Eight Awesome New York Beaches

May 31, 2010 9 Comments by Andrew Hickey

Growing up just a few feet from a beach for the first 25 years of my life, I consider myself a beach bum for sure. Boogie boarding by the age of five, attempting to surf by the age of eight (and quitting by nine) and spending most of my younger days between Memorial Day and Labor Day on the sands of the Rockaways, life was in fact a beach for yours truly. But I feel that New York beaches often times get the shaft from people looking to spend their vacation by the shore. The Empire State is way more than just the Hamptions (although I love it out there). Here are eight New York beaches you need to check out on your next trip to my neck of the woods…er beach.

Rockaway Beach, New York

Rockaway Beach: Yeah, yeah, yeah…I just told you I grew up here. But that does not mean Rockaway Beach is not great. Once considered the summer getaway destination for the rich and famous in the early 20th century, the Rockaways lost most of those wealthy visitors when they packed up and moved to the Hamptons to get even further away from Manhattan (and not so rich people) for a long weekend. Although Rockaway went through a rought patch in the 80s and 90s, in the last few years it has seen a housing boom, with many properties still selling for well over $1 million.

Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City

Water Taxi Beach(es) (Long Island City, South Street Seaport & Governors Island): Each of these three man made beaches offering New Yorkers and visitors to the Big Apple a chance to play in the sand and sun. Long Island City’s beach is 44,000 square feet and provides spectacular views of the midtown Manhattan skyline. South Street Seaport’s beach is home to the “Eat it Raw Happy Hour” from 4pm-6pm. Guests can enjoy $3 off drink specials and .80 per piece clam, shrimp and oysters. Finally, at Governors Island ‘s beach, after a day of sun bathing and enjoying the views, feed your appetite with an award-winning Motz Burger, hot dog, or sausage.

Orchard Beach in the Bronx, New York

Orchard Beach: Located in the Bronx, Orchard Beach is a 1.1 mile-long crescent-shaped strip of surf and sand that is extremely popular with families looking to cool off on those hazy, hot and humid summer days. Barbeque, throw a Frisbee or just lay out and get some rays at this often times overlooked New York beach destination.

Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, New York

Jones Beach: This Long Island located beach not only offers a beautiful New York ocean-front, but it has a fantastic 15,000-seat amphitheater that has seen such acts as the Dave Matthews Band, Aerosmith, John Mayer, Eric Clapton and R.E.M. rock the stage. The Summer Concert Series is always a hit with New Yorkers.

Sunrise at Montauk, New York

Montauk: When driving out to the Hamptons, go as far as the road will allow you and visit Montauk, otherwise known as “The End.” Why the nickname? That’s because this beach community is located at the easternmost tip of New York State. Drive any further and you’ll be swimming with the fishes. While in town check out the Montauk Point Light, which was the first lighthouse in New York state and is the fourth oldest active lighthouse in the United States.

Coney Island Beach in Brooklyn, New York

Coney Island: What a shocker, the guy from Brooklyn puts a beach from his borough on the list. But a list of New York beaches can not be complete in my opinion without including easily the most famous and most historic. Coney Island has been a summer playground for the last 100 years to locals and visitors to New York. Located at the southernmost tip of Brooklyn, it has gone through more ups and downs than the its popular Cyclone roller coaster. A bunch of bad business deals gone sour turned this section of Kings County into a pretty rough New York neighborhood for the last 20 or so years, but with the addition of Keyspan Park (home of the Brooklyn Cyclones softball team and the occasional concert) and the all-new Luna Park, it looks like Coney Island’s future is looking bright.

New York Tips, Travel

Vinny says:

05/31/2010 at 12:17 pm

Great page, I am glad you included Coney Island. I would have swapped out Rockaway beach for Riis park though. It is much cleaner and closer to Brooklyn.

Andrew Hickey says:

05/31/2010 at 4:02 pm

Hey Vinny. I was born and raised in the Rockaways and while Riis is great, Rockaway is quieter and if you hang out above 116 street, it is just as clean (if not cleaner) than Riis.