New York State is a terrific location for beach enthusiasts, with long stretches of sand along the Atlantic coast and beautiful beaches in the Terrific Lakes and Finger Lakes districts to the north. There are a variety of beach alternatives in and around New York City, suitable for all types of travellers, from families and couples to singles and women seeking a break from the city’s bustle. Locals and visitors alike escape the heat and enjoy summer days on beaches with entertaining activities and water sports. The majority of them are only a few hours distant, making them ideal weekend getaways throughout the summer. Let’s take a look at some of New York City’s best beaches.
Coney Island
This beach on the outskirts of Brooklyn features two amusement parks and is conveniently accessible by subway trains. The original Nathan’s Coney Island restaurant, which opened in 1916 and hosts the annual Hot Dog Eating Contest every July 4th weekend, is still standing at the corner of Surf and Stillwell.
While the beach remains the main appeal, events such as the legendary Mermaid Parade in June attract visitors from all around the city. The parade, which celebrates the arrival of summer, is the largest art parade in the United States.
You won’t discover mermaids at the nearby New York Aquarium, but you will see plenty of marine life. The aquarium, which is currently part of the Wildlife Conservation Society, is the country’s oldest and houses 350 marine species, including 18 shark species from throughout the world. The aquarium is open all year, regardless of the weather.
Rockaway Beach
Rockaway Beach, located on the eponymous peninsula in Queens, offers a full day of activities including beach volleyball, fishing, seven playgrounds, and a 5.5-mile seaside promenade to walk along. It’s also the only beach in New York City that allows surfing, which is best appreciated during the summer. In the autumn, the waves are bigger and better suited to experienced surfers.
There are various ways to get to Rockaway Beach, including taking the colourful “brew cruiser” bus from Long Island City to the seashore Rockaway Brewing Company. You might also catch a ferry from Lower Manhattan’s Wall Street or Brooklyn’s Sunset Park.
Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach is located near Coney Island. This beach, which is located on the southern end of Brooklyn in an up-and-coming neighbourhood, is ideal for visitors wishing to avoid the throngs of Coney Island. It is easily accessible by car or public transportation, though parking can be costly at times.
Manhattan Beach offers a wide range of activities to its tourists, including shaded parks, sports courts, and baseball fields, in addition to the normal amenities. Because of its tiny size and calm waves, the beach is particularly popular with families with children. Most importantly, there is a grill area on the beach, making it a great location for gatherings and picnics. So, if you’re looking for a calm day at a local New York beach away from the crowds and tourists, Manhattan Beach is the place to go!
Brighton Beach
If you walk east from Coney Island and the aquarium, you’ll arrive at Brighton Beach, which is part of a neighbourhood with the same name that faces the Atlantic Ocean. The beach is less busy than Coney Island, and the area is primarily used by locals for picnics and volleyball.
The Brighton Beach region has the greatest Eastern European population in the Eastern United States, which means there are grocery stores selling Russian and Eastern European delicacies, as well as delis and restaurants serving freshly prepared pierogies.
Most importantly, there is a grill area on the beach, making it a great location for gatherings and picnics. So, if you’re looking for a calm day at a local New York beach away from the crowds and tourists, Manhattan Beach is the place to go!
Jones Beach State Park
Jones Beach State Park boasts a stunning stretch of white sand that stretches for about 10 kilometres along Long Island’s south shore. The beach, also known as Southwick Beach State Park, is wonderful for swimming, especially in the calmer section sheltered by a bay, and there are a variety of other activities available, such as playing basketball or mini-golf, fishing, or strolling along the boardwalk and park trails. If you become tired of the surf waves, you can go for a swim in the park’s West Bathhouse’s Olympic-sized pool.
Visit the park’s Theodore Roosevelt Nature Center, which offers educational tours and displays about the shoreline, to learn more about the area’s biological aspects.
Orchard Beach
Pelham Bay Park contains the Bronx’s lone public beach (formerly known as “the Riviera of New York”), which spans for more than a mile along the Long Island Sound. With a mile of sand and 115 acres of parkland to rest and play on, Orchard Beach in the Bronx is a delightful coastal vacation. When visiting, you actually only need to carry your towel and sunscreen because the beach and surrounding park are well-equipped with food and recreation options.
Basketball, volleyball, and handball courts, as well as playgrounds and picnic spots, are all available on-site. If you didn’t bring a picnic, the centre pavilion has a variety of cafes, restaurants, and food vendors where you can refuel.
The beach, which was built as part of the Works Progress Administration, has some historic architecture, such as the Central Pavilion, which is slated for rehabilitation in the coming years.
Robert Moses State Park, Fire Island
The beaches at Robert Moses State Park on Fire Island have 5 kilometres of gentle, sandy beachfront. The stretch of beach is divided into four distinct ‘fields,’ each with its own mood and throng.
The two beaches in the middle are radio-free zones and are quieter and more tranquil, but the beaches on the edges are busier and more crowded. Visitors can take a walk to the historic Fire Island Lighthouse or play 18 holes of miniature golf only minutes from the beach, all while being surrounded by environment and wildlife. Nearby, there are additional concession stands, a children’s park, and regular public restrooms.
These beautiful beaches are open all year from sunrise to sunset and are especially popular for surfing and fishing in the spring and summer. The state park transforms into a hub for winter recreation and sporting activities throughout the winter, making it a year-round destination.
Fort Tilden
This oceanfront park has a multitude of nature hikes as well as military relics. Its defences were erected to defend New York Harbor from air and marine attacks in 1917. Fort Tilden, which was once a US Army base, is now a popular fishing and bird-watching site. There are many decommissioned military installations to see as well, including Battery Harris East, which features a 360-degree viewing deck with views of Jamaica Bay and New York Harbor. The art projects at Fort Tilden are also well-known. The beach is part of the 26,000-acre Gateway National Recreation Area, which stretches from Brooklyn through Staten Island to Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Long Beach, Long Island
The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will take you to the soft, white sands of Long Beach in 50 minutes from Manhattan, where you may relax, swim, and catch some waves. Several outfitters provide chairs and umbrellas for rent.
The 2.2-mile Long Beach Boardwalk is free to use and is ideal for biking or walking after Hurricane Sandy in 2012. Along the main road, there are various restaurants, including Brixx & Barley Italian restaurant and Tutti Frutti frozen yoghurt.
In the summer, the Kennedy Plaza hosts a free music series, an Arts on the Boardwalk festival, and a Saturday farmers market. Skudin Surf Long Beach is directly on the beach if you want to learn to surf.
Main Beach
East Hampton’s Main Beach is the most popular of the village’s five beaches, with a beautiful expanse of smooth sand on which to lay your towel. Although the Hamptons is best known for being an exclusive summer resort for the rich and famous, its beaches are nonetheless open to the public.
With a stringent alcohol restriction and expensive parking permits, it’s a laid-back beach that keeps prospective ravers and riff-raff at bay. Even still, Main Beach can get crowded in the summer, so it’s better to visit in September when the crowds have decreased but the weather is still pleasant.