Shinnecock Hills

Shinnecock Hills, New York Neighborhood Guide

Shinnecock Hills is a hamlet in the Town of Southampton in Suffolk County on Long Island. It sits on rolling terrain between Shinnecock Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, defined by its deep ties to the Shinnecock Indian Nation, one of the most storied golf courses in the world, and a landscape of dunes and open land that distinguishes it from the more manicured villages nearby. Shinnecock Hills is a small, affluent residential community where history, nature, and sport converge.

What to Love About Shinnecock Hills

• Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, one of the oldest and most prestigious golf courses in America

• Rolling dune terrain with views of both Shinnecock Bay and the Atlantic Ocean

• Deep historical ties to the Shinnecock Indian Nation, the area’s original stewards

• A quiet, low density residential setting with estate properties and bay views

• Proximity to Southampton Village for dining, shopping, and cultural events

• An art colony history connected to painter William Merritt Chase’s plein air school

• The Shinnecock Nation Cultural Center and Museum for indigenous history and art

Location and Geography

Shinnecock Hills occupies a stretch of land between Shinnecock Bay to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, bordering the Shinnecock Canal to the east. The hamlet is adjacent to Southampton Village and Hampton Bays, giving residents easy access to both communities. Montauk Highway and Sunrise Highway provide road connections, and the area is roughly ninety miles east of Manhattan.

Local History

Shinnecock Hills takes its name from the Shinnecock Indian Nation, who have lived on this land for thousands of years. Tribe members played a direct role in the early development of the golf club, helping to clear and construct the original holes in 1891. The Shinnecock Hills Golf Club, founded by a group of wealthy New Yorkers including William K. Vanderbilt, is one of the oldest incorporated golf clubs in the United States and was among the five charter clubs that formed the United States Golf Association in 1894. The club’s Stanford White designed clubhouse, built in 1892, is often cited as the first purpose built golf clubhouse in America. In the late 1800s, painter William Merritt Chase established a summer art academy in the area modeled on European plein air schools. Historic cottages from that era still stand and have become part of a section known as the Art Colony.

Beaches and Waterfront Highlights

Shinnecock Hills’ geography places it between two major bodies of water. Bay access on Shinnecock Bay supports boating, fishing, and waterfront living for residents with bayside properties. Atlantic Ocean beaches are a short drive south through Southampton Village, where Coopers Beach and other shoreline stretches provide swimming, surfing, and sunbathing options.

Outdoor Recreation and Things to Do

Golf is the defining outdoor pursuit in Shinnecock Hills. The Shinnecock Hills Golf Club has hosted the U.S. Open five times, most recently in 2018, and is scheduled to host again in 2026 and 2036. While the club is private, the surrounding landscape of rolling hills, sandy terrain, and open space gives the hamlet a links like character even beyond the fairways. Southampton’s Agawam Park, Lake Agawam, and nearby nature preserves offer additional options for walking, birdwatching, and outdoor recreation. The Shinnecock Indian Nation hosts an annual powwow over Labor Day weekend that is open to the public.

Dining and Shopping

Shinnecock Hills is primarily residential, with dining concentrated in nearby Southampton Village and Hampton Bays. Southampton’s Main Street and Jobs Lane offer a full range of options from fine dining to casual seafood. Hampton Bays provides more waterfront and canal side restaurants. Within the hamlet, the Shinnecock Nation Cultural Center and Museum offers visitors an opportunity to learn about indigenous history and art.

Places to Stay

Shinnecock Hills does not have hotels or traditional accommodations. Visitors typically stay in Southampton Village or Hampton Bays, both of which are minutes away and offer inns, hotels, and bed and breakfasts. The hamlet’s appeal is as a residential enclave, and most visitors experience it through the golf club or by exploring its historic landscapes and cultural sites.