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Last Updated on October 31, 2024 by sydabroad
Are you planning a day trip to Montauk? Here is the perfect guide to all the best things to do in Montauk, New York.
No summer in the Hamptons is complete without a visit to Montauk. Montauk is located on the east end of the Long Island peninsula and is known for its beaches, fishing, and endless outdoor activities.
I’ll help you plan your perfect Montauk day trip with this guide that includes all of the best restaurants, cafes, activities, bars, how to get around the town, and everything else that you need to know. Alright, let’s get into it!
Looking for more New York guides?
- How to Spend 24 Hours in New York City
- The Best Things to Do in East Hampton, New York
- Where to Stay in Tribeca, New York City
This post is all about how to plan the perfect Montauk day trip.
When is The Best Time to Visit Montauk?
Montauk is certainly a summer destination. That being said, it is a popular tourist destination and does tend to be a bit more crowded during the summer months (June through August).
I suggest visiting near the end of summer, the beginning of fall (in September) for less crowds but nice weather.
How to Get to Montauk from New York City
There are various ways to get to Montauk from New York City including by car, train, and bus.
Car: Driving to Montauk from New York City via the Long Island Expressway will take just about 3 hours long. You can rent a car or take rideshare such as Uber or Lyft. If you are visiting during the summer months, expect traffic.
Hampton Jitney: The Hampton Jitney is a popular bus that operates between New York City and the Hamptons. I worked and lived out in the Hamptons for a summer and took the Hampton Jitney a few times back and forth from the city. This is a comfortable and convenient way to get from NYC to Montauk.
Long Island Rail Road: The Long Island Railroad (LIRR) departs from Penn Station in Manhattan and will also take you about 3 hours. I’ve taken the train back and forth from the Hamptons to the city and it was a great mode of transportation.
How to Get Around Montauk?
Once you arrive in Montauk, the town itself is very walkable. There are plenty of popular restaurants, cafes, and shopping right in town. There are beaches just a short walk away from the center of town as well.
However, you will likely need a car to visit Montauk Lighthouse or National Parks. Rideshare is common in the Hamptons and is great to use if you plan on visiting various places in and around Montauk.
Keep in mind that during the summer months, there may be longer wait times for rideshare considering many people will be using the apps. Parking can also be challenging in Montauk so it’s best to rely on rideshare instead of renting a car.
Alternatively, you can rent bikes from Montauk Cycle Company for a fun way to get around town.
Weather in Montauk
From May through October, the weather will range from the 50s to the 80s with the hottest (and most popular months) in July and August with temperature highs in the 80s (Fahrenheit).
November through April will range from freezing temperatures to the mid-50s.
Montauk Day Trip – Map of Montauk Locations
Day Trip to Montauk: The Best Things to Do in Montauk, NY
Pick up a Coffee in Montauk
We’re starting off this day trip to Montauk with a coffee! There are many options when it comes to coffee shops in Montauk, I’ve listed a few below:
- Left Hand Coffee
- Bluestone Lane Montauk Coffee Shop
- Joni’s
- Pink Frog Cafe (As of early 2024, Pink Frog Cafe is temporarily closed but once it opens back up, it’s a must)
- Hampton Coffee Company
Montauk Point State Park and The Lighthouse
For amazing views of the coastline and the Atlantic Ocean, visit Montauk Point Lighthouse. The lighthouse is located adjacent to Montauk Point State Park and is arguably the most recognizable landmark in the area. Montauk Point Lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in the state of New York.
Montauk Point State Park is also well worth a visit, it’s a great place for hiking and beautiful scenery. The Seal Haul Out hike is a short 1.6-mile hike and when you arrive at the lookout, there are typically seals you can see out in the distance.
Ditch Plains Beach
Ditch Plains Beach in Montauk is a favorite for surfing, swimming, and relaxing. It’s a big sandy beach with scenic views.
More Montauk beaches:
- Kirk Park Beach
- Gin Beach
- Hither Hills State Park Beach
- Navy Beach
Water Sports
There are various water sports you can take part in in Montauk. Take surf lessons, go paddle boarding, kayaking, jet skiing… you name it, you can likely find it in Montauk.
Visit Montauk Harbor
To admire yachts, fishermen, and sea life, head to Montauk Harbor. It’s a nice walk and there is typically an activity of some sort here every day. Montauk Harbor is New York’s largest commercial harbor and is the home port for some of the greatest sport fishing on the east coast.
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Hiking in Montauk
There are various hikes and trails in and around Montauk. For scenic views, visit the trails in Montauk State Park or Hither Hills State Park.
Shop Around Montauk Village
Montauk Village is the most charming little town with cute boutiques, great restaurants, and cafes. Spend some time wandering around Montauk Village during your Montauk day trip.
Do some shopping (or window shopping), you’ll certainly be able to find some cute things here. They have boutiques with everything from clothing to jewelry, home decor, and more. The boutiques do tend to be on the expensive side but you’ll be able to come across more affordable stores to pick up a souvenir.
Montauk Brewing Company
A Montauk day trip is not complete without a visit to Montauk Brewery. After an afternoon spent on the beach, visit Montauk Brewing Company. This is a well-known craft brewery that offers local beers including pale ales, IPAs, lagers, and more. The laid-back atmosphere is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a beer.
Located at: 62 S Erie Ave, Montauk, NY
Fishing in Montauk
If fishing is your thing you won’t want to skip out on fishing in Montauk. You can go deep-sea fishing or charter a boat. As mentioned earlier in the article, Montauk Harbor is the home port for some of the greatest sport fishing on the east coast. September is the best month to fish in Montauk.
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Nightlife in Montauk
In addition to the beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and watersports – Montauk is also known for its great nightlife scene. There are various clubs and bars to party at in Montauk. Here are a few common spots:
- The Surf Lodge
- Gurney’s Beach Club
- Lynn’s Hula Hut
Where to Eat in Montauk
There is no shortage of delicious restaurants in Montauk. If seafood is your thing, this is the place to eat delicious and fresh seafood. I’ve listed a few of the best restaurants in Montauk below:
The Best Restaurants in Montauk:
- Bird on the Roof: Great for brunch, dinner, or a cocktail.
- Mr. John’s Pancake House: A great breakfast or brunch spot.
- The Crow’s Nest: An inn and a restaurant. Great for dinner and drinks.
- Inlet Seafood Restaurant: For fresh seafood.
- Harvest on Fort Pond: For Tuscan-style Italian with waterfront views.
- Muse at The End: A new American restaurant
- 668 The Gig Shack: Eclectic American comfort food.
Where to Stay in Montauk
If you are looking for a place to stay in Montauk, search the properties below.
Booking.com
I hope this guide helped you plan the perfect day trip to Montauk! As always, if you have any questions feel free to comment below, DM me on Instagram, or email me at sydabroad@gmail.com.
This sounds like such a cool experience! We used to live in NYC and we made the trip to Montauk (only once – the traffic is kind of brutal) and really enjoyed it. It really wasn’t what I was expecting – so much nature so close to NYC!
Yes! It shocked me my first time in New York how much nature is close to the city!
Montauk sounds like a beautiful place for a day trip! The shops and cafes look absolutely adorable! I could happily pass a few hours browsing and enjoying coffee! The beaches look incredible too! Thanks for the wonderful guide!
I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂 Montauk is such a great place, would love to visit again one day!
The Hamptons area is somewhere I’ve never been, but want to visit one of these days! Those shops look really cute and I’m sure the food and beaches are amazing. I need one of those hats you have pictured!
It’s definitely a great place. and the beaches are incredible!
Now that I have moved to the East Coast (NC) I am super excited to explore all the way up through New England including New York and most definitely Montauk. I know it is silly but I always remember from those Friends episodes where Ross and Rachel get together! And where Phoebe’s Mom lived!
That is exciting! There are so many beautiful places to see on the East Coast 🙂