Remsenburg

Remsenburg, New York Neighborhood Guide

Remsenburg is a hamlet in the Town of Southampton in Suffolk County on Long Island. It is one of the most exclusively residential communities on the East End, with no stoplights, no commercial businesses beyond a post office and churches, and a main road lined with historic homes behind white picket fences and century-old trees. Remsenburg offers a rare level of quiet and privacy, even by Hamptons standards, while remaining close to the water and to neighboring communities with more active commercial districts.

What to Love About Remsenburg

• A purely residential community with no commercial development and no traffic lights

• Historic homes along South Country Road with white picket fences and mature landscaping

• Waterfront access on Moriches Bay for boating, sailing, and kayaking

• The Westhampton Yacht Squadron for bay access and community socializing

• A blue ribbon elementary school that attracts young families

• A rich cultural history with ties to P.G. Wodehouse, Stan Lee, and Frank Loesser

• Community events through the Remsenburg Association, including garden tours and holiday gatherings

Location and Geography

Remsenburg sits along Moriches Bay on Long Island’s South Shore, roughly three square miles in size. Eastport lies to the west and Westhampton to the east, with the bucolic inland community of Speonk to the north. Narrow lanes lead from South Country Road down to the bay and various creeks. The nearest Long Island Rail Road station is in Speonk, and Montauk Highway and Sunrise Highway provide road access.

Local History

Remsenburg’s origins date to the early 1700s, when settlers from Southampton and Bridgehampton moved west to clear forests and establish farms. The area was originally part of Speonk, a name inspired by a Native American word meaning high place. In the 1880s, duck farms thrived along the waterfront but eventually declined. In 1895, residents petitioned to rename the southern bayfront portion of the community after Charles Remsen, a prominent resident who had donated a new Presbyterian Church. The Remsenburg Association, founded in 1946, has actively worked to preserve the hamlet as a quiet, rural community, discouraging commercial or industrial development. Notable residents over the years have included the English humorist P.G. Wodehouse, who wrote many of his Jeeves and Wooster stories from a home on Basket Neck Lane, and Marvel Comics creator Stan Lee.

Beaches and Waterfront Highlights

Remsenburg’s waterfront is oriented toward Moriches Bay rather than the Atlantic Ocean. Bay access is available through the Westhampton Yacht Squadron, private docks, and narrow lanes that lead to the water. The calm bay waters support boating, sailing, clamming, and kayaking. Ocean beaches in Westhampton Beach are a short drive to the east for residents who want Atlantic surf and sand.

Outdoor Recreation and Things to Do

Life in Remsenburg revolves around the bay and the outdoors. Boating and sailing are central activities, anchored by the Westhampton Yacht Squadron. Walking and cycling along the tree lined lanes is a daily routine for many residents. The Remsenburg Association hosts seasonal events including garden tours of private homes, art shows at The Academy on South Country Road, and the Peg Larkins Memorial 5K run. Nature preserves and protected open spaces in the surrounding area add hiking and birdwatching to the mix.

Dining and Shopping

Remsenburg has no restaurants within the hamlet itself, which is part of its appeal. Residents head to nearby Eastport, Westhampton, and Westhampton Beach for dining out. Citarelli’s Market in Eastport and Little Gull Cafe are neighborhood go to options for casual meals. Mary’s Pizza and Pasta serves traditional Italian fare nearby. For a wider range of dining, the restaurants and bars of Westhampton Beach Village are just minutes away.

Places to Stay

Remsenburg does not have hotels, motels, or traditional lodging. Visitors typically stay in vacation rentals or with residents. The hamlet’s character is shaped by its commitment to remaining a quiet, residential enclave, and that extends to the absence of any hospitality industry within its borders.