Winter fun in the Hamptons, Montauk for families, friends and couples

John’s Drive-In (677 Montauk Hwy., Montauk; 631-668-5515, johnsdriveinmontauk.com) is a family-friendly place to start your East End adventure. The spot specializes in quick-grill food like burgers and fries, but also serves wraps and is well-known for its homemade ice cream (currently only open for pickup; cash only). Other spots to try: LT Burger (62 Main St., Sag Harbor; 631-899-4646, ltburger.com), for specialty burgers, salads and over-the-top shakes or head to Fellingham's (17 Cameron St., Southampton; 631-283-9417, fellinghamsrestaurant.com) for kid-favorites like chicken tenders, hot dogs, mac-and-cheese and burgers.

For fun, families can explore the Children’s Museum of the East End (376 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Tpke., Bridgehampton; 631-537-8250, cmee.org), which has kid-sized displays such as a play diner, farm stand, food truck and pirate ship. Reservations are required and the venue is giving each visiting family a wagon filled with play pieces and art supplies for use throughout the museum. The nine-hole miniature golf course (free with admission) is also available to visitors, weather permitting. Museum admission is $19.

The South Fork Natural History Museum (377 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Tpke., Bridgehampton; 631-537-9735, sofo.org) offers classes and programs for kids, including private nature walks (advanced reservations required), a Young Environmentalists Society program (ages 10-16) and a Younger Birders Club (ages 8-18). Admission to the museum is $10; $7 for children ages 3-12 (age two and younger are free).

Check out the wildlife at Cupsogue Beach County Park (975 Dune Rd., Westhampton; 631-852-8111, suffolkcountyny.gov), where seals have been spotted. Even at that distance, a herd can be a striking sight, and it’s not too hard to spot them as they swim around in Moriches Bay. Head to Montauk Point State Park (2000 Montauk Hwy.; 631-668-5000, parks.ny.gov) where $4 guided seal hikes are being offered throughout February, March and April; advance registration is required.

Ice skate with the family at Buckskill Winter Club (178 Buckskill Rd., East Hampton; 631-324-2243, buckskillwinterclub.com). Public skating on its outdoor rink is available daily for $25 each (kids 5-16 are $20, age 4 and younger, $12) on weekdays, and tickets are valid for all public skating sessions on the day of purchase; skate rentals are $32 (kids 5-16, $27, age four and younger, $17).

If you are looking to stay the night or weekend, families can book a room at the Southampton Inn (91 Hill St., Southampton; 631-283-6500, southamptoninn.com). Children under 12 years of age may stay in their parents' room at no additional charge. Rates start at $145.

Friends planning a day trip or weekend getaway in the Hamptons can enjoy brunch at Coche Comedor (74A Montauk Hwy., Amagansett; 631-267-5709, cochecomedor.com) from noon to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Look for dishes like enchiladas (chicken or cheese), huevos rancheros and Huevos A La Mexicana, which can be matched with adult cocktails like Mexican hot chocolate and a "bloody Maria."

Rumba (43 Canoe Place Rd., Hampton Bays; 631-594-3544, rumbahamptonbays.com) is hosting a brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, serving "Island-inspired" meals like the "West Indies Breakfast Taco" (with slow-roasted pulled rib and cheesy eggs), shrimp and grits, and filet Tournedos (with Black Angus filet medallions). The menu features cocktails like its prickly pear margarita and the apropos Caribbean rum punch.

Groups can visit the Wölffer Estate Vineyard (139 Sagg Rd., Sagaponack; 631-537-5106, wolffer.com) for an afternoon of wine tasting. Reservations can be made daily (up to six people), and walk-ins are accepted if space is available. The South Fork outpost of Duck Walk Vineyards (231 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill; 631-726-7555, duckwalkhamptons.com) also has an open tasting room and groups of six or more must call in advance to make reservations.

Westhampton Beach Brewing Co. (220 Roger’s Way, Westhampton Beach; 631-998-0800, westhamptonbeachbrewingco.com) has a tasting room open daily all winter weekdays starting at 2 p.m. and noon on the weekends. Outdoor seating under heat lamps is available and the venue is running a Trivia Night Wednesdays and Bingo Thursdays. Guests can enjoy menu items provided by local eateries like pizza and gourmet stuffed Bavarian pretzels paired with craft beer from the brewery. In March, the brewers are scheduled to release their first-ever Double IPA, "Riptide."

Another thing to do when in Montauk is grab a craft brew or a pack of flavored selzters from the Montauk Brewing Company. (62 S. Erie Ave.; 631-668-8471, montaukbrewingco.com) Until further notice, the tasting room is closed and the spot is only open for to-go noon to 5 p.m. Thursday through Monday—but their beer-making game remains active as the brewery will soon be offering a new, limited Ocean Series release, available in 16-ounce four-packs on a monthly basis.

Over at Bistro Ete (760 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill; 631-500-9085, bistroete.com), owner Arie Pavlou leads cooking demos that include instructions on making cocktails, soup, foie gras, a main dish and a dessert. Once the hour seminar is finished, all are invited into the dining room for a wine pairing dinner. Winter classes are held 4 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays; classes are for 8-12 people total, for $150 each (plus tax and gratuity).

The Southampton Ice Rink (668 CR-39, Southampton; 631-283-2158, southamptonicerink.com) features a mostly enclosed skating space, and only requires reservations on weekends. You’ll need to visit the rink’s website before arrival to download a health screening form. Public sessions are held daily; general admission is $20; skate are $5 to rent (cash only).

CoreysWave Professional Surf Instruction (coreyswave.com) is ready to get thrill seekers "hanging ten" this winter. Groups of two to four are recommended, but larger groups can be accommodated. Lessons are held off Ditch Plains Beach and beginners are welcome; rates are $150 for a private one-hour lesson, $125 per person for two or more for an hour.

Located in Montauk, the Royal Atlantic beach resort (126 S. Emerson Ave.; 631-668-5103, royalatlantic.com) is a few blocks from the hamlet’s village area and footsteps from the Atlantic Ocean. The hotel has full oceanfront town houses available for up to four people, at a rate of $393 per night (including tax and fees) until April 9.

Start your weekend off at Pierre’s (2468 Main St., Bridgehampton; 631-537-5110, pierresbridgehampton.com), a French restaurant with a dimly-lit, art-dressed interior and a fireplace room. Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays, and aside from its selection of food, smoothies and juices, the restaurant is currently serving mulled wine (hot red wine with Alsatian spices).

Nick & Toni’s (136 N. Main St., East Hampton; 631-324-3550, nickandtonis.com) has been an A-list draw for years. Mainly a spot for upscale Italian, Mediterranean and American food, it also serves pizzas cooked in a wood-burning oven during the offseason. The pizza is only available Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays and options include Pecorino Romano or salsiccia sopressata, Funghi with mushrooms, hot honey and housemade mozzarella. Dining is offered inside and out, and the beverage menu includes several cocktails, wines and beer.

Couples seeking ways to relax and get pampered can make their way to Montauk Salt Cave (552 W. Lake Dr., Montauk; 631-668-7258, montauksaltcave.com), where halotherapy (the use of a salt cave) is used as an alternative treatment. Private salt cave sessions for couples are $100; reiki and sound healing can be added for an additional $75 per person.

Another spot to relax and unwind is Organic Edge (2 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill; 631-488-4086, yourorganicedge.com) a local holistic wellness center. Among the things to explore are the Infrared Sauna Pod, which uses a combination of dry heat, infrared heat, vibratory lymphatic drainage massage, aromatherapy and pink Himalayan salt air; the pod starts at $65 a session.

Couples looking to stay the week can make a reservation at The Roundtree boutique hotel (273 Main St.Amagansett; 631-267-3133, theroundtreehotels.com). The hotel is offering a "Luxury Winter Stay," which includes 20% off a stay. Guests can also use a night at the Roundtree to explore area restaurants with its "Fine Dining Reimagined To Keep You Safe" package, a deal that grants a $150 dining credit per room per night to be used at several participating nearby Amagansett and East Hampton eateries. Guests choose the spot and the hotel then arranges your meal for you, course by course, in your suite or cottage. In addition, couples can enjoy complimentary afternoon tea or sit by the outdoor fire pit during the hotel’s "S’mores Happy Hour" and roast the sweets while sipping hot chocolate. Weekend rates start at $495 for a standard room.