Montauk Point Lighthouse

For avid enthusiasts only

132 miles East of Manhattan on Route 27 Sunrise Highway, at the very tip of Long Island, it takes some effort to get to the Montauk Point State Park.

If you find a place that’s small enough to be considered a hamlet, you'd probably dismiss it as boring. But there’s Montauk, a small place in Suffolk County, New York. It’s named after the Montauk American Indians.

Montauk has become so popular among tourists and vacationers that locals have built a considerable number of hotels, to accommodate them. College students living and working in the United States are also attracted to Montauk. But what is it exactly about Montauk that's drawing more and more people?

First, there's the 724-acre Montauk Point State Park. It's a heavily wooded tundra that leads to the eastern tip of Long Island and the popular Montauk Lighthouse. The park gives you a unique view of the sea, especially when the water is calm.

But if bodies of water don’t interest you, you can always choose to hike, cross-country ski or just watch the seals offshore. If you’re less adventurous, you can enjoy picnics, fish (Montauk is the fishing capital of the world), view the wildlife or simply watch children run around the playgrounds.

You don’t really need a map to find the Montauk Point State Park.You can always ask people around the place, to find it. But if you want to navigate easily to the park’s exact location, it’s at the easternmost part of South Fork of Long Island. That’s right at the end of New York State Route 27, Sunrise Highway.

If you want to see more of the park, you can always choose to go to the 209-year-old Montauk Point Lighthouse. The structure was built and completed in 1796, during the time of President George Washington. The Montauk Point Lighthouse is New York's first lighthouse. It stands 110'6" tall and has lights that flash every five seconds.

When it was built, the tower was all white. Its brown band midway was added much later, in 1900. Three years later, a 3.5 order bivalve clamshell lens replaced the first-order lens.

Even greater than its historical value, the Montauk Point Lighthouse allows you to see Connecticut, Rhode Island and Block Island on a clear day.

Another activity that one can enjoy while in Montauk is visiting the Second House Museum. It's a farmhouse – actually the second house – built in the 1700s for East Hampton shepherds. The museum, which pastures surrounded before, now boasts of rose and herb gardens.

There's also the interesting petting farm at Rita's Stable. It houses baby animals, goats, calves, peacocks, sheep and other creatures. This place is ideal for kids and the whole family.

The Ditch Plains Beach, more popularly known as the surfers' beach, is also in Montauk. It contains cliffs rising at its west end and two concession trailers that offer more than just snacks. The ocean beach has attracted long board surfers, many of whom continue to come back—even in winter!

When in Montauk, finding food is not a problem. At numerous restaurants, you can have the freshest seafood served right at your table. There are at least 50 restaurants that will satisfy your taste buds. When you’re in Montauk, make sure to try seafood that’s served hot off the grill!

Montauk Point Lighthouse is a wonderful place to visit. The tower and grounds are now maintained by the Montauk Historical Society, and are open for tours 10 - 5:30. There is a gift shop and a museum with some great exhibits. (631) 668-2544 www.montauklighthouse.com