Eight Awesome New York Beaches | The Brooklyn Nomad

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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 years 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 Hamptons (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.

http://www.rockrose.com Rockrose Development

This is such a great post! It’s a shame that Water Taxi Beach in Long Island City won’t be open this year.
http://Website Donna

Great article! I am happy to see Rockaway Beach was first on your list.
http://www.vinnyfrombrooklyn.com Vinny

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.
http://Website Anjeeta

I so love the beaches of Long Island…
Andrew Hickey

As do I. Planning a weekend in Montauk for August.
http://Website Danmack

I”ll have to check out Rockaway beach ….. fa’ now Andrew ..Coney Island rulz ! Nice post , thankx man .
Andrew Hickey

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.
http://www.maitravelsite.com Federico @ maitravelsite

Interesting post. You might find funny that the most famous beach I knew was Coney Island because of a movie- “The Warriors”

Federico
http://www.myamsterdam.co.uk Sean

Hi Andrew,
New York has beautiful beaches really , pictures are awesome. Thanks for sharing..

Have a nice day.
http://www.travelingnewyorker.blogspot.com Peter J

Jones is my beach of choice. Unfortunately it can take up to 2 hours in traffic from Manhattan if you’re a late weekend riser like me.
Juls

Having grown up on “The Island” where one is never more than 20 minutes away from a beach – my fave beaches didn’t make your list – which are all the beaches of Fire Island from Robert Moses State Park all the way to the east end of that glorious sandbar.
Andrew Hickey

Juls, I have never been to Fire Island, but have heard nothing but great things about it. Robert Moses is definitely another great beach on the Island.
Stephania Andrade

I’ve always wanted to visit Coney Island and ride a roller coaster!
http://www.riolocalapartments.com/ Rio de janeiro apartments

Planning to go to New York…really beautiful beaches, thanks for sharing
Muhranda

so glad you didn’t mention my favorite beach either because we don’t need any rube tourists clogging up the causeway
http://artofbackpacking.com Michael

I’ve done some good partying at Water Taxi Beach. Good times there. Love that place.