15 Best Things To Do In Montauk, Long Island 2022

15 Best Things To Do In Montauk, Long Island 2022

While only about 3,000 people live in Montauk permanently, many people come to this charming Long Island village for the gorgeous white-sand beaches, miles of trails, wine tastings, and great restaurants.

A popular weekend getaway from New York City, Montauk is steeped in history, from its 1797 lighthouse to the quaint Second House, a farmhouse built the same year. Here are the best things to do in Montauk, New York.

1. Montauk Point Lighthouse

Best Things To Do In Montauk, Long Island

A National Historic Site, Montauk Point Lighthouse offers sweeping views of the Atlantic Ocean from the easternmost point of Long Island and is one of the best things to do in Montauk, NY.

Visitors can climb the 137 iron steps to the top and tour the beautiful gardens. The visitor center houses a gift shop and museum displaying an extensive collection of maritime artifacts and historical documents about the fourth oldest active lighthouse in the country.

Wedding packages are available, and the Sprint Triathlon and Relay is hosted here in July. Visitors can see the Christmas lighting in November, complete with mulled cider and a visit from Santa. Group and school trips are available throughout the year. Plan a fun day trip from New York and visit this beautiful National Historic Site.

2. Camp Hero State Park

If you continue east to the end of Long Island, you will find the quiet, wild and diverse Camp State State Park. A former military base surrounded by dense maritime forests mixed with freshwater wetlands, the park teems with wildlife and will offer you hours of peace.

Well-maintained trails take you along the ocean shoreline, opening up to spectacular views and close to deserted beaches where swimming is too dangerous. Still, surf fishing (with a permit) is among the best in the world. You can walk, bike, ride a horse or take your dog for a walk. This park feels like a completely different world from sophisticated and civilized Montauk.

3. Hither Hills State Park

Campers in Long Island’s Hither Hills State Park can choose from 153 sites bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the walking dunes of Napeague. The park’s biodiversity makes it a perfect place for fishing, hunting, biking, cross-country skiing, hiking, bird watching, and many other forms of entertainment.

Summer visitors can head to the beach and try out a variety of kid-friendly activities and special programs. The park offers a playground, ball fields, and a picturesque picnic area with fireplaces. In addition to a two-mile sandy beach, a 40-acre lake is open to anglers year-round. Special features include the Napeague Bird Conservation Area and the “walking dunes.”

4. Montauk Yacht Club

The Yacht Club is an iconic 80-year-old Montauk beach resort located on Star Island in the middle of Lake Montauk. You will be greeted with a fine replica of the historic Montauk Lighthouse featuring timeless elegance combined with all the modern conveniences. Your every need will be catered for, including docking your boat right in front of the hotel at their luxurious Marina.

You’d expect the food to be equally excellent, and it’s served in Gulf Coast Kitchen’s light and airy dining room overlooking the beach. Fresh seafood is the game’s name, but you can also get a pizza or a burger if that’s your thing. Don’t forget to go for a cocktail at the Turtle Lounge inside the lighthouse tower.

5. Shadmoor State Park, Montauk, Long Island

Shadmoor State Park is an amazing place to spend a day admiring Long Island’s natural wonders. An easy walk to the bluffs offers stunning views of the Atlantic Ocean, and two stairways lead down to 2,400 feet of beach where visitors can picnic or go saltwater fishing. Elevated platforms offer even more spectacular views and opportunities for bird watching.

The park also offers freshwater wetlands and trails to explore its ninety-nine acres. The park has two preserved World War II artillery bunkers for history buffs worthy of inspection. Shadmoor’s impressive foliage includes its namesake shadbush, black cherry trees, and the endangered gerardia plant.

6. Navy Beach, Montauk, New York

Navy Beach Restaurant redefines “beach chic.” Designed to resemble the interior of a luxury yacht, this charming and colorful place is not easy to find, but once you get there, you won’t regret stopping by. It sits right on the beach at Fort Pond Bay.

The beach was used during World War II for torpedo testing. All the torpedoes were taken, but don’t tell the kids, and they can enjoy a scavenger hunt while sampling fabulous custom cocktails.

Here, you can easily meet several celebrities who, just like you, love the fun of seafood served at the Marina. Try the Montauk Seafood with mussels, clams, squid, shrimp, coconut milk, bamboo rice, or the excellent crispy rock shrimp. They know their wine, and the wine list is extensive, but the rosé, of which they have three types, is the house specialty.

7. Montauk Lake

Lake Montauk ceased to be a lake in 1927 when Carl Fisher, Montauk’s owner, dug a hole and let in seawater. The lake, once dredged, became a deep, sheltered bay and today is Montauk’s main harbor and home to the largest commercial and sport fish fleets in New York State. Tiny Star Island, located in the middle of the lake, is home to the Montauk Yacht Club, a casino, and the Coast Guard station.

A ferry service takes tourists from Long Island to Martha’s Vineyard, Block Island, and New London, Connecticut, during the summer. Lake Montauk is famous for fishing charters that return with record catches. The myth is that local captain Frank Mundus inspired the character in the movie Jaws, although writer Peter Benchley denies this.

8. Gosman’s Dock, Montauk, Long Island

Gosman’s Dock opens for the season in May and is the perfect place to admire the beautiful scenery of Montauk while eating delicious local seafood.

Founded in 1943 by the Gosman family, the small restaurant and soup stand has grown to include a casual dining room, rooftop terrace, cafe, and clam bar. The restaurant and fish market feature the freshest seafood from the pier, with exotic specialty items served daily.

Purchases include gourmet food, clothing, and Montauk souvenirs. A summer concert series takes place on the open-air stage on Sunday nights in July and August. The pier is within walking distance of the Gosman’s Culloden House motels.

9. Montauk Point State Park

Montauk Point State Park offers the best vantage point for spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, where it meets Block Island Sound. On calm days, the merged tides and beautiful scenery are guaranteed to amaze visitors. Native seals can often be seen sunning themselves on nearby rocks. Nature trails provide great opportunities for hiking or cross-country skiing.

Visitors can also enjoy surf fishing and large and small game in season. A restaurant and gift shop overlooks the ocean, and the park’s rocky shoreline and Montauk Lighthouse are accessible from the parking area.

10. Deep Hollow Ranch, Montauk, New York

Explore some of the most beautiful coastlines in the United States on horseback at Deep Hollow Ranch. Let real cowboys and cowgirls guide you through preserved 3,000 acres of picturesque landscapes and pristine beaches. Located on the easternmost tip of Long Island, the Patrick and Cate Keogh Family Ranch caters to riders of all experience levels.

Pony rides and parties are available, and the ranch offers summer camps and activities for kids. As the oldest operating ranch in the US, Deep Hollow tours give guests the perfect opportunity to experience eastern Long Island’s ranching tradition, area history, and local Native American culture.

11. Seafood Entrée, Montauk, Long Island

When a restaurant belongs to a fishermen’s cooperative, you can be sure that the fish will be fresh. It goes from your boat to your plate. You’ll never taste fresher sushi, but we recommend making it just for starters. There is much more to try: bacon-wrapped scallops, fabulous clam chowder, huge oysters, and whatever else ends up in the nets on that particular day.

The restaurant is housed in an attractive but unassuming two-story building on Lake Montauk, and the views from the outside terrace are spectacular. Try to arrive at sunset, have one of their signature cocktails, and look forward to the daily show. The restaurant also has a fairly respectable wine list.

12. Scarpetta Beach Restaurant

The view from Scarpetta Beach Restaurant will take your breath away. Whether sitting in its sleek, modern dining room with lots of French doors or on the outdoor terrace overlooking the beach, you can spend hours sipping your cocktails, watching the waves lap the beach, or the kids playing volleyball.

This new restaurant, one of the few in Montauk right on the beach, is located in the luxurious Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa. Their menu corresponds very well with the dramatic view. It’s an Italian classic, with a natural focus on fabulous seafood, but the chefs have given all the dishes their imaginative twist.

Simple polenta made with mushrooms and truffles becomes a gourmet offering. Spinach Pepperoni Stuffed Bread can make a meal on its own. With a friendly atmosphere, great food, and spectacular surroundings, visit Scarpetta for a special event.

13. Double D Charters, Montauk

Double D has offered the best Montauk sport fishing experience for 20 years. Its mission is to provide anglers of all ages and experience levels with the best fishing possible. Double D has received rave reviews for its knowledge and sailing skills, providing customers with a fun day on the water while tuna, marlin, sea bass, and more.

They offer cards for the Montauk shark tournaments, a great weekend getaway. The two-day tournament cards include the entry fee and a complimentary dinner with drinks on the last day. Sightseeing tours, sunset cruises, and ferry services can also be arranged.

14. Naturally Good Foods and Cafe, Montauk, New York

If you need healthy food and produce, you can relax—you can get everything you need on your Montauk vacation. Naturally good foods and coffee? We offer fresh organic produce, groceries, vitamins, herbs, and cosmetics. Your small but charming cafe?

Sells delicious healthy breakfasts and lunches, so stop by on the way to the beach and stock up. You can get healthy salads, vegetable and fruit juices and smoothies, fair trade organic coffee, teas, and vegan and gluten-free baked goods.

If you want to eat, check out her lovely backyard garden, which is full of flowers and juicy tomato plants. They have homemade soups, veggie burgers, burritos, vegetable stir-fries, salads, and wraps. And, since you’re in Montauk, there are fish. You must try The Bruce, the store’s signature sandwich made with fresh fin yellow tuna on seven-grain bread.

15. The Breeze, Montauk, New York

La Brisa is a taqueria, but since it’s a taqueria in Montauk, it’s a bit fancy. The restaurant is housed in a modern 50’s style curved glass-walled space overlooking the street. Its Mexican origins are evident in the bright turquoise colors of the outdoor benches and the Spanish-language signs advertising Tacombi’s signature food and drinks. Since the restaurant is in Montauk, there are three types of fish tacos, fresh ceviche, and lobster.

Delicious corn tortillas are prepared daily in the elegant San Luis Potosí machine. Tacombi’s Lupita brand of drinks is a fabulous fruit drink made from fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs and goes amazingly well with tacos. Another thing that works well with tacos, especially fish tacos, is Tacombi’s sauce called “Vista Hermosa.” The restaurant opens at the end of April for the season.

Frequently Asked Questions: Best Things To Do In Montauk

Is Montauk worth visiting?

A beautiful vista and an important part of Long Island’s history. The state park is a wonderful place to spend the day. Walking trails, playgrounds for young children, and a nice restaurant with a magnificent view.

What was so special about Montauk?

A unique view of where the Atlantic Ocean and Block Island Sound converge sets Montauk Point State Park apart from the other parks in the area. Another unique thing you can do here is spot seals on the park’s rocks. There are hiking trails and also access to cross-country skiing.

Can you go up to the Montauk lighthouse?

George Washington helped secure the area for its development, and once it was erected in 1796, this lighthouse became the first lighthouse in New York State and is now the fourth oldest lighthouse in the United States. Families can climb the 137 iron steps to the top for grand views.

Is Montauk beautiful?

It offers spectacular panoramic views of the beach and diverse vegetation, including black cherry trees and the federally-endangered sandplain gerardia. Montauk Point State Park is the eastern point of Long Island, known for breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, where it meets the Block Island Sound.

Are Montauk beaches free?

Our miles west of town on Old Montauk Highway. Lifeguards daily from mid-June–to Labor Day. Non-campers pay a $10 parking fee. Nice playground, picnic tables, outdoor showers, restrooms, a changing area, and a general store.

Is Montauk expensive?

Montauk has just been named the most expensive travel destination in the US; a survey by CheapHotels.org compared destinations across the nation by the average cost of lodging during August. All the properties considered have three stars or more and prime locations.

15 Best Things To Do In Montauk, Long Island 2022