The Essence of Montauk
As the Town of East Hampton’s easternmost hamlet, Montauk has earned its longtime nickname “The End.” The peninsula’s unparalleled vistas overlook the Atlantic Ocean, Block Island Sound and a series of bays for breathtaking sunsets. From its earliest settlers, the Montauketts, Montauk has evolved throughout the centuries as a military base, Tudor-inspired luxury resort, creative retreat, surfers’ paradise and fishing village. It continues to cater to diverse demographics from celebrities to tourists for tony resorts and boutique hotels, waterside dining, a vibrant music and nightlife scene, and local attractions including Montauk Point Lighthouse, Gosman’s Dock and Ditch Plains beach and surf break. Community activity extends to annual events hosted during every season, as Montauk takes pride in being a year-round community with down-to-earth residents who coexist with seasonal homeowners. Some people skip the drive by landing at the private Montauk Airport. Within minutes, they can be catching a wave and eating oysters and lobster rolls.
Nearby Neighborhoods: Amagansett, East Hampton
Dining & Shopping
From Duryea’s to Inlet Seafood Restaurant, Montauk dining is all about ocean bounty with water views. Further eat your share of crustaceans, daily catch and oysters on the half shell harborside at the Dock and Salivar’s Clam and Chowder House, or watch the sunset on Fort Pond Bay from Navy Beach. Hungry surfers dig into Ditch Witch’s poke bowls and 668 The Gig Shack’s blackened fish tacos. Enjoy Fort Pond vistas with Maverick’s surf-and-turf entrées and Harvest’s linguini with clams. Montauk Project and Palm Beach-born supper club Mary Lou’s are shaking up the scene, while revelers recover with Bird on the Roof’s brunches and healthy fare by Joni’s Kitchen and Naturally Good Foods & Café. Non-guests patronize hotels just the same, whether Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa restaurants Gigi’s and Dune Lounge; Marram’s Mostrador Montauk; Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina’s Ocean Club, or DJ-fueled hotspot the Surf Lodge. Order homemade ice cream at Sixties-era time capsule John’s Drive-In. Purchase provisions from Balsam Farms, Montauk Seafood Company, Tony’s Meat Market [& Italian Deli], and Montauk Bake Shoppe, home of the jelly croissant. Style mavens frequent lifestyle boutiques Wyld Blue and Utilitaria Montauk Outpost, as well as shop Indy Home’s housewares, NIBI MTK’s boho beach apparel, Below the Blue’s marine-themed jewelry, Bontemps Montauk’s globally sourced items, Glass Collective’s beauty lines, and New York womenswear collection Cynthia Rowley’s Montauk branch with onsite café Do Not Feed Alligators for prized coffee and matcha drinks. Buy hip souvenir hats and tees at Montauk General Store and Whalebone.
Culture & Attraction
No visit to “The End” is complete without driving to the terminus of New York State Route 27, where the Montauk Point Lighthouse has kept seafarers safe since George Washington commissioned New York’s first lighthouse in the 1790s. During the holidays, the National Historic Landmark celebrates Lighting of the Lighthouse. Its current steward, the Montauk Historical Society, also oversees the hamlet’s Native American and Colonial sites, and visionary, pioneer developer’s Carl Fisher House. Montauk lives for events, with most taking place on the Town Green (Montauk Music Festival, Montauk Seafood Festival, Fall Fest, Turkey Trot, Magic of Montauk Holiday Fair). The Ranch puts on contemporary art exhibitions inside and out, and Montauk Artists’ Association seasonally operates the Depot Art Gallery and Art Show on the Green.
Leisure, Nature & Wellness
Made up of iconic beaches and expansive water views in every direction, Montauk’s natural beauty doesn’t get any better. Much of the coast is accessible through nearly 5,000 acres of state parks. In addition to its lighthouse, Montauk Point State Park offers an “end of the world” experience, wildlife viewing (harbor seals), advanced surfing spots and trails to hike and cross-country ski, including the popular Seal Haul Trail. The adjacent Camp Hero State Park’s dramatic bluffs soar above the Atlantic and a prime fishing hole. Charter fishing excursions through Ebb Tide Fishing and Montauk Anglers Club & Marina. Heading west, the surf community congregates at Ditch Plains with amenities and lifeguards. Book lessons by Engstrom Surf and East End Surf Club. More trails are available in nearby Rheinstein Park and Shadmoor State Park, or discover the quieter bay area through Fort Pond Bay Park and ocean-to-bay Hither Hills State Park. A vestige of Carl Fisher’s 20th-century resort, Montauk Downs State Park features a Robert Trent Jones-designed golf course and tennis club with Har-Tru clay courts. Play Gotham Tennis Academy’s similar courts, too. The Montauk Playhouse Community Center’s aquatic center opened in 2025, or swim oceanside in Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa’s heated, saltwater pool. Saddle up for trail rides at colonial-era Deep Hollow Ranch, and practice yoga and Pilates at Montauk OM, New York Pilates and Real Pilates. SoulCycle also has a location here. Train for annual challenges like the RJA Memorial “Mighty Montauk” Triathlon and Spring Lighthouse Triathlon.
