15 Things to do in Montauk, New York (and where to eat!)

June 24, 2021

Are you looking for things to do in Montauk, New York? Here are my top ideas!

If you’re planning a visit to Montauk NY, you might be looking for ideas and inspiration for things to do in Montauk, New York!

If you’re looking for things to do in Montauk, New York – you won’t be short of ideas after reading this list! Known for its fishing, sandy beaches and its old lighthouse, Montauk is one of New York State’s most popular weekend getaway spots.

For those that are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, there is truly no better place to visit.

With only 3,000 people living in Montauk as their permanent home, it’s a quiet paradise for visitors that are looking for a diverse spot. And with plenty of things to do in Montauk, New York – it’s also a wonderful spot for relaxing and keeping busy too!

If you’re not a Montauk native, you may be wondering if there are many things to do in Montauk, New York. The good news is – yes!

From horseback riding to truly incredible restaurants, you may feel overwhelmed with what’s on offer in this small yet charming hamlet of New York.

To help you out, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to visiting Montauk, New York and all the things to do in Montauk, New York too. With featured sections on things to do, places to eat, and places to stay, you should have no trouble piecing together an itinerary with this guide as a reference!

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in. Here are the best things to do in Montauk, New York.

Things to do in Montauk, New York

Deep Hollow Ranch

Deep Hollow Ranch is (as you may have guessed) a horse ranch and it’s first on my list of things to do in Montauk. You can do a beautiful day of horse riding from the Deep Hollow Ranch, and it really is a wonderful activity and thing to do in Montauk.

A must-visit in Montauk, the Deep Hollow Ranch is one of the US’s oldest ranches. With horseback tours that cover approximately 3,000 acres of New York’s countryside, this is a great place to spend the day in Montauk.

When making a guide to visiting Montauk, New York, we just couldn’t leave this experience out of our list of things to do. As it caters to all experience levels and has a great cowboy feel, it’s the perfect place to visit for the whole family. This is a great choice for things to do in Montauk, New York.

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Things to do in Montauk: Go fishing

Next on my list of things to do in Montauk, it’s fishing! There are many that visit Montauk purely for its fishing scene, so it’s no surprise that this has made it onto our guide to visiting Montauk, New York.

Whether you want to grab a private charter or want to just give it a go yourself, you’re sure to catch a decent number of fish in these waters.

So, whether you reel in some offshore tuna, mahi-mahi, or flounder, you’re sure to have a whale of a time partaking in one of Montauk’s favourite activities! If you love fishing, this is a great choice for things to do in Montauk, New York.

Go surfing

Surfing is an amazing option for things to do in Montauk, so why not hit the water and go surfing? Montauk has some incredible surfing beaches, and it’s a big part of the lifestyle here.

There are numerous private surfing instructors on offer here as well as some surf schools that offer group classes. Though most places here love beginners, be sure to book a place prior to arrival to avoid disappointment.

If you love the ocean, this is a perfect choice of things to do in Montauk, New York.

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Grab a pint at a local brewery

Next on our list of things to do in Montauk, New York – it’s visiting a brewery! There’s nothing better than a pint of beer on a sunny day, so why not grab a craft brew whilst you’re in Montauk. The breweries are certainly some of the best things to do in Montauk.

Montauk Brewing Company is one of the best breweries around and has a bunch of ales and IPAs that are a huge hit with the locals here.

With unique packaging that looks great in a photograph, this is the perfect place to stop for a drink in the middle of a sunny afternoon. Here are some other breweries in Montauk to try out while you’re there too! Another great option for things to do in Montauk, New York.

Ditch Plains Beach

Next on my list of things to do in Montauk, it’s Ditch Plains Beach. Whether you’re an active surfer or just love to sunbathe, then be sure to head down to Ditch Plains Beach. Located on the Montauk Peninsula, this is one of the best beaches around.

If you’re up for it, be sure to tackle one of the many walking trails that are dotted around the beach. Great for both beginners and seasoned hikers, a leisurely walk around Ditch Plains Beach is a fantastic way to see the best of what the area has to offer.

One word of warning – be sure to pack a parking permit if you drive up to the beach. You will be fined if you can’t produce it, so don’t be caught out! This is a great choice for things to do in Montauk, New York.

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best Things to do in Montauk, New Jersey

Montauk Point State Park

Montauk Point State Park is next on my list of things to do in Montauk. If you haven’t noticed by now, much of our guide to visiting Montauk, New York has emphasised the majesty of the area’s landscape. If you truly want to see the best of Montauk, then be sure to visit the Montauk Point State Park.

With great observation areas for the Atlantic Ocean and some truly excellent hiking trails, you can spend a whole day exploring the beauty of Montauk’s natural side. If you’re looking for things to do in Montauk, New York in the great outdoors – this is for you!

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Lake Montauk

Lake Montauk is next on my list of things to do in Montauk. Another must-see area that we just had to include on our guide to visiting Montauk, New York is Lake Montauk.

Having been deemed a lake since the former owner of Montauk Carl Fisher let the ocean water come streaming into this pool of water, it’s a historic little spot that’s certainly easy on the eye. Now, Lake Montauk is the town’s main port, so it’s well worth a visit for that aspect alone! This is a beautiful and classic choice for things to do in Montauk, New York.

Montauk Point Lighthouse (and museum)

Next on my list of things to do in Montauk, New York, it’s Montauk Point Lighthouse. If you decide to visit Montauk, then be sure to check out its lighthouse. Having been named a National Historic Site, it’s a must-visit spot that offers visitors spectacular views of the entire town.

The climb to the top is a mere 137 steps, so it’s not a huge physical undertaking for older visitors. If you check this place out, be sure to check out its visitor centre and gift shop.

With some great maritime artifacts and historical documents that relate to the lighthouse itself, it’s an enlightening (pun intended!) day out for all. A great option (and one of the most popular) things to do in Montauk.

Montauk Yacht Club

The final thing to do on our guide to visiting Montauk is the Montauk Yacht Club. A stunning beach resort that’s located in the middle of Montauk Lake, it’s the ideal place to take in the luxurious marina.

With some truly superb food and even better cocktails, this is a must-do if you’re visiting Montauk and definitely one of our favorite things to do in Montauk.

Camp Hero State Park

Another great choice for things to do in Montauk, New York, is the Camp Hero State Park. Another beautiful state park within easy reach of Montauk, this is another place you’ll certainly want to explore! This particular state park is a pretty great option for those who have an interest in conspiracy theories too though! And people who are fans of the Netflix show, Stranger Things (this park inspired it!).

Camp Hero is actually a decommissioned military base located in Montauk, and as you can read about here, there are plenty of interesting conspiracy theories about the location and purpose. You’ll love this choice for things to do in Montauk, New York.

Kirk Park Beach

Kirk Park Beach is a beautiful beach, perfect for a wonderful day by the sea. If you fancy a day of relaxation, with the sand between your toes and the sea-breeze in your hair – then this is one of the perfect things to do in Montauk for you!

There are toilets and lifeguards (so it ticks the box for facilities) and it’s also only a short walking distance to many shops and restaurants. Definitely a great option for things to do in Montauk.

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Go shopping

And of course, last on my list of things to do in Montauk, shopping. Montauk village has lots of lovely shops (chain and independent) so it’s worth saving up a bit of spending budget to buy some nice little bits during your trips!

Places to eat in Montauk

I couldn’t write a list of things to do in Montauk without including some of my favorite restaurant recommendations. If you’re anything like my husband and I, you’ll love exploring restaurants and trying new places, just as much as the sightseeing!

So here are some of my favorite places to eat in Montauk!

Harvest on Fort Pond

Once you’ve picked all the things to do in Montauk, New York that you want to do – make sure you fuel up here! This place is a favourite amongst locals and visitors alike, and consistently gets really high reviews! It’s always within TripAdvisor’s Top 3 restaurants in Montauk, so it’s certainly worth checking out.

Executive Chef Jake Williams creates family style Italian cuisine that will feel nostalgic but also sophisticated. The food is inspired by fresh Montauk seafood and homegrown produce, and is all about the fresh flavours from land and sea.

Naturally Good Foods and Café

This is one of the most popular places to eat in Montauk as it simply offers good, wholesome food. Since 1985, this spot has been a health-haven for those that love to keep their food choices as fresh as possible.

With organic groceries, great fresh sandwiches and more, this is a great place to visit if you fancy a light and delicious bite. After working your way through our list of things to do in Montauk, New York, this is a great place to stop and eat!

Inlet Seafood Restaurant

One of the best seafood restaurants in Montauk is the Inlet Seafood Restaurant. As a visit to this restaurant almost made it onto our list of things to do, we thought it absolutely had to make it onto our list of places to eat!

The food here is delivered by six commercial fishermen, and it’s THE place to visit for Montauk’s freshest seafood. Boasting a boat-to-table deal, you’re sure to be blown away by the food here if you have even a passing interest in seafood! This is another great place to eat in Montauk! It’s also in a great location to many of the things to do in Montauk, New York.

Swallow East Restaurant

Serving up some seafood classics (which Montauk is known for) as well as old-favorites like sliders and fries – this place is a pretty safe choice for visitors.

It’s a great place to have lunch or dinner, and I recommend ordering the fish tacos, fried asparagus, and calamari! Visiting any of these amazing restaurants make my list of things to do in Montauk.

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Places to stay in Montauk

And last of all in my guide to Montauk – here are some suggestions for places to stay.

One of the most difficult things to do when booking a trip away is sourcing the right accommodation for you. So, in our guide to visiting Montauk, we thought it would be a great idea to include some accommodation options that cover all budgets. These accommodation options are all located for the suggestions above for things to do in Montauk, New York – so you can be sure you’ll be well located during your trip.

You can browse available hotels on the map below, or see our list below for some suggestions too!

Booking.com

Daunts Albatross Motel

If you’re on a budget, then Daunts Albatross Motel is one of your best options for accommodation in Montauk.

Based right in the centre of town, it’s clean, within walking distance of the beach and has plenty of amenities nearby. If you’re looking for a motel that is well-placed, then this is the perfect no-frills option for your trip.

Sea-Sational Ditch Plains Salty Air Cottage

Another great budget option is Sea-Sational Ditch Plains Salty Air Cottage. We thought we’d include this on our guide to visiting Montauk as it’s a great three-star motel option that’s also extremely central.

This place has modern amenities and is walking distance from some great restaurants and night spots. So, it’s a great place to book if you want a great room without paying a huge amount for unwanted extras.

Sunrise Guest House

If you love the Bed and Breakfast vibe, then Sunrise Guest House is your best option. Walking distance from Montauk village, this is a great place to book if you want direct beach access that’s close to the area’s top attractions.

Here, you’ll have a private bathroom and have a great breakfast included. This place is more expensive than the motels, but we’d say the increase in price is worth it for the breakfast and location.

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An Airbnb

Sometimes, you want the whole place to yourself. So, if you’re travelling with family or want some privacy, then why not book an Airbnb? This one that’s located just outside of Montauk Village is great.

It has stunning ocean views and a log burning fire that’s a big hit with guests. You’ll pay slightly more for privacy, but the price of Airbnb properties in the area are usually reasonable, so you needn’t worry.