1. The Gurney’S Inn Resort & Spa
City: Montauk, NY
Category: Accommodations
Telephone: (631) 668-2345
Address: 290 Old Montauk Hwy.
Description: Situated right on the beach in Montauk, this full-service resort offers oceanfront rooms, suites, and cottages; a full-service day spa; and several on-property restaurants, in addition to a variety of activities. Providing upscale, clean, elegant, and spacious accommodations, the guestrooms are nicely furnished and chock-full of lavish amenities. While the cottages are ideal for romantic getaways, the one- and two-bedroom suites can easily accommodate families. Located close to the very tip of Long Island, Gurney’s Inn is approximately 110 miles from Manhattan (a two-and-a-half-hour drive). Montauk Downs—one of the top 50 public golf courses in the United States—is nearby, and fishing, boating, and horseback riding are also available. This is a popular destination for weddings and special events, as well as corporate functions.
2. Nick’S
City: Montauk, NY
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (631) 668-4800
Address: 148 South Emerson Rd.
Description: This full-service restaurant offers indoor and outdoor dining until 10 p.m., as well as full bar service. At night, Nick’s takes on more of a lounge vibe, with live music and karaoke. The festivities continue nightly until at least 2 a.m. The atmosphere is always casual, and it’s a favorite nighttime destination for locals and tourists alike, particularly in the summertime.
3. Rick’S Crabby Cowboy Cafe
City: Montauk, NY
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (631) 668-3200
Address: 435 East Lake Dr.
Description: Offering a relatively inexpensive, casual, family-friendly dining experience that’s right on the water, Rick’s Crabby Cowboy Cafe features indoor and outdoor dining, full bar service, and an expansive children’s menu. Guests arrive by car or boat (free dockage is available at the restaurant), or even land their airplane across the street at the Montauk Airport. Rick’s Crabby Cowboy is well-known for its steak, lobster, “crabby bakes,” and crab legs; however, the menu also includes plenty of non-seafood dishes, like burgers, rib eye steak, pulled pork, and BBQ chicken. Hershey’s ice cream is served for dessert. The restaurant is open seasonally for lunch and dinner.
4. Sea Grille
City: Montauk, NY
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (631) 668-2345
Address: 290 Old Montauk Hwy.
Description: As part of Gurney’s Inn Resort & Spa, this upscale restaurant has been around more than 80 years and specializes in seafood and pasta dishes. The restaurant overlooks the water and features superior and highly personalized service. With a strong Italian influence, house specialties include stuffed local flounder, mid-Atlantic salmon, baked shrimp, lobster, linguini, penne primavera, chicken parmigiana, chicken marsala, and roasted duck. Reservations are strongly recommended.
5. Backyard Restaurant
City: Montauk, NY
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (631) 668-2105
Address: 90 Second House Rd.
Description: Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Backyard Restaurant prides itself on offering an upscale, country club setting. A three-course prix fixe menu is served nightly between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. Instead of leaving the kids at home with a babysitter, what’s unique about Backyard Restaurant is that it offers its “drop and dine” service for a flat fee of $20 per child on weekends. This is an on-site babysitting service that allows the adults to enjoy a quiet and elegant dinner, while their kids are fed, supervised, and entertained. Backyard Restaurant is part of Sole East, an upscale boutique hotel in Montauk. The restaurant itself is inspired by a healthy approach to diet and lifestyle. Thus, the chef focuses on using good, wholesome, fresh, and natural ingredients, and sources those ingredients from local farmers and fishermen. Reservations are recommended for lunch and dinner.
6. Aqua
City: Montauk, NY
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (631) 668-4147
Address: 17 South Edison
Description: This family-friendly seafood restaurant is popular among locals and tourists alike. It’s open nightly for dinner and features specially priced appetizers and desserts for just $6 each. Between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., a prix fixe dinner is also available. The dining room features a bright and open setting, and the menu has a strong Italian influence. In addition to numerous pasta dishes—such as spaghetti marinara, fettuccine Alfredo, risotto, and classic spaghetti and meatballs—roasted half chicken, tuna alla Siciliana, Atlantic salmon steak, and grilled pork chops round out the menu.
7. Gurney’S Inn Resort & Spa
City: Montauk, NY
Category: Shopping
Telephone: (631) 668-2345
Address: 290 Old Montauk Hwy.
Description: Located in the famous Gurney’s Inn Resort, which is situated along a beach on the very tip of Long Island, is an upscale, full-service spa. This spa has an oceanfront “seawater” theme, and many of the treatments somehow utilize sea salts or seaweed. Seawater baths, including an algae slimming bath and a seawater herbal bath; an algae body polish; and a seaweed body wrap are among the signature treatments offered here. The menu of available treatments and services is extensive, much larger than most spas. Beyond lavish spa treatments, this spa also offers fitness and wellness services, ranging from biofeedback to a body composition analysis, comprehensive fitness evaluation, nutrition consultation, and personal fitness training. A full hair salon, makeup services, and tanning beds are available, as is a wide range of spa day packages and wedding packages. Treatments at Gurney’s Inn Resort & Spa aren’t cheap, but they’ll certainly be relaxing and memorable. A 60-minute aromatherapy massage will cost about $105 (plus tip), and a 90-minute active green argillite mud therapy is priced art $220 (plus tip).
8. Montauk Point Lighthouse
City: Montauk, NY
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (631) 668-2544
Address: 2000 Montauk Hwy.
Description: The Montauk Point Lighthouse, located at the extreme tip of Long Island, was built in 1796 and is the oldest lighthouse in New York State. It was built at the request of President George Washington, and to this day is one of the most spectacular sights on Long Island. Visitors can climb to the top of this lighthouse by trekking up a 137-step spiral staircase in order to experience a breathtaking 360-degree view from the observation tower. Tours are offered between Mar and Dec. Adjacent to the lighthouse is a cafe and gift shop. There is an admission fee to enter the lighthouse, as well as a parking charge on weekends, but visitors can roam the grounds for free. During the holiday season the lighthouse is illuminated with thousands of lights, and special events are held on the premises.
9. Rita’S Stable
City: Montauk, NY
Category: Tours & Attractions
Telephone: (631) 668-5453
Address: 3 West Lake Dr.
Description: In addition to offering horseback-riding trail excursions and lessons to kids and teens, as well as adults, Rita’s Stable also features pony rides for toddlers and a lovely, interactive petting zoo. Fresh free-range farm eggs and organically grown vegetables can also be purchased here. Rita’s Stable is open year-round, but some activities and offerings are seasonal.