Montauk, New York
At the very tip of Long Island in the town of East Hampton is a part called Montauk. With hilly sand dunes and wild waves, this is where New York ends and the Atlantic Ocean begins. If you're a fan of the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, you'll remember that we meet Clementine in Montauk. While the movie's version of Montauk is a bit grim, I lucked out in capturing beautiful blue skies on the edge of Autumn. The weather was brisk and the sea air had a bite. If you're feeling adventurous, head down to the rocky beach and interact with the pelicans. We braved a walk around the beach but be careful of the sharp rocks and seashells.
Recommendations
Travel
Montauk Point State Park is accessible by car.
Coordinates: 41.0710° N, 71.8569° W
Cost & Admission
There is an $8 fee to park in the Montauk Point State Park parking lot from 8:00am to 4:00pm. There is no charge for parking after 4:00pm.
Monday through Friday there is free parking for Senior Citizens (62 and older) holding a New York State Driver’s License. The NY State parking fee does not include admission to the Montauk Lighthouse property.
Lighthouse Admission:
Adults $10
Seniors $8
Children* $4
* Children up to 12 years old. Minimum height requirement to climb tower is 41”.
Food
Lighthouse Grill at Montauk Point Lighthouse is a casual park restaurant with dining inside and outside. Tables outside offer a beautiful view of the water. There are also a number of restaurants nearby.
Activities
Hiking, fishing, stand up paddle boarding, surfing.
A map with hiking trails can be found at the official park website here.
Tips
I opted for picnic offerings at Citarella (2 Pantigo Rd, East Hampton, NY 11937) which is a supermarket that has both a hot food and cold salad bar. It's great for picky eaters to get their own lunches.