The END

Montauk is better than ever this Fourth of July weekend. 

After weathering several severe storms that hit downtown Montauk this winter, nearly wiping out its shoreline, with high tides, flooding rain, and damaging winds, the beautiful beaches are back again with newly replenished sand, thanks to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District. According to their website, “The $11.7 million project placed 500,000 cubic yards of sand along 4,100 feet of coastline in downtown Montauk and also refurbished dunes,” in the ever eroding, always rejuvenating oasis known as The End. In anticipation of the long Fourth of July weekend, this carefree, laidback beach town, has once again transformed itself into a hotbed of entertainment and exciting activities.    

Celebrate the Fourth of July with the spectacular Stars Over Montauk Grucci Fireworks Display at Umbrella Beach starting around 9 p.m., or venture on a 4^th of July Viewing Cruise around Montauk Harbor on the Viking Fleet where a ticket will buy you drinks, food, and a live performance by The Realm Band on board. Starting with Cocktail hour at 6 p.m., set sail at 7 p.m., and watch the magnificent fireworks as you come into Fort Pond Bay, disembarking at 10:30 p.m. Hosted by The Montauk Chamber of Commerce.

Enjoy free Monday Night Concerts on the Green all summer long from 6-8 p.m. hosted by The Montauk Chamber of Commerce. This summer will feature the talented local musicians, Bingo Bango!, Lynn Blue Band, Steven Tekulsky Band, The Dog Watchers, The Realm Band, Annie Trezza, Gene Casey & The Lone Sharks, Sarah Conway & The Playful Souls, and Ray Red. Bring your lawn chairs and beach blankets and sit on the grass to enjoy the magical sounds.

Or step into Tauk @ Trail’s End at 63 South Euclid Ave. on Monday nights from 7-10 p.m., when they play live music presenting Joe & Klyph’s Excellent Jam (Joe Delia, keyboard, Klyph Black, guitar, Greg McMullen, pedal steel guitar and James Benard, drums). Internationally famed pianist/composer Joe Delia along with his all-star blues rock band, perform weekly in this packed nightspot, inviting fellow artists up to participate. Have a beer at the bar, or squeeze into a table for a full meal in this tiny popular joint that rocks all night long.

On Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. savor the tastes of the Montauk Farmer’s Market on the Green, displaying over 40 vendors, it is the largest Farmer’s Market on the East End. From artisan flavored ravioli to pure raw honey to vine to the brine pickles to vegan juices and more, it is an epicurean’s delight. Hosted by The Montauk Chamber of Commerce.

View the spectacular Art Show on the Green, Friday through Sunday, August 16-18, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with over 70 artisans participating, hosted by The Montauk Artists Association. Observe works of fine art in oil, watercolor, acrylics, pastels, graphics, mixed media, sculpture, photography, and fine art jewelry for sale. 

Fierro’s Pizzeria, a family-run business for over 40 years in East Hampton, just opened another venue this May in Montauk, Fierro’s Pizzeria Montauk, where the former Blade + Salt used to be at 54 S. Erie Ave. Featuring their world-class pizzas, wraps, wings, fabulous French fries, amazing eggplant parmigiana heros, and desserts, it is more than just a pizzeria. The four owners, brothers John and Al Fierro, Joe Page, and Randy Kendall are excited about their new venture in Montauk. Open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Enjoy outdoor seating at the quaint picnic tables and Adirondack chairs. 

Sunny Melet, owner of Pre Loved MTK, a small, chic vintage clothing shop she opened in 2021, is nestled in the courtyard at 805 Montauk Highway, adjacent to Martell’s Stationary Store on Main Street. Sunny, a native of Montauk, learned about the fashion industry from her parents, who are in the business. From her world travels, she is always discovering unique gems to enhance her collection. On her recent trip this spring, she stopped at a small surfing and fishing town, a bit like Montauk in its essence, Essaouria, Morocco, where she was inspired by the Medina. She brought back old French workwear by curator, Khalid, with the free-spirited lifestyle motifs craftily embroidered by local artisans. You can find Sunny at Pre Loved MTKdaily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., when she’s not on her surfboard shooting the curl at Ditch Plains beach. 

Montauk has some of the best waves on the east coast, attracting surfers from around the world. Ditch Plains, a popular surfing spot, offers longboard friendly waves. Legendary longboarder Tony Villar, has been surfing Montauk since the ’60s, performing accelerated drop-knee turns and side-slip 360s. Montauk Point offers the more advanced surfer steep takeoffs and long fast walls at Turtles, Alamo and Avalanche, located to the right and beneath the Montauk Point Lighthouse. It is the oldest lighthouse in New York State, built in 1796, and sits atop a 68-foot high bluff, overlooking the ocean.

The Montauk Canyon Challenge, sponsored by SI Yachts and hosted by the Montauk Yacht Club, is an annual event, run by Richard Lucas and Chris Squeri, begun in 2011 to restore Montauk as the Northeast Premier Offshore Fishing Destination. The tournament has the largest money payout and number of boats on Long Island. It is a great opportunity to catch offshore tuna in the deep waters off Montauk Point. A portion of the proceeds go to Maggie’s Mission, a charity dedicated to fighting childhood cancer and supporting families affected, in honor of Maggie Schmidt of Long Island, who in 2017, lost her life to cancer at age 17. The tournament begins on Friday, July 12 at 7 p.m. and ends Saturday, July 20 at 3 p.m., followed by an Awards Dinner and Party at the Montauk Yacht Club. 

Whatever activities you choose to enjoy in Montauk, always respect the environment, especially the ocean. Montauk’s fragile coastline, frequently battered by storms, needs continual protection and preservation to ensure this idyllic paradise will never end.