.com), the same rooms that run $489 a night in summer can be yours for $149 in winter (tip: request a Designer Suite when booking). Grab a table at hotspots Nick and Toni's or Della Femina (99 North Main Street, East Hampton, 631/329-6666; www.dellafemina.com) where you'll actually be seated without a wait and get to focus on the food without fighting the urge to gawk..