Montauk Summer Travel Guide: How to Plan the Perfect Trip to the End of Long Island
At the far end of Long Island, Montauk has all that the Hamptons has to offer, but with less crowds, and at a more attainable price point.
As much as I love the vibe in the Hamptons, Montauk is a bit quieter, and still has the feel of an old surf town. Sure, a few of the restaurants and hotels have turned Instagram-ready with a luxe facelift, but the classic beach charm is still there.
Below I’ll give you recommendations to help you plan a summer getaway to Montauk including tips on:
How to Get to Montauk
Where to Stay in Montauk
What Restaurants to Visit in Montauk for the Best Breakfast, Happy Hour, or Dinner
The Best Sunset Watching Spots in Montauk
What Beaches to Visit in Montauk
10 Things to Do in Montauk if You’re Tired of the Beach
xx, Heather
How to Get to Montauk
Whether you’re coming from New York City (JFK airport), Boston, or elsewhere you will need to look into options as there is not a clear easy way to get to the far end of Long Island.
How to Get to Montauk from Boston
The easiest way to get there from Boston is to drive to New London, Connecticut and take the Cross Sound Ferry to Orient Point, New York. From there you can drive through all of Long Island (not recommended in summer traffic…) or take two additional ferries: from Greenport to Shelter Island, and from Shelter Island to Sag Harbor, which will take you just south of the Hamptons. You can also take Amtrak from Boston to New London to get the ferry, but would need a car, or friend with a car, on the other side.
How to Get to Montauk from New York City
From NYC you also have a few options. You can take the Long Island Railroad all the way out to the end, which would take about 3 hours. If you drive, or take the Hampton Jitney (a shuttle bus from NYC to the Hamptons and Montauk) definitely leave early to avoid traffic.
The Best Places to Stay in Montauk
Gurney’s Montauk Hotel & Spa
Gurney’s Montauk Hotel and Spa is the top luxury resort in Montauk. The resort sits on the beach just outside of town, with a full spa, and tons of other amenities. It also has a private beach club with day beds for prime beach lounging. This one will cost you though, with standard rooms going for $750+ a night in peak summer season.
The Surf Lodge
The Surf Lodge in Montauk was completely redone a few years back and is now the trendiest spot in town, in my opinion. Its bright, sunny, exterior with white washed walls and a coastal vibe throughout the hotel, is fully inspired by the surf history in Montauk. Aside from being a hotel, it’s also a top spot for nightlife, has a restaurant with food available all day, and has bike rentals. The Surf Lodge is closer to town than Gurney’s but is not right on the ocean, so you’ll need to use the rental bikes or drive to the beach. It also has fewer rooms available than Gurney’s, so if you want to stay here you’ll need to book early.
Where to Get Coffee and Breakfast in Montauk
Left Hand Coffee
I’m not lying when I say we went to Left Hand Coffee 2-3 times a day while in Montauk. It’s the cutest coffee shop. They also had the best Iced Chai Latte. They don’t have much in terms of food, but if you’re looking for a solid coffee shop that is organic and locally owned, this is your spot. Grab a drink and had to the beach after - it’s only a block away.
Joni’s
Joni’s cafe, right next to Left Hand Coffee, is perfect for getting breakfast or lunch and walking the beach. It’s a grab-and-go set up but they do have indoor and outdoor tables (if they’re available). I had their smoothies but they also have a large selection of breakfast items, wraps, salads, sandwiches, etc.
Where to Go for Lunch or Happy Hour in Montauk
The Surf Lodge
Even if you’re not staying at The Surf Lodge, it is a solid choice for lunch or happy hour so you can check out the hotel. They also often have live music on the weekends in the late afternoon, perfect for happy hour drinks. It is on the water, just not the beach, and they have a cute outdoor atmosphere as well. This place gets packed as the day goes on, so if you’re not into seeing it fully crowded in the evening, the earlier you go the better. If you’re looking for THE place to go at night though, this is it.
Gosman’s Seafood Restaurant
Gosman’s Seafood Restaurant is a classic. It started in the 50’s as a chowder and lobster shop, and is now a large restaurant perfect for groups or families. They have tons of indoor and outdoor seating on the Montauk Harbor. We grabbed a few of their white sangrias, an order of Long Island oysters, and sat outside on the patio.
The Sloppy Tuna
This is more of a day drinking / happy hour spot, vs a lunch location. It’s a two-story bar right on Edison Beach that is popular during the afternoons. Because of the location close to the beach you can grab a few drinks, take a beach break, and go back for more drinks if you’re up for it!
Where to Go for Dinner in Montauk
All three of these options deliver on food, atmosphere, and views of the water.
Duryea’s Lobster Deck
Duryea’s Lobster Deck looks more like a restaurant that you would expect in the Mediterranean or Greece. It’s right on the water, with white linen benches and wooden tables. It’s a gorgeous setting for a special event like a birthday or bachelorette party. Check the menu beforehand to ensure there is something everyone in your party will eat, as they mainly only serve seafood. Also, they don’t accept reservations, but they will accommodate private events if you contact them directly.
Navy Beach
Just down the beach from Duryea’s is nautical themed Navy Beach. The new-ish beach front restaurant (established in 2010) donates a portion of their earnings to the Navy SEAL Foundation. The restaurant has a full outdoor setup with white picnic tables, benches, and lounges. It would be a great choice for groups, or families with kids as the restaurant owns the 200-foot private beach and has plenty of room - they even had a few corn hole games set up when I went. Food wise, everything we got was great including the scallops, calamari, and asparagus fries.
The Crow’s Nest
The Crow’s Nest is one restaurant that I didn’t make it to on this last trip, but is on my list for next time. It has a bit of a more interesting menu than most of the generic seafood items that others in the area have like: Moroccan Style Halibut, Maple Brook Burrata, and Spiced Roasted Cauliflower.
The Best Places to Watch the Sunset in Montauk
You can’t leave Montauk without having a few killer sunsets. People flock to the best sunset watching spots on all sides of town around 6 - 7:00. My top picks for the best sunset in Montauk are all on the North side of the island, on Fort Pond Bay.
Duryea’s Lobster Deck
If you’re lucky enough to have a table at Duryea’s Lobster Deck for dinner, you’ll also get to witness the best sunset views. If not, you can still park at Duryea’s and just walk on the adjacent beach for the exact same view without the cost of dinner and drinks.
Navy Beach
The sunset at Navy Beach was perfection. We booked a dinner reservation at 6:30 pm and were finishing up just in time for the sunset. Even after we squared away the bill they didn’t rush us out - we stayed on the beach there until just after sunset.
Montauket
Montauket is THE go-to place in Montauk for sunsets. It’s also located on Fort Pond, up the road from Navy Beach and Duryeas. I recommend getting an Uber, or riding bikes though, as the parking situation is extremely limited.
The Best Beaches in Montauk
You really can’t go wrong on your choice of beach in Montauk, but here are a few tips to help you pick the best one for you. Depending on where you stay, your hotel may also give you a beach parking permit for a few beaches.
Ditch Plains
This beach is a classic Montauk surf spot. It’s still a popular spot for surfers and families as the beach has access to restrooms, concessions, and permit parking.
South Edison Beach
I spent most of my time at South Edison Beach since it’s right off the center of town. We split our time between the beach and shops since it’s all within walkable distance. There isn’t a ton of parking at the beach, but if you find a spot in town you can walk over.
Gurney’s Beach Club
This is part of the iconic Gurney’s hotel and spa listed earlier. The available cabanas and drinks make it a great choice for those who want to do more lounging than swimming.
Another option, Hither Hills Beach, is slightly farther from town but has more public parking, if you need a spot for the car.
10 Things to Do in Montauk if You’re Tired of the Beach:
Go to the Montauk Brewing Company
Visit the lighthouse at the easternmost point of Long Island (Montauk Point State Park)
Ride horses at Deep Hollow Ranch
Take a fishing or sailing charter
Go for a bike ride around the island
Get your sweet tooth fix at the cutest candy store, The Candied Anchor
Shop for souvenirs at the old school classic department store, White’s Drug & Dept. Store in town
Enjoy the spa at Gurney’s Montauk Resort
Drive 30 min south and spend the afternoon at Wolffer Estate winery in Sagaponack and sip on their Summer in a Bottle rose.
Window shop at the stores along Montauk Harbor
Before you pack, read the Montauk Summer Packing List! Leave a comment or message me on Instagram if you have a question about any of these recommendations.
