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The best scenic stops along Montauk Highway

Take a stop along your drive

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Driving the entire length of the Hamptons along Montauk Highway probably isn’t something people would go out of their way to do, considering traffic can get serious and a single-lane highway isn’t exactly the most efficient drive. But if you find yourself along Montauk Highway for longer than expected, there are some really beautiful scenic spots along the way that often go unnoticed.

Next time you’re driving out to Montauk Point for a Sunday morning lighthouse trip, or next time you’re on your way back west to the city, take your time to check out these beautiful spots.

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Shinnecock Canal, Hampton Bays

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Starting at the point where most people agree the Hamptons begin, the Shinnecock Canal is a great place to look out to the water. There are usually boats docked in the canal, and restaurants along the waterside are typically lit up at night.

Shinnecock Bay Overlook, Hampton Bays

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If you’re driving along County Road 80 to get to Montauk Highway, there’s a great stretch of land that looks out over Shinnecock Bay. The view is particularly great from Edgewater Restaurant.

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Southampton Windmill, Southampton

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This windmill, found on Stony Brook University’s Southampton campus, is reportedly haunted by Beatrice Clafin. The building served as her playhouse and when she was still young she fell down the steps, broke her neck, and died. There are reports of people seeing the face of a little girl looking out the windows.

A post shared by BrianJackson (@brijack10580) on

Hill Street, Southampton

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Even though the speed limit is a slow and “strictly enforced” 25 miles per hour along Hill Street, the course of the road is beautiful.

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Agawam Park, Southampton

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If you have time to stop, Agawam Park is a great place to break from a drive to eat lunch and feed some ducks.

Parrish Art Museum, Water Mill

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The Parrish Art Museum has beautiful grounds. It’s a fun thing to catch on your drive past.

Corwith Windmill, Water Mill

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Located on Montauk Highway in Water Mill, the Corwith Windmill stands on a site that used to be home to another windmill—but the first windmill was actually destroyed in a three-day blizzard in 1811.

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Hayground Cove, Water Mill

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Hayground Cove is another beautiful scenic stop for those who need the sound of running water.

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Poxabogue Pond, Sagaponack

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Not only is there Poxabogue Pond, but there’s Little Poxabogue Pond, and an adjacent Poxabogue County Park. Plenty of nature scenes.

Long Pond Green Belt

Sagg Swamp Nature Preserve, Sagaponack

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Sagg Swamp is a local favorite.

A post shared by Amy Sullivan (@amysul123) on

Wolffer Estate Vineyards, Sagaponack

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The stretch of land that the vineyards is set on is beautiful to drive past.

Town Pond, East Hampton

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Right near the South End Cemetery, Town Pond may be small, but it’s worth a stop.

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South End Cemetery, East Hampton

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It may seem weird to have a cemetery listed as a scenic stop on our list, but it has some incredibly old tombstones that have been kept in great condition. Directly next to our previous map point, Town Pond, you can get two birds with one stop stopping in this East Hampton village spot.

Maidstone Club, East Hampton

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The historic Maidstone Club is set on some of the most beautiful land in the Hamptons—which is part of why it has such a good reputation.

Napeague State Park, Napeague

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Pretty much all of Napeague consists of Napeague State Park, so it’d be a shame to not take a stop to view the beautiful land.

Hither Hills State Park, Montauk

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Driving to and from Montauk is so beautiful largely because of the state parks that you drive through getting there, Hither Hills being the main one.

Hither Woods Preserve, Montauk

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Hither Woods Preserve is an extension of Hither Hills State Park, and the wooded area is just so peaceful to drive past.

A post shared by Kumi Sawyers (@shadylawn) on

Fort Pond, Montauk

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If you’re really feeling like you need a break from driving, there are restaurants on and near Fort Pond that you can enjoy the view from.

Montauk Downs, Montauk

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This golf club is a great place to stop for a view of peaceful golfing.

Shadmoor State Park, Montauk

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Shadmoor State Park is right on the water. Stop by the beach and snap a few photos.

Lake Montauk, Montauk

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Drive along West Lake Drive or East Lake Drive to soak in those views.

A post shared by Danny Gomez (@dannyleegomez) on

Oyster Pond, Montauk

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Located right off the bay, Oyster Pond has amazing water views of the pond and bay alike.

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Camp Hero State Park, Montauk

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The park that Stranger Things was based on is definitely a bit creepy at times, but well worth the stop.

Montauk Point Lighthouse, Montauk

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A tourist and local favorite alike, the Montauk Point Lighthouse is a great place to end your scenic drive out to the easternmost point on Long Island.

Shinnecock Canal, Hampton Bays

Starting at the point where most people agree the Hamptons begin, the Shinnecock Canal is a great place to look out to the water. There are usually boats docked in the canal, and restaurants along the waterside are typically lit up at night.

Shinnecock Bay Overlook, Hampton Bays

If you’re driving along County Road 80 to get to Montauk Highway, there’s a great stretch of land that looks out over Shinnecock Bay. The view is particularly great from Edgewater Restaurant.

A post shared by Charles Certain (@nativenoiz) on

Southampton Windmill, Southampton

This windmill, found on Stony Brook University’s Southampton campus, is reportedly haunted by Beatrice Clafin. The building served as her playhouse and when she was still young she fell down the steps, broke her neck, and died. There are reports of people seeing the face of a little girl looking out the windows.

A post shared by BrianJackson (@brijack10580) on

Hill Street, Southampton

Even though the speed limit is a slow and “strictly enforced” 25 miles per hour along Hill Street, the course of the road is beautiful.

Google Maps

Agawam Park, Southampton

If you have time to stop, Agawam Park is a great place to break from a drive to eat lunch and feed some ducks.

Parrish Art Museum, Water Mill

The Parrish Art Museum has beautiful grounds. It’s a fun thing to catch on your drive past.

Corwith Windmill, Water Mill

Located on Montauk Highway in Water Mill, the Corwith Windmill stands on a site that used to be home to another windmill—but the first windmill was actually destroyed in a three-day blizzard in 1811.

A post shared by Andrew Maniquiz (@andotman) on

Hayground Cove, Water Mill

Hayground Cove is another beautiful scenic stop for those who need the sound of running water.

A post shared by #amy (@amykped) on

Poxabogue Pond, Sagaponack

Not only is there Poxabogue Pond, but there’s Little Poxabogue Pond, and an adjacent Poxabogue County Park. Plenty of nature scenes.

Long Pond Green Belt

Sagg Swamp Nature Preserve, Sagaponack

Sagg Swamp is a local favorite.

A post shared by Amy Sullivan (@amysul123) on

Wolffer Estate Vineyards, Sagaponack

The stretch of land that the vineyards is set on is beautiful to drive past.

Town Pond, East Hampton

Right near the South End Cemetery, Town Pond may be small, but it’s worth a stop.

A post shared by @sweethamptons on

South End Cemetery, East Hampton

It may seem weird to have a cemetery listed as a scenic stop on our list, but it has some incredibly old tombstones that have been kept in great condition. Directly next to our previous map point, Town Pond, you can get two birds with one stop stopping in this East Hampton village spot.

Maidstone Club, East Hampton

The historic Maidstone Club is set on some of the most beautiful land in the Hamptons—which is part of why it has such a good reputation.

Napeague State Park, Napeague

Pretty much all of Napeague consists of Napeague State Park, so it’d be a shame to not take a stop to view the beautiful land.

Hither Hills State Park, Montauk

Driving to and from Montauk is so beautiful largely because of the state parks that you drive through getting there, Hither Hills being the main one.

Hither Woods Preserve, Montauk

Hither Woods Preserve is an extension of Hither Hills State Park, and the wooded area is just so peaceful to drive past.

A post shared by Kumi Sawyers (@shadylawn) on

Fort Pond, Montauk

If you’re really feeling like you need a break from driving, there are restaurants on and near Fort Pond that you can enjoy the view from.

Montauk Downs, Montauk

This golf club is a great place to stop for a view of peaceful golfing.

Shadmoor State Park, Montauk

Shadmoor State Park is right on the water. Stop by the beach and snap a few photos.

Lake Montauk, Montauk

Drive along West Lake Drive or East Lake Drive to soak in those views.

A post shared by Danny Gomez (@dannyleegomez) on

Oyster Pond, Montauk

Located right off the bay, Oyster Pond has amazing water views of the pond and bay alike.

Google Maps

Camp Hero State Park, Montauk

The park that Stranger Things was based on is definitely a bit creepy at times, but well worth the stop.

Montauk Point Lighthouse, Montauk

A tourist and local favorite alike, the Montauk Point Lighthouse is a great place to end your scenic drive out to the easternmost point on Long Island.