Montauk: The End is Near!

Montauk is New York's sleepy surf town.  

It's been a sizzling summer in New York City, and while it's not always easy to escape for long vacations, one of the best ways to find relief is to make a weekend journey to the shores of Long Island.  Many of the infamous Hamptons retreats are over crowded and over priced, but the little village of Montauk offers calm and often affordable options for those of us seeking some time at the shore.

I recently spent a weekend exploring Montauk and I came away charmed by the town's unpretentious, but sassy attitude.  It's an East Coast surf destination with a reputation for good-sized waves and chilly waters, but Montauk is also a quaint little town where the food is hearty and the beer is cold.  The lighthouse that is perched on the edge of the Atlantic is well-worth a visit and I recommend getting there by bike rather than by car.

If you are in the New York area and you want to make the trek out to Montauk, you can hop on the Long Island Railroad at Penn Station. The journey takes about 3 hours and the view from the train is gorgeous.  

Montauk's serene beach can get a bit crowded during the summer, but it's a a great place for a morning run or a long sunset walk.

The Montauk Lighthouse was the first official lighthouse in New York State. It's a little over 3.5 miles from town.

When you climb to the top of the lighthouse, look up and check out the handiwork.

During my weekend visit I rented this happy beach cruiser (I called her Twyla) from Air and Speed Surf Shop and cycled up to the lighthouse.  The ride from town does offer up some challenging hills, but it's the best way to go.
http://www.airandspeedsurf.com
  

In 2009 Surfer Magazine declared Montauk to be the 8th best surf town in the U.S.  The surfing is great, but the icy cold water is not for sissies!  
http://www.surfermag.com/features/best-surf-towns-no-8/