Get to know Hampton Bays

As the welcome sign proclaims, Hampton Bays was originally called “Good Ground," an area comprising 11 smaller hamlets in the Town of Southampton. In 1922, these hamlets merged together, adopting the Hampton Bays name—above other choices like Canoe Place and Rampasture—to benefit from the blossoming “Hamptons” culture in nearby communities. As with many places in the Hamptons, geography dictates—or at least inspires—the lifestyle. Because so many protected bodies of water bless Hampton Bays, the hamlet is a haven for all aquatic-based activities. Shinnecock Inlet is home port for the second-largest commercial fishing fleet in New York State, rivaled only by Montauk's. While the towering Ponquogue Lighthouse toppled in 1948, the Canoe Place Inn, dating to 1697 and one of the oldest inn sites in America, stands as the hamlet's enduring historic landmark, restored to its former glory after stints as a prohibition speakeasy and disco-era nightclub.

Many of Hampton Bays’ eateries dot the east-west thoroughfare of Montauk Highway, where you'll also find a string of antique stores, clothing boutiques, and longstanding family-owned businesses. A conservative ration of chains—convenient, for when you need them—lies almost entirely constrained in three shopping centers, including what might just be the last Macy's that isn't in a mall. But the real stars of the show are the restaurants savvy enough to take advantage of their coastal surroundings—be they by the bay, the canal, or another bay. After all, what better place to open up your seafood joint than on the water in an area renowned for fishing? Even though seafood is far from a rarity in the Hamptons, it's a certain kind of indulgence to know your dish is as fresh as can be at any time of day—we’re talking seafood in the morning, seafood in the evening, seafood at suppertime. And don’t forget to enjoy some drinks by the aquatic body of your choice, as seaside bars also make their presence known.