I just got back from an amazing trip to Rehoboth -- perfect weather, great food and even better company. Unfortunately, I can't always make the 5+ hour drive to the house, as you know from my previous post. Luckily, there are several fantastic beaches near NYC easily accessible by bus and train!
Cat and I fishing at the Rockaways. What you can't see here are our amazing jorts.
The Rockaways: Just a $2.50 subway ride will get you to this stretch of beach in Queens, making it a popular destination for many New Yorkers. Hurricane Sandy may have washed away parts of the boardwalk and beach, but a lot of the Rockaway Peninsula has been rebuilt. Because the beach is off the subway, it can get very crowded, especially on weekends. For that reason, I like to take the train a bit further out and away from the crowds. After spending the day in the sun, be sure to hit Rippers (from the guys who brought you Roberta's!) for burgers, fries, and frozen margaritas.
How to get there: Take the A train toward Far Rockaway and get off at Beach 60th St. Walk two blocks to the beach!
Fort Tilden: This beach is actually a decommissioned military base surrounded by nature trails. It's remote, so it's generally empty of crowds and very clean. On the downside, there are no lifeguards, limited bathroom facilities, and no vendors, so bring your own food & drink.
How to get there: If you're not up to the two-hour bike ride from Manhattan (I know some people who've done this!) you can take a long (1.5-hour) journey via subway + bus. Take the 4/5 train to Flatbush Ave-Brooklyn College and then catch a Q54 bus directly to the beach.
Long Beach: This beach is a favorite of mine. Although not as scenic as some of the other beaches on this list, its entrance fee makes it very clean and less crowded. Before she moved to Texas, my friend Cat and I used to take this trip a lot during the summer. We'd take the first train out around 7:45 am and get back to the city around 3 pm to avoid the massive crowds on the train. Don't miss Five Guys on your way home! You'll be happy to have those fries and cold Diet Coke with you on the way back to the city.
How to get there: Take the LIRR from Penn Station towards Long Beach. A combo train + beach entrance ticket is $22.
Coney Island: While I wouldn't endorse swimming here, it is technically a beach. Skip the ocean and go for the other things Coney Island has to offer like the amusement park, aquarium, and of course, Nathan's Hot Dogs.
Because no beach trip is complete without a jumping pic.
Jones Beach: This beach can get super crowded, but its big. Over 6.5 miles of beach, a pretty boardwalk, swimming pools and miniature golf. Plus, there are concerts all throughout the summer here. Be sure to hit Friendly's on your way back home!
How to get there: Take the LIRR to Freeport and grab the JB88 bus to East Bath House (less crowds) for $18.75.
Montauk: There's hiking, biking and the beach! There's also a historic lighthouse that's supposedly worth the trip.
Fire Island: An outer barrier island famous for sand dunes, nightlife and a lesbian + gay scene.
Sandy Hook: A pristine beach with lifeguards, showers, snacks and tons of bike trails.
And, of course, if you can't make it out to the beach but still want to soak up the sun, join fellow New Yorkers in making every inch of green space this city has to offer into a makeshift beach.
Sunbathers at Pier 45 on a sunny weekend afternoon.
What are your favorite NYC beach spots?
Don't forget to check out the States East gallery to see the new photos that I took of my most recent trip to the Eastern Shore!