Spending the weekend in Montauk is always a great idea! If you are looking for a few suggestions to get your plans started, here’s a rundown of everything my husband and I enjoyed during our most recent getaway.
While it is certainly possible to enjoy a day trip to Montauk, the ride can be quite daunting for anyone who doesn’t live in Suffolk county – especially in season. It takes me about 2.5 hours to drive to The End from my house off-peak and up to 4 hours during tourist season. This is why I think it’s important to make sure you secure either a hotel or an Airbnb.
10 Things To Do During Your Montauk Getaway
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Be sure to check out Gurney’s Resort and don’t forget to search Travel Zoo for deals because we saved BIG on our most recent trip. This room was $199 and included a $60 food credit plus a free bottle of chilled champagne. What a score!
Located right on the water, quietly set back, yet still offering high-end restaurants and world-renowned spa services, this resort is one I hope to return back to with the kids (and during the summer season).
Not the best photo, but you can see the room we had offered an ocean view and we weren’t even on the beach. It was absolutely incredible to wake up to this sight.
The construction you see on the bottom right is work Gurney’s is doing to their spa. It is currently closed for renovations. We went in April and to be honest, I wouldn’t have gone in the pool anyway. So, I wasn’t too upset about it being closed. If I had more time on property, maybe I would have missed it.
Do not leave without spending some time enjoying drinks and apps at their fireside lounge. We spent HOURS hanging out and noshing on a charcuterie board that was to die for! It was one of my favorite moments from the entire trip.
Spend Time On A Montauk Beach
Here’s where you will get a benefit from staying at one of the hotels at The End. Beach access! You will find that a lot of the Montauk beaches require a permit to park. It’s OK if you are just pulling over for a quick photo, but not if you want to spend any real amount of time enjoying the sand.
While we did get to enjoy a stunning sunset by driving into a beach parking lot at just the right time, you will be better off having direct access to water from your hotel of choice. That way, you won’t have to worry about parking tickets and fines.
Eat Local
Montauk is in the middle of a facelift. You can’t go anywhere without seeing construction, new business signs, and modifications being done on old homes. It’s good and it’s bad if you ask me, but who am I?
One thing that I want to encourage you to do is to find the places that have been around for DECADES and hop in for a meal.
You will find an old-world charm that just cannot be manufactured as new – no matter how hard people try. Here are some notables I would suggest:
- Shagwong Restaurant – Bill said he had the best lobster roll of his life here!
- Mr. John’s Pancakes or you can go across the street and eat at his competitor, Anthony’s Pancakes. What a rivalry!
But I can’t write a post without talking about some other (more current) favorites:
- Gosman’s Dock
- South Edison
- Clam and Chowder House
- Grey Lady
- The Surf Lodge
- Best Pizza
- The Lobster Roll: LUNCH (Amagansett – one town over)
Montauk Lighthouse
2000 Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954
I spent the most money during this trip in the Montauk Lighthouse’s gift shop. If you are looking for handpainted, local artist mastery – SHOP HERE. Hundreds of dollars at this store, please understand what I am saying. Christmas ornaments, cup coasters, wall paintings – and my favorite find – custom painted oyster shells that are to DIE FOR! I had a twenty-minute conversation with the shopkeeper about how stunning they were because she agreed!
You have to pay to walk the grounds. It doesn’t matter whether or not you want to go inside the lighthouse. So, know that ahead of time if money is tight and you thought you could just leisurely stroll around. But your donations all go to the restoration of the property, so what a great cause!
Also, I saw a plaque inside that lists the names of donors / members of the Montauk Historical Society. The lowest offering was $200. Get your name on the plaque for $200!
What a nice thing to show the kids. PLUS, by becoming a member, you get loads of benefits (10% off store, free access to the lighthouse, special events, etc.)
Go For A Drive
There are plenty of hot spots that Manhattan visitors flock to that I do believe should be on your list. I will talk about them in a bit, but there is real beauty in Montauk’s simplicity.
This is one of the few places left on the South Shore that is still in between. It hasn’t fully turned over yet. This means you can come across a fisherman’s wharf, a long hiking trail, or fresh brown eggs for sale on the side of the road. The only way to find these gems is to get in your car and explore without expectation.
Rent A Bike
The Main Street area of Montauk isn’t particularly large. It would be nice to spend the day shopping and riding around if you are into that sort of thing. Ryde Montauk has bikes available to rent all over the main strip. Their main website seems to be down, but I would DM their IG page if you have any questions before arriving.
You can take the bike to a local beach and avoid the parking permit issues that I mentioned earlier. This is a great workaround!
Do Some Thrifting
Mako’s Thrifting isn’t the only thrift shop you will find on the east end of the south shore, but it is certainly one of the prettier ones to look at! Be sure to dedicate some of your downtime to leisurely walking through a few of these hidden gems:
- Deep Blue Vintage – 88 Firestone Rd, Montauk, NY 11954
- Vintage Pink – 787 B Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954
- wyld blue Montauk – 716 Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954
Go Surfing
We didn’t surf this trip, but a few years ago the entire family learned how to ride a few waves with Corey’s Wave – a surf rental and lesson company right in the heart of Montauk. We had so much FUN and it is certainly worth checking out if you are in the area during the warmer season.
Although, I will tell you that I felt NOTHING in those suits. We went in the spring a few years ago and those surf suits really isolated the cold water from our bodies. They are miracles! So, even if you head out in the spring, give Cory a ring! Hey, that rhymes.
Visit A New Staple
If you are looking for some really neat places to check out, here are some notable names not to be missed:
- Montauk Brewing Company – 62 South Erie Avenue
- Ditch Witch – Ditch Plains Beach
- Backyard Restaurant – Oyster Hotel
- Blade and Salt – (no inside dining but great pizza) 54 S. Erie Avenue
- Left Hand Coffee – 83 S Elmwood Ave
- Hampton Coffee Company – 732 Montauk Hwy, Montauk
- Sundae Donuts Montauk – 716 Montauk Hwy Suite 5
- Montauk Bake Shoppe – 29 The Plaza A
- 668 The Gig Shack – 782 Montauk Hwy
Go On A Hike
While hiking is not something I would ever choose to do willingly, I know there are a lot of people who enjoy this activity. Be sure to search for information on Hither Woods Preserve, Montauk Point State Park, and Amsterdam Beach State Park – just to name a few.
I hope you enjoyed my Montauk weekend getaway tips! I had so much fun putting this together for you. There are so many things to do on The End of Long Island. This list only touches a small percentage of what’s truly available throughout the year!