Whether you’ve been eyeing them for some time or are just learning about this unique NYC activity for the first time, I’m here to take you on a virtual tour of Tea Around Town in New York City!

If you’re planning to book this unique NYC activity, don’t forget to use my code KASIA5 for a Tea Around Town discount! Use Top View NYC to book your own afternoon tea time!

All you need to know about tea around town

What is the Tea around town Experience?

Tea Around Town NYC is a British-style afternoon tea experience but with a twist! Rather than sitting in a tea room, you’re cruising around mid-town in a double-decker pink bus. You’re served a variety of teas along with some bite-sized foods like savory sandwiches, scones, and pastries. In addition, you get to learn about the important NYC landmarks and are immersed in live entertainment by the staff.

Different Ticket Types for Tea Around Town

There are two different ticket tiers for the Tea Around Town experience. You’ll have the option of either the Standard Ticket for $69 and Premium Admission for $109. The difference between the two is supposed to be priority boarding, an expanded menu, and the option of a non-alcoholic mocktail. Both tickets include a branded plastic cup as a souvenir.

When checking in, on my specific tour, there was no distinction between the Premium ticket holders vs Standard ones. Our table was also pre-assigned so priority boarding isn’t a perk if you ask me. In terms of food, the Premium ticket menu has some additional items and you get a choice of non-alcoholic rose or mocktail. If alcohol was indeed included in the higher price, I’d say pay the extra amount. However, with what is currently included and at a difference of almost $40 between the two, I’d say the Standard Option is sufficient unless you’d like the additional food items.

The Tea Around Town Bus

The overly decorated bus was my favorite thing about this tour. The decoration, details, and overall vibe were one of a kind. The top seating was great for viewing and the roof was transparent allowing in extra light. We were seated among a pastel winter wonderland theme and I believe they change the decor seasonally as well.

The seating on the bus is very comfortable and there was also a bathroom on board. I thought that drinking hot tea on a moving bus might be challenging but our driver was super smooth! Happy to say that there were no spills or food drops throughout the tour.

Food & Beverages Options

As mentioned earlier, the main difference between the two ticket types is the type of menu you are offered. So let’s dive deeper into what the menu entails! Note that all these items are bite-sized as they are meant to be during teatime.

Both tickets include the following items:

• Savory: Cucumber & Cream Cheese Sandwich, Light and Green Egg Mayo Sandwich, Truffled Deviled Eggs, Plain Scone with Preserve and Creme on the side
• Sweets: Chocolate Mousse Tart, Pumpkin Tart, Macaron
• Tea and Coffee: Choices vary based on the tour, we got offered Earl Grey, Hibiscus Tea and Peppermint (our ride was not being offered coffee and I didn’t inquire about it)

Additional items included on the Premium Menu:

• Savory: Mini lox Bite on Pumpernickel, Village Rib Sandwich, Mini Lobster Puff
• Sweet: Cheesecake, Mini Eclair, Lemon Meringue and Pumpkin Cheese Cake (these slightly vary between the tours)
• Mocktail: Refresh Rose or Mockberrry Mint Delight

Overall I found the food very tasty between all the options! My favorite items were the Village Rib Sandwich and the Cheesecake. The non-alcoholic rose was very nice too but I do wish they served a glass of champagne instead. Teas were indeed delicious but we were only offered 3 out of all the ones the menu lists. Not sure if that’s the case on every ride but you won’t have the choice of all as listed on the menu.

Entertainment

The route had two types of entertainment. First, we were given some basic info about the iconic landmarks we drove past, and then second was the staff that sang on the route. Honestly, our performer could have easily been on Broadway! She had an amazing voice and at first, I didn’t even realize she was singing live! She sang some romantic NYC tunes as we sipped on our tea.

The staff taking care of us was lovely and they went above and beyond to make sure you’re happy with your experience.

Route Driven

I am including the picture of the route you’ll drive from the Tea Around Town website so you can get an idea of what you’ll see. Note that you don’t pause at any locations, just drive past them. If you’ve never been to NYC, the route will highlight the most popular spots in the city.

FAQ About Tea Around Town in NYC

What should I wear for afternoon tea on the bus?

This is quite a popular activity for girls’ weekend, a birthday or a bachelorette party. You’ll see groups dressed in themes, in pink or in traditional afternoon tea attire. In my opinion it’s a fun way to engage with the activity and lets you take amazing pictures against the stunning background on the bus! However, most people on our tour wore normal casual clothing as well, so if you’re not in the mood for a coordinated outfit, don’t worry! You’ll fit in no matter what!

Where does the tour meet?

The tour meets at a location near Bryant Park. They provide the coordinates for you but the bus is slightly up the street. It might not be in the exact location but you can’t miss the giant pink bus parked ahead. There are many (6-10) tours throughout the day so confirm that your bus is the one that’s boarding new people rather than un-loading the previous group.

Boarding the Bus

The check-in process was not smooth at all to be completely transparent. There are no indications of how to line up and who to check in with. You have to scan your tickets with one person and then get checked in by another. No one also checked who had VIP and there was no priority boarding at all. The tables are pre-assigned so it doesn’t really matter when you get on, but I wish the organization was a little less chaotic than it was.

How long is the experience?

The tour is supposed to be 90 min including the boarding time so you end up on the bus for about ~75 min. It’s more than enough time for this experience.

Are there restrooms on the bus?

Yes, there are restrooms located on the lower level of the bus. There are also public bathrooms in Bryant Park right next to the bus’ meeting point.

Is the tour suitable for dietary restrictions?

Since this is a pre-set menu, if you’re a vegan or have any specific needs, I don’t think this is the experience for you as most of the food choices contain dairy, fish, and meat.

Final Thoughts on Tea Around town NYC

Tea Around Town is a cute and unique NYC activity that you can enjoy with a group or a friend (you do need to book a minimum of two tickets as well so this is not a solo activity option). The bus is stunningly decorated, the food is tasty and the tea is hot! Whether you’re visiting from out of town or are a local, I hope this post gave you some insight into what the Tea Around Town experience entails!

Coupon Code for tea Around Town NYC

If you’re planning to book this unique NYC activity, don’t forget to use my code KASIA5 for a Tea Around Town discount! Use Top View NYC to book your own afternoon tea time!

Thank you to Tea Around Town for hosting me on this experience!

Tasty Tours NYC Greenwich Village Food Tour does an amazing job not only with its food route but also with highlighting various interesting cultural landmarks.

In this blog post, I will take you along on this Greenwich Village NYC Food Tour by Tasty Tours NYC. We’ll go to the general itinerary which I hope convinces you to book this gem of a tour for your next weekend adventure.

Whether you’re a local or someone visiting New York looking for a unique activity, this is an amazing tour that I highly recommend!

Why Choose Greenwich Village for a Food Tour?

With so many interesting neighborhoods in NYC, I often find it hard to narrow down which area I want to explore when choosing a food tour. While I am no stranger to Greenwich Village, I realized how little I know about its history and its staple food gems.

Greenwich Village boasts a captivating tapestry of cultural history and a food scene that emphasizes the culinary diversity of NYC. Steeped in artistic legacy and progressive ideologies, this iconic neighborhood has long been a melting pot of cultures, attracting intellectuals, bohemians, and food enthusiasts alike. Greenwich Village’s culinary landscape is a reflection of its eclectic community, offering an array of flavors from around the globe.

In essence, Greenwich Village isn’t just a destination for food; it’s a destination for culinary discovery, where every bite tells a story and every meal is an opportunity to connect with the soul of this iconic neighborhood.

Why Choose Tasty Tours NYC Greenwich Village Food Tour Compared to others?

Tasty Tours NYC is run by Ryan who is truly passionate about bringing you on this culinary journey with him. He started the company last summer to combine activities that make his soul happy: being outdoors while finding something unique about his neighborhoods, eating well and sharing that experience with others, and meeting exciting people from all over the world.

I had a blast spending the afternoon with him and he made everyone on the tour as if he was your NYC friend taking you on an afternoon adventure around his favorite neighborhood.

What I specifically loved about his itinerary were the following:

1. diversity of the foods chosen for this route – it was a selection of some of the best NYC staples
2. dietary accommodation for a vegetarian diet – this particular tour accommodated my friend who was vegetarian and didn’t feel like she was left out of any tastings!
3. historical spots and learning about the neighborhood which I otherwise wouldn’t have known about
4. group size, and overall atmosphere!

What to Expect on tasty tours NYC Greenwich Village Food Tour

Food Tour Logistics

The Greenwich Village Food Tour consists of 6 food spots along with stops at historical landmarks in between. It’s meant to highlight the cultural staples of NYC food with its diversity in cuisine. It’ll last between 2-3 hours depending on the pace of the group and you’ll walk for about 1.5 miles. It’s priced very well at $79 a tour which is more than reasonable for all that you get!

Food Stops

When you’re eating at 6 places, the key to experiencing every bite equally is pacing. The last thing you want to do is be full after the first or second stop. I could confidently say that Tasty Tours NYC figured out the perfect portions for us! Each of the stops below was awesomely chosen and the combination of all different cuisines genuinely hit the spot each time.

If you’re curious about the itinerary, on Tasty Tour’s Greenwich Village Food Tour, these are the stops we covered on our particular tour:

Food Stop 1: Bagel Bob’s

The tour started at a local college staple, Bagel Bob’s. Having grown up in New Jersey and been spoiled by some really good bagels throughout my life, I am very picky about my spots. What makes NYC/NJ bagels so good is indeed the water that we have in this area and years and years of craft experience. Bagel Bob’s did not disappoint with their perfect creations: a classic hand-rolled sesame bagel with whipped cream cheese.

And the cutest thing was the fact that these bagels were miniature! I mean … perfection.

Landmark Stops: House of Death, Washington Mews and Washington Square Park

After our delicious bagels, we made our way over to the House of Death, an unassuming brownstone known for multiple ghost sightings and some spooky history. Oh, and it’s famous for the fact that Mark Twain briefly lived there and is seen roaming around as a ghost to this day 👻.

Our next landmark stop was the Washington Mews, now a picturesque gated street and previously a known horse stable/home neighborhood. It’s not hard to understand why this area was and still is highly desirable among artists, creatives, and educators. It is truly a super charming oasis in the middle of busy NYC.

Our last digestion stop for this leg of the tour was the amazing Washington Square Park. This park is simply a must on any NYC itinerary so I’m glad it is included on this tour. I always love people-watching there at any time of the year, however, Ryan told us some spooky history that I didn’t know was a part of the park’s story.

Food Stop 2: Mamoun’s Falafel

Having gone to Rutgers University, I am no stranger to Mamoun’s which also has a location in New Brunswick. So when we stopped at the original location, I was ecstatic. We had the most perfect Falafel along with their homemade sauces! I am not lying when I tell you these are some of the best falafels you’ll ever have.

Landmark Stops: Comedy Cellar

Right next to Mamoun’s is NYC’s best-known comedy institution, Comedy Cellar. If you’ve never heard of this place, it’s famous for comedians to randomly show up and test out their new material there. It has multiple shows per day and is a place that you should visit at least once in your life. Don’t be surprised when your phone is taken away, that’s usually a sign that someone big is coming up on stage!

Food Stop 3: Faicco’s Italian Deli

There is nothing more NYC than a true Italian Deli! So our next food stop had to naturally be that at Faicco’s Italian Deli. You can truly feel the vibe of a traditional Italian shop when you step foot inside the store. Not only can you find a variety of Italian products but you can also get a fresh Italian sub for later 🙂

Our tasting included mini arancini balls in fresh marinara sauce. They were truly mouthwatering and I would have easily eaten 5 more.

Landmark Stop: T-Swift Apartment

Unlike the rest of the world, I am not a Swiftie. However, it was cool to make our next landmark spot at 23 Cornelia Street, a former home of Taylor Swift. While unassuming from the outside, this is actually a giant space with a pool!!! inside the apartment!

More than the apartment, I enjoyed the charming street and neighborhood that it was located on. I can certainly see the charm of this place as an inspiration for her songs.

Food Stop 4: Bleecker Street Pizza

And now to my favorite stop of the tour, the pizza stop!!! I am a huge pizza gal so when I found out that we’ll be stopping at Bleecker Street Pizza, my soul was happy.

We had the traditional Margherita-style slice. If you’re not a stranger to NYC-style pizza, you’ll love this particular slice! On the other hand, if you’ve never had a true NYC slice, this will set your standards pretty high.

Food Stop 5: Little Taco

Continuing the trend of NYC staples, we stopped at an unassuming hole in the wall, The Little Taco. We had carne tacos for the non-vegetarian group and cactus tacos for our plant eaters. Both versions were awesome and I’d certainly come back to try other foods there.

Landmark Stops: Friend’s Apartment, Twin Houses of Commerce Street

Next, we took a walk towards the famous Friend’s Apartment. Most fans of the show know that the show wasn’t filmed there however, this apartment is seen as the opening scene for most of the episodes. It was cool to see it in person especially that I wouldn’t have probably visited this touristy spots by myself!

After seeing the Friend’s Apartment, we walked over to see the Twin Houses of Commerce Street. We learned about the history of this unique building and walked around the charming streets surrounding them.

Food Stop 6: Molly’s Cupcakes

Last but not least, we ended the tour at Molly’s Cupcakes tasting NYC’s famous sweet treats. Molly’s is an award-winning cupcake shop and has a very unique selection of flavors!

I had the Samoa Cupcake which was stuffed with some mouth-watering coconut filling. It was the perfect ending to our afternoon tour!

Final Thoughts on Tasty Tour NYC’s Greenwich Village Food Tour

Having been on a dozen+ food tours all over the world, it’s hard to find unique experiences that don’t feel scripted. But I can easily say that Ryan from Tasty Tours NYC has created the PERFECT Greenwich Village Food Tour!

All the stops were perfectly curated, the portions perfectly portioned and most importantly, the tour was a ton of fun. I’m sure that repeating the same route multiple times per week gets well … repetitive. However, his excitement and enthusiasm felt as if he was taking a friend around for the first time. He made sure to personally spend time with each of the tour’s participants and share something personal with them.

If you’re in NYC looking for a unique activity, don’t think twice and book one of Tasty Tour NYC Food Tours. In addition to the Greenwich Village one, Ryan also hosts routes on the Upper East and West Side as well.

How to Book Your Greenwich Village Food Tour with Tasty Tours NYC

Simply visit his website for the schedule! Here is the link for ya.

I want to thank Tasty Tours for hosting me and my guest on this tour. You can be sure that this opinion is honest and that I wouldn’t recommend something I personally did not enjoy!

Now let me tell you. If you want to eat some seriously delicious food, learn about local Jewish history, and spend time with an awesome host, this tour is just that!

In this post, I’ll take you on this Upper East Side Jewish Food Tour journey with me! I hope it inspires you to check out this unique NYC activity 🙂

A little bit on Ultimate Food Tour’s background

I gotta say, aside from my curiosity about the food and its history, I always love learning about how unique ideas were born. Rarely are cool things carefully planned and executed, often times they happen because of a random life circumstance that pushes us to do something different. That follows Scott’s baby, or Ultimate Food Tours, which started as hobby, turned an Airbnb experience, and now is a well-established NYC Food Tour company offering 4 amazing options through NYC’s most iconic neighborhoods.

Things born out of pure passion and interest often reflect that in the actual experience and that’s certainly how I felt listening to Scott. He walked us through the history of the food and the neighborhood all with a personal connection and passion radiating from him. He was very knowledgeable about the topic and genuinely excited to take you on this tour. There is such a difference in the quality of your time when your guide has his full heart in what he does!

And Some Quick Logistics about the Jewish Food Tour

• The tour starts on the Upper East Side and continues throughout it
• This is mostly an outdoor walking tour so wear comfy shoes and dress weather appropriate
• Yes, there will be bathroom stops along the route
• Don’t eat much prior to the tour and portions will keep you full so no need to book resys for after either!
• The cost of the Jewish Food Tour is $90 per person which is very standard for a food tour experience

Let’s go on a Jewish Food Tour in NYC!

Stop 1: Orwashers’ Bakery

What’s more iconic than a real NYC bagel with lox? Nothing, so it was only appropriate to start this awesome food tour with the most delicious bagel topped with cream cheese, lox, and some green onions. If you know me, you know I am very picky about my lox and I do not overhype anything subpar. But let me tell you, Orwashers nailed this!

In addition to the tasting itself, this is where our history of Jewish foods begins. We learned that traditionally this was a sandwich that in order to become appropriate with kosher customs, had to get “re-invented” a little. This combo was originally intended to have a herring addition but since salmon was more available and cheaper in NYC, that ended up being the winner. Who knew that this substitution would become such a staple! Since the Yiddish word for Lox is Laks, that’s where that name came from. Today, this iconic sandwich is something most New Yorkers enjoy for their weekend breakfast!

In addition to their amazing bagels, Orwashers also serves bread, pastries, and cakes! Make sure to grab a traditional rugelach cookie as well!

Stop 2: Schaller’s Stube Sausage Bar

For our next stop, we had some delicious New York hot dogs. But this wasn’t some simple hot dog from a street vendor, this was some next-level meat. A perfectly done hot dog in a pretzel bun with sauerkraut and mustard was the perfect next bite!

At first, I was surprised about how hot dogs can be tied into local Jewish history. But we learned about how the famous Hebrew National Dogs came into the market and how they are still one the most popular selling hot dogs around! They’re iconic slogan of answering to a “higher authority” got them national attention and was one of the first major kosher items to start selling in supermarkets.

We also learned about the kosher custom of eating meat vs. dairy and how kosher restaurant certifications come about. I absolutely love learning about the influence of cultures on food and especially the new inventions that come about in melting-pot cities like New York!

Stop 3: Pastrami Queen

Continuing on our tour, we headed over to Pastrami Queen. If you’re a New Yorker, a good pastrami sandwich is a staple in your diet. While some will argue that Katz’ has the best one in town, after trying Pastrami Queen, you might change your mind. This hole-in-the-wall spot does indeed serve an awesome sandwich that I will cross the Hudson River from Jersey to have again. Not only was the pastrami perfectly cured and seasoned, the rye bread (which comes from Orwashers Bakery!) perfectly complimented it as well.

Stop 4: William Greenberg Desserts

Last but not least, we stopped at William Greenberg Desserts for the one and only, Black and White Cookie! If you’re from this area, chances are you had dozens of these in your life. Although what appears to be a pretty simple cookie, it’s not as easy to find a well-made black and white as you’d imagine. This bakery did indeed nail this and it was the perfect way to end our Jewish Food Tour in New York.

As many black and white cookies as I enjoyed in my life, I had no idea it carried a Jewish-American history nor that it’s thought to have roots in Manhattan itself. It also carries some interesting stories related to the war! Who knew this simple classic cookie carries so much cultural importance!

Thoughts on the Jewish Food Tour in NYC

I personally love learning about cultures through their food. It’s especially fascinating in areas like New York City where multiple nationalities, religions, and customs all come together in search for a better life. With that, different combinations of origins along with substitutions for traditional ingredients created masterpieces like a lox bagel, a pastrami sandwich, a hot dog or even a cookie! While we may be eating these foods on a regular basis, learning about their origins makes each bite that more special.

Going on this Jewish Food Tour in New York with Scott’s Ultimate Food Tour was such an awesome weekend activity. I’d certainly recommend it if you’re looking for a unique thing to do in NYC! I loved it for its history, exploring the Upper East Side neighborhood in a different way, and most importantly the delicious food choices.

Whether you are a local like myself or someone visiting NYC for the first time, I’m confident you’ll enjoy this activity as much as I did!

And if the food stops on this route don’t necessarily go with your taste palette, Ultimate Food Tours has other routes in Chinatown, Times Square, and their Iconic Food Tour throughout the city.

I want to thank Scott for inviting me and my guest to spend the day with him! The opinions in this post are my own!

When I visit new cities, I simply love doing food tours! But when Ahoy NYC Food Tours invited me on a tour in my own neighborhood, I didn’t know what to expect. I mean, a Little Italy and Chinatown food tour in NYC? I’ve eaten in these areas dozens of times so how could I possibly discover new things?

Well, spoiler alert. Ahoy Food Tours killed it! Not only did I eat some amazing Asian and Italian food but also learned about their shared immigrant history and saw some cool new spots in both neighborhoods. It’s safe to say that even when you think you’ve seen it all, you can ALWAYS find hidden gems in your own neighborhoods! You can have a Perfect Day right around the corner.

In this review, I will share some general information about the NYC Little Italy and Chinatown Food Tour along with an overview of the food we tasted.

At the bottom of this post, you’ll find a discount code for Ahoy Food Tours that you use when booking!

Let’s Start with Some Useful Info

Ahoy Food Tours has been around for a while, since 2008 to be exact. Each tour consists of a small group of up to 13 people. Their most popular public tour is the Little Italy and Chinatown Food Tour in NYC but they also have another multicultural one on Mulberry Street. They also offer private and corporate events. Prices are pretty average for a food tour compared to local companies.

Our tour guide Maryana was amazing. She was super knowledgeable about the neighborhoods, history, and food of course. We really enjoyed her expertise!

Dietary Accommodations

Food tours and dietary restrictions don’t always go hand in hand. Previously I attended a food tour in another city where a company listed that they accommodate a specific food allergy. In practice, that accommodation ended up being a total failure and the tour ended up a dud for our group then.

My guest on Ahoy’s Food Tour was vegetarian so we knew that she wouldn’t be able to taste everything. But what pleasantly surprised us is that in every spot which included a meat bite, the tour had prepared a substitute delicious veggie tasting for her. Each accommodation is different but if you’re a vegetarian, don’t worry about missing out! They do a great job with substitutions!

Overall Itinerary

The tour lasts approximately 3 hours, there are 8 tastings with one alcoholic beverage included. You will certainly feel full after the tour as the portions are generous (for a food tour of course).

You’ll be walking for about half a mile outside so dress accordingly to NYC seasonal weather. During the stops outside, you’ll learn about the Chinese Exclusion Act, the tenements of the area, the dark history of Chinatown, and the immigrant history of Little Italy. As an immigrant myself, this was a very interesting portion of the tour. It shows how the people and history shaped the area along with the food and how much struggle they went through in hopes of a better life in this country.

Tasting Stop Overview

• At our meeting spot, we enjoyed hot tea and a pork bun
• Then we had some dumplings
• Next was a Chinese sponge cake
• Then a fresh mozzarella with prosciutto
• And some gnocchi with amazing marinara sauce
• Next was a cheese sampling from a famous cheese shop
• My favorite was the following sit-down stop with eggplant rollatini and a cold beer
• And lastly, we had cannoli to end on a perfect sweet tooth!

I was so full at the end and so happy with all the delicious tastings. There truly wasn’t a bad meal on this Little Italy and Chinatown food tour in NYC.

Now let’s dive a little more into each tasting!

Tasting 1: Tea Tasting with a Chinese Pastry

Our tour started at Silk Road Cafe for our first tasting of Jasmine Tea. It was served in cute little glasses and we let it seep while we settled in and got our introduction to the tour. Our tour guide explained the importance of balance within traditional Chinese cuisine. We sipped our tea and enjoyed her explanation of herbal concoctions throughout history.

Next was an insanely delicious pork bun (and taro bun for my vegetarian friend) from Fay Da Bakery. The slightly sweet bread along with the salty and perfectly seasoned pork was a perfect combo. The taro bun had a combination of sweetness with floral undertones, and almond slices on top were a great touch. I could have easily eaten two more!

Tasting 2: Dumplings

Next, we headed over to Tasty Dumplings for some meat dumplings! Dumplings to me are always fascinating since most cultures in the world figured out their unique way of stuffing their favorite ingredients in a form of a dough pocket. For example, Eastern Europeans have pierogis, South Americans have empanadas, Italians have ravioli and Asians have dumplings! In essence these are allt’s the same food, yet they are all so different to each culture.

Back to Tasty Dumplings though, don’t let this hole-in-a-wall fool you with its simple appearance. The dumplings were superb!

Tasting 3: Spongecake

We enjoyed our next tasting which was a (purple) spongecake from Kam Hing Coffee Shop while listening to some interesting history behind Doyers Street. It’s quite wild yet fascinating and I won’t spoil it for you because it’s just one of those stories you’ll have to hear about in person. For a tad more suspense, I also won’t tell you the ingredient that makes the spongecake purple. I’ll save that detail for your tour too.

Tasting 4: Fresh Homemade Mozzarella wrapped in Prosciutto

After our Chinatown tour stops, we headed over to Little Italy. Personally, I have eaten many meals there and attended (my favorite) San Gennaro Feast! I love the food in that area so I was very excited about discovering some new gems!

Our first location in Little Italy was Alleva Dairy, which is the oldest cheese shop in America. Upon entering the shop, you could immediately smell the delicious scents of authentic Italian deli. We sampled homemade mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto (or if you’re from Jersey like me then call it mutz) 🙂 Since the cheese was unsalted, the cured prosciutto beautifully complimented it!

Tasting 5: Fresh Pasta

Our next bite was pasta in tomato sauce at Piemonte Ravioli. It was a small pasta store that sells pasta to very popular clients! I expected the sauce to be salty, however to my surprise, it had a slightly sweet aftertaste. We learned that it’s the tomatoes that give it that distinctive taste.

Tasting 6: Imported Cheeses and Olives

You can NEVER ever have enough cheese so when we arrived at Di Palo’s Fine Foods and tasted some Piave (cow milk) and Moliterno (sheep milk), my soul was super happy. Not only was the cheese amazing, but the store itself is such an institution. Their imported foods are impressive, I mean check out these cheese wheels!

Tasting 7: Eggplant Rollatini

Benito One was our sit-down spot where we had some Eggplant Rollatini along with an alcoholic beverage of our choice. The rollatini was probably my favorite meal out of the tour since I am a sucker for some good Italian!

The restaurant itself was such an interesting place and I am certainly planning to come back for a full dinner soon with my family.

Depending on the tour, the sit-down locations vary between this one and having Dim Sum at Nom Wah Tea Parlor.

Tasting 8: Cannoli

Last but not least, we ended the tour with the perfect sweet tooth treat, a pistachio cannoli! Normally the tour does this tasting at Ferrara Bakery, which I LOVE dearly, however, it was closed on the day we did the tour.

Is Ahoy’s Little Italy and Chinatown Food Tour in NYC worth it?

Yes it is. As someone who has done a dozen of food tours, I have to say I really enjoyed Ahoy’s Food Tour. All the tastings were delicious and it was great to learn some interesting neighborhood history along with it. The food portions and picks were great, our tour guide really knew her stuff, and it was a great afternoon activity to do with my best friend.

Ahoy was generous to share this discount code for Perfect Day readers so you guys can save some $$. Visit their website for the tour schedule.

USE CODE PDSAHNY TO SAVE 20% OFF AHOY FOOD TOURS!

If you’re a fan of food tours, you’ll like this one. If you’ve never done one, Ahoy will set the bar high!

I am thankful to Ahoy’s team for the invite and I assure you that this is a truly honest and independent opinion about it.

In his best style, he shares ways to save money through cheap attractions, transportation, and finding good places to eat that won’t break the bank while you’re visiting New York City. Having grown up right outside of NYC, I could tell you that these are some of the best picks for seeing NYC on a budget.

This guide is perfect for a first-time NYC visitor who wants to experience NYC for what it’s best known for but not empty their wallet in the process.

Perfect Day Somewhere welcomes Nomadic Matt and is thrilled to have his guest post for the best tips on visiting NYC on a budget!

In this guest post, all the recommendations are Matt’s while the photos are mine or stock.

This page contains Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking it, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Visiting New York on a Budget: Guide by Nomadic Matt

New York is one of my favorite cities in the world. It’s one that I called home for six years, written a guidebook about, and visit so often my friends joke that it’s like I’ve never moved away. 

This is home to almost 10 million people who collectively speak over 800 languages. You can find every culture in the world here. It’s also famous for its incredible art scene, world-class museums, diverse restaurants, theater productions, cocktail bars, history, festivals, and countless other things. 

A lot of visitors get sticker shock visiting the city and its reputation as being one of the most expensive cities in the world keeps a lot of people away. There’s no doubt the city is expensive and many prices have gone up. Luckily, there are plenty of things to fill your New York City itinerary that won’t cost you an arm and a leg — if you know where to look! 

Here are some ways to explore NYC on a budget:

Take the subway 

New York and its boroughs (and parts of New Jersey) are well connected by subway, which will take you wherever you need to go, or close to it. (And riding it is an experience in and of itself.) 

Bopping around town means taking the train a lot, and fares can add up if you pay $2.75 for each ride. But a seven-day unlimited MetroCard is $33 — you just need to use the subway 12 times to get your money’s worth. 

Relax in Central Park 

Designed by famed and prolific landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Central Park is the perfect (and free!) spot to relax, away from the hustle and bustle. It has lots of meandering paths, bike lanes, and lakes in which you can row. You can easily spend hours wandering around, as the park covers over 843 acres. 

During the summer months, there are often free concerts and theater productions (line up early for tickets to Shakespeare in the Park). From the late spring to the early fall, there are also free guided walks run by the parks service on Saturdays at 11am. 

Go on a free walking tour 

There are dozens of walking tours in New York to choose from (including many free ones), in seemingly every niche possible, from history to Jewish history tours to ghost tours to Mafia tours to food tours to pub crawls. 

My two favorite free tours: Free Tours by Foot offers over 18 different options, focusing on different neighborhoods and Big Apple Greeter is a program that pairs you New Yorkers who volunteer to show visitors around for a day. 

Get free museum admission 

NYC is home to some of the best museums in the world. Many offer free entry (usually a “pay-what-you-wish” policy) on certain days of the week. Some that offer discounted entry or free admission are:

• The Whitney Museum of American Art 
• The Solomon R. Guggenheim 
• The Cooper-Hewitt National Museum of Design 
• The 9/11 Memorial Museum 

The days and discounts vary, so be sure to check the museum’s website for more information. Most require you to book your visit in advance.

Eat on the cheap 

While the city is famous for high-end restaurants, there are a ton of food carts, dollar-slice shops, kebab places, bagel spots, and inexpensive Asian eateries (especially Indian, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai) that can help you eat out without breaking the bank. Some of my favorites include: 

• Ess-a-Bagel — 831 3^rd Avenue
• Murray’s Bagels — 500 Avenue of the Americas
• Vanessa’s Dumplings — 118A Eldridge Street

• Jacob Restaurant
• Manna’s Restaurant

• Gray’s Papaya — 2090 Broadway
• Crif Dogs — 113 St. Mark’s Place
• Joe’s Pizza — 150 E. 14th Street and other locations

• Percy’s Pizza — 190 Bleecker Street
• 2 Bros Pizza — 32 St. Mark’s Place and other locations

There are inexpensive falafel and gyro stands all over Manhattan, but the best one is Mamoun’s in Greenwich Village on MacDougal Street.

See the Statue of Liberty from the Staten Island Ferry 

The Statue of Liberty is spectacular to see up close (it’s as big as you imagine), but if the line’s too long or you don’t want to pay $30, take the free Staten Island ferry for photos of the statue and the city skyline instead. It’s a faster, cheaper, and a more local experience, as commuters use this ferry to travel between Staten Island and Manhattan. The ride takes about 20 minutes each way.

Walk the High Line 

Made from a converted elevated train track, the High Line is an extremely popular urban walking park on the west side of NYC. It runs for 1.45 miles and is lined with overlooks, gardens, public art, food stalls, and greenery. Having opened in 2009, the park now receives over 8 million visitors each year. 

Go for a walk, sit with a book, people-watch — the High Line is one of the best things in town to do, especially on a nice day. (The new Whitney Museum of American Art is located near the southern terminus of the park. It’s worth visiting too, or at least admiring the incredible architecture from the outside!) 

Stroll along the Brooklyn Bridge 

Located near City Hall, the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world when it opened in 1883. Today, it’s a major tourist attraction and local icon. 

Walking the 1.6 miles across the bridge into Brooklyn and the waterfront park on the other side takes about 25 minutes. Stopping to take photos and meandering extends the walk to about 40 minutes. I suggest going in the evening so you can see the lights of the city skyline.

See a Broadway Show – at a discount! 

You can’t come to N.Y.C. and not see a Broadway show. There are many great ones to choose from, from musicals to Shakespeare to offbeat productions. There’s nothing better than witnessing N.Y.C. theater. It is an integral part of life here that you should definitely check out. Visit the TKTS booth in Times Square to get half-price tickets. You need to arrive at the counter the same day to see what they have, but it’s usually a wide selection. Be prepared to wait in line for about an hour.

See Grand Central Terminal

Grand Central Terminal is the city’s historic train station. It was going to be torn down in 1975 but was saved by Jacqueline Kennedy, who raised money for its preservation. I love coming to the main concourse and looking up at the “stars” in the ceiling as everyone races to and fro.

Attend a taping

TV shows like Saturday Night Live, The View, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show, Last Week Tonight, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon offer free tickets to their tapings (although they must be reserved well in advance). See each show’s website for details and to make reservations.

Browse Street Markets and Festivals

All year long, there are street markets and festivals if you look for them. In the summer, you pretty much can’t wander around on a weekend without running into one. In the winter, there are holiday markets in many of parks, selling hot chocolate and goodies. I like to just walk around these festivals and people-watch.

Consider getting the New York Pass 

This sightseeing pass allows you free entry to over 80 attractions and includes a hop-on/hop-off tour. If you plan on seeing a ton of attractions, this can save you money. A one-day pass is $129 USD per person while a two-day pass is $174 USD.

Save on Accommodation

Accommodation in NYC can be very expensive. To save money on your accommodation, use discount rates like AAA or AARP, websites like Mr. Rebates or Rakuten, which can get you 1-4% cashback, check out HotelTonight, a hotel-booking app is perfect for last-minute bookings, and try SnapTravel, which sends hotel deals straight to your phone or Facebook account. You simply plug in your dates and what city you’ll be in, and they’ll send you the best deals. You can save up to 50% off the price of a hotel with them. They are a helpful, under-the-radar service that has saved me a ton of money. 

While New York City can certainly be pricey, it doesn’t have to be astronomically expensive to visit. True, it’s never going to be cheap, but it doesn’t have to break the bank either. By enjoying the abundance of free parks, museums, and attractions, you can explore this amazing city without missing out.

Author Bio:

Matt Kepnes runs the award-winning travel site nomadicmatt.com, which helps people travel the world on a budget. He’s the author of the NYT best-seller How to Travel the World on $50 a Day and the travel memoir Ten Years a Nomad. His writings and advice have been featured in The New York Times, CNN, The Guardian, Lifehacker, Budget Travel, BBC, Time, and countless other publications. You can follow him on Instagram at @nomadicmatt. When he’s not on the road, he lives in Austin.

Bonus from Perfect Day Somewhere for NYC on a budget during the holidays!

Matt’s NYC on a budget guide above includes ideas that are relevant all year round. However, if you’re visiting NYC in the winter, the city is filled with awesome things to see that won’t break the bank. There is nothing more magical than NYC lighting up with Christmas lights, stores decked out with all the holiday decor, and the Christmas trees popping up around the city. The best part is that seeing most of the best attractions won’t cost you anything. Here are some of my favorite NYC holiday spots to check out:

• Rockefeller Tree: This is one of the most iconic NYC Chirstmas locations for a reason. In addition to the tree, the whole Rockefeller Center has amazing decorations too. Is it crowded and touristy? Yes. Is it worth seeing at least once in your lifetime? Super yes.
• Saks Fifth Ave: Not too far from the tree, you’ll find the cute lights show on the Saks 5th Ave building. The show is a couple minutes long and repeats itself around the clock.
• Hudson Yards: Relatively a newer spot in the city as the Vessel only opened up a couple of year ago, Hudson Yards shops is an awesome spot for some unique holiday decor.
• Dyker Heights: This neighborhood is a little bit of a hike from Manhattan but in my opinion is also the coolest spot to see some holiday decor. Dyker Heights is a residential neighborhood in Brooklyn decked out with decorations beyond your imagination.

Final Thoughts

At the very start of Matt’s guide, he says that NYC is one of his favorite cities in the world and I couldn’t agree more with him. In addition to the endless things you can do in the city, I also truly love it for its diversity. You can find people from every nook of the world and every path of life. Going to NYC feels like you’re traveling the world every time you turn the corner. Each group has its neighborhood and people beautifully blend in together immersing themselves in each other’s cultures. I think that’s why I love it so much and no matter where else I travel, NYC will always has a special place in my heart.

More local guides:

Don’t forget that the best views in New York are actually in New Jersey 🙂 I hope you enjoyed this NYC on a budget guide. Here are some additional local guides from a local.

A Fabulous Girls’ Weekend at Crystal Springs Resort in NJ!

There is nothing better for the soul than a weekend getaway with your best friend! As a Jersey gal, I’m always on the lookout for awesome girls’ weekend getaway spots in the area and Crystal Springs Resort in North Jersey has always been on my radar for…

Continue Reading A Fabulous Girls’ Weekend at Crystal Springs Resort in NJ!

Tea Around Town NYC: The Most Instagramable Bus Tour Adventure

Living right next door to NYC, I am always on the hunt for unique experiences in the city. I couldn’t tell you how many times I have seen Tea Around Town on my feed whether it was on Instagram, TikTok, or other blogs, so I was thrilled…

Continue Reading Tea Around Town NYC: The Most Instagramable Bus Tour Adventure

A Tasty Tours NYC Food Tour Adventure – Unlock the Flavorful Secrets of Greenwich Village

New York City is an amazing place for many reasons but one of my favorite ones is the fact that we truly have access to the best foods from all over the world. However, due to the sheer abundance of restaurants, it’s often hard to find the…

Continue Reading A Tasty Tours NYC Food Tour Adventure – Unlock the Flavorful Secrets of Greenwich Village

A Delicious Jewish Food Tour in New York with Ultimate Food Tours!

Living in New Jersey/New York area spoils you rotten when it comes to experiencing good food. You get fantastic cuisine from almost every culture which sets your expectations high when it comes to any food activities. When I heard about Ultimate Food Tour’s Jewish Food Tour in…

Continue Reading A Delicious Jewish Food Tour in New York with Ultimate Food Tours!

Credits: Banner Image Photo by Jermaine Ee on Unsplash

I should preface that these expectations are for an average, non-clout-seeking traveler with a non-Hamptons salary. If you have a summer home or a large wallet, you probably won’t benefit from this guide. With that said, let’s get to the brutally honest Montauk travel guide for all the fellow “broke b*tches”. I’ll cover the logistics of getting there, things to do, and tell you what traveling there entails.

Note that you may encounter some affiliate links in this post. They will not make anything more expensive for you but rather provide a small commission for me should you choose to book it via the link I provide. Since I do not charge for any of my awesome travel advice and don’t make you sign up for anything to download my stuff, I appreciate any link clicks and bookings through here 🙂

Montauk Travel Guide – Most Important Things to Know

Where is Montauk

The Hamptons collectively refer to a group of towns in the Eastern part of Long Island. Montauk is at the tippy tip and it’s considered the more “low-key” of them all. What once was a quiet resort/fisherman town is now the chosen destination of many influencers that want to be seen. I wanted to see this place for myself as I’ve heard very mixed opinions about it. So I planned my 2-day route with stops along the way that would let me admire the other Hamptons even for a little and see what the hype is all about.

This itinerary is for a simple 2-day local weekend getaway. I’ll give you my best tips and first impressions that I experienced there. Before we jump into the plan though, here are some quick logistics about this destination.

Montauk Transport

Getting to Montauk is easy. The first option is to hop on the highway from NJ/NYC and in 2.5-3 hours you’ll drive through all the Hampton towns into Montauk. Note that this will not be the case in the summer when you should add an additional hour or two to your drive due to traffic. The second option is a bus from the city like the Hampton Jitney or Hampton Luxury Liner. That ranges anywhere from $30-$70 each way which is not horrible. However, it does limit you to how you’ll get around town when staying there. Lastly, you can take the good old LIRR with a ton of stops along the way for a similar rate. The main advantage of a train ride, however, is skipping that dreadful traffic.

I opted for the driving option and there was virtually no traffic getting there. However, this was done in April, off-season for that area. It took about 3 hours to reach Montauk but we also made small detours along the way.

When you arrive, getting around is easy as most of the town is more than walkable. If you want to venture out to the lighthouse, wineries, or beach though, without a car this will not be the easiest of tasks. I personally and naively estimated the town to be a bit bigger than what it ended up being so I was a tad shocked when my drive within town ended within a couple of minutes.

Hotels in Montauk

First things first, BOOK SUPER SUPER SUPER EARLY.

Montauk is a smart town, you know why? Because keeping hotel prices at $600+ a night during the season keeps the broke b*itches away. They’re doing a great job because I certainly won’t be paying that to get back there. Every travel guide you read will tell you that Gurney’s or Surf Lodge is the absolute place to be. Are they nice? Heck yes, but will I drop $1000+ for a weekend at an Instagram hotel? Probably not. Some cheaper options include Montauk Blue Hotel or Royal Atlantic.

I stayed at Sea Crest Resort in Amagansett about a 10-minute drive outside of Montauk. My room had a 1 bedroom apartment and a sea-view balcony. At $300 a weekend night, it was a great place to stay in the area (compared to the insane rates 10 minutes away). Weekdays in April/May are even sold at half that price so if you’ve been dying to see Montauk for yourself, that’s your smartest option. For a deeper dive into cool spots check out Broke Backpackers Hotel recommendations there too.

All I’m saying is that you should simply know what to expect and not be shocked when you start looking at property prices.

Useful Things to Know for Montauk Travel

• Most people are dressed to impress so pack your best outfits. Chances are that you’ll see many Birkins around. Old money, new money, and just money all around.
• Restaurants are pricey and you’ll need a reservation almost everywhere.
• Gas is insanely expensive in town. There will be at least a $2 difference compared to the average prices so fill up before getting there.
• There aren’t that many things to do in Montauk aside from dining, shopping, and lounging. Unless you’re a part of that community, this destination may not be as exciting as you might think.

Your 2-Day Montauk Itinerary

Day 1: Drive through the Hamptons & explore the town

Stop 1: Hampton Bays

If you’re driving in, your first stop will be a cute restaurant called Rumba Inspired Island Cuisine & Rum Bar in the Hampton Bays. The place is cool, with fancy tiki feels on the inside, an outdoor patio, and a vintage bus outside. It had a ton of cocktail options and the food was pretty tasty. The place got packed by 11:30 am so I certainly recommend making a reservation.

The crowd was mixed. Some families celebrating birthdays with their kids, some Instagrammers, and some other fancy humans. This place was probably my favorite spot out this weekend so I genuinely recommend grabbing a meal/drink there. Aside from the restaurant, there isn’t much to do in the Hampton Bays from a touristy perspective.

Stop 2: Southampton

The next stop isn’t so much of a stop because you can admire the beauty of Southampton from the car 🙂 Driving in the Cooper Beach direction you can spot the mansions on Meadow and Gin Lane. Although the hedges will block most of your views, it won’t be hard to see why this is the most sought-after place to be. Driving through the side streets, I appreciated the location’s beauty. Streets lined with tall trees on both sides give the place a very special vibe. If you’d like to explore more of the town, you’ll find the boutiques and restaurants clustered near Main and Jobs Street.

Stop 3: Hotel check-in

If you drove early in the morning, you might get to the hotel before check-in. I always recommend asking if your room is ready though because 7/10 times it is. I stayed at Sea Crest Resort and they let us check in early so around 2:30 pm. This particular hotel was actually nice, located in Amagansett right on the beach. The downside of an April visit is that it’s way too cold to lounge outside. While Jersey had a beautiful warm and sunny day, the cold winds of the island made the beach experience not as pleasant. However, it was nice to grab a cold beer, enjoy the peaceful views and inhale some fresh air.

To be honest I did not expect the temperature difference to be so drastic. The trees weren’t even blooming yet compared to Jersey’s super high pollen counts. I took a fall jacket with me and ended up wearing it the entire time. Make sure to check the temperature before visiting and don’t assume that it’s as warm as its 2-hour neighbor.

Stop 4: Montauk

I was so excited to check out what the hype was actually about. But this is where I have to be a major party pooper and say whomp whomp, “downtown” Montauk is not that great. There is a circle and all of its 3 streets with some shops and restaurants.

The first stop was a quick recharge at Hampton Coffee Company and Montauk Bake Shop. I wanted to stop by Left Hand Coffee for its cool vibes but it was closed. We walked around a couple of overpriced stores in that area and quickly realized that a $100+ crop top is the norm there. Being a beer fanatic, I really wanted to check out Montauk Brewing Company, but due to the long wait, I ended up getting a growler to go instead.

Here are some other places to grab a drink that most people rave about:

• The Surf Lodge: hotel and restaurant known among the Instagrammers/TikTokers. Criticized for horrible service.
• The Montauket: is known as the best sunset spot in town.
• Navy Beach: another trendy popular place with an outdoor drinking scene.
• Liar’s Saloon: located on a dock, this is your local “dive” bar.
• The Point Bar and Grill: local sports bar in the area.

Stop 5: Montauk Lighthouse & Local Nature

The drive to the lighthouse is another 10-15 minutes east of the town. It was closed for renovations when I visited but the whole area was pretty nice. It was crazy windy so I didn’t get to explore much but I imagine that in the summer it’s a nice place for a stroll.

On that route 27 drive, you can find Deep Hollow Ranch, which allows you to go horseback riding in season right on the beach. Another landmark in that area is Camp Hero State Park, a nice park to get some outdoor exercise. If you love conspiracy theories, check out this article about the dark secrets of this exact park. Another nature stop is Shadmoor State Park.

If you’re craving some exercise and outdoor activities, there are many shops in Montauk offering bike rentals. From what I saw the trails there look great. Your Montauk travel wouldn’t be complete without at least getting some of its outdoor beauty in.

Stop 6: Dinner time

After exploring Montauk, we needed some rest and headed back to the hotel. Also, a cocktail before dinner never hurt anyone 🙂 Even off-season, it was hard to get a reservation a week and a half ahead of our visit so if you’re planning to visit the town, make sure to get those in ASAP. The only thing we were able to get was a “last-minute” table at Muse at the End. The food was good but the selection wasn’t the greatest and it was hugely overpriced for what it was. The crowd was a little fancier too. Overall the experience was fine but I wouldn’t say I fell in love with this place.

Here are some other highly recommended places for dinner in town:

• Harvest on Fort Pond – a family-style town nook
• Sammys – a low-key local staple
• The Shack – a nice place right in the heart of town
• Inlet Seafood – located a little further away but known for its amazing Seafood
• Salivar’s Clam and Chowder House – seafood place located at the dock with a cool outdoor terrace
• Gosman’s – another place on the dock with a topside terrace perfect for sunsets
• Scarpetta Beach – a boujee spot at Gurney’s

Bonus stop: Nightlife in Montauk

Montauk is the place to party in the summer. At least that’s what I hear. I’m a grandma so after dinner I snuggled up in my blanket with a glass of wine and called it a day. So if all day of exploring didn’t kick your butt yet, make sure to make your way out at night. The drinking places I mentioned above usually have something going on at night.

Day 2

Stop 1: Breakfast

Since I am an espresso and a croissant kinda breakfast gal, I was happy with my chocolatey find at Hampton Coffee Company. If you’re looking for something more filling, try Joni’s a known local spot with amazing breakfast options, or Anthony’s Pancake House, a low-key spot with good prices.

Stop 2: Winery

Since this is a two-day itinerary, I recommend stopping by a winery on your drive home. Long Island is known for its wineries and a lot of people love taking their private buses there for special occasions. There are a ton of places in the Hamptons to get some quality wine so if one more person recommends Wolffer Estate and their rosè, I might quite vomit on myself. Don’t get me wrong, their rose is good but the spot became more famous for getting the Instagram picture with a location tag than the actual wine.

Here are some additional picks for you to choose from. Don’t forget to make a reservation if you’d like a tasting.

• Channing Daughters– Bridgehampton. A charming winery with a unique sculpture garden. Tastings are $25 a person and they also have small snacks available for purchase. Wine prices are typically ranging from $18 to its most expensive bottle at $60.
• Jamesport – Jamesport. Beautiful outdoor space with a kitchen on-site that serves delicious pizzas. They do have tastings by reservation and most of their bottles run between $20-$35.
• Clovis Point – Jamesport. This is a by-reservation-only spot with very specific reservation and on-site rules. Their prices are a little steeper but they have a nice outdoor space and high reviews!

North Fork wineries may be a little further out however if you have some extra time during your Montauk travel and want to see that part of Long Island, this is a good excuse to venture out in this direction.

• Duck Walk – Southold. The North Fork wineries are stealing Hampton’s spotlight. Duck Walk offers $12 tastings with reservations and allows you to purchase some snacks in addition to allowing you to bring your own picnic. A ton of their wines are under $20 too. Some of their reviews however are concerning many commenting on the disrespectful staff. Remember, sometimes you get what you pay for 🙂
• Kontokosta – Greenport. Located even further into the North Fork, this modern winery currently offers bottle sales only and no tastings due to COVID. They’re by reservation only and do not allow outside food. It’s located on the water allowing for some unique views however familiarise yourself with all their current policies before visiting.

Other miscellaneous stops along the way:

Before ending your Montauk getaway, make sure to grab a fresh lobster roll at The Clam Bar in Amagansett. I will vouch for 100% for its quality and it was totally worth the $30.

Carissa’s Bakery is highly rated in East Hampton and located centrally if you’d want to peek into this Hampton’s lifestyle.

If you’re planning to stop somewhere else on your drive home, Tutto Il Giorno in Southampton and Sag Harbor won’t disappoint. The food is delicious and the space is very bohemian chic but expects steep prices.

Summer Time Beach Time

Since I visited Montauk off-season, going to the beach was not an option. However, in its peak season, this is one of the major reasons to visit this area. Since I am not one to give you beach advice as I only spent some time on one in Amagansett, I would check out this simple beach guide by On Montauk, to give you a better idea of what to expect from each. Here is a beach list and descriptions from their website:

• Amsterdam Beach: hike to access, remote but worth the hike.
• Ditch Pains Beach: surfer, popular, and with permit parking.
• Edison Beach: central popular beach with limited public parking.
• Gin Beach: quiet family beach with permit parking.
• Hither Hills: family beach with public parking.
• Kirk Park Beach: recommend the beach if you’re only in town for a day. Public parking.
• Montauk Point State Park Beach: not really a lounging beach, rocky for hiking. Public parking.
• Navy Road Beach: pebbly quiet beach, lots of boats.

Final Thoughts on Montauk Travel

Would I visit Montauk again? Probably not. Ugh, I hate to dislike places but let me explain why Montauk is not as dreamy as you might imagine it is.

First, this is not a place for a 5 or even 6-figure income person. Even the off-season rates are nuts and paying $1000+ for a weekend in peak season for a hotel is just silly. To put things in perspective, I spent two weeks backpacking in Peru for a little over that. Yes I know I’m comparing a South American country with a famous resort town in NY but if you’re an explorer like me, you get the point. I call myself a champagne backpacker because as much as I love nice things and spending money on experiences, a trip to Montauk is contributing nothing to my travel life.

Second, there really isn’t that much to do in this town. When I tell you that you can see everything there is to see in less than a day, I mean it. Aside from restaurants, a couple of nature preserves, and boutique shops, there is nothing special to do there.

Third, this is a spot to be seen and take pictures to say you spent a day in the Hamptons. As much as I like my pictures and posting about my travels, I do things for the sake of the experiences first. If I don’t like a place, I will be honest about it and not feed you bs that it’s a wonderful place to be.

But change my mind.

I’m certain my perspective on Montauk travel would be 1000 times different if I stayed in a large house with a nice pool or got that $1000 a night resort room without even thinking about the price. This post is aimed at an average Kasia who is looking to explore what her backyard has to offer.

So with huge disappointment, I vote Montauk a pass.

But Kasia, you traveled there off-season. What do you know? Well to compare, I had a phenomenal off-season experience in Newport, Rhode Island so if you’re curious about what made it different, find it in my post about it.

So should you visit Montauk?

Depends on what you’re looking for. I gave you all the tools and opinions to make that decision for yourself. Here is the research I gathered to make it easier to decide whether Montauk travel is for you.

More Off-Season Guides from Perfect Day Somewhere

Full Guide and Things To Do in Madeira: A 5-Day Itinerary for Off-Season Travel

One of the first catchphrases you’ll notice when you google anything about traveling to Madeira is how often it’s described as the “Hawaii of Europe” promising year-round spring weather. When deciding on my annual Thanksgiving travels, I figured it would be…

Continue Reading Full Guide and Things To Do in Madeira: A 5-Day Itinerary for Off-Season Travel

Simple Yet Awesome Off-Season Things To Do in Cape May

Cape May is a not-so-hidden South Jersey gem, famously located at Exit 0 off the Garden State Parkway. While its shore neighbors get a reputation for either being obnoxious or too family-friendly for someone without kids, Cape May ends up being…

Continue Reading Simple Yet Awesome Off-Season Things To Do in Cape May

An Off-Season Weekend Itinerary to Newport, Rhode Island

Newport in Rhode Island is a known warm-weather destination on the east coast. The problem is, the warmer it gets, the more people flock to this beautiful destination. I recently needed a weekend getaway that would satisfy my travel itch. Against…

Continue Reading An Off-Season Weekend Itinerary to Newport, Rhode Island

Perfect Weekend in Key West: Your New Favorite Getaway

I always imagined Key West as a destination for older couples who have seen a lot in their lives and now just spend their winters in this “wild-dad” destination. Naturally, I had to go and check out what the hype is…

Continue Reading Perfect Weekend in Key West: Your New Favorite Getaway

A Three-Day Montreal Itinerary for Discovering the City’s Unique Culture

While everyone on the east coast raves about winters and skiing in Quebec, I decided to explore Montreal instead. And let me tell you, Montreal is a gem even in subfreezing temperatures! I visited it in the dead of winter, not…

Continue Reading A Three-Day Montreal Itinerary for Discovering the City’s Unique Culture