The city of New York is known to have tall buildings, museums, and busy streets; however, summer tourists can enjoy many beaches within and surrounding the city. These beaches provide a variety of activities including swimming, sunbathing, outdoor activities, and brief summer vacations.
For those who want to get away from the heat of the city, there are several beaches that are available via subway, ferry, bus or a brief drive. This variety of destinations makes the coast of New York a significant part of the summer tourism of the city; it adds to the attractiveness of the city as a destination for the tourism of New York City.
Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk
Rockaway Beach still holds on to the title of one of the most easily accessible beaches for visitors to New York City. The fact that it is close to public transportation means that the visitor can visit the beach without having to travel through a lengthy drive, and that there is enough room for everybody.
It is also well-known for offering surfing activities, where surf lessons can be provided for anyone who wishes to experience this form of water sports.
Coney Island Beach
The attraction at Coney Island is an old-fashioned beach combined with an entertainment district that is well-known in New York City. Coney Island has been a seaside amusement resort for a long time and still attracts people who are interested in combining water sports with entertainment.
Apart from the beach, there are many rides and attractions such as Luna Park. People come to Coney Island not only to swim but also to enjoy the entertainment and watch other people.
Fort Tilden Beach
For those who would like to enjoy some quiet time on the beach, Fort Tilden may be one of their best options. This particular beach offers a nice sandy area along with trees and green dunes, providing a more secluded setting compared to other places near NYC.
The main advantage of such seclusion is that people would have to make more arrangements for getting there than for visiting beach spots easily accessible via public transportation systems. Cycling could be a good choice.
Jones Beach
Jones Beach, situated in Long Island, offers a bigger beach experience away from the five boroughs of New York City. The long stretch of beach is supported by other recreation facilities such as courts and mini-golf, among other family-friendly recreations.
Additionally, there is also a venue for concerts at the destination, which appeals to music lovers. All these factors make Jones Beach a good option for a full day excursion from New York City during summertime.
Jacob Riis Park Beach
Another possibility within the Rockaway Peninsula includes Jacob Riis Park Beach. The beach itself is actually quite wide when compared to some other areas in the vicinity, and it has developed its own culture over time.
Travelers, though, should be sure to investigate conditions prior to their visit. It has been reported that some sections of the beach have had certain restrictions due to erosion and old buildings beneath the water.
Cherry Grove Beach
Cherry Grove Beach in Fire Island is a unique beach destination in that this destination is accessed through ferry transport and uses wooden pathways in lieu of regular concrete roads.
This destination has the reputation of being laid-back and having great food, club scenes, and artistry. This gives it a very unique community identity, making it a great destination alternative to regular city beaches.
Long Beach
Long Beach is yet another option for people who wish to leave New York City. It can be accessed via the Long Island Rail Road that operates from Penn Station.
There is a boardwalk which spans several miles and can be used for walking and biking, along with a beach that provides for an immaculate environment during the summertime.
Orchard Beach
Situated in the borough of Bronx, Orchard Beach is the only public beach of New York City in the borough. It has a one-mile long coastline that provides views of City Island.
In addition to this, there are concession stands, picnic facilities, and courts of basketball, volleyball, and handball. This makes Orchard Beach a convenient place for tourists and locals alike who want to have an enjoyable time at a water recreation facility right in the city.
Robert Moses State Park
Robert Moses State Park provides visitors with an opportunity to visit a less busy beach in Long Island. It is said that the beach is not as busy as the one at Jones Beach, but there are facilities such as showers, first-aid stations, grills, and picnic tables.
People who need more attractions may move further east and visit Fire Island, which features a lighthouse called Fire Island Lighthouse.
Midland Beach
Midland Beach of Staten Island provides a more laid-back beach experience. This beach is a part of Franklin Delano Roosevelt Boardwalk and Beach and has a fishing pier and biking trails.
The place also has recreational facilities including handball and shuffleboard courts.
Brighton Beach
Brighton Beach is an alternative for the more crowded beaches at Coney Island. Brighton Beach is situated in Brooklyn and has a connection to a community with a strong cultural presence of Russians.
One may enjoy visiting the beach along with shopping and dining out at the nearby stores and eateries.
Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach lies close to Brighton Beach in the eastern peninsula of Brooklyn. The location has had a rich history as a summer resort, and it continues to be popular for family activities such as picnic and barbecue.
Facilities for sports are provided for tennis, basketball, and handball courts. Traveling through public transport can provide an economical way of visiting this place other than by car.
South Beach
Yet another alternative is South Beach on Staten Island, which lies adjacent to Midland Beach and includes a long boardwalk and recreational facilities. This place was also renovated after Hurricane Sandy and remains a popular tourist destination because it provides an amalgamation of a beach, recreation facilities, and entertainment.
Choosing the Right Beach Near New York City
The ideal beach varies depending on the kind of experience the traveler is looking to have. While Rockaway Beach may work well for travelers who want easy access and surf, Coney Island provides a mix of beach and amusement park facilities.
Other places like Fort Tilden and Robert Moses State Park might serve the interests of travelers who prefer a more peaceful atmosphere. On the other hand, Orchard Beach, Midland Beach, and South Beach could work as alternatives within New York City.
The means of transport that a person would use in their travels would also need consideration. Places like Fort Tilden can only be accessed via trains or ferries; others through bicycles and cars.
Conclusion
Beaches in New York City have more variation than one might think of an urban city. While Coney Island and Rockaway Beach are popular destinations because of their fun environment, other locations such as Fort Tilden and Robert Moses State Park give travelers a more tranquil location to explore during their vacation.
In addition, these beach locations also contribute economically to New York through the summertime tourist attractions, bringing visitors to other areas around these locations such as neighborhoods, public transportation, restaurants and entertainment locations. For people who are seeking to plan a summer getaway, visiting the beaches in New York can be convenient to do so.
FAQs
Rockaway Beach can easily be accessed through the use of public transport services since there are long stretches of shorelines in this area.
Coney Island Beach is one of the famous beaches which are known for their amusement attractions like Luna Park.
Yes. There are several beaches that are accessible through subway, ferry, bus, or rail services depending on the destination. One can access Long Beach from Penn Station using Long Island Rail Road.
