12 Best Things to do in Montauk, NY

Lying proper on the easternmost tip of Long Island’s South Fork is the charming little historic hamlet of Montauk. A very fashionable weekend getaway from New York City, it’s recognized for its magnificent sandy seashores, miles of mountain climbing trails and lots of wonderful eating places.

Due to its spectacular setting on the spot the place the Atlantic Ocean and Long Island Sound meet, it’s usually recognized merely as ‘The End’. Originally inhabited by Native Americans, the world was settled by Europeans in the mid-1600s with the nation’s oldest ranch and historic Montauk Point Lighthouse now counting amongst its main sights.

While there are a lot of issues to do in Montauk that are associated to its wealthy historical past, many guests come to the Hamptons for his or her peaceable nature and remoted setting. Surrounding the small settlement are six state parks for guests to discover with lovely seashores, dramatic coastal scenes and beautiful views assured wherever you go.

12. Deep Hollow Ranch

As it’s dwelling to plenty of picturesque countryside and pristine seashores, Deep Hollow Ranch actually is a deal with to horseback experience round. At its sprawling web site in between Lake Montauk and the open Atlantic, you possibly can step again in time and expertise the cowboy and cowgirl lifetime of previous.

Supposedly the oldest ranch in the complete United States, Deep Hollow was impressively based all the best way again in 1658. Now owned and operated by the Keogh household, its barns, pastures and corals present an interesting perception into America’s wealthy ranching historical past.

The spotlight although is taking a scenic horse experience via its rolling dunes, fields and hills. As you plod or canter alongside its winding paths, you’ll get pleasure from the identical beautiful surroundings and views that cattle ranchers of years passed by did.

11. Gin Beach

Located proper on the entrance to the big lake is likely one of the space’s hottest stretches of sand: the attractive Gin Beach. Usually very calm and quiet, it’s a great place to sunbathe, swim or stroll together with a few seafood eating places and cafes additionally mendacity close by.

As it’s set on the Long Island Sound aspect of the peninsula, its protected waters are usually good for swimming and splashing about in, if just a little chilly. The views right here over the estuary and ocean are spectacular as are the sunsets that paint their glowing floor a mesmerizing mixture of heat colours.

Aside from lounging on the seashore and exploring its small rock formations, guests can amble alongside peacefully or cease for a chunk to eat or drink at one among its native eateries.

10. Montauk Brewing Company

One of the most effective locations in city to get pleasure from a freshly pulled pint, the Montauk Brewing Company will be discovered proper in its small however full of life middle. At their atmospheric faucet room, you possibly can pattern a few of their unbelievable IPAs, ales and lagers earlier than shopping for some bottles and cans to take again with you.

Since being established in 2012 by three highschool mates, the native firm has come on leaps and bounds with it now counting among the many nation’s high 100 craft breweries. At their cool, cosy however usually crowded bar, you possibly can attempt tasty brews equivalent to Summer Ale, Driftwood and Wave Chaser.

Friendly and welcoming employees members are solely too completely satisfied to clarify extra about every beer and offer you suggestions relying on what you’re after. Once having tried a couple of, you possibly can refill on some cans at its store the place you can even purchase some merch to remind you of your time in Montauk.

9. Shadmoor State Park

Further up the Atlantic aspect of Long Island from downtown is the scenic and serene Shadmoor State Park. Besides boasting a great deal of stupendous landscapes, surroundings and viewpoints, it additionally has every kind of enjoyable outside actions for you to get pleasure from.

Towering above the wild waves, its distinguished bluffs look out over the windswept seashore and waters under. From up excessive, you possibly can see all alongside the craggy coast with seabirds usually spied hovering about in the wind.

In addition to its implausible views and mountain climbing trails, there are additionally freshwater wetlands, groves of bushes and fascinating rock formations to clamber about. As it used to be a part of the coastal protection system for New York City throughout WWII, the park additionally has some previous bunkers to see overlooking the ocean.

8. Kirk Park Beach

Another picture-perfect spot to hit up is the attractive Kirk Park Beach which lies virtually adjoining to the middle. Despite its shut proximity, its splendidly white sands really feel a world away from the busy outlets and eating places that are conveniently situated only a brief stroll away.

Stretching over 500 ft in size, its golden shores are watched over by vigilant lifeguards through the summer time season with its loos and showers accessible all year-round. Thanks to its inviting waters and comfortable powdery sands, each locals and vacationers come right here to sunbathe, swim and take in the fantastic surroundings.

After topping up your tan on the seashore, be certain to cease by the long-lasting John’s Drive-In in your manner again into city for scrumptious burgers and ice lotions in a retro setting.

7. Lake Montauk

One of the defining options of ‘The End’ is after all the reflective Lake Montauk which is lined by non-public properties, marinas and waterfront eating places. As properly as being dwelling to the biggest industrial and sporting fish fleets in the state, it has nice outside actions and water sports activities for you to check out.

Although it was initially the biggest freshwater lake on Long Island, it ceased to be in 1927 when actual property developer Carl Fisher blasted a gap via its northern shoreline. His dream was to flip Montauk into the ‘Miami Beach of the North’ although his in depth entrepreneurial endeavors went bankrupt simply a few years later through the Great Depression.

Asides from strolling alongside its shores and crusing and swimming about, you possibly can take ferry rides out to Block Island, Martha’s Vineyard and New London in the sunny summer time months. Other than that, there are all the time loads of wonderful eating places to try whereas its very good sport fishing is thought up and down the Eastern Seaboard.

6. Camp Hero State Park

Sure to delight each nature lovers and outside fanatics alike, Camp Hero State Park occupies the easternmost finish of Long Island. Once a navy base throughout WWII, its pristine woods and wetlands now have numerous trails for guests to hike, bike or horseback experience alongside.

Due to its strategic setting on the entrance to the Long Island Sound, the world was commissioned by the US Army in 1942 to stop a possible invasion of New York by sea. Nowadays, folks can see its previous bunkers, barracks and the bottom’s giant, rusting radio tower peeking out above the treetops.

As it was largely saved wild and untouched, plenty of birds and animals inhabit the park whereas attractive seashores line the shore. On high of this, a lot of its clifftop paths provide up spellbinding views over the ocean and the lonely Montauk Point Lighthouse off in the space.

5. Gosman’s Dock

On the other aspect of the lake’s inlet to Gin Beach is the colourful and ever-popular Gosman’s Dock. Both among the best locations to store and dine out in city, its handful of small shops and eating places boast breathtaking views out over the shimmering waters earlier than them.

What began out in 1943 as a single seafood restaurant has since grown right into a full of life purchasing space with garments, footwear, jewelry and toys now all on sale. Due to their success, the Gosman’s have additionally opened up a clam bar and gourmand fish market whereas a sushi bar, grill and clam and chowder home are additionally set in addition to the water.

In summer time, their outside consuming areas are a peaceable spot to whereas away the time, watching boats sail in and out of the majestic Montauk Harbour.

4. Hither Hills State Park

While Montauk has greater than sufficient motels and B&Bs for you to select from, many individuals choose to camp in a single day on the Hither Hills State Park. Located only a brief drive down the peninsula, its tranquil seashores, ponds and woods border each Napeague Bay and Harbour.

Once destined to be a leisure complicated with casinos and motels, the idyllic space was fortunately became a park in 1924. Since then, generations have headed to Hither Hills to discover the good outdoor, swim in the ocean and keep at its cosy campsites.

Among the myriad actions on provide are mountain climbing, searching and fishing with cross-country snowboarding even obtainable in winter. Plenty of picnic areas and a playground are dotted about whereas sweeping sands and elegant views are by no means distant.

3. Ditch Plains Beach

If you’re after but extra solar, sea and sand then the pleasant Ditch Plains Beach is a implausible place to head. Lying simply up the Atlantic coast from Montauk, it’s famend for its very good swimming and browsing with lifeguards patrolling the seashore in the summer time months.

Backed by steep, rugged cliffs and plush coastal vegetation, its broad seashore makes for fairly the sight with phenomenal vistas to be loved up and down its glowing shoreline. Thanks to its sizeable swells and tremendous lengthy break, it has lengthy attracted surfers with bodyboarders and wakeboarders additionally heading right here in current years.

Besides splashing about in the water and lounging lazily on its sands, you can even get pleasure from windswept walks atop of its towering cliffs. Afterwards you possibly can seize some grub on the Ditch Witch Food Truck earlier than plunging again amidst the waves.

2. Montauk Point State Park

While its pretty lighthouse is actually its standout sight, Montauk Point State Park has a lot, way more going for it. As properly as dramatic cliffs and viewpoints, it has a wealth of great nature and wildlife to see with every kind of superior outside actions being on provide.

The easternmost extremity of not simply the South Fork however all of the state, it traces the Long Island Sound with Camp Hero set simply to the south of it. As you hike about its nature trails and thru its verdant woods, you possibly can usually spot seabirds swirling about whereas seals solar themselves alongside the shore.

In addition to studying extra about its fauna and flora from the informative plaques scattered round, there are additionally playgrounds, picnic areas and a concession stand in summer time to make use of. With so many fabulous panoramas over the sound and ocean to get pleasure from, Montauk Point State Park is certainly not to be missed when in city.

1. Montauk Point Lighthouse

Perched proper on the very tip of Long Island is the world’s most well-known and photographed landmark: the long-lasting Montauk Point Lighthouse. The oldest in all of the state, it overlooks the tough waters of the Atlantic Ocean and Block Island Sound with a small museum now instructing you all about its historical past.

Remarkably constructed again in 1796, its distinctive crimson and white tower stands 110 ft tall with a quaint little lighthouse keeper’s home mendacity at its foot. Actually commissioned by Founding Father George Washington, it is extremely well-preserved with the views from atop of its 137 steps merely being out of this world.

If you need to be taught all in regards to the National Historic Landmark, be certain to step inside its museum which homes previous artifacts, historic photographs and reveals on its fascinating previous.

Map of Things to do in Montauk, NY