As much as I love New York City, this was my favorite day of the trip. I’ve wanted to visit the Hamptons forever, so I was so excited I was able to make it work.

March is considered the off-season, so there are a lot of restaurants and shops fully closed for the season. This is something to keep in mind if planning a trip - but also keep in mind it’s very busy in the summertime.

I was still able to find plenty to do for the day. I took the 7:45am train from Penn Station to Montauk and arrived around 10:45am. It’s about a 3-hour train ride with one easy transfer just outside of New York City. I took the 5:30pm train home, so I had about 7 hours in Montauk to see and explore.

COFFEE & BEACH

First order of business was, of course, coffee. I was on the hunt for good coffee in New York City, and that didn’t change in Montauk. I made a list of the few options available - Left Hand Coffee (closed for the season), OG Coffee & Juice, Hampton Coffee Company - and I picked HCC. From what I can tell, it’s a chain with locations along Long Island. I switched it up with an iced vanilla latte this time. 10/10!

The weather was PERFECT on this day - super sunny and about 55 degrees. You can’t complain about that for March in the Northeast. I wore a flannel and leggings, so sitting outside in the sun was so nice. I grabbed my coffee and sat outside to enjoy the weather.

I wanted to see the beach, and it was a short walk from the (I guess it’s ‘downtown’) area where Hampton Coffee Company was. The beach access was seemingly closed (although a few people passed by on the beach), so I sat down beside the boardwalk and watched the waves roll in.

THE LIGHTHOUSE

From the beach, I got an Uber to the Lighthouse. My Uber driver was a man who had lived in Montauk for about 10 years - he gave me tons of tips for places to visit, what to do if I come back in the summertime and made sure to point out the places around the Lighthouse with even better views. That’s how I got the cliffs shot (my favorite picture I took on the entire trip!).

I didn’t bother buying a museum ticket to actually go in to the Lighthouse because I had heard the general area was perfect for seeing great views. You’re at the easternmost point in New York, so the “End of the World” views are breathtaking.

There were little trails around the Lighthouse to get to the water and some higher points. Although it wasn’t open, there is also a restaurant across from the Lighthouse with great views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, George’s Lighthouse Cafe. Would be perfect for a summertime visit!

Now for getting the few miles back to ‘town’ - this isn’t easy if you don’t drive yourself. Taking an Uber to the Lighthouse, I didn’t realize I wouldn’t have service when I went to order another to get back. Like, absolutely no service at all. Luckily, I got the phone number of the taxi company from the Lighthouse gift shop and, after 3 failed calls and sweating bullets for a minute, it went through just long enough to ask for a ride from the Lighthouse.

I was preparing myself to either walk the 3 miles back, hitchhike or just start a new life by the Montauk Lighthouse forever. I kinda liked the last idea.

LUNCH & BEERS

After almost getting stranded (a little dramatic but whatever) at the Lighthouse, I needed some lunch and a beer from Montauk Brewing Company. I was so excited to visit this place because ^^ just look at it. It’s exactly what I picture when I think Montauk!

I grabbed lunch at the place directly next door - Street Food. It was a quick walk up place with tables outside. I grabbed my lunch from Street Food, a summer ale from Montauk Brewing Company and had myself a little afternoon.

I spent a lot of the afternoon just hanging out at MBC before heading back to the train station around 5pm. Because so many of the local shops and restaurants were closed, it was a very laid back day of just enjoying the views and atmosphere. But I loved every second of it, and would love to go back in the summer sometime!

If you ever find yourself in New York City and wanting to see something a little (a lot) different, hop on the train and head to the End of the World!