Marilyn Monroe’s Amagansett That Still Draws You In — And Her Windmill You Can’t Visit

Marilyn Monroe once retreated here for privacy. Today, the house remains out of reach—but the rhythms of Amagansett are still very much available.

The windmill house in Amagansett has long been connected to Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller, giving it this kind of legendary feel that makes you think you should be able to visit, or at least catch a closer look. But in reality, it’s just like many places in the Hamptons—private, not for sale, and closed to visitors.

What you can still experience is the same atmosphere that first drew Monroe here. Back in the 1950s, Amagansett offered something rare even then: a real sense of distance. The windmill was a temporary hideaway from the spotlight, a spot to vanish into long drives, quiet beaches, and stretches of coast that felt worlds away from the social scene developing further west.

That sense of place hasn’t changed. Amagansett sits between two very different shores: the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and the calmer Napeague Bay to the north. Both give you a version of the same idea—escape—just tuned to what you’re looking for.

On the ocean side, Atlantic Avenue Beach is still the busiest area. It’s classic Hamptons: lifeguards on duty during the season, restrooms, showers, and enough visitors on summer weekends that finding peace can be tough. People come for the open views, steady waves, and the kind of amenities that make a day by the water easy to manage.

Over on the bay side, things slow down. Albert’s Landing faces Napeague Bay, offering calmer water, fewer people, and a pace closer to what visitors might have known long ago. There are some basic things like restrooms, picnic tables, and seasonal lifeguards, but what really draws people here is a break from the rush.

Getting around the Hamptons takes some thought. Beach parking permits from the Town of East Hampton can be pricey, which pushes many to consider other ways to get there. Biking is a smart choice—Amagansett’s relatively flat landscape and short distances between town and beach make it doable. Amagansett Bike & Beach rents bikes good for riding along the coast, making it easier to get from the village to the beaches or even spots like Hither Hills State Park.

If you’re coming from New York City, the trip itself is part of the attraction. The Long Island Rail Road runs straight to Amagansett on the Montauk line, about two and a half hours from Jamaica Station. From there, it’s about a 20-minute walk to Atlantic Avenue Beach. Getting to the bay side takes a bit longer, usually needing a ride service or car.

You might not be able to step inside the windmill itself, but maybe that’s the point. In Amagansett, the things you can’t reach seem to make the things you can—even just the shore, the light, or a brief moment of privacy—feel all the more special.

Ty Wenzel

Ty Wenzel is an award-winning writer, designer, and marketing professional with a career spanning fashion, publishing, media, and digital innovation. A recent breast cancer survivor, she began her career as a fashion coordinator for Bloomingdale’s before serving as fashion editor at Cosmopolitan Magazine. Her work has appeared in numerous national publications, including The New York Times, and she is the author of a memoir published by St. Martin’s Press. In 2020, Wenzel co-founded James Lane Post, where she covers lifestyle, real estate, architecture, and interiors. She previously served as a writer and marketing director for The Independent. Her work in journalism, social media, and design has been recognized with multiple PCLI and NYPA awards, including best website design and best magazine. Wenzel is also the founder of the Hamptons-based social media agency TWM Hamptons Social Media, where she develops high-level branding and digital strategy for luxury clients.