AUGUST 2019 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 69
THE END-ALL
18 HOLES IN HEAVEN
Fishermen aren’t the only sportsmen
who drool at the thought of a
Montauk vacation. We’d be remiss to
not mention that for golfers, there’s
Montauk Downs State Park (50 S.
Fairview Ave., 631-668-3781, parks.
ny.gov/parks/29), including an
18-hole championship course, driving
range, tennis courts, swimming pool
and restaurant. Originally developed
in 1927 by Carl G. Fisher as a private
course, everyone can now enjoy Montauk
Downs, consistently rated as one
of America’s top public golf courses.
Be prepared for a challenge, though:
The course is one of the windiest locations
in the country and weather
conditions can make the play different
each day.
SAND AND SURF
As you might imagine, all forms of
saltwater pursuits are the dominant
activities in Montauk. For surfers
and bodyboarders, paradise can be
found at the always-popular Ditch
Plains Beach (18 Ditch Plains Rd.),
where one can typically hang ten and
find great waves. Multiple local surfing
businesses offer gear rental and
lessons at Ditch Plains, and there are
public restrooms and outdoor showers,
as well as food trucks. Parking
can be tricky, since it is limited and
by permit only, so it’s better to park
at the nearby Montauk Lighthouse
and walk.
You may, however, prefer to watch
the surfers, rather than actually
jumping on a board yourself. In that
case, spend an hour or two hiking the
trails at Shadmoor State Park (900
Montauk Hwy., 631-668-3781, parks.
ny.gov/parks/16), which lead to majestic
cliffs overlooking Ditch Plains.
It’s a relatively quick (10 to 15 minutes)
and easy walk, and the views from
the top are some of Montauk’s best.
Another great option for enjoying
the Montauk beaches, without paying
excessively to do so, is to visit Hither
Hills State Park (164 Old Montauk
Hwy., Montauk; 631-668-2554; parks.
ny.gov/parks/122) which costs
just $10 per car, or is free with the
Empire Pass. There’s a lovely beach
and playground, a huge oceanfront
campground, biking and hiking trails
and the popular “walking dunes” of
Napeague Harbor. It’s also a beloved
surf-fishing spot that’s open yearround
to anglers.
That’s only scratching the surface
of Montauk’s bountiful beachfront.
Locals and regular visitors all have
PRESS BUZZ: DESTINATIONS
their favorites, so you may want to
try a few different options, depending
on crowds, parking and related
fees. Popular spots include Gin Beach
(East Lake Dr.), Kirk Park Beach (95
S. Emerson Ave.), Amsterdam Beach
Preserve (Montauk Hwy.) and Atlantic
Avenue Beach (south end of
Atlantic Avenue off Bluff Road).
ON THE WATERFRONT
After basking on Montauk’s vast
stretches of pristine, unspoiled
beachfront, you may feel the urge
to return to civilization, even if just
briefly. For this purpose, and perhaps
to consume some fine seafood, head
over to Gosman’s Dock (W. Lake Dr,
631-668-2549, gosmans.com), founded
in 1943 by fish vendors Robert
and Mary Gosman at the entrance
to Montauk Harbor. You’ll love the
oceanfront ambiance of the place,
as well as the variety of shopping
and dining options, including a fish
market and the ever-popular Gosman’s
Seafood restaurant, once just
a humble dockside chowder stand.
In addition to filling up on lobster
rolls and steamed clams, you may be
inspired by Montauk’s picturesque
scenery to seek out an experience
suitable for the silver screen, as
you gallop along the shoreline on
horseback. To make this fantasy a
reality, visit Deep Hollow Ranch
WHERE TO STAY
Aqualina Inn Montauk
20 S. Elmwood Ave., 631-668-8300,
aqualinainnmontauk.com
Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater
Spa
290 Old Montauk Hwy., 631-668-
2345, gurneysresorts.com
Montauk Blue Hotel
108 S. Emerson Ave., 631-668-4000,
montaukbluehotel.com
Montauk Manor
236 Edgemere St., 631-668-4400,
montaukmanor.com
The Ocean Resort Inn
95 S. Emerson Ave.; 631-668-2300;
oceanresortinn.com
(8 Old Montauk Hwy., 631-668-2744,
deephollowranch.com), the reputed
“birthplace of the American cowboy”
and oldest working ranch in the U.S.,
founded in 1658. The ranch offers trail
rides for all ability levels, including
waterfront rides along Block Island
Sound, plus its Summer Pony Camp
for kids aged 7 to 12. If you’re going
to ride off into the sunset, this is the
place to do it.
WHERE TO DINE
Gosman’s Restaurant
500 W. Lake Dr., 631-668-5330,
gosmans.com
Harvest on Fort Pond
11 S. Emery St., 631-668-5574, harvest2000.
com
Joni’s
28 S. Etna Ave., 631-668-3663, jonismontauk.
com
Muse at the End
41 S. Euclid Ave., 631-238-5937, museattheend.
com
Naturally Good Foods & Cafe
779 Montauk Hwy., 631-668-9030,
naturallygoodcafe.com
Montauk is known for its
phenomenal fishing. (GettyImages)
Montauk is a local mecca for surfers. (GettyImages)
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