Your guide to a family-friendly day trip to Montauk 

The LIRR can get you there; it’s the last stop on the South Shore. It’s more than three hours by train from Penn Station, but your duration of travel depends on where you get on. The Hampton Jitney also makes the journey, but you’ll need to board in Manhattan, Brooklyn or JFK, LaGuardia and MacArthur airports (hamptonjitney.com). If you’re driving, just get to Route 27 and stay on it heading east. There is a fair amount of free parking in the downtown village area, but at two-hour limits; the only beach within walking distance of the village is Kirk Park Beach.

Joni’s Kitchen (34 S. Etna Ave.; 631-668-3663, jonismontauk.com) is a busy stop for an early day meal, as it only serves breakfast and lunch. Among its menu sections is a “Kids Corner” that includes items like the “bearito” (brown rice, black beans, avocado, sour cream in a tortilla), the “Jack & Jill” (PB&J with banana under a honey drizzle with multigrain bread) and the “Frisbee” (cheddar cheese quesadilla in a whole wheat tortilla). Mr. John’s Pancake and Steak House (721 Main St.; 631-668-2383) is another option, a cash-only classic stop that’s been in the hamlet for more than 50 years and serves breakfast items like crepes, omelets, waffles and pancakes. Another longtime favorite for the same dishes is Anthony’s Pancake House (710 Main St., 631-668-2823, anthonyspancakehouse.com), which has been serving since the 1950s (and is also cash-only).

For lunch, John’s Drive-In (677 Montauk Hwy.; 631-668-5515, johnsdriveinmontauk.com) — which doesn’t actually have a drive-through — has also been serving Montauk for more than half a century. Cash-only here as well, there are a few outdoor tables. Menu items are mainly burgers and grill food, but don’t sleep on its homemade ice cream, which includes flavors like rum raisin, black raspberry and toasted coconut. Pizza is readily available at spots like Pizza Village (700 Montauk Hwy.; 631-668-2232, pizzavillagemontauk.com, cash only), Sausages Pizza & Pastabilities (781 Montauk Hwy.; 631-668-1144, sausagesmontaukpizza.com) and Primavera Pizza (4 S. Erie Ave.; 631-668-1601, orderprimaverapizza.com). For a sit-down dinner try Gosman’s Restaurant, (500 West Lake Dr.; 631-668-5330, gosmans.com) where they have a children’s menu that includes a cheeseburger, chicken tenders, mac-and-cheese, fish-and-chips and fried shrimp.

Over at Inlet Seafood (541 East Lake Dr.; 631-668-4272, inletseafood.com), chicken fingers, mac-and-cheese and penne are the kids’ choices, but the sunset view is remarkable for all ages. If you're looking for a sweet treat try Frozen Anchor (478 W Lake Dr.; 631-668-8190, thefrozenanchor.com), which includes offbeat ice cream options like “olive oil strawberry jam,” “miso cherry” and “cotton candy” on its menu. The spot has a sister store in the Candied Anchor (721 Montauk Hwy.; 631-668-8038, candiedanchor.com), which serves candy “by the scoop” (by the pound that is), like gummies, chocolates and sours. For more frozen stuff, Pink Frog Cafe (34 S. Etna Ave.; 631-483-5989) has organic ice cream, while Fudge N’ Stuff (7 The Plaza, 631-668-4724; cash-only) has been selling homemade fudge, chocolates, milkshakes and candy for more than three decades.

One of the newest editions to the scene is Sundae Donuts (716 Montauk Hwy.; sundaedonuts.com). Tucked into Montauk’s two-story downtown shopping center, you’ll know you’re in the right place when you see its halo-with-angel wings neon sign. It’s selling the very in-demand-right-now North Fork Doughnut Company doughnuts and Sail Away brand coffee, as well as ice creams and sorbets.

If there’s one place in Montauk especially geared for the little ones, it’s Puff 'n' Putt (659 Montauk Hwy.; 631-668-4473, puffnputt.com, cash-only), which features mini-golf and a small second-floor arcade equipped with a few standing video games and prize machines. Located along Fort Pond, pedal boats, canoes, paddleboards and kayaks are also available to rent by the hour or half-hour.

If a ride around this scenic community is preferred, consider the Ryde Montauk (rydemontauk.com) bike share program. Head over to the operators at Montauk Surf & Sports (716 Montauk Hwy.; 631-668-9300, plazasurfandsports.com), download the app, rent a bike and return it when finished.

Visit one of many county or state parks in the area, which generally have beaches and hiking trails. Hither Hills State Park (164 Old Montauk Hwy.; 631-668-2554, parks.ny.gov) has a beach, playground and fishing opportunities, plus the option to camp ($35 nightly for state residents; $70 otherwise); parking is $10 daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Sept. 13.

Of course, it would be a lost opportunity to come to Montauk and not visit the lighthouse (2000 Montauk Hwy.; 631-668-3781, montauklighthouse.com). The grounds are currently open, but the tower remains closed. Nonetheless, the museum is back in business. There’s beachfront and if you need something to light up your Instagram, a photo of the lighthouse is a surefire selection (especially when the sun sets and the building takes on an orange glow). Parking is $8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; admission to the grounds and museum is an extra $5-$10.

For hiking options, Camp Hero State Park (1898 Montauk Hwy.; 631-668-3781, parks.ny.gov, parking: $8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) stands out as it’s a former military facility where you can walk near a massive retired radar tower and sealed bunkers. Shadmoor State Park (900 Montauk Hwy.; 631-668-3781, parks.ny.gov) also offers some decommissioned military sights and it is leashed dog-friendly. Parking is free.

For another place to go camping, Montauk County Park (527 E. Lake Dr.; 631-852-7879, suffolkcountyny.gov) has outer beach sites along Block Island Sound. Permits are required: visit parks.suffolkcountyny.gov to reserve a check-in date. The current standard fee for outer beach green key holders is $26; $41 otherwise.

Then again, if you’re in the Hamptons and the sunny fun in Montauk isn’t right for your kids, the Children’s Museum of the East End (76 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Tpke.; 631-537-8250, cmee.org) has reopened, with current hours at 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday and Friday; reservations are required ($19, $7 for members; fee includes an educator-led craft session).

Surrounded by water and long-considered a surfing paradise, chances are you’ll want to hit the beach. Kirk Park Beach (lot at the corner of S. Emerson Drive and South Eagle Street; 631-324-2417, ehamptonny.gov) is the only beach open to nonresidents, and to park there between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., you’ll need to pay $35.

Should you pass by the residents-only Ditch Plains Beach (Ditch Plains Rd.; 631-324-2417, ehamptonny.gov), you’ll get a chance to grab some grub at the legendary Ditch Witch food truck (at the end of the Otis Road entrance), notable for its tacos and iced drinks. Gin Beach (the north end of E. Lake Dr.; 631-324-2417, ehamptonny.gov) is also residents-only, but anyone can drop into The Boneyard beverage shop (541 East Lake Dr.) just outside its entrance, which also happens to have a backyard equipped with a patio and croquet set.

As for surfing, seeing all the locals hang ten with ease might make you want to learn how. Coreyswave (coreyswave.com) offers a Kids' Surf Discovery for young beginners (ages 8-14 suggested but older/younger OK; $175 daily per child), but they recommend private or semiprivate lessons for children, which is suitable for kids as young as three (kids should be confident swimmers). Lessons range between $125-$215 through Sept 20.; $125-$190 after that date. 

If you’d rather ride above the waves rather than on them, Sailing Montauk (sailing from Sam’s Star Island Yacht Club and Marina: 59 Star Island Rd.; 631-668-2826, sailingmontauk.com) has no age restrictions; excursions must be booked in advance. Two-hour trips aboard the company’s 26-foot Mon Tiki Mini catamaran are $220 for two guests, $290 for three hours; additional passengers will cost extra (due to current health restrictions, the Mon Tiki Mini is limited to four guests).