The Best Beaches To Visit This Summer 2022

Summer in the city can get hot, but if you know where to go, there are some great beaches for cooling off. We've put together a list of our favorite beaches in New York City so you can enjoy your weekend with family or friends in the city.

July 30, 2023

The Best Beaches To Visit This Summer

Summer in the city can get hot, but if you know where to go, there are some great beaches for cooling off. We've put together a list of our favorite beaches in New York City so you can enjoy your weekend with family or friends in the city. Visiting a beach is not something we recommend for your first visit to NYC, but if you're visiting family or in NYC, spending a day at the beach is a great way to spend a hot day.

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Many local schools and shops offer surf lessons. Photo by Shinya Suzuki
Long Beach

1. Long Beach | Map

Long Beach is at the top of our list because of how accessible it is and how beautiful the beach is. It has the best of everything: 2 miles of pristine beaches, a lively boardwalk, and great restaurants and bars nearby. It's free to stroll along the wide boardwalk that boasts 2 miles of walking and biking bliss and only $15 to enter the well-maintained and barefoot-friendly sandy shore. Since it's only one hour from Penn Station by train, you'll be soaking up the sun in no time!

Riis Beach

2. Jacob Riis Beach | Map

Riis Beach is a favorite beach for those looking for something different and recently has been enjoying a renaissance. Although not as well known as its neighbor Rockaway Beach, Riis boasts a noticeably wider sandy beach area. Riis is popular with locals, especially the LGBTQ+ crowd, and a historic location also known as "the people's beach" because of its easily accessible public transportation.

Jones Beach

3. Jones Beach | Map

If you’re looking for a giant beach that’s kid-friendly, Jones Beach State Park is for you. The six-mile long oceanfront park is a great place to get some sun and sand with the kids. It features plenty of grassy areas, games like shuffleboard and minigolf, as well as concerts at Nikon at Jones Beach Theater. Just slightly west from Long Beach, Jones Beach takes 2 hours to get to from Manhattan, but given the 6.5 miles of beach front Jones Beach is worth the trip. 

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Cherry Grove @ Fire Island

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4. Cherry Grove @ Fire Island | Map

For over half a century, New York’s gay and lesbian crowd has ridden the ferry to cool off at this serene hamlet. Though all of Fire Island’s spots technically share the same beachfront, this area is a bit more laid-back and affordable than the more popular Pines, but there are still plenty of clubs, bars and restaurants tucked among the cottages where you can shoot the breeze and dance. In the idyllic town, murals and mosaics cover the walls, reflecting the skills of artsy regulars.

Rockaway Beach

5. Rockaway Beach | Map

If you spend the summer months in Brooklyn, there is no way you haven’t heard about Rockaway Beach. Or if you have visited it, certainly you know that it was not just a fluke. The Ramones-approved sprawl may have gained some hipster cache over the past few years, but the draws to Rockaway remain pretty constant: You can’t beat the few-blocks-off proximity to the subway—it’s about an hour trek from downtown to the sand—and the expansive, nearly six-mile-long beach ensures you’ll get some space to yourself. The waves here are also rideable! Hang ten and sign up for surf lessons at the New York Surf School 

Coney Island

6. Coney Island Beach | Map

Coney Island, located in the southern part of Brooklyn, has been a place of entertainment and fun for almost one hundred years. Today it retains its reputation as one of New York City's (and the world's) most beloved beaches and amusement parks. This neighborhood is filled with things to see and do, from the annual Mermaid Parade and the Cyclone roller coaster to fantastic street art. A two-mile-long boardwalk with arcades, shops, food vendors, and rides provides entertainment for kids and adults alike.

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Brighton beach on the map with photos and reviews🏖️ BeachSearcher.com
Brighton Beach

7. Brighton Beach | Map

If you want to escape the Coney Island crowds and swim in a less densely populated beach environment, head to nearby Brighton. A smaller and quieter beachfront in a neighborhood of the same name, this respite boasts fewer frills than nearby Coney Island but more actual swimmers and sunbathers. Brighton Beach is known for its Eastern European residents and is nicknamed "Little Odessa" for its sizeable Ukrainian & Russian culture. Walk the area, and you'll find a thoroughfare of pierogi shops, groceries selling traditional Ukrainian foods, and restaurants with menus boasting hard-to-find vodka.

Manhattan Beach Park : NYC Parks
Manhattan Beach

8. Manhattan Beach | Map

Manhattan Beach is a only a few minutes away from Brighton Beach in Brooklyn. It's a less crowded, and relatively quiet compared to most of the other beaches in Brooklyn. Although it's smaller than Manhattan and Coney Island, it does have everything you need for a romantic date, or an afternoon with the kids. There are plenty of picnic tables for family barbecues, basketball and tennis courts, and even handball courts. 

Orchard Beach | Attractions in The Bronx, New York
Orchard Beach

9. Orchard Beach | Map

In standard fashion, we saved our favorite for last. Orchard Beach was a favorite growing up. The music and energy were like any other in the city. That was over 30 years ago, and the waters are cleaner now, but the vibe is just as fun. Orchard Beach is the Bronx's only public beach and spans 1.1 miles and 115 acres. With its stunning views of City Island, it remains one of the most popular beaches in New York. The crescent-shaped shore was created by Robert Moses in the 1930s and provides ample space for 26 courts for 3-on-3 basketball, volleyball, and handball games. Although the area lacks restaurants, there are large picnic areas and concession stands selling snacks and lots of music and Bronx-style party vibes on the beach. It's also close to City Island, which has many great restaurants to enjoy after your beach visit.

Planning a day at the beach means leaving early from Manhattan. If you want to plan a day at the beach during your trip, we can help with transportation and beach items.

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