What to do, where to eat near U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills
Navigate the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills with tips on travel, dining, and activities in Southampton and nearby areas. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
The U.S. Open returns to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in Southampton June 15 to 21, bringing one of the country’s largest sporting events to the East End at the start of peak summer season.
Here's how to make the most of your time off the course.
Getting there
The U.S. Open will be held at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club from June 15-21. Credit: James Escher
A temporary Shinnecock Hills station on the Montauk Branch will provide direct access to the course by a pedestrian bridge. Expanded service will run throughout the championship. Schedules and fares are available at mta.info/lirr and via the TrainTime app.
Drivers coming from the west will park at the Blue Lot at Calverton Airfield in Riverhead, with free shuttles to Gate 1. From the east, parking is at the Hampton Classic grounds in Bridgehampton, with shuttles to Gate 8 near the 12th hole.
Temporary train stations and shuttle services will ease travel to Shinnecock Hills Golf Club. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
Ride-share drop-offs are available at Stony Brook Southampton, Calverton Airfield and Long Island Rail Road stations, though delays are expected. Find more details on parking and transit at usopen.com.
Still hoping to attend? Daily tickets are available starting at $73 for Monday’s practice round and $267 for Friday and Sunday championship-round access. Tickets can be purchased through the official U.S. Open ticketing site and SeatGeek.
Where to eat nearby
Hampton Bays
Closest to the course, Hampton Bays offers the most practical options. Shinnecock Lobster Factory (42 Montauk Hwy., shinnecocklobsterfactory.com, 631-259-3334) remains a reliable choice for lobster rolls and other seafood staples, and a recent renovation has expanded the space ahead of the Open.
The BLT lobster roll at Shinnecock Lobster Factory in Southampton. Credit: Newsday/Erica Marcus
Cowfish (258 E. Montauk Hwy., cowfishrestaurant.com, 631-594-3868) provides a full-service menu of seafood and steak directly off Montauk Highway, making it one of the most convenient post-round stops.
A look inside of Rumba in Hampton Bays. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Rumba (43 Canoe Place Rd., tasterumba.com, 631-594-3544), set on the water, serves a Caribbean-leaning menu with a lively outdoor scene and tends to turn tables quickly despite the crowds. For something more casual, Oakland’s Restaurant & Marina (373 Dune Rd., oaklandsrestaurant.net, 631-728-6900) and Edgewater Restaurant (295 E. Montauk Hwy., 295 E Montauk Hwy., edgewaterrestaurant.com, 631-723-2323) offer additional waterfront dining with a slightly more relaxed pace.
Southampton Village
Sant Ambroeus in Southampton offers some of Long Island's best gelati. Credit: Doug Young
Sant Ambroeus (30 Main St., santambroeus.com, 631-283-1233) operates throughout the day with a polished Italian menu, though dinner reservations are highly recommended. Dopo Argento (15 Main St., argentosouth.com, 631-488-1300) combines a dinner crowd with a more active bar scene, where reservations are required. Claude’s at Southampton Inn (91 Hill St., southamptoninn.com, 631-283-6500) is a quieter alternative slightly removed from Main Street.
Shops and restaurants on Southampton's Main Street are a big draw for residents and vacationers. Credit: Gordon M. Grant
Water Mill and Bridgehampton
Inside dining at Calissa in Watermill. Credit: Yvonne Albinowski
Just outside the village, Water Mill and Bridgehampton offer strong options with slightly less congestion. Calissa (1020 Montauk Hwy., calissahamptons.com, 631-500-9292) in Water Mill offers Greek dishes in an energetic setting for larger groups, while Almond (1 Ocean Rd., almondrestaurant.com, 631-537-5665) in Bridgehampton draws a steady crowd for seasonal American fare.
What to do beyond the course
Coopers Beach in Southampton offers surf and sand for those looking for a beach day. Credit: Randee Daddona
Time away from the tournament is best used locally. Practice rounds, held June 15-17, offer the most flexibility for exploring with lighter crowds. Stroll the main streets of Southampton, Bridgehampton and Sag Harbor, where boutiques, galleries and restaurants are concentrated. To explore on two wheels, rent bicycles starting at $12 per hour at Rotations Bicycle Center (32 Windmill Lane, rotationsbicyclecenter.com, 631-283-2890) in Southampton.
Head to Wölffer Estate Vineyard for vino and live music. Credit: Wölffer Estate/Mark Weinberg
Straying beyond the village centers, Coopers Beach (268 Meadow Lane, 631-283-0247) in Southampton provides ocean access within a short drive, though a non-resident daily parking fee of $55 applies. Wölffer Estate Vineyard (139 Sagg Rd., wolffer.com, 631-537-5106) in Sagaponack offers tastings and outdoor seating, while the Parrish Art Museum (279 Montauk Hwy., parrishart.org, 631-283-2118) in Water Mill offers a quieter indoor alternative.
