Montauk: A Hamptons Weekend Without Driving (mostly)
Montauk may be a bit further east than the other towns in the Hamptons, but it's worth every extra minute of the commute. Once you're in Montauk, everything you need is within walking distance (or a short taxi ride away). The weekend just feels more relaxing when you can access the beach, amazing food and the best bars by foot or bike...especially now that Uber has been banned in the Hamptons. Here's your step-by-step weekend itinerary, with distances to all your destinations from your hypothetical home-base, a hotel right on the beach, the Montauk Blue.
FRIDAY
1. Arrive as early as you can and check into the Montauk Blue. Your front yard is the Montauk beach (literally) so get excited for early morning beach runs and falling asleep to the sound of the waves.
2. Walk over to La Brisa (.2 mile) for fish tacos and stroll around town. Stop into Share With (.2 mile) and peruse their selection of colorful, beachy shorts and gauzy, giraffe-printed rompers. Grab a beer on the outdoor patio at the Shagwong (.3 mile) and listen to the reggae band.
3. Have dinner at Crow's Nest (2.1 miles). If there's a long wait for a table (likely) order a cocktail and head down to the water or relax around the bonfire. To eat, I recommend the kale salad, the burrata and the spicy crab pasta.
SATURDAY
1. Wake up early and take an 8am yoga class at Love Yoga (.2 mile). Had a rough Friday night? Sleep a few more hours and start at Step #2, which involves food.
2. Get breakfast at Joni's Kitchen (.2 mile). I like the California wrap or the warm quinoa with walnuts and dates. The line can get long, so if you're pressed for time, call ahead and place your order by phone to skip the line.
3. Spend the day at Navy Beach (2.1 miles), drinking rose and pondering the occupants of the $50 million yacht that just pulled in. The beach is a bit rocky, but perfect for swimming since it's in a protected cove and there are no waves. For extra points, swim up to a yacht and get invited aboard for some rose. (Navy beach is also a great option for dinner because the food is amazing and there is a beautiful sunset.)
4. Head to Surf Lodge (1 mile) for dinner and watch the band play against the sunset. Note that Surf Lodge has a very difficult door. I've learned from experience that one can be denied entry no matter how good looking or perfectly adorned in surfer-chic Montauk garb. So, please get a dinner reservation or know someone who works there before attempting this maneuver. Another fun option is to check out Lazy Point Saturdays at Ciao on the Beach (1.4 miles). Make sure to try their signature cocktail "Bramble Rose" by Lazy Point's Jeremy Strawn (also of Mulberry Project).
SUNDAY
1. It's always a challenge to decide whether to stay on Sunday, or return to Manhattan to get one's life together. If it's a nice day out, you should probably just cancel that Tinder date and enjoy the beach another day.
2. You may be a bit hungover today, so it's okay if you forgo quinoa from Joni's and indulge in some Goldbergs bagels (.2 mile) instead.
3. Have a chill beach day in Montauk (0 mile). Play paddle ball and cards and wonder why you ever pay money for beach beds and rose when you're having such a good time for free.
4. After the beach, get lobster rolls at Duryeas (1.8 miles), and head home on the train (.4 mile from Duryeas, leaving hourly). (Note: taking the train back on from Montauk is great because you're the first ones on the train so you'll get a good seat.)
