When people think of New York, they usually think of the Big Apple before they envision the state’s scenic beaches. But head out to Montauk for a weekend, and you’ll see why it’s such a popular destination for people from all over the northeast. Go for the beautiful beaches, but stay to check out the Montauk Point Light, the oldest lighthouse in the state and a historic landmark.

The Montauk Point Light is the easternmost point of Long island, about two hours away from New York City. It’s not only the oldest lighthouse in the state, but the fourth-oldest active lighthouse in the United States.
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If you take the trip and are interested in learning more about the lighthouse’s history, you’re in luck: the lighthouse is also a privately-run museum.
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At the museum, you can read the lighthouse’s Congressional authorization that was signed by Thomas Jefferson and approved by George Washington.
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One great aspect of the lighthouse's location is that it’s near several other fantastic parks, including Camp Hero, Montauk Downs, Hither Hills, Shadmoor and Napeague.
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The lighthouse is adjacent to Montauk Point State Park, which has incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean and easy access to nature trails, as well as a great spot to fish and surf.
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The resident keepers of the lighthouse have historically been the U.S. Lighthouse service and the U.S. Coast Guard, but the lighthouse became automated by the Coast Guard in 1987.
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The lighthouse was finally designated a National Historic Landmark by the Secretary of the Interior in 2012.
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There’s no shortage of beaches and parks to explore in Montauk, and there’s no better perfect piece of history to bring you there than the oldest lighthouse in the state. Don’t forget to check out the Montauk Brewing Company before you leave town.

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2000 Montauk Hwy, Montauk, NY 11954, USA