Welcome to Hampton Bays
Since the 1600s, Hampton Bays has been known for its fishing and wild life. The hamlet is surrounded by three bays, the Great Peconic Bay to the north, and Shinnecock and Tiana bays to the south. The two southern bays are a part of the Great South Bay system, which stretches from approximately Southampton Village to Jamaica Bay in New York City. The Shinnecock Canal, a man-made canal located in the eastern part of the hamlet, connects the Great Peconic Bay with the Shinnecock Bay. Shinnecock Inlet, which leads from the Shinnecock Bay to the Atlantic Ocean, is the easternmost inlet, making it very popular for commercial fishing. The inlet itself, which separates the barrier beaches of Hampton Bays from those of neighboring Southampton, was created in the New England Hurricane of 1938 when the forces of the hurricane washed over that area of barrier beach, connecting the waters of the Atlantic with the bay.
There are lots of shopping choices in town and it boasts one of the best outdoor malls in the east end of long island.
History
Hampton Bays is surrounded by sandy hills, Pine Barrens, marshland and dunes. English colonists arrived in 1640 to establish Southampton Village, and settler John Ogden obtained a land grant in 1659 for lands west of what is now the Shinnecock Canal. The land was used for hunting, fishing, and harvesting of marsh grasses and plants. The area of “Good Ground” was laid out in 1738 and included a number of smaller communities, Red Creek, Squiretown, Canoe Place, Ponquogue, Springville, Rampasture, East Tiana, West Tiana and Newtown. These settlements still exist as neighborhoods and many descendants of the original settlers still live here.
During the Revolutionary War, British officers occupied the Canoe Place Inn while several hundred troops were stationed at the fort located on the hill behind the Inn. The fort, which commanded views of South Country Road (now Montauk Highway), Peconic and Shinnecock Bays as well as the Atlantic Ocean, was a strategic location worthy of fortification. Canoe Place Inn is reported to be the oldest inn site in the United States.
Early settlers farmed, fished and worked in the whaling industry. In 1869 the railroad opened up and by the 1880's folks from the city would come to escape the summer heat. Eventually some summer tourists began to buy land and build homes. At one point Main Street became so fashionable it was considered the "Fifth Avenue of the Hamptons".
Things to do:
Beaches
- Ponquogue Beach - Take the bridge to this is a fun beach with families and summer revelers intermixed. Known for its light hearted fun.
- Tiana Beach Oceanside -90 Dune Road. LIfeguards, bathroom facilities, food concessions and volley ball courts.
- Meschutt Beach - is the primary bay beach and is set up with a playground and facilities. Family oriented, this beach has extraordinary bay views. The Meschutt Beach Hut has great food and a weekly car show!
Restaurants
- Edgewater - Classic Italian with an amazing view
- Good Ground Tavern -Great for cocktails, steaks and seafood
- Cowfish -‘New American Cusine’ It’s a beautiful light filled restaurant with a wide ranging menu (try the lobster stuffed mushrooms)
- Oakland’s Restaurant and Marina -This is a classic spot to watch the boats in the marina and dine on surf and turf selections. A great spot for raw bar.
- Rumba - Caribbean style bar and restaurant. A spicy restaurant with a spicy bar scene. Reggae music!
- Villa Paul - Located in an historic building dating back to the early 1800s, this mainstay of Hampton Bays serves up consistent and affordable Italian American cuisine.
- Sundays on the Bay-Great seafood. Great food.
- 1 North Steak House - An authentic American steak restaurant. Consistent and upscale.
- Out of the Blue Seafood-No frills seafood restaurant with great choices
- NOTE - There are so many choices in Hampton Bays I can’t eat at them all!
