My Perfect Day: Montauk

Last week I started a series of what my perfect day in each East End village would look like. This week, Montauk.

Montauk End of the World. The End. The Last Resort. All phrases used to describe our beloved Montauk. It’s a small drinking town with a fishing problem. Anti-Fedora signs have been known to line the insides of local restaurants and watering holes, placed there to discourage hipsters.

Some visitors go to Montauk to relax, others to party. Whatever way you choose to enjoy Montauk, it’s one of the most bustling tourist locations in the Town of East Hampton.

My perfect day in Montauk would start, first and foremost, by waking up in Montauk. I’m an East Hampton native who now lives in Hampton Bays (a town that holds a lot of similar charms to Montauk — a fishing village with a close-knit community that offers plenty of waterfront dining options with fantastic seafood), and there’s no place for traffic during my perfect day.

I’d stay at Breakers, a small 1950s seaside motel with amazing ocean views. The rooms were renovated last summer. Each are individual houses, offering privacy. Just in time for summer, ALL DAY @ Breakers, a new café and bar, has opened at the location. The venue offers breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch, a grab-and-go menu, après beach bites, and cocktails at the bar and patio with a menu by executive chef Robert Sieber. It’s the perfect spot for poolside service.

I’d wake up on a Sunday morning (I love a good Sunday day trip to Montauk) and have a Toby’s Estate coffee overlooking the ocean. After that, I’d head over to Joni’s for a quick breakfast before it’s off to hike Camp Hero State Park. Joni’s has an extensive menu that includes health food. From smoothies to breakfast wraps, it’s the perfect start to my perfect day and to fuel my hike.

There are so many hiking trails in Montauk, it’s easy to create the level of difficulty you want for yours. I like to hike around Camp Hero and the Montauk Lighthouse, because the view is unsurpassed. Don’t forget to take a photo by the radar tower. You can pretend you’re visiting from The Upside Down — the park is said to be the inspiration for the Netflix series “Stranger Things.”

Montauk has no shortage of watering holes, so grabbing an afternoon drink and bite is next on the list. When in Montauk, I like to hop around — preferably on the Hamptons Hopper or Free Ride.

A few stops along my afternoon could be:

Gigshack. A stop at the Main Street venue would include a Montauk Hard Label whiskey cocktail, like the blueberry lemonade.

Navy Beach. I’d order a few of the small bites, including the chickpea falafel (above), and one of the signature cocktails.

Duryea’s. Perfect setting for a glass of white wine and some fresh lobster rolls.

The Montauket. It’s one of the best sunset views in Montauk. And when in Montauk, it’s all about being on the water.

Jessica@indyeastend.com

@hamptondaze