MONTAUK, It's The End
Written: Sep 08 '04 (Updated Nov 01 '07)
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Pros: Beautiful scenery and as laid back as Long Island can get.
Cons: Serious traffic on weekends going out and late Sundays going back home.
The Bottom Line: Go east and pass the Hamptons till you get to a comfy little town named Montauk, It's the End.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Montauk |
I've been going to Montauk most of my life. When I was a kid my dad would take me out on a boat from the Viking Fleet of Montauk to go fishing out in the Atlantic. I remember those days well.
As a teen I would drive out to Montauk with some buddies and did some fishing, surfing, and just hangin' out.
When I was first married Montauk was a vacation spot for me and my wife. There are some nice little motels all along the beaches. There is nothing more perfect than to walk out of a room through a sliding glass door and to look out onto a fine beach, feel the cool salt air breezes and hear the Atlantic Ocean with its crashing waves.
As years went on we vacationed with our kids and stayed in a trailer camp right on the beach. Now we are back to using it as a destination for short getaway weekends.
LOCATION
Montauk is a small town that is on the eastern end of Long Island's South fork. It's as far east as you can go on Long Island. It's a little over a hundred miles from NYC. In fact you may see, in the NY area, bumper stickers touting the words "Montauk, The End".
Getting there by car you pass through the Hamptons that are noted for their well to do patrons and hordes of the young and beautiful that do seasonal rentals, at outrageous prices, during the summer months. The traffic going through most of the Hampton towns is horribly slow in those warm months. Friday afternoon travel, going out east, and the Sunday evening return, takes f o r e v e r.
Montauk happens to be the last stop on the Long Island Rail Road going east. Get off and then look for the pink cabs or maybe bright green "Celtic" Cabs. There are other companies too.
The Hampton Jitney bus service goes all the way out east from NYC too. If you want no part of traffic, find a small plane and fly out to Montauk Airport.
Montauk is a simple town that does not put on airs. Motels line the Atlantic on the south shore and most of the small town is confined to a circular hub where most stores, unpretentious I might add, are lined up for summer conveniences. You won't find much in galleries and high end shops here. It does have a small supermarket and a terrific convenience store that sells everything from camping goods to small gift items. Many more motels, B&Bs and Inns dot the outlying Montauk area. Though we love B&Bs we have never stayed anywhere but in motels out here. We have a couple of favorites I hope to review in the near future. We plan on going out for a couple of days later this month.
FOOD FOR the BODY
There's a small bakery in town where we go and get fresh breads for breakfasts on the beach or for picnic lunches. The place is open early in the morning for fresh coffee. There are a couple of nice places in town for a sit down breakfast too. Nearby is a cute little candy shop that has excellent fudge.
We often go to a deli outside of town that makes terrific sandwiches at reasonable prices. There are a number of good ones around. This is a perfect lunch when driving around checking out all the state parks that are within just a few miles of town. Some of the state parks have limited menus and some have none at all.
During the summer there are a few bars that have great live music and drinks at reasonable prices at night. If you are not staying at one of the motels right on the beach you can get public access to the beaches via very short walks from the middle of town. Watch your parking! The beaches are made up of clean white sand with surf. You'll find it gets a bit more rocky, the closer you get to the point.
In the town of Montauk you'll find a number of ethnically diverse restaurants but many of the better seafood restaurants, where I like dining alfresco, are scattered about outside of town overlooking ocean vistas or inlet harbors.
While in town be sure to try Bird on the Roof or the Montauk Bake SHoppe for breakfast. Shawongs and Luigis did well for us.
One particularly well known place just west of town on Old Montauk Rd. is Gurney's Inn. This popular place, that features a world class European Spa, has one of the best breakfast deals anywhere. I'll check it out and see if they still have it this next trip. My wife and I have enjoyed a number of fine mornings looking out over the Atlantic Ocean from their beautiful dining room.
Update Sept 2006: We recently went to dinner at the Sea Grille at Gurney's Inn and it was superb! I highly rcommend it. See the link below.
Another very popular place to eat is at Gosman's Dock. This is on the north side of the Montauk area a few miles out of town. It is a good place to dine that it offers take out, in one place, more trendy crowds in another and the main restaurant has inside or outside dining. There are many other places out there too. I hope to start reviewing a few of them in the near future. Gosman's Dock also has a number of shops on its decks that are fun and interesting for kids and adults.
There are plenty more dining places, some are perfect fro breakfast and others more suited for lunch and dinners. If you can adjust your eating schedule for off peek times during high season, you will have a much better chance of getting into some of the more popular places. Rick's Crabby Coyboy is a change from the finer type dining eaoperiences. It's great for the family. We also had some good luck at Luigis and the Havana Beach Club this year. Reviews will be up within the next month or so.
FOOD for the SOUL
This is also home of the Viking Fishing Fleet where you can watch the boats coming in and watch as they off load their catch. These are some of the same boats I went out on as a kid. I have some pretty good memories of my dad and me fishing out there, before he passed on. The Viking Fleet has a boat that goes out whale watching. I've never gone out from Long Island so I can't say how good it is. They supposedly have a good record though. During the summer months Montauk's Viking Fleet has ferry service to Block Island. That's a trip I can highly recommend. There are many other boats that go out too. Charters are available for some of the best fishing in the world.
A few years ago my wife and I were eating at Gosman's and we noticed a lot of activity in the harbor. It happened to be the day when they have "The Blessing of the Fleet". There was a line of boats that stretched out further than I could see. They all came in for the service. Afterward the fun began. All kinds of water balloons were being tossed about and huge sling-shot type launchers were sending the water filled balloons over a hundred yards away at other boats. Horns were honking, bells were ringing, and music was blasting from the boats. I believe I had as much fun watching as they were having participating in the antics.
MUCH MORE TO SEE and DO
Montauk happens to have five state parks all within a few miles of town. The most popular is Montauk Point State Park that features the oldest working lighthouse in NY. It was commissioned by President George Washington! There is a charge to see it. It has a small museum and a wonderful view of the end of Long Island from its top. This is also a good place for hiking and the coastal waters offers some of the best surf casting fishing in the world.
Right next door to this park is Camp Hero State Park. This area was noted as the Area 51 of the east because of all the undercover events that were going on there. It happens to have been a secret military base and it has some unique features that you will not see in any other parks around. Batteries installed during WWII, a radar station, and a military camp that was camouflaged to look like a fishing village are there. Some spectacular views of the bluffs can be seen from here. Be sure to read my review on this park. It's worth the look. Another hiking area to try is Shadmore State Park. It's quite rustic and very near town. It offers some scenic hiking trails and a long walk to a very quiet and isolated beach.
Just about three miles out of town is The Montauk Downs State Park. This place has one of the finest public golf facilities on Long Island. It's known for its, Robert Trent Jones designed, 18-hole golf course and a pro shop. I loved playing this one with my brother-in-law last year. It's a good one! Ha, I won't tell you my score. It also has a beautiful swimming pool and fine tennis courts. This place has a country club atmosphere and it also has a fine restaurant.
Hither Hills State Park is also nearby. This offers camping on the beach. It is also very difficult to get into. If you like camping and you like the beach, be sure to attempt getting a site. This is done by lottery almost a year before.
Montauk is also the site of the oldest cattle ranch in the United States. Everybody thinks about cattle out west but it all started in the east. You can get horses to ride here too. There happen to be a couple of riding stables in Montauk. The oldest ranch is called Deep Hollow Ranch. I believe the other place is Rita's.
Montauk is perfect for canoes and kayaks in that it has the ocean, many ponds and inlets to check out. Rentals and tours are available. Check out the Chamber of Commerce for some names and addresses. Montauk also has its own Yacht Club that also holds catered affairs. We did some very successful team building events there.
For those who like surfing be sure to go to Ditch Plains. This is where surfers from around the world gather on Long Island to test their skills. Parking is limited and you need to have a pass on this beach and one or two others. Try and get it from the place where you may be staying.
We were there last summer and many of the guys and gals were out there riding some nice waves. This is the first place I ever surfed as a teen.
SUMMING IT UP
Montauk is a fine place to spend a few days. A week is always better. Fog can come in and ruin a day or two but generally doesn't hang around too long. Most of the accommodations of places to stay are average. You won't find any chain motels, hotels or chain eateries out there. The dining choices are diverse, inexpensive to fine dining. There are plenty of outdoor activities to do between the beaches and state parks. You will not find water parks, arcades, mini golf, a movie theatre and such in this town. Whoops, they do have a mini-golf now. Montauk is more attuned to easy living and nature and that's what I like about it.
This is a place that is best explored in a car. There are many "secret" little places to find and so much to do.
I suggest leaving all airs and worries home and get to Montauk, The End.
Wonderful Weekends from New York City Montauk is listed in this book that suggests places to stay, where to dine and what to do.
The Sea Grille and Gurney's Inn
Rick's Crabby Coyboy
Gosman's Dock Restaurant
Gosman's Topside Restaurant
Gosman's Clam Bar
Bird on the Roof
Montauk Bake Shoppe
The Lobster Roll, better known simply as "LUNCH"
Shagwong Tavern
Havana Beach Club
In South Hampton the Lobster Inn Restaurant
The Harborside Motel In Montauk
The Maize Maze in Bridgehampton Family Fun!
Montauk Point State Park and Lighthouse History, Fishing, Scenery, and quiet hikes.
Montauk Downs State Park Creature comforts and games
Camp Hero State Park A military base with secrets!
Hither Hills State Park Camping on the beach
Shadmore State Park It's Crude!
Block Island A wonderful day trip from Montauk
Jones Beach State ParkOur treasure, just five minutes from home
Fire Island National Seashore and Lighthouse
Freeport's Nautical Mile An amusing and amazing destination with dozens of fine restaurants.
An Excellent book about Long Island Destinations
Discover Long Island: Exploring The Great Places From Sea To Sound
Long Island So much to so many
Montauk is one of Pops Top Ten Getaway Places From NYC for Couples
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Couples
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