Most New Yorkers love to visit Montauk, NY during the summer. This coastal area on the Eastern shore of Long Island is not only known for its fishing, but also for the high-end beach houses and trendy New York residents that take over the area during the warmer months.
When my family and I visited at the end of summer, the crowds had started to dwindle down, though it was still quite busy. Over the course of a long weekend, we made the most of our visit and discovered a lot.
I enjoyed walking around the city for brunch and stopping in to buy candy at The Candied Anchor. We discovered that our newly found favorite ice cream spot, John’s Drive In, was a local favorite as well and that the lines at this cash-only ice cream and burger shop can get quite long.
The Candied Anchor
We learned about the fascinating history of area during a visit to Montauk Point Lighthouse Museum and climbed up the 137 steps up the tower of this National Historic Landmark – built in 1796, making it the first lighthouse in New York State.
At the top of the Montauk Lighthouse Tower.
We enjoyed an afternoon of hiking along the rocky shores of Montauk Point and mapped out other trails that are fun to visit any time of the year.
We loved our visit to Montauk and I immediately understood why so many city dwellers love it too.
Where we stayed during our visit, however, was the highlight of our experience.
My family and I stayed at the historic Montauk Yacht Club. I was able to reserve a room next to ours for our boys and we had a wonderful time relaxing on our personal patios overlooking Lake Montauk and the yacht club’s marina. The Admiral Class Water View rooms we had were spacious, airy and bright. I also really liked the rooms below us, the Admiral Beach Bungalow for its easy walk-in/walk-out beach and dock access.
The hotel has been an East End favorite for over 80 years, with its iconic lighthouse serving as its beloved symbol.
Even though walking around downtown Montauk felt busy and a bit crowded, being in the resort felt very private and intimate. The kids enjoyed spending an afternoon playing in the lake and taking part in the various hotel activities, such as paddle boating.
At night the temperatures get a little chilly this time of year, so my family and I gathered around a pit fire on the beach and with the s’more ingredients we purchased through the hotel, we sat out on the sand and admired the starry, quiet nights together. Though we could have ordered dinner in our room if we wanted to, hanging out on the beach at night by the fire was our favorite pass time in the nights we were there.
There are several restaurants to choose from and access to all that is happening in Montauk is only a short drive away – though most people prefer to ride their bikes around town.
As the summer months start to fade and the cool air of autumn creeps in, most people leave behind their summer homes and rentals and head back to the city till next season.
But that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing left to do in the area. Montauk. The Hamptons International Film Festival often takes places around October, as does the Annual Fall Festival. The Montauk Chamber of Commerce is a great resource for finding out what is happening in the area year-round.
